Ask a Golf Lover: Hidden Gem Courses, Beginner Friendly Clubs and More Essential Intel

“We’re spoiled for choice with our municipal courses,” says Haley Hnatiw. She should know: she started life on the links as a Kelowna kid, played varsity for UBC, pals around with golf pros and now runs a Scottish golf tour company called East Sands Golf Co. with her husband, Nick. Some call her obsessed—we call her for expert-level intel.

What’s the best course for a total beginner to tackle?

Langara is a great intro if it’s your first time on a course—it’s short and it’s right on the Skytrain line, making it very accessible if you don’t own a car.

What’s your favourite local course?

For the views alone, Capilano is hard to beat. It’s nestled into the British Properties in West Van and offers views of the Lions Gate Bridge, Stanley Park, downtown Vancouver, even Mount Baker. As far as public courses go, Fraserview is a big, majestic parkland course in East Van. It’s arguably one of the best layouts in the city, public and private combined.

What’s the most underrated course in the Lower Mainland?

Might be a hot take, but I would choose to play Squamish Valley Golf Club over just about anything in Whistler. The views are just as good, and the course is extremely fun—plus it’s half as far from the city (and about half the price).

What’s the biggest surprise about the golf scene in Vancouver?

Our pitch and putt courses are sneaky good! The Queen E Park course was designed by the same golf course architect who built courses like Shaughnessy and Marine Drive.

The Golf Goods

A trio of local brands driving hard into the competitive golf market.

1. Vancouver-based Haywood is giving Titleist a run for its money with high-tech titanium goods, like its slick, low-spin, light-weight driver head ($399). haywoodgolf.com

2. Not ready to invest in waterproof golf shoes? Vessi makes an affordable, locally designed alternative… and the Stormburst low tops ($160) look great with a pair of classic plaid golf pants. vessi.com

3. When you’ve really caught the golf bug and are ready to start personalizing your gear (“It’s a thing,” shrugs Hnatiw), Rawhide Golf’s custom hand-cut leather headcovers (from $80) are a  cult favourite. rawhidegolf.com