The top 10 public golf courses in and around Toronto

The top public golf courses in and around Toronto range from budget-friendly links to stadium style courses that host PGA Tour events. Depending on how much money you want to spend, you can have it all as a golfer in the GTA. This is one of the most golf-rich areas on the continent.

In keeping with the wide selection, my selection criteria is sub-divided by broad price points. Angus Glen, for instance, isn't a "top" destination if you're on a budget, just as Bushwood isn't the place to take clients when you have the freedom of a corporate credit card. As far as green fees go, I've listed the peak season range that will still allow 18 holes to be played (i.e. no twilight pricing is factored in).

These are my picks for the top public golf courses in and around Toronto.

ON A BUDGET

Don Valley
Don Vally is the best deal on this list, combining close proximity to the city core (you can walk from York Mills Station) with good rates and a solid Howard Watson-designed golf course that boasts a top notch front nine. The downfall? It's always jammed and round times are slow. Best bet: book a super early tee time. Green fees: $58-$65 (with massive discounts for juniors and seniors).

Bushwood
The place sounded a bit more respectable when it was called the John Evelyn Golf Centre, but despite Bushwood's unfortunate name, it's a reasonably well maintained course that's not too punishing off the tee but not a complete pushover either. If you're not threatening to break 90 on a regular basis or hosting corporate clients, this is a good bet. Green fees: $34-$47

Maples of Ballantrae
Maples of Ballantrae is a pretty course for the price, carved as it is out of an eponymous stand of maples in Stouffville. While it's not maintained in pristine condition, from a bang for your buck standpoint, it's one of the best. It's also a challenging course off the tee, particlarly for those who play from the tips (just shy of 6,500 yards). Green fees: $45-$66

VERY GOOD AND WON'T BREAK THE BANK

Osprey Valley
The original Heathlands links-style course, one of the GTA's first, is still a favourite, even as the club as expanded to 54 holes. All three courses are fine tests of golf, but for those who really want to see what links golf is about, stick to the classic. Green fees: $74-$104

St. Andrew's Valley
Occasionally people complain that the neighbouring subdivision cuts too close to the course, but it's never bothered me. St. Andrew's can be a remarkable test of golf, coming in at 7,300 yards from the tips (hint: no one needs to play these; the golds are fine at about 7,000). It plays very difficult when the wind is up, but you'll feel great if you can score here. Green fees: $69-$89

Redcrest
The newest course at the Cardinal complex, Redcrest is a semi-links-style layout that's clearly given some extra love compared to the east and west courses. Your best bet is to book a tee time just after 4pm to clean up on the under $50 rate and still get all 18 holes in. Green fees: $49-$89

Piper's Heath
This is a gorgeous course located ear Milton with an excellent practice facility. Designed in a links style, the course plays at just over 7,000 yards from the tips and a very manageable 5,200 from the front tees. The ample long grass eats balls like crazy, but the fairways give amateur enthusiasts some room to play with. Green fees: $60-$90

BIG SPENDER

Copper Creek
There's not much to dislike about Copper Creek, which is one of the best public golf courses in the country, let alone the GTA. The layout is naturally beautiful, very challenging, and the clubhouse and facilities are as nice as they come for public-access golf. Located in Kleinburg, it's also just a quick jaunt from Toronto. Green fees: $125-$180

Angus Glen
Angus Glen was the talk of the GTA golf community when it opened about 20 years ago, ranked as the top public golf course in the country. A second course was added in 2001, and things have rolled along nicely since then. Home to tons of corporate golf, both course are challenging and majestic. Green fees: $135-$180

Glen Abbey
Glen Abbey is still, in some sense, the most dramatic draw as far as public access golf goes around these parts (it's owned by ClubLink so not actually "public" per se). Where else can you try your luck at reproducing Tiger's famous 18th hole bunker shot across the water at the 2000 Canadian Open. The Jack Nicklaus-designed stadium course has stood the test of time. Green fees: $160-235

What did I miss? Let us know your favourite public golf course in the comments.

Writing by Jeff Davis and Derek Flack.

Photo via Osprey Valley's website

by Staff via blogTO