The Course: A Jack Nicklaus Signature Design

Nicklaus North is one of only a handful of Jack Nicklaus-designed courses in Canada. Known for its pristine layout and attention to detail, the course offers a balance of both beauty and strategy. The fairways are wide, but don’t let that fool you—the well-placed bunkers and water hazards demand precision and skill with every shot.

Stunning Scenery and Wildlife Encounters

What makes golfing at Nicklaus North truly stand out is the breathtaking scenery. On every hole, you’re treated to panoramic views of Whistler’s iconic mountains, lush forests, and Green Lake. On our visit, we were lucky enough to spot some local wildlife, including a black bear (from a safe distance!) wandering near the course. It’s this combination of natural beauty and challenging play that makes golfing at Nicklaus North Whistler an unforgettable experience.

Our Experience: A Perfect Summer Round

We played Nicklaus North on a perfect summer day, and the course was in fantastic condition. The greens were fast and true, and the fairways impeccably maintained. I can’t speak highly enough of the staff either—everyone from the pro shop to the starter was welcoming and made us feel right at home.

One of the highlights of our round was the 17th hole, a par-3 that plays over Green Lake. It’s a stunning hole that’s as intimidating as it is beautiful, and definitely one of my favorite par-3s ever.

Dining and Après Golf at Table Nineteen

After our round, we headed to Table Nineteen Lakeside Eatery, the restaurant located right at Nicklaus North. Whether you’re looking for a casual lunch or a post-round drink, this spot delivers with delicious food and unbeatable views of Green Lake. We sat on the patio and enjoyed a well-deserved drink while soaking in the sun—honestly, there’s no better way to end a round of golf in Whistler.

Why You Should Play at Nicklaus North

Nicklaus North is more than just a golf course; it’s a full Whistler experience. From the friendly staff to the breathtaking scenery and top-tier facilities, this course is a must-play for anyone visiting Whistler. Whether you’re an avid golfer or just looking to enjoy a beautiful day outdoors, Nicklaus North offers something special for everyone.

Hungry for more of our golf recaps? Check out Golfing at Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club.

If you’ve played here before, what was your favourite hole? Let me know in the comments!

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The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club is a do-not-miss course in Whistler. It’s scenic and offers gorgeous views of the Whistler and Blackcomb mountain. Carts are mandatory because of the elevation changes. We’ve been able to golf a couple of times now and have always seen wildlife on the course.

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There were 4 rounds at Gallagher’s, and we chose to watch the last day and aimed to show up for the last few tee times. All spectators had to park off-site, and we got shuttled to the club. The shuttle over was really speedy, and everyone was wearing a mask. Some folks had brought chairs and backpacks. The 18th hole was decorated with sponsor cars, flags, and VIP tents. We headed to the first hole to check out the action.

At the first hole, they announced the tee time and the corresponding players. There was polite applause for the introductions and after each drive. Players with the best rankings had the later tee times, and we decided to follow the second last group of the day from the 1st hole so Barnett, Cao, and Sutton. The weather was perfect, sunny and probably 20C when we showed up, and climbed up to 27C in the afternoon.

Spectators were expected to walk along the cart path or in the rough. Everyone following this group was pretty quiet. There wasn’t much applause or cheering, which was probably for the best, because the noise carried pretty well around the course. Depending on the holes, you would be able to watch the group before putt, and the group you follow drive. It was awesome spectating this event because we actually play at Gallagher’s Canyon ourselves, and it was fun to see how the pros play it.

I was getting pretty hungry around 9, and was hoping the snack shack before 10 would be open. We skipped watching the putt to hike up to the shack, and it was closed! The volunteers pointed us to the BBQ back on 18, so we dashed over there to grab a smokie and a beverage. We rushed back to the 10th hole, and I inhaled my smokie on the walk. We ended up hanging out on 10 for probably 30 minutes or so, because Barnett had sent his first ball into the bushes, played a provisional, and they found his first ball, so he had to go back to the tee box to hit another. We sat in the shade while Justin enjoyed his smokie. I regretted eating mine so quickly as it was probably the best cheese-filled smokie I’ve ever had. It also had onions on it, which I am pretty sure was cooked in wine. It was absolutely divine and I will be talking about it for a long time to come.

It was good that we decided to follow our group for all 18 holes. We initially thought we might watch 9 and then go spectate at 18, but that would have been pretty boring after a while watching folks putt. Barnett was tied for lead until about 10, and then the wheels fell off. He was a smaller-sized guy compared to other players, but Barnett had some big drives. On 14, he drove his ball like 350 yards. A volunteer said it was the farthest drive he had seen all day and possibly all week. I was hoping Cao would win, but he missed his putt at 16 which meant he was slated for second place overall.

Then we got to watch the last group come in on 18, and it was time for the award ceremony. The winner, Callum Davison, was driven onto the 18th hole (not onto the green, of course) in the vehicle sponsor, a Genesis SUV. Gallagher’s has a huge residental community surrounding the course, so it was really cute to see everyone’s personal golf carts lining the top of the hill at 18. When it was time to head back to our car, we got a personal shuttle. It was a fun little VIP vibe to end a perfect afternoon!

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Why We Chose the Ridge Course

Predator Ridge boasts two golf courses: the Predator Course and the Ridge Course. After hearing such rave reviews about the Ridge, we were eager to try it for ourselves. Located just 40 minutes from Kelowna in the beautiful community of Lake Country, the Ridge Course is known for its elevated tee boxes, sweeping views, and relaxed layout. Even though we weren’t at the top of our game, the course made us feel like pros. With stunning elevated vistas and forgiving fairways, the Ridge Course might even make you feel like your ball is flying farther than usual.

The Predator Ridge Experience

Predator Ridge isn’t just about golf. Nestled near Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa, this community offers so much more — from scenic hiking trails to cycling routes, all surrounded by the breathtaking Okanagan landscape. During a past triathlon training camp, I remember cycling through this area, and the views always stuck with me. On future visits, we plan to explore more, but for now, the golf keeps drawing us back.

One standout feature for any golf enthusiast is their excellent practice facilities. Predator Ridge offers real grass instead of artificial turf, giving a much more authentic experience. We spent some time warming up on the range before heading to our tee time, enjoying that pre-game moment of zen.

Highlights of the Ridge Course

The Ridge Course didn’t disappoint from the very first hole. The elevated tee boxes give every shot an exhilarating boost, and even on days when you aren’t playing your best, the course’s beauty makes it all worth it. We couldn’t help but joke that compared to the Ridge Course, the Predator Course felt like a pitch-and-putt — the views and wide fairways were that stunning.

While challenging enough to keep things interesting, the Ridge Course is relatively easy to navigate. The scenic layout and relaxed atmosphere offer a less intense, more enjoyable game — perfect for a leisurely round or a casual golf getaway. We’ll definitely be returning to explore the Ridge Course more, now that we’ve had a taste of what it offers.

Future Plans for Predator Ridge

In addition to the golf, we plan to make a trip to Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa part of our next visit. Cycling through these scenic hills, with the resort in view, planted the seed long ago. Predator Ridge and the surrounding area are the perfect setting for combining wellness, luxury, and a love for the outdoors.

Final Thoughts

Even though we didn’t have our best day on the course, golfing the Ridge Course at Predator Ridge was an experience that we’ll remember for a long time. The natural beauty of the area, the top-tier facilities, and the unforgettable views all come together to make this a must-play course. Whether you’re an avid golfer or just looking for a scenic escape, Predator Ridge is the perfect destination. We can’t wait to get back and play another round!

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We had lunch on the patio afterward. All of the servers were wearing masks. The menu had a lot of options outside of burgers! Lots of appetizers and fun things to eat like chicharrones. We kept our order simple because we had plenty of food to keep eating through at home. Our fridge and freezer had broken down a few days prior to our golf day, and I wanted to make sure we ate through as much as we could. My tuna tacos were a perfect order to tide me over, and Justin ordered the chicken burger which looked amazing.

It was a pretty lovely experience golfing at Predator Ridge, as usual. The only thing that wasn’t so nice was that there was a Player’s Assistant who was constantly around and then started rushing our party as we were on the last few holes. Our friends are really good at golf. Justin and I normally play pretty fast, and I’m super mindful to keep up. There was no one ahead of us, and the party behind us fell behind pretty quick. Yet the Player’s Assistant would come by and let us know that there was 1 hole ahead of us. And came by again and told us there were 2 holes ahead of us. All this time, there was no one behind us!

I’m not sure what kind of “course flow management” this is, but it definitely added unwanted “pressure”. I ignored it because it honestly made no sense. We were on the 16th hole by then, with no one in front or behind us. Afterward, when I mentioned to another friend that I wanted us to play here on their next visit in August, she mentioned how they were made to hustle the same way (maybe by the same Player’s Assistant?) and they were made to skip holes! So now I’m a little wary of returning so quickly because the green fee is on the upper end and I just don’t want to be hassled like that.

Eventually, we’ll get around to checking out the Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa. But since we’re in a pandemic, we are choosing to stay close to home (read: stay home). And we heard that many of the amenities at their acclaimed spa are closed. So for me, what’s the point? Sparkling Hill is also dog-friendly, and it’s only mountain-view rooms. I think those rooms face the golf course, but if you’ve seen the views that Sparkling Hill offers… the mountain view is really the last view you’d want while staying there. I want to enjoy the in-room soaker tub with views of the lake at sunset!

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