A real beauty
It has elk, mountain views to die for, a who's who of celebrity visitors including the late Marilyn Monroe, and a $4.5-million facelift that was completed in 1999. Welcome to the Banff Springs Golf Course, just a 30 minute walk from the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. This historic course is tough, uncompromising, majestic and a must-play for all golfers. The course itself is well designed, but the surrounding views are down right gorgeous.

History Repeats Itself
Thompson died in 1952 and is considered one of the world's greatest golf course architects. The Stanley Thompson 18 (originally opened in 1929) has been restored to the playing conditions of the 1940s and 50s and includes the diabolical Devil's Cauldron, an elevated Par 3 that forces golfers to hit over a glacial lake to a tiny bunkered green surrounded by swirling winds. Every hole is memorable, and so are the elk - players receive a free drop if their ball lands amongst a herd that has strayed onto a fairway.

Is that a bear on the green?
It has a Pro shop, driving range, putting green, golf lessons, cart rentals, dining room, lounge, banquet and barbecue facilities, an outdoor patio and locker room. You have everything you need to create the perfect day in the mountains. But please don't try and feed the occasional bear, which sashays across the course. The Banff Springs has 10-minute tee times, which reduces crowding, and allows players a relaxed pace of play.