Course Review: Furry Creek Golf and Country Club

Northwest Links
6 hours ago
3 min read

Course Overview

Location: Furry Creek, British Columbia Canada (About 45 minutes north of Vancouver via the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway, and roughly an hour from Whistler)

Course Type: Public

Par & Yardage: Par 72. Yardage ranges: ~6,017 yards from gold tees, ~5,876 from blue tees, ~5,442 yards from white tees, ~4,749 yards from red/forward tees.

Designer & Opened: Designed by Robert Muir Graves, opened in 1993

Notable Features:

Dramatic elevation drop teeing off the 1st with views into the fairway, setting the tone for what’s ahead.
Hole #9 known as “Happy’s Hole” (short par 4) — part of the filming location for the original Happy Gilmore movie.
Sweeping vistas of Howe Sound and the coastal mountains, with forest, rocks and sea in the backdrop.

Quick Take:

Furry Creek is a gem for golfers in the PNW and beyond who love a round with scenery, character and a bit of challenge. The views are real, the terrain is interesting, and the shot-making required keeps it engaging.

It’s not a forgiving “flat muni” type course. Fairways are tight, elevation changes matter, and ball-loss is real. Bring extra golf balls, aim to keep it in play, appreciate the unique holes, and soak in the backdrop. If you’re in the Vancouver/Whistler region and want a special round, this is one to check off.

Detailed Course Breakdown

Course Difficulty – 7/10

While the yardage may not beat the longest layouts (~6,000 yards or so from the tips), the terrain, elevation changes, and tight fairways make it a serious test. Miss a fairway and you may be hunting ball or dealing with tricky lies.

Who’s it best for? Mid-handicappers who feel comfortable riding in a cart, navigating more demanding lies, and enjoy scenery. Higher handicappers will still enjoy the round—just accept the challenge and focus on fun rather than score.

Key challenges:

Elevation changes and downhill/uphill shots that make club selection tricky.
Fairways that fall away, carry hazards or ravines that collect stray shots.
Wind and exposure, especially on the holes close to the water, affect how the ball plays.
The course can play pretty damp, especially in the off seasons.

Scenery – 9.5/10

The scenery at Furry Creek is among the strongest you’ll find in Western Canada. Where the views open to the ocean, islands and mountains, it’s easily 10/10. The reason it’s not a full 10: you won’t have those expansive vistas on every hole. Some holes nestle into forest or tighter terrain where views are less dramatic—but the contrast adds to the experience. Expect moments of “stop and look around” mixed with fun, tighter golf.

Walkability – N/A

Walking is not allowed as far as we know. The routing includes steep drops, long transitions and terrain better suited to a cart. Think of it as a beautiful “ride and play” experience rather than a walking round.

Course Conditions & Maintenance – 8/10

The course is generally kept in very solid condition. Given exposure and terrain, a few holes may play a bit rugged compared to resort-flat courses, but that’s part of the charm. Summer is the sweet spot for conditions.

Amenities & Food – 8/10

The clubhouse and food-service options (including views from the deck and post-round beverages) provide a solid wrap-up to the round. The pro shop, rental gear and cart service are all in place. Nothing ultra-luxurious but strong for what you’re getting.

Practice Facilities – 4/10

The practice chipping and putting area is decent. No driving range but they have a net where you can hit balls to warm up. We certainly wouldn't recommend it for a primary practice facility, but that's not why most are coming here anyways.

Value for Money – 7/10

We’d consider this a premium treat rather than a budget round. You’re paying for the location, views, design and experience. If you view it as a “special round” rather than expect bargain muni pricing, you’ll feel good about it.

Overall Rating – 8.6/10

Furry Creek hits a sweet balance of scenery, design character and the PNW/West-Coast feel in a golf setting. It may not be ultra-easy, may cost a bit, and may have some quirky holes. But if you’re up for it, it delivers a memorable round.

Best For: Golfers who love scenery, shot-making, don’t mind a shorter course, and want a standout round near Vancouver or Whistler.

Would we recommend? Absolutely. Book it, bring your A-game (or at least your sense of fun), pack extra balls, and enjoy one of British Columbia’s more memorable rounds.