Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course (Stanley Thompson Eighteen)
Stanley Thompson's 1928 mountain masterpiece beneath Mount Rundle and Sulphur Mountain — a public-access resort course wrapped in Banff National Park scenery.
Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course (Stanley Thompson Eighteen) in photos
Can I play Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course (Stanley Thompson Eighteen)?
Yes — the Stanley Thompson Eighteen is a resort course open to the public seven days a week in season. Guests of the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel receive preferred rates and booking access, but anyone can reserve a tee time and play. Green fees include a shared power cart.
How to book: Book online through the golf course's site or by phone with the pro shop; hotel guests can arrange tee times as part of their stay. The course operates seasonally (roughly May to October), and prime summer times fill quickly, so reserve ahead. Rates are dynamic, varying by date and season.
About Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course (Stanley Thompson Eighteen)
Carved along the Bow River by Canada's master architect Stanley Thompson and opened in 1928, the Banff Springs course is one of the most scenically sited layouts on earth, framed on all sides by the snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Thompson's routing plays through glacial valleys and along the river, with holes named for local landmarks and the celebrated par-3 'Devil's Cauldron' as its centrepiece. Though it belongs to the grand Fairmont Banff Springs resort, it is fully open to the public, with green fees that include a cart. The mountain setting, wildlife and altitude make for an unforgettable round as much as a golfing test.
Signature hole
The par-3 4th, the 'Devil's Cauldron', drops from an elevated tee across a glacial lake to a punchbowl green beneath the sheer face of Mount Rundle — routinely ranked among the finest par 3s in the world.
What makes it special
Stanley Thompson design
A 1928 original by Canada's most revered golf architect, sensitively routed through a glacial valley.
The Devil's Cauldron
A downhill par 3 over a glacial lake to a punchbowl green — one of the world's great short holes.
Rockies scenery
Every hole is framed by Mount Rundle, Sulphur Mountain and the Bow River inside Banff National Park.
Tournament pedigree
- TELUS Skins Game (2006, 2011)
Need to know
Best time to play
Playable roughly May to October; July and August offer the warmest, most reliable mountain weather and long daylight, while June and September bring fewer crowds and often better value. Mornings can be crisp even in summer.
Dress code
Collared shirts and tailored shorts or trousers; soft spikes. No denim, tank tops or athletic shorts on course.
Good to know
Green fees include a shared power cart and range access; walking is permitted. Watch for elk, deer and the occasional bear along the Bow River holes, and allow around 4.5 hours. The altitude and mountain air mean the ball flies a touch farther — club accordingly.
Upcoming golf tournaments
Prefer to watch the world’s best? Book tickets to an upcoming tournament, then add a hotel and flights.
Getting there
Nearest airports
Calgary International (YYC) ~1.5h drive (about 130 km).
On arrival
The course sits just below the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs hotel in Banff National Park, roughly 90 minutes by car from Calgary along the Trans-Canada Highway. A national park pass is required to enter the area. From Banff townsite the course is a short drive across the Bow River.
Stay near the course
The castle-like Fairmont Banff Springs hotel overlooks the course and offers golf packages with preferred rates. Banff townsite, a few minutes away, has a full range of hotels, lodges and rentals, and Canmore just outside the park gate is a lower-cost base.
★★★★ 4-starTap for live prices Hotel Canoe and Suites
Banff
★★★★ 4-starTap for live prices Otter Hotel
Banff
★★★★ 4-starTap for live prices Fairmont Banff Springs
Banff
A taste of the luxury stays near Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course (Stanley Thompson Eighteen) — tap any hotel to see live availability and prices for your dates, or search them all.
Plan your golf trip
Hotels near the course
Live-priced stays a short drive from the 1st tee.
Search hotelsFlights
Get to Banff — search fares to the nearest airport.
Find flightsTournament tickets
Rather watch the pros? Book golf tournament tickets.
See golf ticketsThings to do
Tours and experiences around Banff.
Explore BanffFrequently asked questions
Can the public play Banff Springs Golf Course?
Yes. It is a resort course open to the public seven days a week in season. Fairmont Banff Springs hotel guests get preferred rates and access, but anyone can book and play.
How much does it cost to play?
Green fees run roughly CAD 269–329 depending on date and season, and include a shared power cart plus practice-facility access.
When is the course open and best to play?
The season runs roughly May to October. July and August offer the warmest, most stable mountain weather; June and September are quieter and often better value.
Do I need a handicap to play?
No handicap certificate is required. Standard golf dress applies, and green fees include a cart. Note a Banff National Park pass is needed to enter the area.
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Green fees, access rules and tee-time policies change frequently and vary by season. The figures here are indicative for trip planning — always confirm on the official site before booking.
- Official site — The Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course
- Fairmont Banff Springs — Golf
- Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course — GolfPass
Guide updated 2026-07-27.