Kandice VincentThe 5 Best Private Golf Courses in Toronto
Golf clubs are places where one can enjoy the sport with a good set of amenities, a set of knowledgeable members, and great surroundings. It’s an underrated pasttime that many people enjoy!
If you’re looking for the best private golf courses in Toronto, then this review is for you!
The Best Private Golf Courses in Toronto
How much do private golf courses cost in Toronto?
Part of the reason why golf isn’t exactly a sport that everyone can enjoy is because it isn’t exactly an affordable hobby. Aside from the equipment that you’ll need, the cost of having a membership at a golf course can be expensive.
To help you get a better idea of costs, here are a few average membership prices to help you get started:
The Best Private Golf Courses in Toronto
We used the following criteria to examine each of the private golf courses:
1. Rosedale Golf Club
| REPUTATION | ★★★★☆ |
| AMENITIES | ★★★★★ |
| ATMOSPHERE | ★★★★★ |
| MEMBERSHIP PERKS | ★★★★☆ |
Rosedale Golf Club is recognized as one of Canada’s best golf courses, with its establishment tracing back to 1893. It holds the privilege of being an official Donald Ross course – a designation for golf courses designed by renowned golf course architect of the same name.
One of the best things about this club is their club house. The club house was opened in 2015 and has played host to private functions such as events, weddings, and other gatherings.
What we like most about the club house are its premium spaces that inlcude areas with wood burning fireplaces and a very wide parking area. It also boasts of world class cuisine and culinary staff, along with magnificent views of the entire golf course and its surrounding areas.
Members and their guests are entitled to enjoy the club house. On top of this, Rosedale Golf Club opens their spaces to members’ guests to give them a tour of the place.
This practice is reflective of their openness and welcoming attitude, which also seems like a pretty good marketing strategy. There isn’t really anything negative to say about this club, if you can get in, that is.
However, we do hope that they can improve on their organization and accommodation process.
There are times when people get stuck on the waiting list and hang around too long that they decide to transfer to other clubs.
Overall, we believe that Rosedale Golf Club is one of the most prominent choices for golf club membership in Toronto. The overall design of the club and its facilities make the experience worthwhile.
Pros
- Official Donald Ross course
- Over 100 years in the field
- Beautiful club house
Cons
- Takes time to sort out waiting list
- Negative work culture (according to a review)
Customer Reviews
Excellent banquet facilities
Great Real Estate Awards celebratory dinner in the main dining room. Excellent banquet facilities, gracious and beautiful reception! A+! — Christopher Crysdale, via Google
A great place to kick back in the summer
Great use of space in the winter that allows others to access and bring dogs. A great place to kick back in the summer. — Michele Sardegna, via Google
2. Toronto Golf Club
| REPUTATION | ★★★★★ |
| AMENITIES | ★★★★☆ |
| ATMOSPHERE | ★★★★★ |
| MEMBERSHIP PERKS | ★★★★☆ |
Established in Toronto in 1876, the Toronto Golf Club now holds the title of being the third oldest golf club in North America. It was designed by golf course architect Harry Colt.
The best thing about this club is its heritage. It has an extensive history that shows how it came from a vast green land, transferred to a different site, to eventually having its own clubhouse.
This golf course has hosted the Canadian Open five times already! It is also the only golf course to host the Canadian Amateur Championship for nine times in total.
Do take note, that members and guests are strictly subjected to the club’s dress code. Even the clubhouse has its own set of rules, with men being required to at least wear a jacket.
Honestly, there isn’t really much to dislike about this club. However, do take note that they are usually closed during weekends which means less access to members and even potential new ones.
Toronto Golf Club hosts lessons, leagues, and daily practices. Members are free to choose how they want to play and are encouraged to develop their golfing skills.
Pros
- Historical club
- Hosted the Canadian Open five times
- Hosted the Canadian Amateur Championship nine times
Cons
- Very strict in terms of dress code
- Closed during weekends
Customer Reviews
Excellent course conditions
Well designed course, great staff, excellent course conditions, the members were very polite and friendly — Jeff Schimdt, via Google
Excellent tree-lined and open parkland layout
The private Toronto Golf Club is home to one of the top-rated and finest championship golf courses in Ontario. The excellent tree-lined and open parkland layout contains a wealth of wonderfully crafted, memorable and challenging holes. This private course is generally playable only by members and their invited guests. — Suzanne Butler, via Google
3. Oakdale Golf & Country Club
| REPUTATION | ★★★★★ |
| AMENITIES | ★★★★☆ |
| ATMOSPHERE | ★★★★★ |
| MEMBERSHIP PERKS | ★★★★☆ |
Oakdale Golf and Country Club has been an optimum choice for families since 1926. It is a 27-hole world-class golf course.
The club has facilities such as a pool, gym, and spa. Apart from golf, the club also offers programs such as tennis and fitness courses.
What we find convenient about this club is that it provides activities even during off-season. Winter programs include ice skating, snow walking trails, indoor golf simulator and more.
Their beautiful terrace is the popular choice for members’ events and gatherings. They also provide al fresco dining just outside the clubhouse, along with an improved coffee shop that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Given their reputation of being a golf course for families, Oakdale Golf and Country Club has flexible programs and packages to accommodate every individual.
They also give special legacy rights to children of families. That is, if they choose to continue as members of the club when they turn 26.
The only thing that is a bit of a setback is this club’s location. Its surrounding areas have places and spaces that aren’t as premium, so it does somewhat affect the overall atmosphere.
We do like that the course is quite large and has great views. If you’re looking to take your family for regular golf sessions, then Oakdale Golf and Country Club is the place to be.
Pros
- Almost 100 years experience
- Offers tennis
- Has different winter activities
- Beautiful amenities
Cons
- Not so good surroundings
- A bit pricey (according to a review)
Customer Reviews
Love the extra amenities
Love the extra amenities like pool, tennis and others. Great location with reasonable parking space and good facilities. My go-to location for Golf! — Lisa Newman, via Google
Worth the price tag
Massive course, definitely worth the price tag. Can spend a whole morning or afternoon here easily. Service is quick. — Tony Carrere, via Google
4. St. George’s Golf and Country Club
| REPUTATION | ★★★★★ |
| AMENITIES | ★★★★☆ |
| ATMOSPHERE | ★★★★★ |
| MEMBERSHIP PERKS | ★★★★☆ |
Designed by then leading Canadian golfer and recognized golf architect Stanley Thompson, St. George’s Golf and Country Club was opened in 1929. The club hosted the Canadian Open five times, with the recent one being in 2010.
It is safe to say that this is an internationally recognized golf course, as its wine list received a 3-star rating by The World of Fine Wines in 2017. It also ranks number 30 in the world as of 2014, recorded in the February 2014 issue of Golf Digest magazine.
That said, what we find impressive about this club is their cuisine and amenities. Their menu was created by an executive chef and sommelier with ingredients coming from local produce grown in the club’s garden.
For amenities, they have well-designed lockers, cozy lounge areas, and even an indoor learning center with a one thousand square foot putting green, golf simulators, training bays, custom club fitting and flexible coaching programs.
The indoor learning center makes a good choice and training space for those who aren’t that confident about their actual and outdoor skills yet.
In our opinion, the only thing this club should improve on is their service. Some customers wev’e spoken to have expressed delays in service during events and sometimes during regular days.
St. George’s Golf and Country Club is the host for the 2022 RBC Canadian Open. They are open daily following working hours and offer virtual tours and videos of the club through their website.
Pros
- Almost 100 years experience
- Home grown fruits and vegetables
- Has an indoor learning center
- Host of the 2022 RMC Canadian Open
Cons
- Inconsistent service (according to a few reviews)
- Some parts of the clubhouse are a bit tired (according to a review)
Customer Reviews
Outstanding golf course
Outstanding golf course! Lots of history. Fast greens, thick rough, narrow fairways, lots of undulation! — Krish Rengachari, via Google
Beautifully maintained
What a gorgeous club in the middle of the city. Played a corporate tournament there and can’t wait for next year. Lots of long holes and opportunities to crank it, but also plenty of tough short game holes. Beautifully maintained and just a wonderful experience (with great staff). — Jordan Shapiro, via Google
5. Islington Golf Club
| REPUTATION | ★★★★★ |
| AMENITIES | ★★★★☆ |
| ATMOSPHERE | ★★★★★ |
| MEMBERSHIP PERKS | ★★★★☆ |
Islington Golf Club was established in 1923 and recently won the Canadian Society of Club Managers’ club of the year award in 2019.
This club takes pride in its farm-to-table delicious menu served during events. It has its own bee farm that allows the creation of its in-house signature honey!
The party space and meeting rooms of this club are its premium spaces for events. The good thing is that you do not have to be a member of the club to book these spaces, as they usually cater to all events.
Another thing that makes this club special is the fact that they open memberships for three different levels. You can be a member if you simply want golf, a trial, or even just to socialize.
Their system of classifying memberships is a good strategy not only in terms of sales, but also with regards to organizing the club and maintaining its reputation.
We note that this club opens a little later than most. Some golfers like catching the first few hours of the sunrise, so that may be a deal breaker for them.
All said, Islington Golf club is a good place to enjoy golf, eat, and even just socialize. They are open every day and follow a regular schedule.
Pros
- Award-winning
- Almost 100 years experience
- Farm-to-table dining
- Party spaces and meeting rooms are open to non-members
Cons
- Opens a bit later than most clubs
- Non-members cannot enjoy the lounge even if they booked a room or a space (according to a review)
Customer Reviews
Great course
Great course right in the heart of Etobes! They re-did some of the greens a while ago and it has since become one of my favorite courses to play. My wife and I also attended a wedding here and were pleasantly surprised by the decor of the facility, the quality of the food served and the professionalism of the staff. We can’t recommend Islington Golf enough. — Jared Sutherland, via Google
Amazing staff
I would never believe this place is in Toronto. Amazing staff and tastie food! (If) you have the money become a member, you will not regret it! Cheers — Carmen Soares, via Google
FAQs about private golf courses in Toronto
And that’s it for our list of the best private golf courses in Toronto. Do you know other clubs that should be in the list? Share them with us below!
If you’re looking for a place to unwind after your golf session, do check out our review of the best cafes in Toronto here.
