Golfing the Atlantic Edge: Courses on the Newfoundland & Labrador Coast
September 20, 2024 Jordan Fuller
The Newfoundland and Labrador Coast is a gorgeous place to visit, but its ruggedness might make it the last place on your list for a great golfing vacation. Don’t discount it, though! If you love a beautiful view and an enjoyable but not crazy pro-level golf course, you might just be surprised in a good way.
If you’re planning a visit here already or just browsing for unique golfing spots, here are some of the golf courses you should definitely tee off at while you’re around.
Could you get a more spectacular location for a golf club than in the Appalachian Mountains? We don’t think so. It might be pretty far out, but it’s worth the trip up there. On the bright side, it’s just about 20 minutes from Deer Lake Airport, so if you don’t mind flying out there, it’s not too bad.
It’s definitely a place you’ll want to settle at for a few days rather than heading there for a single round. The luxury resort is just the kind of remote place you need to clear your mind and find the deep relaxation that’s hard to come by when you’re closer to the city.
The River Course is cut through the wilderness, a masterpiece of a course with plenty of character. Be prepared to burn a ton of calories because this baby rises up to around 400 feet in elevation, with plenty of ups and downs as you move through it.
Each hole offers something interesting, and despite its elevations, the course is actually pretty suitable for newbies as well as seasoned golfers. The slopes tend to be gentle, and you’ll find water hazards on a few holes and over 100 bunkers scattered across the course.
If getting far away from the world and focusing on your swing and the unspoiled nature around you sounds like the perfect vacation… Then, The Wilds at Salmonier River should be your first choice.
It’s set out in the 1,000-square-meter Avalon Wilderness Reserve, so you may as well take your camera as well as your golf clubs because it’s BE-A-UTIFUL. The course is laid out in a way that forces you to think about each shot, and there’s plenty of opportunity for big hitters to go wild and for short gamers to get their fix, too.
Rolling surfaces keep things interesting and make it impossible for you to lose focus, or you’ll end up losing shots. Or losing golf balls in the surrounding forest. Take extras with you, just in case.
There’s no single signature hole here, but some are more memorable than others. Hole 9 is a downhill beauty that’s easy to underestimate… You’ll need to control your drive to avoid the sneaky bunker at the corner of the dogleg without overshooting and landing in the rough past the fairway. But play a round, and you’ll find your own hole that makes an impression!
This par-70 course is perfect for those who aren’t big drivers. With six par-3s and a bunch of short par-4s (less than 300 yards each), your short game will get much more practice than your tee-offs on this little gem. Club selection will be your most difficult choice here.
It starts off tough, with hole #1 also rated stroke index 1. You’ll tee off elevated and end on a raised green if you can get around the three sandy guards in front of the green. From there, it gets easier, but not by much. Despite the shorter holes, none of them are easy—you’ll have to put plenty of thought into each club and every shot to get those birdies and end with a great score.
Oh, and you’ll also have stunning views over Gander Lake as you’re playing. It adds something extra to the round but can also be a bit of a distraction, so don’t let the views distract you too much!
Bally Haly is actually the oldest golf club in Atlantic Canada (started in 1896), but it’s moved around quite a bit. It’s only been in its current location since 2023, but that doesn’t change anything about the quality of its North and South courses.
It’s pretty easy to get to St John’s International Airport, and it’s not quite as hidden away as some others here. You’ll have two courses to choose from, each one beginning, unusually, with a par-5.
Playing through the course is a lovely experience. The entire course is surrounded by forest, so it’s quite intimate. Holes are routed through a natural wetland, which creates plenty of water hazards.
All holes have something interesting going on. The 8th features a double dogleg, which means you’ll need double the concentration to get a good score. The 12th is an unusually short par-3, but don’t underestimate it!
Oh, and they offer Trackman sessions in 1-hour slots during the indoor season. If you’re here during the off-season, you can still spend a few hours on the course… Actually, you can choose from nearly 300 different courses worldwide.
Pippy Park features a quick 9-hole course (Captain’s Hill) that’s perfect if you’re a bit short on time or just don’t feel like the full 18-hole experience. But if you’ve got the time and inclination, the Admiral’s Green 18-hole course is an appealing mix of scenic and very playable.
Every hole has a view, most of them extremely pretty, including some views of the coastline in the distance. Depending on the tee box you choose, the course plays anywhere from 2648 yards to 6263 yards. Perfect for just about any kind of golfer.
One thing to note here is that Pippy Park doesn’t have a driving range. You can practice your short game on their chipping range or work on your putting on the practice green, but with no driving practice mats, you might find it hard to loosen up those shoulders until you’re a couple of holes in.
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About the Author
Jordan Fuller is a retired golfer and businessman. When he’s not on the course working on his own game or mentoring young golfers, he writes in-depth articles for his website, Golf Influence.
