Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
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Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
The 18th hole is a par 5 that plays to an elevated green. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
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Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
There's a good restaurant in the clubhouse that overlooks the 18th. Many visitors who aren't golfers stop in off the parkway for a meal or drink. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
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Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
Another view of the 2nd hole, which sits beside a pond. Courtesy of Niagara Parks
Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
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Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
Whirlpool Golf Course is a Stanley Thompson design in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Courtesy of Niagara Parks
Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
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Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
The 10th hole is an elevated tee shot to a green guarded in front by a big mound. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
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Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
The view from behind the renovated 2nd hole. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
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Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
Whirlpool has an old clubhouse but a nice practice area with a putting green and separate chipping area. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
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Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
The 11th hole has a bowled green that is elevated with no bunkers. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
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Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
Whirlpool sits on a moderately tree-lined, parkland setting near the river parkway. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
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Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
There are some elevated greens on Whirlpool but they are generally large and receptive. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
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Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
Whirlpool was the last course designed by Canadian architect Stanley Thompson. Here's the par-4 2nd hole, which has been redesigned since Thompson's time. Brandon Tucker/Golf Advisor
Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
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Whirlpool Golf Course - Niagara Falls
Whirlpool Golf Course plays just downstream from Niagara Falls near the famous Whirlpool. Courtesy of Niagara Parks
12 Images

In Photos: Niagara Falls' Whirlpool Golf Course is one of Canadian architect Stanley Thompson's most accessible designs

NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario -- One of primary reasons I have Niagara Falls on my personal list of Top 10 value destinations in North America is because it represents an affordable and easily-accessible chance to play one of Stanley Thompson's parks courses.

Thompson is Canada's foremost golf course architect and during his tenure was one of the most prolific Golden Era designers. His works for the Canadian National Railway at national parks like Cape Breton Highlands, Banff Springs and Jasper Park are well publicized as jewels of destination golf.

The most spectacular visual at Whirlpool comes from aerial shots, where you can see the Niagara River's Whirlpool just on the other side of the parkway from the golf course. When walking the course itself, Whirlpool is generally a mellow but always pleasant and interesting round. Fairways are pretty generous and there is really no place where the course will beat you up, besides perhaps some long-ish par 3s, like the 3rd hole.

Click here for my review of Whirlpool, or read and see more about Whirlpool and the Niagara Parks courses in my Trip Dispatch:

Brandon Tucker is the Sr. Managing Editor for GolfPass and was the founding editor of Golf Advisor in 2014, he was the managing editor for Golf Channel Digital's Courses & Travel. To date, his golf travels have taken him to over two dozen countries and nearly 600 golf courses worldwide. While he's played some of the most prestigious courses in the world, Tucker's favorite way to play the game is on a great muni in under three hours. Follow Brandon on Twitter at @BrandonTucker and on Instagram at @btuck34.
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In Photos: Niagara Falls' Whirlpool Golf Course is one of Canadian architect Stanley Thompson's most accessible designs