Bigwin Island Golf Club - Muskoka Golf

I had the pleasure of playing Bigwin Island Golf Club this spring with my father and this is the most scenic golf course I have played in Ontario.

The 6th Hole "The Lookout" at Bigwin is the one that most players talk about after playing there for its spectacular view and the hang time on your tee shot!

Not a tough hole but a lot of fun to play!

What they have to say:

Without a doubt the most spectacular view on the course is from the back tee on the 6th hole. To the east lies the breathtaking view over the treetops of the 6th fairway to a cluster of islands rising out of the lake. To the west through the trees, lies a glimpse of the clubhouse with its elegant reflection shimmering in the quiet waters of the protected bay. The tee shot provides a lot of "hang time" on this 462 yard par four, as the ball plummets to the fairway over 100 feet below...

SD

The New Dragon's Fire Golf Club, Carlisle, Ontario

Dragon's Fire Golf Club, Hole #15 Par 4 292 yards.

You either love 'em or hate 'em, the driveable Par 4!

I love them, at least the ones I can still get to. The new Dragon's Fire Golf Club was designed by Boris Danoff who also designed John Daly's Thundering Waters Golf Club in Niagara Falls, Ontario is set to open June 9th. I had a chance to preview this course prior to the opening and it is very good.


The Par 4, 15th hole was one of my favourites maybe because I drove it pin high on the left fringe! But I love trying to drive a par 4 and at 292 from the blue tees this downhill tee shot is inviting (at least to me) even though it is well guarded by bunkers.


If you are in the area give this new course a try, conditions are not perfect yet but it will be a must play very soon with 18 hole fees from $55 and a replay rate of only $35!
Tee Times: 1-877-818-0808

SD

Bigwin Island #6

Bigwin Island Golf Club #6

For years I have heard of what a good time the whole experience is at Bigwin Island but have never made it up there to play it. Well I am finally going to play it this spring which I am very excited about but the best part is that I am going up to play with my father. He is the person that introduced me to this great game at the age of 8 and as he would say "taught me everything I know!" As life gets in the way we do not get a chance to play together very often anymore so this will be the round of the year for me.

So as the golf season starts in Ontario I thought why not feature a hole from Bigwin Island Golf Club.

The Par 4, 6th hole is the best view on the course and most will say one of the best golf views in Ontario, with a long hangtime on the tee shot. Looks like fun to me!

Eagles Nest #3 Par 4 450 yards

Eagles Nest Golf Club Hole #3
The only bad thing about this hole is the road in the background but it is not busy or noisy so who cares! Probably my favourite public course in Ontario and proves like Braeben in Mississauga that good things can be built out of garbage, or at least beside it.

The 3rd hole at Eagles Nest looks good and is a lot of fun to play. Even from the right side fairway bunker which is where I was last time I played there and still made 3! Luck.

What they have to say;
Keep right of the large Oak but favour the left side of the fairway with your drive on this picturesque par 4. A good tee shot will give you a medium to short iron to this tricky green. Be careful as you drive down the hill to the fairway.

Deerhurst Highlands Golf Course Hole #1

One of my favourite Muskoka golf courses and definately one of the best 1st holes around.

Well best view anyway, it is about a 5 iron off the tee to try to get a level lie for your second but look at the view. The second hole gets a lot tougher!

Deerhurst Highlands

Hole #1 Par4

374-351-331-290

Cobble Beach Golf Links Hole #17

Cobble Beach Golf Links-Owen Sound Golf

It is rare in today's golf world to not hear at least a few negative remarks regarding a golf course, but that has been the case for me with the new Cobble Beach Golf Links in Owen Sound, Ontario. Built along the shores of Georgian Bay this links style golf course has opened to rave reviews and you can see why. I was told by a friend that recently played it that it was the "best $100 he has spent", which is the August rate before 9 am.
I could have pick any of the 18 holes to show you but chose #17 "The Lighthouse" because it reminds me a bit of another famous lighthouse hole!
HOLE 17, LIGHTHOUSE107 to 156 yards, par 3

What they have to say;
This breathtaking par 3 plays downhill to a large green that appears to fall off into Georgian Bay itself. Deep bunkers protect the front, and water circles around the right side of this wide green that features several different levels.

Ontario Golf Hole

Hockley Valley Resort #12

Hockley Valley Resort Hole #12 Par 3
Hockley is a good resort golf course just north of the GTA. It is perfect for a quick over night and offers spa packages to keep the "non-golfers" busy while we golf!
The par 3 12th hole plays over 220 yards from the tips and is the toughest of the par 3's at Hockley. As an added bonus this hole offers great views of the surrounding area.
Par 3 12
Black 221
Gold 201
Green 173
White 145

Ontario Golf Hole

DragonFly Golf Links, Renfrew Ontario

DragonFly Golf Links Hole #18
I had the opportunity to play this course on a very rainy day and still enjoyed it. The course was very wet in fact we were surprised it was open. I enjoyed so much that I look forward to going back to play it in the sun! We were even greeted by the course Superintendant/designer (might also be the owner?) who was very proud to give us some quick background on the course.
The back nine is the better of the 2 nines and the round is finished off by with a great little downhill par 3 hole surrounded by water except for the opening in the front.
#18 163 yard Par 3

Ontario Golf Hole

The Ridge at Manitou

The Ridge at Manitou Hole #18 503 yard Par 5

It's all about the view. I had the opportunity to play Golf Digest's Best New Course in Canada 2006 and it was worth the drive. The course was in perfect shape and even though it was a wet and soggy day it was a joy to play. We were also lucky in that the sun came out for our last few holes to let us appreciate the view on #18. Not a tough par 5 but the green looks to be set in the bay of Manitouwabing Lake.

What they have to say:

What a treat it is to reach the fairway, from where the clubhouse and lake are visible. They're in view all the way in to the green, but you'll have to cross a tranquil stream before you get home. The green is 40 yards long and has plenty of subtle movement in it. Most golfers who have hit a good drive to the right side of the fairway will want to have a go at the green. It's just too difficult to decline the pleasure of watching one's ball sail away toward the lake and on to the green. And if you miss the green, well, there's ample pleasure in the nature of food, drink and views to be had in the clubhouse only a few steps away.

Ontario Golf Hole

Copper Creek Golf Club Holes #4 & #9

By far one of my favourite golf course in the GTA is Copper Creek Golf Club in Kleinburg. I got a chance to play it the other day for the first time this year and it didn't disappoint.

Very good layout, excellent conditions the greens were perfect, service was exceptional and it was fairly busy and still the pace of play was under 4 1/2 hours! Great day! Here are some of my pics!



Copper Creek Golf Club #4


The second best downhill view next to #10, the par four 4th hole provides a great view and a good tee shot. Not as long as the 10th but the 4th is well bunkered right and is all trouble left!
Par 4 plays 338-447 yards.

What they have to say:
Avoid the 3 bunkers right off the tee is ideal. A good drive leaves a relatively short iron to the long narrow green.


Copper Creek Golf Club Hole #9
Probably a better finishing hole than the par 5 18th, at least as far as the view! This par 4 gives you a nice view back up the hill at the beautiful clubhouse. The 9th requires another good tee shot to avoid the fairway bunkers right and pond down the left. A good drive leaves a short second shot to a slightly elevated green.

Great day at Copper Creek Golf Club!

Ontario Golf Hole

Forest City National #13 - London Golf

Forest City National Golf Club #13

I could have pick almost any hole at Forest City National Golf Club in London, Ontario but good par 3 holes always grab my attention. This par 3 #13 plays over 200 yards from the tips and has the added mental pressure for most golfers of water between the tee and green.
Great public golf course.

What they have to say:

Use a long to midiron. Beware of thesteep fall off to theleft and behind the green. The right sideof the green fallshard to the right.Par is a very goodscore here.

Ontario Golf Hole

Seguin Valley Golf Course-Parry Sound Ontario

Seguin Valley Golf & Country Club #7

There seemed to be some question this spring whether Seguin Valley was open for business or not? Well apparently it lives, for now, and is being run by someone else while the owners/operators decide on its future. Either way the par 3 7th hole is worth a look.

Golfers seem to have a love it or hate it attitude about this course and I plan on testing it myself this summer while on vacation.

I look forward to this hole!

What they have to say:

Unique hole #7 with 180 yard floating bridge and a 60 yard forward floating tee deck.

For those looking for info on Seguin Valley their website has changed from .com to .ca!

http://www.seguinvalleygolf.ca/

Ontario Golf Hole

The Raven at Lora Bay Hole #2

The Raven At Lora Bay 2007 Telus Skins Game Host Course

Host course of this year's Telus Skins game, this course is sure to please.
The 2nd hole plays under 400 yards from the tips but is well protected with water all down the left side and the fairway is mounded and tee shots can should watch for a bunker that guards the right side for big hitter. Ames(T10th @ +11), Daly(DNQ), Ogilvy(T42nd @ +19), Goosen(M/C) and Monty(M/C) should have fun following the torture of this past weekend's US Open at Oakmont.

Ontario Golf Hole

The Club at Bond Head- North Course #7

The Club at Bond Head - North Course #7

Some might be surprised that I chose this hole to highlight when they have a lot of great golf holes. This Par 3 ranks as the second easiest hole on the north course and only plays 167 yards from the tips but just look at that pic. Wow!

Ontario Golf Hole

John Daly's Thundering Waters #11

Thundering Waters #11 Niagara Falls

This risk-reward par 4 seems to be a lot more risk! 349 yard driveable par 4 looks great in the fall!

Ontario Golf Hole

Grand Niagara Resort #16 Niagara Falls Golf

The Rees Jones Course at Grand Niagara #16
This 430 yard par 4 from the Black Tees offers a glimpse of this Rees Jones course.
Beautiful layout.


Ontario Golf Hole

Taboo Resort #7-Muskoka Golf

Taboo Resort #7

Taboo is a great Muskoka resort course, that gives golfers a taste of Canadian Sheild golf! The rock outcrops are evident on several holes at Taboo however they do not dominate the playing areas like other courses in the Muskokas tend to. This par 3 is a great test for your long irons.

Yardage on this uphill par 3 ranges from 164 - 218, it's no gimme!

First class resort in Muskoka, worth the price tag to play.

Ontario Golf Hole

Bigwin Island Golf Club-Muskoka Golf

Bigwin Island Golf Club #6

This is the hole that everyone that has played Bigwin talks about. My one opportunity to play this Muskoka golf course was rained out but I intend to get there very soon.

What they have to say:
Without a doubt the most spectacular view on the course is from the back tee on the 6th hole. To the east lies the breathtaking view over the treetops of the 6th fairway to a cluster of islands rising out of the lake. To the west, through the trees, lies a glimpse of the clubhouse with its elegant reflection shimmering in the quiet waters of the protected bay. The tee shot provides a lot of hang time on this 462 yard par four, as the ball plummets to the fairway over 100 feet below. Two bunkers on the left frame the fairway and provide a frame of reference for the target area. The optimum angle into the large undulating green is from the left side. A deep treacherous bunker guards the right side and a gentle grass depression flanks the left. The 6th hole looks ominous on the scorecard, but should play much shorter than the yardage indicates.

Ontario Golf Holes

Don Valley Golf Course- Toronto

Don Valley Golf Course #12- The Signature

I have a soft spot for Don Valley Golf Course and this is their signature hole, the par 5 12th. This relatively short par 5 is made more difficult by the large pond that protects about 3/4 of the green for those wanting to get home in 2! It's hard to believe that you are in the heart of Toronto, at Yonge St. and Hwy 401. One of the busiest golf courses in Canada is still one of the most fun to play.

What they have to say:
Lush Vegetation and a rolling landscape present an exciting natural setting for Don Valley Golf Course. It's classic Howard Watson design has a traditional variety of holes and a legendary reputation for its exciting natural setting. Hallelujah Corner includes the signature par 5 12 th hole followed by an outstanding par 3 challenge, providing breathtaking scenery and spectacular golfing.

Ontario Golf Holes

Black Diamond Golf Club

Black Diamond Golf Club
Near the Kawarthas, Black Diamond Golf Club offers a nice retreat from city golf. In Pontypool, Ontario less than an hour from Toronto.

What they have to say:
Aqua Blue#11. Can you say signature hole? This exquisite par 4 is absolutely amazing and belongs on a postcard. One of the first things you will notice while standing on the elevated tee is the breath taking aqua blue pond, giving its colour due to the natural calcium deposits in the water. Once you have appreciated the beauty of this hole, you must focus on the task at hand, landing your ball on the fairway framed in by bunkers, mounding and fescue. Club selection is important when choosing your line over the pond.

More about Black Diamond Golf Club HERE
Ontario Golf Holes