The National Golf Club of Canada — consistently rated as Canada’s #1 golf course for decades — is located in Woodbridge, Ontario, just north of Toronto. Widely regarded as the most difficult golf course in Canada, it opened in 1975 and was designed by George and Tom Fazio. It is one of only two Tom Fazio golf course designs north of the border, and apart from being recognized for its challenging layout, its reputation for flawless conditioning and exclusivity is unmatched.
Characterized by narrow, tree-lined fairways, strategically placed water hazards, and undulating greens, The National features one of the more incredible urban properties in Canada, running through the Humber River Valley. It is a location that would likely never feature a golf course in the modern era and unique in many respects. The design emphasizes shot accuracy and course management, rewarding precision over power. The back nine, in particular, starting with the drop-shot par-3 10th, presents a formidable sequence of holes and some of Canada’s most iconic golf holes.
The National is a shining example of the penal school of golf, which asks for heroic golf shots and presents hit-or-miss strategies throughout the round. This style of golf will test every shot in your bag and penalize poor course management — exactly what you will find at The National.
With all that is said about its difficulty, The National is playable if you play smart. And lost in the discussion of its challenges is quite a history. The National has been home to some of Canada’s most esteemed and well-respected figures in golf including the likes of Al Balding and Ben Kern.
