Puttering Around Kelowna: All You Need to Know Before You Go
Not only is the Kelowna real estate market hot and the Okanagan a desirable place to live, it has loads of awesome courses for golf lovers to appreciate. But before you take off for a round with your pals, it’s important to take the proper precautions to ensure you have an enjoyable golf experience. Here are a few key things to note before you tee off.
Considering Tipping the Staff? Check with Management First
Not all golf courses require tips. In fact, most municipal courses and many daily-fee courses do not require or expect their employees to be tipped. However, if the golf course employees are doing an amazing job of servicing you, it may be appropriate to tip them for their excellent service.
Tipping the caddy, the restaurant server, the bag drop manager, or the person in charge of cart returns may or may not be expected depending on which golf course you visit, however, the odds of your having to tip them all in one place during one round of golf, are very slim. More likely, the bag drop attendee and cart return staff are the only folks you’ll have to tip at a typical golf course, outside of food and drink.
So, who do you tip, and how much? Golf Advisor recommends tipping your forecaddie about $20 per player, your caddie $40, and your locker room attendances $5. When in doubt, ask the golf course management beforehand what an average tip is.
Water, Water Everywhere: Bring Yourself a Drink
“Stay hydrated” is a common phrase you often hear from playing sports and on the golf course. Optimal hydration can improve your golf game mentally and physically.
Since the brain is made up of 85% of water and is water inefficient, it has top priority in regards to blood circulation. Drinking the correct amount of water will ensure optimal blood flow to the brain,which will enable you to focus on your game. Even mild dehydration can impair your motor control and reduce your accuracy when swinging. Do yourself – and your game – a favour and keep water with you at all times.
Now hit the ball… and FORE! Here are some of the “must-play” courses of the season…
Black Mountain Golf Course
Black Mountain golf course offers something for every level of golfer: from elevated greens and tees to undulating fairways and a signature island green unique to this course. Join for the challenge and stay for the relaxed atmosphere.
Book your next tee time at Black Mountain Golf Club.
Kelowna Golf and Country Club
Kelowna Golf and Country Club is the only golf club in Kelowna that is owned by the members. They are a semi-private Club, which although predominantly caters to member play, they do welcome the public or resort player to come and experience traditional golf.
Nestled among the towering Ponderosa Pines, the Kelowna Golf & Country Club is known for its central location, arresting beauty and consistently fine grooming –making it a ‘must play’ for all golfers.
Book your next tee time at Kelowna Golf and Country Club.
Okanagan Golf Club – The Bear and The Quail
The Quail is a magnificent par 72, 18-hole championship golf course that has become an Okanagan Valley favourite since the day it first opened. Designed by renowned golf course architect Les Furber and built in 1994, this unique course features dramatic elevation changes and breathtaking views as 6,794 yards of multi-tiered fairways meander around a majestic rock bluff.
The Okanagan Golf Club in Kelowna also features another 18 holes of golfing excellence at The Bear, designed by Nicklaus Designs.
Book your next tee time at Okanagan Golf Club – The Bear and The Quail.
Michaelbrook Golf Course
Michaelbrook Golf Course is widely considered to be the best golf course in its class in the Okanagan Valley. As a par 63 course, Michaelbrook will appeal to all levels of golfer. Their convenient location, generous fairways and manageable rough with water hazards on two holes can offer a challenge to most golfers, yet remain accessible even to the novice golfer.
Book your next tee time at Michaelbrook Golf Club.
The Harvest Golf Club
At 7109 yards, The Harvest is a championship length golf course designed by Graham Cooke. Meandering through a majestic hillside orchard, the resort style Harvest Golf Club offers captivating views of Lake Okanagan and golf that is second to none! The Harvest boasts 18 holes of championship golf, complemented with a specialty golf shop, practice facility, full service clubhouse and staff that provide the utmost in customer service. With multiple tee areas designed to challenge the potential of every golfer, The Harvest is truly one of nature’s most picturesque playing fields.
Book your next tee time at The Harvest Golf Club.
Kelowna Springs Golf Club
Located nearly adjacent to the Kelowna Airport and just off Highway 97 that runs through town, Kelowna Springs is a sporty flat course called by locals as their “best kept secret.”
Kelowna Springs is situated on the flat valley floor, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t interesting. It is a flat valley course that is very walkable and playable, but not without its challenges. True to its name, seven ponds come into play on eleven holes. What more is that golf course architect Les Furber designed the green sites as interesting push-up undulating affairs that have been artfully bunkered.
The course is easily walked *but also fun in a cart!) and though it breaks no new ground or affords no special vistas (other than the generally gorgeous Kelowna surrounds), this is just the type of course that beginning, casual golfers, and seniors will thoroughly enjoy. It has been lauded as one of the best values in Canada.
Book your next tee time at Kelowna Springs.
Gallagher’s Canyon Golf & Country Club
Gallagher’s Canyon Golf & Country Club offers an 18-hole championship course as well as an impressive nine holes called the Pinnacle Course. The course is built to the same exacting standards as its longer counterpart, the Canyon Course. Both play across a gently undulating landscape that is covered in woodlands. The clever nine-hole design has a variety of different tee placements, making it accessible for golfers of any skill level. Beginners can get the same experience as the Canyon without the daunting length while more seasoned players will appreciate the short game practice.
In addition to the two golf courses, Gallagher’s Canyon boasts extensive practice facilities including a double-ended driving range with target greens, putting and chipping greens, practice greenside bunkers and an 18-hole putting course.
Book your next tee time at Gallagher’s Canyon.