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As we sat on the edge of a 10-person raft floating down the inspiring Bow River just outside the picturesque village of Canmore I knew we were experiencing the trip of a lifetime in the Canadian Rockies. My wife Jenifer and I marveled at the mountain ranges that surrounded us listened to the gentle rush of the water that guided the raft on a two-hour journey as we sat back and enjoyed a romantic sunset together. The air was still but Mother Nature's call was strong. We quietly passed by a disinterested moose that was feeding on the lush vegetation at the river's edge and when we came across a towering tree that had fallen cross our path on the river it was time for everyone to get out as we made an impromptu portage - we came to appreciate the unexpected things – both big and small.

Early last June we decided that we would fly from Hamilton to Calgary, rent a car and spend two weeks traveling Alberta's highways and byways in the latter part of August. I hadn't been there since my parents took the kids across Canada in a camper trailer in the mid 1970s. This journey would be different as Jen and I set out to play 10 different golf courses as we looped through Calgary, Kananaskis, Canmore, Banff, Jasper and Edmonton before returning to Calgary some 1,200 kilometres later. While we think the scenery in Ontario is pretty spectacular and it is in spots, there's nothing quite like turning a corner on a course and coming face-to-face with an age-old weather-worn mountain peak that soars thousands of feet into the sky.

Heritage Pointe

Stewart Creek

Banff Springs

Jasper Park Lodge

Red Tail Landing

Calgary is a hotbed for golf. You could spend a week or more playing courses right in the area, but the highlight of the mini-tour was Heritage Pointe, a 27-hole design with the Heritage Course being a must play. The Links of Glen Eagles in Cochrane is an entertaining design by Canadian Les Furber with spectacular river valley views especially on No. 16, a 251-yard par-3 that's all carry as it drops over 130-feet to the green below. While it's not quite the CN Tower, the Calgary Tower is a great place for lunch or dinner with great views of the city, or you can choose fine dining at the Vintage Chophouse where PGA Tour player and Calgary resident Stephen Ames is partner.

After enjoying distant views of the Rockies we headed less than an hour westward to Kananaskis where golfers can choose from two Robert Trent Jones designed courses – Mount Kidd and Mount Lorette or even play them both in the same day – now that's what I call magical. While Alberta residents pay $70 a round visitors are charged $90 - the best value of our entire trip and you can't go wrong with either of them. Of course the nearby Delta Lodge at Kananaskis is the picture perfect retreat for the family and offers an endless list of outdoor activities.

Thirty minutes down the road, Canmore has it all from a busy main street, to hiking in the Spray Lakes district, rafting, caving, mountain climbing and of course golf. While Canmore G&CC is more affordable and very enjoyable, the two big-name courses in this mountain town are Silver Tip and Stewart Creek GC. At $175 in prime time - they're not cheap. If you're looking for a traditional parkland course, choose Stewart Creek and if you're looking for excitement and something more theatrical Silver Tip is the way to go.

Then it's less than 30 minutes to Banff where Rocky Mountain golf has its roots dating back to 1927 when legendary Canadian golf course architect Stanley Thompson crafted what many consider to be one of the greatest courses in the country. For those who have not played there before The Fairmont Banff Springs GC is as magical a golf experience as you'll ever find. When a majestic elk appeared on the world-renowned par-3 Cauldron hole as we teed off I knew we had chosen the perfect day to stroll through this paradise. While there are 27 holes at Banff, we played the Thompson 18 and it was worth every penny of the $200 green fee.

While in town you'll want to make time to enjoy the Banff Hot Springs for a relaxing dip. If you're looking for a really great view of the area (and the golf course for that matter) take a gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain where you'll view more mountains in a moment that most will ever see in a lifetime!

The 300 kilometres drive from Banff to Jasper is one of the most beautiful you'll ever encounter so my advice is not to rush it and stop along the way to enjoy the views, go for a walk or visit the Columbia Ice Field like we did. In Jasper National Park life doesn't get any better than two-three nights at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. The golf course is an exceptional work of art by Thompson - some will tell you it's his most complete work that exists today. Nearly a year later I can play through each hole in my mind – try doing that with the last golf course you played. At $150-plus it's expensive, but if I had my choice of being able to play one more round throughout the trip it would be right here.

We went whitewater rafting on the glacial Athabasca River and it was a blast and a boat excursion to Spirit Island on nearby Maligne Lake is an ideal opportunity to reflect on the beauty of the Canadian Rockies.

The next stop is a three-hour drive to Edmonton where golf is flourishing and some people will tell you it's a golf destination all to itself. Here you'll find the likes of Red Tail Landing, Blackhawk and Northern Bear to name the big three or you can spend a couple of hours or more shopping at West Edmonton Mall on a rainy day. From there we high-tailed it back to Calgary as we ran out of space and time.

Brent Long is a contributing writer to The Traveling Golfer and owner of Longshot Communications. He can be reached at brentlong@cogeco.ca