Golf Course Reviews

Considering it's only been open for a week, Goose Hummock Golf Course is in decent condition. However, the course could certainly benefit from some rain, appearing drier than other Edmonton-area courses. Unsurprisingly, the tee boxes showed signs of last season, with many still bearing divot marks and a somewhat furry texture. While the fairways weren't terrible, they too could use some moisture. The greens were a mixed bag – a bit bumpy in spots but mostly smooth and surprisingly fast for this early in the season. In fact, they were the quickest we've encountered so far, leaving us to wonder if it's due to slow grass growth or the diligent work of the greens crew.

If you haven't experienced The Goose before, you're in for something special. It has a reputation for being a very challenging course, particularly for average to high handicappers, and there's some truth to that. Originally designed 30 years ago as a "players'" course, it severely punished wayward shots, making local knowledge invaluable. However, the original owners have since softened its edges, removing many of the most demanding hazards to make it more accessible for the average golfer. While water still lurks on almost every hole, along with numerous bunkers, meaning you might still lose a few more balls than anticipated and feel a bit roughed up or intimidated, believe me, it's considerably easier now than it was two decades ago.

The Country Club Tour has taken over ownership of the course in recent years which has increased traffic significanlty, and improved the overall conditioning of the course. They still have some work to do if they plan to make this course their flagship course. During peak season this is one of the best conditioned courses in the Edmonton area, they tend to keep it pretty green and lush.

You will start off with four really strong holes, 3 medium to long 4-pars and a medium length 3-par just to get your blood flowing and you may wonder were the tough reputation of the course came from. Many good players feel that if you get past the first four holes at one or two over par you are going to have a good round.

The 5th hole, a short par five, offers a brief respite and is reachable in two shots for long hitters, yet remains a potential birdie opportunity for all.

The 6th hole marks the true start of the challenge: a long par four, often played into the wind, with ponds flanking the narrow fairway on both sides. A well-struck tee shot will leave you anywhere from a long to a short iron into an elevated green, fiercely protected by a bunker at its front. The green itself is narrow, typically firmer than the others, and possesses more subtle and challenging slopes than initially apparent. A par here will indeed feel like a birdie.

The next challenge is the 7th hole, arguably the most notorious par-5 in Alberta. It's likely a welcome change that they've shortened the hole and removed the creek that used to bisect the fairway off the tee. Nevertheless, water and bush still frame both sides of the tee shot landing area. From there, with a favorable wind, long hitters might attempt to reach the green in two, but most will opt to lay up about 100 yards short of the pond guarding the green. The green itself is encircled by water on three sides – front, left, and back – as well as three pot bunkers protecting the front, a larger bunker tucked behind, and another on the left for good measure. This is arguably the most daunting approach shot you'll encounter on any course. However, having reached the green, hopefully without losing a ball, you'll be faced with a relatively flat (well, for The Goose) putt for birdie. A score of seven on this hole is far more common than a four.

The 8th offers another respite, a short par-3. As you navigate the tricky dogleg left 9th around the pond, you arrive at the potentially drivable 10th. While the 10th can be another chance to relax, don't be surprised if you walk away with a bogey or worse.

The 11th is another short par-3, followed by a short par-5 that doglegs right along a creek, where a well-placed tee shot is crucial, potentially leading to an easy birdie. The 13th hole is another drivable par-4, though you'll want to steer clear of the four pot bunkers guarding the front of the green, as they could easily cost you a good score.

The 14th is considered by some to be a bit of a "trick" hole, as the only prudent play is a layup short of the water guarding the green at around 220 yards. Straying from the fairway – left into the water, right into the bush, or long into more water – can be costly. Otherwise, it presents a good birdie opportunity.

Approaching the 15th and 16th holes, the course begins to open up again, offering a welcome relief for long hitters who can once again unleash their drivers.

The 17th hole is a short par-3, notorious for its "true" island green. Exercise caution with your tee shot here, as the wind often swirls off the large lake surrounding the green. Adding to the challenge, the tee box is situated within a shoot of trees, which can make judging the wind direction at the green – whether it's downwind or a crosswind – quite deceptive. Good luck with this one.

Finally, you arrive at the 18th, a dogleg right around the lake. Most players will lay up at the corner of the dogleg, but longer hitters often attempt to carry their drive over the water – just be sure to avoid going long, short, or right, as trouble awaits. It can be a relatively straightforward finishing hole if played strategically, or a rewarding gamble if you need to win that bet with your friends.

They have a well-stocked pro shop, a full length grass tee driving range and a large chipping and putting green, that will give you an idea of what to expect on course greens. Unfortunately they do not have a practice bunker that could be useful considering how many well placed bunkers are on the course.

After your round, you can enjoy The Goose's unique clubhouse, which truly feels like a two-story house. It features a medium-sized dining room with a reasonably good menu. The recently renovated patio overlooks the 10th tee box and the lake, offering ample opportunities for wildlife viewing. Upstairs, you'll find a meeting room called The Nest with excellent views of the 9th green and the 10th and 17th holes. For tournaments and large events, there's a large log cabin structure called the Marsh located next to the campsite. Also on the property are the Jurassic Forest Theme Park and Campground.

Just played the course on opening day for the 2025 season. I was pleasantly surprised by the overall condition. The greens were quick and rolled smoothly, however, they didn't hold approach shots as well as I'd like. The fairways, while below average for ideal conditions, were more than acceptable for early season play and were dry enough to allow power carts full access. The tee boxes were in average condition, but could definitely use some attention to leveling. Finding a flat spot to tee off was a challenge. Despite the tee box issue, the course was in good shape for the start of the season.

Despite just opening for the season, River Ridge Golf Course is in decent shape. While tee boxes and fairways are a bit rough, some rain and sun should remedy that. Greens are slow and bumpy, topdressed with sand as expected this time of year. The aquatic driving range remains closed due to frozen conditions. The course layout is interesting, set in a scenic, peaceful environment. It’s mostly flat with mild elevation changes, making it a great walking course, though some walks between holes, such as between 9 and 10, are lengthy. Nearly every hole features water hazards, especially on the front nine. Greens are large, mostly flat, and approachable, though some tee boxes need leveling. The four sets of tees range from 5,276 to 6,620 yards. Highlights include the strategic par-4 6th and 7th holes and challenging par-3s, particularly the 5th and 17th. Par-5s are long but manageable, with the uphill 18th often playing into the wind. Practice facilities are solid, offering a large putting green, pitching area, and bunker. The clubhouse boasts a pro shop, restaurant, and a patio with lovely views.

A week into the season, Fort In View Golf Course presented conditions that were acceptable for this time of year. The greens were in good shape, offering a reasonably smooth putting surface, though they were a bit slow and showed evidence of recent top dressing, which is typical early in the season. The fairways were predominantly dry, providing good lies with minimal wet or spongy areas – a positive for the current conditions. In contrast, the tee boxes were quite furry and playable but are in dire need of rebuilding and leveling.

The overall experience at Fort In View's 27-Hole Golf Course feels like what one might expect from a lower-tier course, yet its regular rate of $90 with a power cart seems steep for the value. Without the numerous discounts available, it's unlikely we'd be frequent visitors, as several other courses in the area boast superior layouts and conditioning for a lower price point.

For those unfamiliar with Fort In View, it's wise to temper expectations, unless you're relatively new to golf. It serves as a suitable course for beginners, juniors, seniors, and women, offering a less intimidating experience. More accomplished golfers will likely find it quite easy and a boost to their confidence. Players should remain vigilant for stray balls from neighboring holes, as many run parallel. The layout does offer some intrigue with several dogleg holes and others that necessitate strategic thinking. The course is largely flat, with minimal elevation changes across its 27 holes. From the back tees, the nines measure 3,295, 3,210, and 2,747 yards, while the forward tees offer lengths of 2,635, 2,545, and 2,440 yards. Due to the firm fairways and lack of significant elevation, the course tends to play shorter than the listed yardage. There's a fair amount of potential trouble in the form of strategically placed bunkers, water hazards, and trees. The greens are arguably the most demanding aspect, being small, often slightly elevated, and crowned, making it challenging to hold approach shots without significant backspin. Once on the green, putts generally feature minimal break.

The clubhouse is small but charming, housing a well-equipped pro shop that offers club repair, sales, and lessons. The driving range is somewhat disappointing, as it requires hitting off uneven mats laid directly on the ground. A large putting green is available, though a practice bunker wasn't readily visible. The dining area exudes a pleasant atmosphere with friendly staff and reasonably priced food. Additionally, there's a spacious tournament hall adjacent to the dining room and a patio overlooking two of the tee boxes.