Mount Baker

From the tee of this tournament par 4 and members' par 5, a left-leaning dog-leg hides a large green on a rising fairway. The farther left you hit your drive the shorter the distance to the green, but you risk ending up in the trees. The safest drive is to the right side of the fairway where there will be a better angle for your second shot. On your second shot, avoid the steep cliffside bunkers and drop offs on the right. The approach to the green is fairly steep, so it's advisable to hit one or two more clubs on the last 200 yards of this hole.

Wishing Well

The key to playing this hole is to put the ball on the green with your first shot. This is not as simple as it looks because of ever-changing winds. Take the wind into account and choose your club wisely. Be sure to stay focused to avoid the pond and two greenside bunkers. If you need a coffee or bite to eat, grab a snack at the Tea House.

 

The Burn

This is one of Capilano's most challenging par 4's with its curving fairway to the right and a large line of trees on the left. Challenges include a bunker to the right of the fairway and, 120 yards from the green, a creek called “The Burn”. For the long hitter, a fade shot over the fairway bunker will put you in excellent position for your approach shot. For the less powerful, a well-placed drive to the left of the bunker will leave you with a second shot within reach of the tiered green.

Canyon

Even without a single trap, this is a tough par 4. To play this difficult hole, keep your drive to the left of the fairway. Your approach shot should then clear the steep grass gully that protects the extremely narrow green. Holding the green is not easy, as the ball may overshoot into the rough at the back of the putting surface.

Portal

One of Canada’s most unique par 3s, the main driveway to the clubhouse cuts across beneath the hole’s vertically-tiered tee boxes. This is Capilano's shortest hole, so make your club selection carefully. Its elevation change of 25 feet is deceiving. Pin placement is never really a problem, but the green is bunkered on both sides and has a steep left-side drop-off to the creek below.

Samanit

This par 4 dog-leg left hole requires precise shot-making from tee to green. Position your tee shot down the left side of the fairway and use the natural slope to propel your ball to the right, but not too far right. There are lateral hazards on the right and large trees on the left. The approach to the green is fairly straightforward, but watch out for the large bunkers between the green and the 16th tee. The putting surface offers one of Capilano's characteristic two-tier greens.

Hadden Hall

This hole is a friendly par 3 (ladies’ par 4) and it plays just as you see it. Depending on your skill level, a driver, fairway wood or long iron is usually the club of choice. Most of the trouble off the tee occurs on the right side of the fairway, where a lateral water hazard is found, but there are also a couple of mean little bunkers to the left of the green. The 16th is a relatively easy green to putt, except when the flag is positioned on the right side.

Sleeping Beauty

This signature hole is the purest driving hole on the course. The wide fairway offers you the opportunity to hit your best shot of the day. Your second shot - or your third - should be a straight forward stroke to the green. Watch for the right greenside bunker, especially if the pin is at the back and on the right.

Whamultchasum

This par 5 is one of the best finishing holes in golf, stretching a colossal 556 yards from the blue tees. Your tee shot faces a wide open fairway that allows you to bring out the big guns and unleash your oversized driver. The second shot is blind, so position this hit to the left side of the fairway to avoid hidden bunkers on the right. The third shot (or possibly your fourth), is another blind shot to a large, raised green which will probably have a very tough pin placement. Flag location will dictate a one or two club difference.