Dorchester Ranch Golf Course

July 31, 2025

The Dorchester Ranch Golf Course truly lives up to its reputation as one of Alberta's hidden gems. Tucked away about an hour southwest of Edmonton and just a short drive from Ma-Me-O Beach on Pigeon Lake, this family-operated, semi-private course offers spectacular views of Central Alberta's scenic rolling hills.

Course Overview

The layout of the course is designed to be both challenging and forgiving, making it a great experience for all levels of golfers. It gracefully traverses up and down the rolling terrain and carves its way through dense forests. While not a particularly long course at a maximum of 6,550 yards, its unique layout and strategic design provide a genuine challenge for even the most experienced players.

Course Conditions

For the price the course condition was what you would expect and it is the reason we dropped the rating a notch. Overall it was not bad, the tee boxes and fairways were a little shaggy but it may have been an off day for the greens crew or they were just trying to protect the grass from the heatwave we have had the past view days. The fairways are firm and you can expect plenty of roll and some unexpected bounces if you come up short of the greens. The greens held approach shots well and rolled smoothly even though we found them to be a bit sluggish, again it may they greens crew are protecting them from the heat. The bunkers were very firm and could use some deeper sand, we found it was easier to chip out of them rather then tryng a standard sand shot.

On-Course Challenges

The greens, while medium-sized, are a highlight of the course and will test the putting skills of any golfer. The course features numerous carries over natural valleys and water hazards, requiring strategic shot placement. Adding to the challenge, several well-placed bunkers guard most of the greens, demanding accuracy on approach shots.

Facilities

While the facilities are modest, they are perfectly functional for a day on the links. The practice area consists of a few nets for warming up your swing and a small putting green to dial in your short game. After your round, the small but cozy clubhouse offers a welcoming atmosphere, and its patio provides a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the scenic view overlooking the 18th hole. Again we deducted a rating point.

Final Thoughts

Despite a few modest shortcomings, the Dorchester Ranch Golf Course is a truly memorable course that should not be overlooked. Its stunning views, thoughtful design, and welcoming atmosphere make it a must-play for anyone in the area looking for a picturesque and enjoyable round of golf. It was not for the course condition and minimal facilities we would have given the course a solid 4 star rating.