Located in the rolling hills of Caledon, 30 minutes north of Toronto, the Caledon Country Club has been welcoming golfers to its 6,502-yard championship layout since 1960. Designed by renowned course architect Rene Muylaert, the club was founded by S.B. McLaughlin and was initially a private facility known as Chinguacousy Country Club. Today, Caledon is regarded as one of the finest public golf courses in the GTA. Beautiful at any time of year, Caledon is especially spectacular in autumn when the neighbouring hillside forests are ablaze with colour. The Credit River weaves its way across the property and strategically comes into play on four holes, further enhancing the challenge.

Located in north Pickering, Watson’s Glen is a standout among public golf courses in the Durham Region. Opened in 2002, the course was designed by Kevin Holmes and quickly earned a reputation for its championship-caliber layout and pristine conditioning. Watson’s Glen offers a true links-style experience, with wide fairways, bent grass tees and greens, and a layout that rewards strategic play. Water hazards come into play on 11 holes, and the course is dotted with 90 Temisca white sand bunkers, adding both beauty and complexity to the design. The terrain is gently rolling, with open sightlines and subtle elevation changes that make each hole distinct.

Spanning nearly 200 acres, St. Andrew’s Valley was masterfully crafted by renowned Canadian architect Rene Muylaert, whose vision transformed the floodplain along the Holland River into a dynamic and memorable golfing experience. The course stretches up to 7,315 yards from the championship tees, making it one of the longest and most demanding courses in the country. Water hazards play a central role in the course’s identity, with the Holland River weaving through multiple holes, forcing strategic decisions and precision. The large multi-tiered greens are noted for their humps and plateaus, which make putting a persistent challenge.

Nestled in the scenic Durham Region, the Royal Ashburn Golf Club stands as a testament to Canadian golfing heritage. Its story began in 1959, when golf professionals Wilson Paterson and Bill Ogle acquired 225 acres of picturesque farmland with a vision to create a world-class golf facility. By spring 1962, the course opened as an 18-hole layout, quickly earning a reputation for its immaculate grounds and exceptional playability. Originally named Whitby Golf Club, it was soon rebranded as Thunderbird Golf Club, a name it carried for decades. In 2000, the club adopted its current name, Royal Ashburn Golf Club, reflecting its elevated status and commitment to excellence.

Situated between Rattlesnake Point and Mount Nemo in the Niagara Escarpment and noted for its walkability and conditioning, the club’s staff reception, GPS-equipped carts and clubhouse interior make you feel like you’re playing a top-end semi-private facility. The short par-3 5th to an island green gets the “signature hole” accolades, but it’s the strength and variety of par-4s that make this an easy inclusion to the GTA’s best values.

Originally opened in 1962 as an 18-hole course, Hidden Lakes has expanded into two very good, but distinct championship courses that cover over 500 acres of picturesque Niagara Escarpment landscape. The Old Course is a throwback to days gone by as much of the original layout remains. Measuring 6,446 yards, the course is very mature, featuring tree-lined fairways and extremely small greens. By comparison, the 6,471-yard “New Course” is renowned for its generous fairways, numerous water hazards (which do not exist on the Old Course) and giant, undulating greens. At Hidden Lake, the question is not which golf course is better, but rather, what kind of golf course you prefer.

It’s impossible not to appreciate the setting of Lowville GC. Its north Burlington topography rolls like a boiling ocean beneath the brow of Mount Nemo and the Niagara Escarpment, the latter designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1999—one of just 12 in Canada. Originally laid out in 1973, the course was completely revamped in 1998 by architect Dick Kirkpatrick. Hopefully you’re adept at playing off sloping fairways—and in good physical condition if you plan to walk. And as picturesque as it is in summer, the tree-lined escarpment helps this place light up like a wildfire come autumn.

Perched high on a former landfill in the heart of Mississauga, with views that sweep across the GTA, BraeBen is golf with a surprising twist. This isn’t just a course—it’s a test of QPR (and we’re not just talking Quality-Price Ratio, but Quirk, Patience and Resilience. Quirk, because you’re teeing off into a landscape that feels part links, part mountain; Patience, because the rolling fairways and winds show no mercy; and Resilience, because missing a green here often means a blind recovery from somewhere you didn’t know existed. Still, the reward is worth it: dramatic vistas and a round that humbles and exhilarates. And check out the nine-hole par-3 course—ideal for family, short-game testing or bet-settling.

Lakeview Golf Course is a historic gem in Canadian golf, celebrated for its rich legacy and classic parkland design. Originally founded in 1896 as the High Park Golf Club, the course relocated to its current site near Lake Ontario in 1907. Lakeview has hosted the Canadian Open twice—first in 1923, won by Clarence Hackney, and again in 1934, when Tommy Armour claimed victory. The course features 18 holes laid out over 6,289 yards, playing to a par of 71. Its traditional design includes mature tree-lined fairways, subtle elevation changes, and large sloping greens with nuanced breaks. Lakeview is operated by the City of Mississauga and has been recognized as one of the best municipal golf courses in Canada, praised for its beauty, challenge, and sustainability initiatives.