Mill Woods Golf Course

Mill Woods Golf Course has long been one of my favourite courses in Edmonton to play. I don’t play it often, but I do enjoy it. However, I am not too impressed with what the management has been doing to the course over the past few years. I remember when the course opened in the late '80s and it was wonderful having another public course added to the few that existed at the time. Playing it was a pleasure, as it was a much better design, more challenging than most of the other public and semi-private courses around. They had some really challenging holes, with water hazards, plenty of bunkers, and large, quick greens. I believe it was used by the local PGA to do their skill test for their up-and-coming professionals for several years because of the difficulty and challenges.

Changes to the Course and Playability

However, over the past few years, they have taken out quite a few of the bunkers, and I’m not sure why. It has definitely changed the characteristics of the original design, made it play much easier, and has brought it down to the level of many of the other public courses in the area. I suppose the management is bowing to the casual golfer and tournament clientele. It’s still a wonderful course to play, but it is not one you would look forward to playing or would rave about to visitors. They do a lot of things right here: they keep the course in good condition, the greens are some of the best around, and they don’t have beverage carts slowing up play. They have carts stationed at various locations around the course; other courses should take note of this and incorporate this as well.

Course Condition and Pace of Play

That said, the day we played it, it was in good condition for so late in the year. The fairways were firm and fast as always. The greens had been aerated early that week but still ran fairly fast and smooth, considering the time of year. The pace of play was good, and we finished in four hours.

Recommendation

Would I recommend the course? Yes. If you don’t want to travel out of the city to play a decent course, then this is one I would recommend.

Usually one of the first courses in the city to open and usually the last to close at seasons end, this city owned course gets its fair share of play by players of every skill level. A large practice putting green and driving range are just steps away from the clubhouse.

Cheerful and enthusiastic would describe the early morning greeting from the guys in the pro shop.

A cool day of 8 C* couldn't keep a few die hards off the course to squeeze in one more round in mid October. A large coffee from the clubhouse, low compression golf balls, 2 gloves and a touque completed the game ensemble. The fairways at Mill Woods are more than generous and at this time of year the rough wasn't going to cause too much grief. Still, it pays to play from the short stuff as the bunkers covering every green magically attract mishit approach shots. All the greens are of a nice size and putts rolled pretty true.

Usually in good condition for a public course it suffered quite a bit from winter kill. This is not an overly challenging course, is fairly wide open and quite forgiving. It is not overly scenic but is a great couse for beginners or for couples. It is a public course owned by the city of Edmonton. Club house is very good with friendly service.