Why Bryson DeChambeau Ranked Banff Springs Ahead of Augusta National
Looking back from the 12th Green, the Bow River is on the left.
If you've been anywhere near "Golf YouTube" this week, you've likely seen the video.
Major champion Bryson DeChambeau recently made his way up to Alberta, Canada to take on the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, and his reaction has the entire golf world talking.
For those of us who live and breathe Rocky Mountain golf, we've always known how special this Stanley Thompson masterpiece is. But hearing a US Open champion call it "ethereal" and rank it ahead of Augusta National on his personal list of the world's most beautiful courses has put a massive global spotlight on our backyard.
"I have never seen anything like this."
DeChambeau spent his round in absolute awe of the Canadian Rockies. He compared the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel to stepping into Narnia or Hogwarts, and noted that in his two decades of playing competitive golf around the globe, he had never experienced a setting quite like it.
The immediate result? A massive surge in golfers looking to experience the magic of the Bow Valley for themselves. The secret is officially out, and the demand to play here has never been higher.
Bryson takes in all that the Banff Springs Golf Course has to offer.
A Stanley Thompson Masterpiece
What Bryson experienced is the result of brilliant design intersecting with an impossible landscape. Originally built in 1928, the par-71 course is the crowning achievement of legendary Canadian golf architect Stanley Thompson.
Thompson expertly routed the 18 holes along the scenic Bow River, set beneath the towering, snow-capped peaks of Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle. The course is famous for its optical illusions, like the towering rock wall behind the green on the par-5 3rd hole "Gibraltar" that makes the flag stick look deceptively close, or the world-renowned par-3 4th hole "Devil's Cauldron", featuring a spectacular elevated tee shot down to a bowl-shaped green.
The iconic par 3 4th hole - “The Devil’s Cauldron”
Beyond Banff: The Ultimate Bow Valley Golf Trip
While Banff Springs is the historic anchor of golf in the Canadian Rockies, building a world-class itinerary means exploring the incredible modern designs just down the highway. The Bow Valley is packed with dramatic elevation changes and pristine mountain architecture.
Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club (Canmore): Designed by Gary Browning, this course is sculpted directly into the mountain landscape, featuring layered fairways, old mine-shaft ruins, and landing areas defined by pristine pine forests. It is highly regarded for its exceptional conditioning and thoughtful routing.
The 9th hole at Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club
Silvertip Resort (Canmore): A visually spectacular layout that offers extreme elevation drops, dramatic sloping greens, and some of the most expansive vistas in the region.
The 18th green at Silvertip Resort
Kananaskis Country Golf Course: Located just off the main valley, this 36-hole facility features two spectacular Robert Trent Jones Sr. layouts (Mt. Kidd and Mt. Lorette). These courses offer wide fairways framed by the Kananaskis River and towering peaks, delivering a pure mountain golf experience.
Kananaskis Golf Course
Don't Just Watch It - Play It
Watching a pro navigate the dramatic elevation changes and optical illusions of the mountains is highly entertaining, but teeing it up yourself is a true bucket-list experience. Playing golf at altitude means your ball flies further, the mountain air is crisp, and every single hole offers a panoramic postcard view.
However, planning a golf trip in the Canadian Rockies requires local expertise. With the current spike in global interest, securing the best tee times, premium accommodations, and seamless travel logistics is more critical than ever.
That's where Bow Valley Golf Concierge steps in. We specialize in crafting custom, luxury golf itineraries throughout the region. Whether you want to recreate Bryson's exact round at Banff Springs, explore the incredible tracks in Kananaskis, or extend your trip down through the Columbia Valley, we handle every detail so you can just focus on the fairways.
Ready to experience the courses that blow away the pros?