A cool, pine-scented breeze - born on the snow-smeared peaks five thousand feet above - gently bends the flagstick and puts some doubt in my mind as to which club is right. The six-iron might be a little strong and going over can be a real round-wrecker. However, the seven, if it’s not enough, spells disaster, too. The emerald green, perched on the other side of the sheer cliff, looks incredibly inviting; if only I can make a good swing and hit it.

Understandably, the postcard-perfect vista and the intense challenge of hitting this do-or-die shot are making my knees shake. And, to be honest, I love it. This hole, the unforgettable “Cliffhanger” at Greywolf Golf Course, is one of the greatest in the world, after all.

Take a swing through British Columbia and you’ll encounter a host of stunning, photo-friendly golf holes. In fact, BC’s “Signature” holes are some of the best in golfdom: from dramatic, cliff-top beauties to riverside gems that curl along glacier-fed waters, the province has it covered when “wow” holes are your game. Here’s a sampling of BC’s best.

Situated high on an exposed bench overlooking Kamloops Lake in the Thompson Okanagan, Tobiano, Golf Digest’s Best New Canadian Course for 2008, is awe-inspiring from start to finish. Here, unrestricted lake and mountain views are yours every second of the round.

And terrific holes just come one after another. In fact, there could be a number of candidates for “signature hole” on this Thomas McBroom-designed gem. The par-4 5th, for example, is a creation that careens through a steep, cliff-lined ravine that’s the perfect size for a golf hole. However, the 8th, a par-5 that starts with a bang (you’ve got to smash a tee shot over a huge chasm) then darts and dives high above the shoreline, takes the cake. The tee shot is certainly a doozey, but surveying the scene from the landing area is simply sublime. Golf holes just don’t come any better than this.

“The 8th at Tobiano is a hole I’m very proud of,” says McBroom. “Visually, it’s quite a feast. But I’m really happy with how it plays, too. Once you get a feel for it, you realize there are certain angles of attack and strategies that work best on every shot.”

Regardless of how you decide to play it – or how it plays you - this hole will stick out as one of the most impressive par-5s you’ve ever seen. Visit www.tobianogolf.com for more.

When it first opened in 1993, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club turned plenty of heads. Wild elevation changes, spirited mountain streams that flow throughout, the alpine atmosphere, the engaging route; it all made for an edge-of-your-seat mountain golf adventure. Now, over 15 years later, little has changed. People still leave wowed by the experience. And one of the most memorable moments happens on the par-3 8th.

The slender green on the 184-yard hole sits snug between a rugged wall of rock on the right and a pond and bunker on the left. The perfect shot is squeezed between these dominant features, but given the nature of the hazards, a lot can happen. In spring, when flowers adorn the slopes beside the tee and the mountains high above are draped with fresh snow, it doesn’t really matter what you score here – you’re just gonna love being in mountain golf heaven. Check out www.fairmontgolf.com/whistler for more.

When scouting the terrain for Greywolf at Panorama Mountain Village in the Kootenay Rockies, architect Doug Carrick’s jaw dropped when he first saw the potential green site that would become the infamous “Cliffhanger” hole. “I knew instantly I would route the entire golf course around that specific hole. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to build a golf hole in a setting like that.”

The hole, which plays anywhere from 142 to 200 yards long, is made more difficult by the swirling winds that can whip through Toby Creek Valley. Also, while the green is fairly generous, there’s no bailout area. Unless you’re fortunate enough to catch one of the two bunkers to the right, a poorly struck shot will meet its doom at the bottom of the cliff. And if you want to retrieve it, here’s some advice: bring rope, rations, and a good guide. Visit www.greywolfgolf.com for additional information.

OK, granted, the popular gambling hole at Vancouver Island’s Bear Mountain isn’t part of the official route. But all those who partake will tell you this: it’s a fun way to tack on a few side bets and absorb one of the finest views in the province; the harbour city of Victoria, the Olympic Mountains, and acres of lush forest. Of course, the hole is pretty darn cool in its own right.

Here, the tiny green clings to the mountainside and only accepts a laser-straight, soft-landing short-iron shot. Right is bye-bye and left needs a miracle. Long or short is instant carnage. Flip the toonies on the deck, say a prayer, and give it a smooth move; closest to the pin takes the loot. Interestingly, this hole was not originally seen by Nicklaus and, consequently, was built as an encore after the fact. Jack, we applaud. Go to www.bearmountain.ca for details.

This is one memorable downhill cruiser; a par-5 hole that epitomizes what golf in British Columbia is all about. For starters, the 501-yard straight-away hole aims you smack dab at the snow-domed peak of Mt. Baker. (From the tee it’s immediately clear that you’ve encountered a special hole.) The lush fairway, situated near Vancouver, is lined with towering Douglas Firs and contains numerous natural humps and bumps to negotiate, adding to the enjoyment of the ride. If you can hit a decent tee shot, you can definitely entertain the idea of going for the green in two.

“You’ve just got to avoid the deep greenside bunker,” says Dr. Michael Hurzdan, one of the most respected golf course architects working today and the man who created the golf hole. “We wanted to create a lasting memory for golfers coming down the final stretch,” he recalls. “Starting with the glorious view of Mt. Baker from the tee, I believe we did that.” Yup, he did.

In fact, when you play the hole – or any other of BC’s signature holes, for that matter – you’re guaranteed a lasting memory. And, providing you’re the shutterbug type, a few spectacular photos of what golf in BC is all about. Check out www.westwoodplateaugolf.com

Par-4 5th at Kokanee Springs Golf Resort, Crawford Bay, Kootenay Rockies. Dubbed “Poop Deck,” this long and lovely creek-side hole is anything but a stinker. Visit www.kokaneesprings.com.

Par-4 17th at The Rise, Vernon, Thompson Okanagan. Hit a “Boomer” off the tee (designer Fred Couples would be proud) and let the soaring Okanagan view sooth your senses. Check out www.therise.ca.

Par-4 17th at Olympic View Golf Club, Victoria. Super-sweet par-4 with a green framed by a 40-foot waterfall. For more information, go to www.olympicviewgolf.com.

Par-3 17that Nicklaus North, Whistler. Strong par-3 situated on the shores of a picturesque, glacier-fed lake. Go to www.whistler.com/golf.

For more information on golf in BC, visit www.hellobc.com/golf.