For golfers
Golf
The Cowichan Valley has more courses per capita than almost anywhere in Canada, and most are playable year-round on a dry day. Bring your clubs; carts and rentals are available at the larger clubs, and tee times are easy outside July and August.
- Closest
- Mount Brenton, Chemainus, 10 min
- Classic
- Cowichan Golf & Country Club, 1920s, 20 min
- Views
- Arbutus Ridge, seaside above Satellite Channel
- Destination
- Bear Mountain's two Nicklaus courses, 1 h
Courses
| Course | Where (drive) | Holes | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Brenton Golf Course | Chemainus (10 min) | 18 | Semi-private, mature parkland, friendly rates; the closest course to the inn |
| Cowichan Golf & Country Club | Duncan (20 min) | 18 | 1920s club, tree-lined, well conditioned |
| Duncan Meadows Golf Course | Duncan (25 min) | 18 | Long championship layout with mountain views |
| Cottonwood Golf Course | Duncan (25 min) | 18 | Relaxed, walkable, good value |
| Arbutus Ridge Golf Club | Cobble Hill (35 min) | 18 | Seaside course above Satellite Channel; views of Salt Spring |
| March Meadows Golf Club | Honeymoon Bay (50 min) | 9 | Quiet course by Cowichan Lake; pairs with a lake day |
| Salt Spring Island Golf Club | Salt Spring (ferry) | 9 | Pretty parkland near Ganges; clubhouse restaurant |
| Blackburn Meadows | Salt Spring (ferry) | 9 | Organic course on a lake; short and scenic |
| Nanaimo Golf Club | Nanaimo (45 min) | 18 | Classic private-feel club with ocean views; visitors welcome |
| Fairwinds Golf Club | Nanoose Bay (1 h) | 18 | Resort course in the arbutus above the Strait |
| Bear Mountain (Mountain & Valley) | Langford (1 h) | 36 | Two Nicklaus-design courses; resort pricing |
| Olympic View Golf Club | Victoria (1 h 15) | 18 | Waterfalls and forest; a destination round |
Planning a golf stay
- Two courses, two nights — Mount Brenton one morning, Cowichan Golf & Country Club or Duncan Meadows the next; both leave the afternoon free for a winery or Cowichan Bay.
- Booking — Call or book online a few days ahead in summer; same-day is usually fine from October to May. Ask about twilight rates after 2 pm.
- Dress — Collared shirts at the private-feel clubs (Cowichan, Nanaimo); relaxed elsewhere.
- Weather — Valley courses drain well and rarely close; the Malahat and Bear Mountain can be in cloud when Crofton is clear.
- Salt Spring — Take your clubs on the ferry: two 9-hole courses, lunch in Ganges, and the last boat home.
- Non-golfers — Every course here is within 15 minutes of a winery, a village or a trail; see Places and Wine.