Fly into YYC and meet Johnny Miller

If you’re flying into YYC with your golf clubs, be prepared to pay a lot of money. The only way to save money playing golf in Calgary and the surrounding area is to buy yourself a Golf Passbook for $46. The other way is to buy a Tee-Off book but you cannot play alone because discounts only apply if you are golfing with friends. In my earlier blog this week, I recommended Shaw-Nee Slopes on Mondays because for $43, you can get green fees and cart. Shaw-Nee is a pretty good course to play on with a few challenges and very patient members. It is a semi-private course but you won’t find any members playing after 12 noon. They are early-risers and most of them love to walk.

If money is no object then drive out of Calgary and plan to play at two of my favorite courses in Canmore. The Stewart Creek Golf Course has beautiful holes and so does SilverTip but prepare to pay lots of money. I think the only affordable advice I have for SilverTip fans is to play in the late afternoon where you can get on for $105. Without question, the one course that will test your skills in town is Lynx Ridge near the community of Tuscany. There you will find elevation changes, water and ravines. Weekend rates run you about $94 a round without a power cart. You have to have strong leg muscles to walk.

Another course that is worth a look is the Links at Gleneagles in Cochrane, about 15 minutes outside of Calgary. The signature holes are interesting such as the par 3’s. You need to hit two clubs down from what you normally think you need to navigate the distance. Play for the fun of it.

If you are flying into YYC, check out the new course at the airport called SilverWing. If you’re in town this weekend, drop by and see Johnny Miller who will be hosting a clinic there.

Save up to 50% off Green Fees

They say there’s never a bad day on a golf course. I’ve also heard people say your worst day on a golf course beats any good day at work. I can certainly vouch for that when the sun is shining, birds are singing and your game is nowhere to be found. I wonder why I take a day off work to be fustrated on the golf course but I do it from time to time. The unexpected happens on the next hole and you’re back to liking the game.

One of the best things you can do for your golf game is to get the Golf Card International. It sells for $65 and is good for savings at over 3,400 courses in Canada and the US. (If you visit us, you can get it now for only $49 and you get free shipping too.) With the Golf Card, you can get 2-for-1 green fees on courses like Homestead GC in Utah, just 20 minutes west of Park City. The Homestead GC is a nice golf course to play on. It’s a par 72, 7,091 yards from the back tees and provides some elevated tees with water and sand hazards throughout the course. I had a chance to play it last September when we stayed in Park City. With the Golf Card, you can get 20% off green fees at ShoreCliffs GC in San Clemente, Pala Mesa in Fallbrook, Silverado in Scottsdale, Aliante in Las Vegas and many more. Even in Costa Rica, you can play at the Los Suenos Marriott for 30% off from December to May or 50% off from June to November. 

With your membership, you can get 15% off Alamo car rentals and 20% off National Car Rentals. (I will post some new coupons on our website for those of you interested in car rentals). Also, you get copies of Golf Traveler for free and a chance to test new products. If you’re paying posted green fees then you are paying retail. Get a Golf Card and start saving 10-50% off green fees.