The Lower Mainland has various municipal-run golf courses. You’ll find Fraserview, McCleery, and Langara in Vancouver. Burnaby has Burnaby Mountain and Riverway. Some courses are manicured better than others, but if there was one municipal course that can be crowned as the “jewel” of the bunch, Northlands Golf Course in North Vancouver definitely has the chance of taking grand prize.
Located in the heart of North Vancouver, here’s the official description of Northlands:
Northlands opened for 18 hole public play in 1997 and has earned the reputation of being Metro Vancouver’s Premiere Public Course.
Awarded a Best New Course designation by Golf Digest in 1998, Northlands is owned and operated by The District of North Vancouver and was designed by Les Furber of Golf Design Services, one of Canada’s most prolific golf course designers and a specialist in mountainside construction. Greens are large and without severe undulations. Four sets of tees on each hole are designed to accommodate all skill levels.
On your way into the Northlands parking lot you’ll notice driving by some of the most expensive real estate in the Lower Mainland. Northlands is a public, municipal-run course but feels like a private members’ only course.
The natural scenery is stunning at Northlands.
The staff on hand is extremely friendly and helpful, and the conditions of the course are second to none. The fairways are green, the greens are immaculate shape and roll the way you expect them to.
With its mountain side location, walking Northlands is not impossible–but it’s going to require some real stamina navigating the inclines! It’s particularly a real challenge on holes #4 and #18. Definitely a real uphill battle that will leave you gasping for air if you’re out of shape.
Here’s an aerial view of their signature 10th hole, which has an “island” green (screenshot via the GolfShot iPhone app):
The Course–The Conditions Are in Top Shape
Northlands is a challenging course that has a combination of water and other hazards that any golfer will enjoy playing. With the course built on the mountain-side, the variety of altitude changes will have your course management put to the test. Not only that, the natural scenery includes a variety of wildlife–we spotted a deer with its fawn, a buck and various birds.
Saturday was a relatively busy day at the course. The course marshal was doing a great job of reminding groups to keep up the pace (including ours!). I loved the variety of holes at Northlands. It really kept things fresh, compared to some courses where it’s the same layout hole after hole.
Course Rates: Northlands is Covering HST!
While other courses have increased their green fees, Northlands has not. Their rates are competitive with other municipal courses, and given their top notch conditions, this is one public course you have to try. Here are their rates as of Sept. 6/10 (click to enlarge):
Check out the following video (filmed and edited on the iPhone 4) of our Northlands golf experience. Curtis Johnston of Northlands explains the highlights and signature holes:
I’d like to say a special thanks to Curtis for being so accommodating and giving us some of his time on a busy Saturday morning. I will be visiting Northlands again in the future. It was a challenging course that will put your game to the test.
Have you played Northlands? How do you like the course?
Posted under: Golf Courses, Reviews, Vancouver
