TL;DR
- Sunningdale Golf & Country Club is London's most historic course, with 9 holes by Stanley Thompson opening in 1934 and 36 private holes today.
- Firerock (public, par 72, 2004) and Echo Valley (semi-private, par 71, 1971) are the main 18-hole courses open to the public.
- Crumlin Creek's 12-hole, par-45 layout is the fastest and most budget-friendly round, at about 2.5 hours.
- Tarandowah, a links-style course ranked among Canada's top 100, sits a short drive away in Springfield.
For a city its size, London has a strong mix of golf: a 90-year-old private club by one of Canada's best-known course architects, a links-style course a short drive away, and a 12-hole layout you can finish in under three hours. Here's what each of the area's best-known courses offers, and who it suits.
What is London's oldest golf course?
Sunningdale Golf & Country Club is London's most historic course. J. Gordon Thompson bought the 100-acre property in 1932, and a 9-hole course by architect Stanley Thompson opened in 1934, with a full 18 holes following soon after. A second 18-hole course opened in 1971, making Sunningdale a 36-hole private club at 465 Sunningdale Road in north London. The Sunningdale neighbourhood grew up around it.
Which golf course near London is ranked among Canada's best?
Tarandowah Golfers Club, opened in 2007, is ranked among Canada's top 100 courses by SCOREGolf and is one of the country's higher-ranked public-access courses. English architect Martin Hawtree designed it as a links course in the Scottish and Irish coastal style, with pot bunkers, fescue-lined fairways and rolling greens over 7,067 yards at par 70.
One note: Tarandowah is in Springfield, Ontario, a short drive from London rather than inside the city. It's well worth the trip.
Where can you play a championship course that's open to the public?
Firerock Golf Club is a public 18-hole, par-72 championship course designed by Thomas McBroom, opened in 2004. The front nine plays along the Oxbow River Valley, with the river and a man-made lake coming into play early. It's one of the more scenic layouts you can book without a membership.
Which London golf course is best for beginners?
Echo Valley Golf Club, opened in 1971 and designed by Rene Muylaert, is an 18-hole, par-71 course of 6,129 yards. It's semi-private but open to public play, with a full driving range and banquet rooms. It's a relaxed, welcoming round for new and higher-handicap golfers.
Where can you play a quick, affordable round in London?
Crumlin Creek Golf Club calls itself Southwestern Ontario's first 12-hole course. It's a flat, walkable 3,300 yards at par 45, and the club aims for rounds of about 2.5 hours. It opened in 1985 as London Golfland before a full redesign, and it sits in the Crumlin area of east London. It's the most budget-friendly, time-friendly option on this list.
How do London's golf courses compare?
| Course | Opened | Holes | Par | Access | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunningdale Golf & Country Club | 1934 | 36 | n/a (two courses) | Private | North London |
| Tarandowah Golfers Club | 2007 | 18 | 70 | Public | Springfield, Ontario |
| Firerock Golf Club | 2004 | 18 | 72 | Public | London area |
| Echo Valley Golf Club | 1971 | 18 | 71 | Semi-private, open to public | London area |
| Crumlin Creek Golf Club | 1985 | 12 | 45 | Public | Crumlin, east London |
Which course suits you?
- History and a true championship layout: Sunningdale (private) or Firerock (public).
- A different, links-style round, and you don't mind a short drive: Tarandowah.
- New to golf, or after a relaxed round: Echo Valley.
- Short on time or budget: Crumlin Creek's 12 holes.
Being close to a course comes up a lot with buyers looking at Sunningdale and other north London areas. If that's on your list, reach out to Justin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is London, Ontario's oldest golf course?
Sunningdale Golf & Country Club. Its first 9 holes, designed by Stanley Thompson, opened in 1934 on property bought in 1932. A second 18-hole course was added in 1971, and it's a 36-hole private club today.
Are there public golf courses in London, Ontario?
Yes. Firerock Golf Club (18 holes, par 72, opened 2004) is fully public, Echo Valley Golf Club (18 holes, par 71, opened 1971) is semi-private but open to public play, and Crumlin Creek Golf Club (12 holes, par 45, opened 1985) is a budget-friendly public option in east London.
Is Tarandowah Golfers Club in London, Ontario?
No. It's in Springfield, Ontario, a short drive from London. It's closely tied to the London golf scene and ranked among Canada's top 100 courses by SCOREGolf, but it's outside the city limits.
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Justin Skrypnyk
Real Estate Broker | Sutton Group Chapman Realty Inc., Brokerage
Justin Skrypnyk is a Real Estate Broker serving every corner of London, Ontario. He writes to help buyers and sellers make well-informed decisions, without the sales pitch.