Think golf ranges are off-limits for dogs? Think again. Ontario’s Tee Zone Driving Range in Oakville is surprisingly pet-friendly — and yes, you can bring your pup while you practice your swing. Imagine. Dog-friendly golf.
Welcome to the first on our list of places in Ontario, Canada that you might be surprised to find out are dog-friendly. Maybe consider a drive to Oakville to check out dog-friendly Tee Zone driving range. Or, if you happen to be on a long and leisurely road trip, take the opportunity to unwind before you get back into the car – Tee Zone is very close to Highway 407. And if you have the dog along, no problem; the pooch putts with you. No need to leave them at home – or worse, in the car.
Dog-friendly Golf: Tee Zone Driving Range
Tee Zone is your classic driving range. It’s licensed so you can have a beer. A long row of astroturf hitting stations line the ‘fairway’ marked with signs indicating distance. Rent clubs, buy a bucket of balls (three sizes) and practice your drive – or just stress release by hitting balls like I do.
Yes, you can bring your dog along. Keep in mind, there’s not much for a dog to do here other than being with you rather than staying at home – so I took her to a leash-free dog park first (see below). Then, while I spent an hour hitting golf balls, I had my dog near me (but out of swinging range, obviously).
My pup was tethered to a pole near the far end of the driving range, where she could watch me and every ball arch into the air. (OK, not all of them arched.) Balls are gold for her, so yes, she was fascinated and even tried to nick a few stray balls as we walked past the putting green.
Dog-friendly Outdoor Patio & Evening Lit Golf
She had to settle for watching balls flying through the air that she couldn’t chase. When you’re done hitting balls (or before) dogs can sit outside on the patio with you. Tee Zone offers soft drinks, beer and snacks.
If evenings are more your speed, good news: Tee Zone has ‘Lit Golf’ as the sun is setting. Sunday to Wednesday, 8:30 to 9:30 pm and Thursday to Saturday, 9:30 to 10:30 pm, buckets of golf balls are 20% off, and the range is lit with floodlights.
Here are the highlights of Oakville’s Tee Zone Driving Range:
- 70 astroturf hitting stations
- Putting green
- Sand pit practice area
- Rental clubs available
- Beer and bucket deal for $25
- Buckets of 40, 75 or 105 balls range from $12 to $20
I’m not a golfer, but the occasional day at the driving range is fun. That said, I had a large bucket of balls and tired before I could finish it. My dog was ready to come home too, but she made a few friends being her happy self.
Palermo Dog Park: A Great Pre-Golf Stop
Before heading to Tee Zone, I would recommend running your dog prior to heading to the driving range, especially if your Fido is as high-energy as my spaniel. Leash-free Palermo Park (2345 Dundas Street, Oakville) is a five-minute drive from Tee Zone driving range. Palermo is a large, adequate, bare-bones dog park near a large baseball diamond.
Parking is a short walk from the double-gated entrance – the gates are misaligned, so a small dog might be able to get through. The fenced space is big – we had the place to ourselves on a weekday at 6 pm. A few trees line the edges, so there’s little to no shade, but there are four picnic tables.
If you’re timing is right, you might be there on a dog rescue event day – May 2025, Tee Zone hosted Putt for Pups and Drive for Dogs, a fundraiser for Save Our Scruff dog rescue (a percentage of each ball basket was donated). Hopefully, plans include making this an annual event.
Otherwise, Palermo Park is a wide open, grassy space for your dog to run in circles and burn off some energy before you get back in the car and head to an activity that will provide some socialization for your pup … and exercise for you.
If you go….
Tee Zone Driving Range, 4105 RR #25, Oakville, Ontario. Open seasonally, seven days a week from about 10 am to 11 pm. Dogs are welcome, but bring a leash, water bowl, and poop bags. Stay clear of swing zones for safety.
Palermo Park, a leash free, fenced dog park is a five-minute drive away at 2345 Dundas Street West near Bronte Road, Oakville, Ontario.
Overall, whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just looking to de-stress with a bucket of balls, Tee Zone is an unexpected spot to bring your pup. Know of an unusual dog-friendly spot? Let me know in the comments.
Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and a travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria. Contact Sherri at dogtrotting.net here. All written content is original, written by a person, and based on experience and research. Please subscribe!
