Whirlpool Golf Course
About
Located in a spectacular natural setting against the backdrop of the Niagara River whirlpool and gorge, this magnificent and challenging championship course was designed by the legendary golf architect Stanley Thompson. Owned and operated by The Niagara Parks Commission since 1951, Whirlpool is considered as one of the Top 100 Courses in Canada.
Directions: From Toronto: Approach Niagara Falls on the QEW. Just after crossing the St. Catharines Skyway, take the 405 exit towards the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge to the USA. Just before the bridge, take the last exit to the Niagara Parkway. Turn right off the ramp onto the Niagara Parkway. Whirlpool Golf Course is 4km down the road on the right hand side
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold (W) | 72 | 7019 yards | 79.6 | 142 |
| Gold | 72 | 7019 yards | 73.3 | 126 |
| Blue (W) | 72 | 6701 yards | 78.1 | 135 |
| Blue | 72 | 6701 yards | 71.9 | 123 |
| White | 72 | 6292 yards | 70.0 | 119 |
| White (W) | 72 | 6292 yards | 75.9 | 126 |
| Red | 72 | 5702 yards | 67.3 | 115 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 5702 yards | 71.8 | 116 |
| Yellow | 72 | 5203 yards | 65.1 | 109 |
| Yellow (W) | 72 | 5203 yards | 69.2 | 114 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold M: 73.8/131 W: 80.4/140 | 400 | 415 | 234 | 509 | 536 | 216 | 431 | 440 | 352 | 3533 | 457 | 405 | 241 | 518 | 160 | 566 | 403 | 230 | 506 | 3486 | 7019 |
| Blue M: 71.7/126 W: 78.1/135 | 384 | 386 | 212 | 495 | 513 | 210 | 416 | 434 | 337 | 3387 | 450 | 396 | 202 | 510 | 154 | 545 | 358 | 204 | 495 | 3314 | 6701 |
| Blue/White M: 70.7/123 W: 77.0/132 | 384 | 386 | 189 | 495 | 513 | 174 | 404 | 414 | 337 | 3296 | 438 | 396 | 186 | 510 | 154 | 481 | 358 | 193 | 495 | 3211 | 6507 |
| White M: 69.9/121 W: 75.8/130 | 360 | 361 | 189 | 475 | 471 | 174 | 404 | 414 | 322 | 3170 | 438 | 385 | 186 | 475 | 149 | 481 | 343 | 193 | 472 | 3122 | 6292 |
| Red M: 66.9/115 W: 72.5/122 | 350 | 327 | 136 | 458 | 438 | 163 | 353 | 368 | 288 | 2881 | 390 | 343 | 156 | 427 | 136 | 444 | 321 | 170 | 434 | 2821 | 5702 |
| Yellow M: 64.3/110 W: 69.5/118 | 321 | 295 | 123 | 408 | 417 | 133 | 302 | 346 | 262 | 2607 | 357 | 307 | 133 | 406 | 126 | 416 | 301 | 143 | 407 | 2596 | 5203 |
| Handicap | 15 | 1 | 9 | 11 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 10 | 18 | 8 | 14 | 6 | 12 | |||
| Par | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 12 | 2 | 18 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 13 | 5 | 17 | 1 | 11 | 15 | 3 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Showers, LockersReviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by JSolorioT on 09/07/2025
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18 th at whirlpool Photo submitted by niagaragolfer on 10/07/2024
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Photo submitted by niagaragolfer on 10/07/2024
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Photo submitted by u00000576841 on 10/07/2023
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Photo submitted by u00000576841 on 10/07/2023
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Photo submitted by u00000576841 on 10/07/2023
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Photo submitted by u00000576841 on 10/07/2023
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Photo submitted by u00000576841 on 10/07/2023
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Photo submitted by JohnAFowler on 06/26/2023
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Photo submitted by u314161878174 on 04/24/2023
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Photo submitted by Tim7754644 on 05/29/2022
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Photo submitted by jason799 on 10/15/2021
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Photo submitted by singer2002 on 10/07/2021
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Photo submitted by u314160365248 on 09/14/2021
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Photo submitted by JohnAFowler on 07/19/2021
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Deer everywhere today Photo submitted by JohnAFowler on 07/14/2021
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Par-5 18th hole Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 07/06/2017
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View from the clubhouse restaurant Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 07/06/2017
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Teeing off at Stanley's Hub Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 07/06/2017
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Super long putt Photo submitted by BrandonTuckerGA on 07/06/2017
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Photo submitted by Maddenrb on 08/17/2015
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Aliums at Whirlpool golf course...delicious! Photo submitted by ronsheldrick on 06/02/2013
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Challenging No. 3 hole at Whirlppol Photo submitted by Stevensiu on 04/03/2013
Still Awesome
I have played this course for over 30 years and it continues to be a favourite of mine. We live 2 hours away and it was worth the drive. The Staff are friendly, well organized, course is in great shape, always has been. It was a challenge without being a chore, great sites and a beautiful area of ontario to explore after. The helicopters viewing the falls are annoying to start but you quickly don't even notice them.
wet but great day
whirlpool is an excellent golf course with an old fashioned layout.It is challenging golf course with doglegs and requires thinking your way around the course. it was soaked due to rains and played longer than usual. Had to use every club in the bag on this day.
Thank you for your feedback!
Enjoyable
This course is in pretty good shape for the wet season we've had this spring 2017, (quite wet in some low-lying areas). The helicopters flying overhead are continual and annoying. Over-priced for snacks (40g bag of chips is over $2). Ice water machine is appreciated. Clubhouse staff were unorganized when I called in to check bookings, and when mixing up our tee times, and not overly friendly. Bathroom needed attendance. Bunkers were hard-packed, but not as bad as some other courses in the area.
My overall rating reflects the course maintenance and appearance.
Thank you for your feedback. We'll be sure to look into your concerns with our team leaders.
Stanley Thompson design that's great fun
Being a resident of the US south, we just don't have any Stanley Thompson designs around my way, so it's always a pleasure to get the chance to play one of his designs. While you may never get all the way up to Banff or Jasper or Cape Breton, there's really no excuse to miss Whirlpool, said to be his last design before his death and is just minutes from the falls and right on the Niagara Parkway where all the parks attractions are.
Whirlpool was my favorite round of the trip by far. The design is the perfect blend of challenge and playability.
Keep an eye out for "Stanley's Hub" which has the championship tees for three holes (no. 6, 12 and 16) all up a flight of stairs on a bluff that provide for some fun elevated tee shots. Even if you're not playing the tips, you may be tempted to do so on these holes. The 10th hole is another notable elevated tee shot but is even more noteworthy for its green, which is partially hidden by a big mound in the fairway. Local legend suggest Stanley, known for his wont to imbibe, buried his whiskey collection here.
Conditions and amenities aren't as top-notch as Legends on the Niagara, the excellent 45-hole facility operated by the Parks. But this is my favorite layout, and it's a great value, too.
The clubhouse restaurant is very popular for both golfers and passer-bys on the Niagara Parkway. Also, stop into the halfway house and if local fixture Gizzy is working, challenge her to make you a (the Gizmo, however, is on the menu and quite good).
After golf, check out the Whirlpool from an observation deck or take the Aero Car excursion over it.
Thank you for the great review & sharing your pictures! Glad to hear you were able to experience the "Gizmo"!
Beautiful course
The conditions were excellent. Well maintained course, and friendly staff. Pace was a bit slow, but staff was great. Would definitely return.
Thank you very much, we hope to see you back again soon this summer!
grounds look well maintained
THE COURSE WAS IN GREAT SHAPE EXCEPT THE GREENS. WE COULD NOT GET ONE BALL LANDING ON THE GREENS TO HOLD. NOT ONE BALL EVEN LEFT A MARK WHEN LANDING ON THE GREENS. I THINK THEY MAY NEED AERATING OR SOMETHING TO SOFTEN THEM UP. i WAS KIND OF DISAPPOINTED AS I HAVE PLAYED THE COURSE WHEN IT WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION IN EVERY WAY.
Thank you for the feedback about the firm greens, we'll bring this to the attention of the Superintendent right away.
Good Course in Niagara
Second time to play this good, nice layout with good fairways and greens. Pace of play was good with friendly staff. Will definitely be back.
Really enjoy this course.
Try to golf here once a week. Recommend to everyone
Thank you for your loyalty!
Great layout/great value.
I had not played Whirlpool for several years, but made it one of our rounds for a long weekend of golf with friends and family. We had great weather and a great time. The course is challenging and is one I always enjoy. I don't play it as often as I used to because I belong to a private club and it's an hour drive from my house. We made the trip and then enjoyed a nice dinner at a favorite Chinese restaurant in Fort Erie on the way home (Ming Teh). We had a great day.
Thank you for experiencing our golf course again. Glad to hear you enjoyed your day and hopefully you'll be back again this summer.
This course is always in great shape. Although the flowers haven't bloomed yet, it's still has all the looks and feels of a true Stanley Thompson layout.
Easy to walk.
Very enjoyable
Thank you very much...the flowers should bloom soon with all of this rain!!
Great Course
A great Stanley Thompson course that is well maintained by Niagara Parks. Friendly staff and a good test of your game.
Thank you for the review and we'll be sure to pass on your compliments to our staff.
Always a pleasure
This is a fantastic Old School golf course. Beautiful elevated greens. Always great shape. I would play it exclusively if it was closer. (1 hr away)
This golf course has a really great feel & setting to it.
Great review & thank you very much. We hope to see you again this summer!
Wet
We really don't have a problem with the course but it was to wet to play To much money for condition
Yes it has been a very wet Spring. Hopefully you'll join us again now that we've had a chance to dry out.
Resorts World Catskills Stay & Play Package
Thank you for your loyalty, we hope to see you again this season!