Golf at Royal Montreal

For over 150 years, The Royal Montreal Golf Club has been a special place where history has been made and championships won. Throughout its rich past, the “greatest game ever played” has always been at the heart of this exceptional club—Royal Montreal’s 45 holes are a source of enduring, national pride. But it is in the friendships that are formed here, the generations of families that reconnect, and the passion for the game passed on that the Club’s true legacy is fulfilled.

With three distinct courses situated on 600 acres, Royal Montreal offers a golf experience unlike any other in Quebec and Ontario. Each of the Club’s courses enjoys a distinct personality, but all connect organically to our stunning parkland landscape.

The Club’s two 18-hole layouts, the excellent Red and much-heralded Blue, both play through gently rolling land surrounding the Clubhouse, and are readily walkable. The 9-hole Dixie Course has its own appeal and character.

The Blue Course

Jack Nicklaus. Tiger Woods. Mike Weir. Legends have played on Royal Montreal’s Blue Course and made golfing history.

The host of five Canadian Opens, the Blue Course was called “spectacular” by Nicklaus when he captained the Presidents Cup in 2007. One of the finest tests of golf in Canada, it is regularly counted among the premier courses in the world. The Blue has it all: its tees exact both power and control, while tiered greens demand precision. In part to re-establish the challenge Dick Wilson envisioned for it in 1959, the easily-walked course underwent significant improvements by Rees Jones in preparation for the 2007 Presidents Cup. These included the rebuilding of greens, the repositioning of bunkers to accommodate longer hitters, and the addition of changing levels to several putting surfaces. In 2024, the course will once again make history by hosting the best in the world at the Presidents Cup.

Click HERE to watch flyovers of all 18 holes on the Blue Course as described by past club champions.

The Red Course

True to designer Dick Wilson’s vision for parkland golf, the Red Course, like the Blue, begins adjacent to the Clubhouse. From the first hole it becomes clear that a true test of golf awaits. The Red Course offers its fair share of challenges: doglegs, strategic bunkers, and small, well-protected greens—every hole demands finesse. Easily walkable, along exquisite, tree-lined fairways—free from tricks or contrivances—the Red Course should not be mistaken for an undemanding walk in the park.

The Dixie Course

Play the Dixie Course once and you’ll immediately recognize its charm. With the opening hole just beyond the Club’s fine Short Game Practice Area, the Dixie Course starts gently. It soon becomes evident that this track belongs among the best nine holes on the property. Two of the most challenging par 4s at the Club—the 432-yard third and the closing 448 yards ninth—are instantly memorable.

With no tee times, and allowing walk-on play, the Dixie is the perfect place for those seeking a quick round after work, or for younger golfers intent on honing their game. This course is welcoming for beginners; from the back tees it is a test for the best.

Championships

The oldest continuous golf club in North America, celebrating over 150 years, has hosted its share of prestigious tournaments. After hosting the Presidents Cup in 2024, Royal Montreal will become the second international venue to host for a second time. The inaugural Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship was contested at Royal Montreal in 1901. As well, Royal Montreal has proudly hosted the Canadian Open ten times and numerous other competitions. Our legacy of competitive golfers is impressive, ranging from professionals Albert Murray and Pat Fletcher to top female amateur Lisa Meldrum.

Competitive golf remains an important part of Royal Montreal’s culture to this day, whether demonstrated through the commitment of its members to playing in club events or through our desire to host major professional tournaments.

Practice and Short Game

A great golf club needs great practice facilities—and that’s exactly what Royal Montreal offers. Its extensive Short Game Practice Area near the opening and finishing holes of the Dixie offers three targets, or practice greens, designed to resemble those found on the Red and Blue Courses. It also boasts an additional green for chipping and a shallow bunker for sand play.

The Club has an extensive double-ended practice range. One end encourages warm-ups before a round. At the opposing end lies a large, perfectly manicured grass tee where teaching pros meet members for lessons.

Architects:

Dick Wilson – Involved in golf construction for most of his life, Dick Wilson is credited with some of the most interesting course designs in the second half of the 20th century. Wilson favoured wide fairways and large, elevated greens, often protected by water hazards. Wilson worked with associate Joe Lee in creating all three of Royal Montreal’s courses. Along with Royal Montreal, his best-known work includes Shinnecock Hills, a regular U.S. Open venue; Laurel Valley, which hosted the Ryder Cup; and Deepdale, a private club in the New York area.

Rees Jones – One-third of the most noted design families in golf history, Rees Jones inherited the nickname “U.S. Open doctor” from his father, Robert Trent Jones. Rees Jones designed or reworked more than 200 courses over his long career, including seven U.S. Open venues, eight PGA Championship courses, five Ryder Cup locales, and two Walker Cup sites. His work at Royal Montreal in 2004 was extensive—tees, bunkers, and greens were refashioned for the 2007 Presidents Cup.