Sun, heat, and sold-out tee sheets
Empty fairways a few weeks ago. Packed tee boxes now. That’s the swing at Calgary golf courses as a hot, dry spell lands right on peak season and flips a gloomy July into a full-on August rush.
At Shaganappi on Wednesday, groups rolled off every few minutes under blue skies. City spokesperson Trudy Jardine summed up the turnaround: after a cool, rainy July with empty tee times and late cancellations, August arrived with warmer, drier days and a flood of bookings. “City of Calgary golf courses are now bustling with activity and fully booked most days,” she said.
If you haven’t locked in a tee time, you’re not alone. The demand has spiked so sharply that most prime slots are gone early, and the best bet is to grab a single spot that opens when a group needs a fourth. Todd Moon, acting lead for City of Calgary golf, said tee sheets have “filled quickly as Calgarians return to the fairways to enjoy the sunshine,” adding that booking early is the safest play.
The rush is spread across the city’s municipal lineup, from Shaganappi Point’s skyline views to community favourites like Maple Ridge, McCall Lake, Confederation Park, and Lakeview. Driving ranges and practice greens are busy too, with late-afternoon sessions packed as people try to squeeze in swings after work while the weather holds.
There’s a weather reason behind the boom. Environment and Climate Change Canada has a heat warning out for Calgary, with daytime highs running between 29°C and 33°C this week and little sign of widespread rain. ECCC scientist Christy Climenhaga said the pattern is set to stay dry: maybe a few passing thunderstorms in the Foothills, but not much for the city. A brief shower on August 20 did little to break the dry run, which she expects to continue through the week. Relief is likely early next week as the hot spell eases.
Hot weather on the course: demand, safety, and turf care
When the mercury climbs, golf demand usually follows. Long daylight, firm turf, and a forecast with no rain symbols turns casual players into regulars and fills league nights and weekend mornings. Pro shops report steady foot traffic and lesson programs staying busy as players try to sharpen their short games ahead of fall.
The heat does change how the course plays. Dry fairways run faster, so drives can pick up extra roll. Greens can firm up in the afternoon and putts may roll a touch quicker as surface moisture burns off. Course crews typically adjust mowing and watering to protect turf, especially on high-traffic areas and exposed greens. In stretches like this, a little brown on the edges can be a sign of smart water use rather than neglect.
Golfers are adjusting too. Early morning and late afternoon tee times are disappearing first, while midday rounds are more common among players comfortable with the heat. Carts are in demand, and groups are packing more water than usual. On-course shade—tree lines, shelters, and the occasional breeze—makes a big difference by the 12th hole.
With a heat warning in effect, simple precautions help keep rounds safe and enjoyable:
- Book ahead and watch for cancellations—single spots often pop up last minute.
- Aim for morning or late-day tee times to dodge peak heat.
- Hydrate before you arrive and carry more water than you think you’ll need.
- Wear a hat, lightweight clothing, and sunscreen; reapply at the turn.
- Take a cart if needed and build in shade breaks on longer holes.
- Know your limits—step off if dizziness, cramps, or headaches start.
On the operations side, the City’s focus is keeping courses playable while preserving turf through the dry stretch. That can mean shifting irrigation times, easing up on cuts when grass is stressed, and prioritizing high-use zones like tees, landing areas, and greens. Maintenance windows may also adjust to beat the heat, so golfers could see crews out earlier or later than usual.
All of this is unfolding during the busiest stretch of the season. August is prime golf time in Calgary, and after July’s washouts, demand snapped back the moment the forecast cleared. With most days fully booked, pace of play has stayed steady, but players are being asked to keep up with the group ahead, be ready to hit, and give maintenance staff room to work—especially on par-3 tees and approaches.
What’s next? Climenhaga expects the hot pattern to break early next week, with temperatures trending closer to seasonal. For golfers, that could mean an easier time snagging mid-afternoon tee times and more comfortable rounds without the midday sizzle. If the dry streak lingers with milder highs, September could turn into another run of firm fairways and crisp evenings—the kind of stretch locals rave about every fall.
For now, if you want a weekend round, plan ahead. Check for single spots, keep notifications on for cancellations, and be flexible about course and time. The heat won’t last forever, but while it’s here, the tees are crowded, the putts are rolling, and the city’s public tracks are getting the busy summer they missed a month ago.
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