What's your favourite golf course?

Although I have had the honour of playing some of the most famous courses around the world I would be amiss if I did not say that my favourite course is my home course "Vespra Hills" on the outskirts of Barrie, Ontario. After all - I play there every week during the season and absolutely love the challenge. We have 27 great golf holes that challenge everyone that comes out to play. Add to that the fact that it is a very affordable private club with under 400 members one NEVER has to make a tee time. I just show up and can take my time warming up then hit the links. I have been a member there for just over 10 years now, and have lost track how many times I have gone out with a foursome and we never saw another foursome either ahead or behind us. One can easily finish 18 holes walking in under 3 hours if you want, but most often it is closer to 4 hours because the group is enjoying the scenery and taking the time to line up the putts in order to avoid being the one that has to buy the round after the game. A true gem of a course that is always in excellent condition. Narrow fairways, thick fescue, and superbly manicured greens that will challenge even the best putter.

Darius

Great course Darius. I've always wanted to play there. I've heard nothing but good things from everyone about Vespra Hills. As for my favourite course I actually have two. The Club at Bond Head (North Course) and Oak Bay. Both have gorgeous views and well maintained courses.  I highly recommend both if you happen to be in the surrounding Barrie area. 

Cheers Shawn

Shawn - If you would like to play at VH some time this fall, Lt me know how I can get a hold of you and I would be pleased to have you join me as a guest. Being retired, I am available more often during the week than during the weekends.

Darius

That's great Darius. I really appreciate you extending the offer to me. You can reach me by my email at xbrokensoldierx@gmail.com

Cheers Shawn

As a member at Blue Springs GC i don't think anyone can get sick of that course and the challenges it has you face, as well as many other great clublink courses like rattle snake where i spend 6 out of 7 days there i would say i love the look and playability of both copperhead and sidewinder. But my favourite course in the world is Dunes Golf and Beach club in myrtle beach, its just the perfect course. my uncle who is a member there gets my dad an i on anytime. it truly is what a private club should feel like and i have played a lot of prestigious private clubs, like Congressional, Lake Nona, Iselworth, St. Georges just to name a few. 

I would have to say I absolutely love Rattlesnake point more than any other course. I am not a member but have gone many times with my friend who is a member and wow I see why it is one of Clublinks top course's. Its challenging to play both sidewinder and copperhead, the water and views are awesome, the grass is so pure and the greens are so smooth. I made the least amount of putts ever in a round there! Great local course to have close by. Hope to be a member there someday when i'm older!

Connor

I love Stonebridge in Ottawa.....great design and impeccable tee to green

Working as a Golf Professional I've been lucky to play some of the best golf courses in the GTA.  This summer I was fortunate enough to play Toronto Golf Club.  It is the coolest place I've ever been luck enough to play!  All I can say is it seems to me what Marion would be like.  Its just a fun golf course, tough, but fun.  

Bradley 

Hi Bradley,
I have not played The Toronto Golf Club yet, but I have been fortunate enough to attend 3 different events on the property over the past few years.  It really is a special place.  It truly has that old school charm from the moment your drive through the gates.

Thanks for sharing!
-Mitch D

Timber Ridge in Brighton is the best bang for the buck, Great prices, perfect greens and elevation changes.  I just wish I lived closer to play it more often.

Mike N...if you like timber, drive the extra half hour or so to black bear ridge - check it out online.   Amazing course!!!

One of my favourite courses is Oak Bay. The 14th hole is one of their hardest holes.  You are hitting to an elevated green @ 140 yards out. Where in front is nothing but water.

Have had an opportunity to play some great spots across the country.  Couple of favourites that come to mind are Shaughnessy, Toronto Golf Club, Royal Montreal and St. Georges.  I love the old style golf courses!

A couple I hope to cross off my "bucket list" are The National, Cabot Links and Highland Links.  Hopefully one day!

Ryan P - Team Titleist

Sunningdale country club in London on is my favourite course because its beautiful but challenging! They just recently held the PGA tour Canada championships here !

I was lucky enough to play The National a few years ago and it was truly a treat.  I have to say it's my favorite that I've played yet.  Would love to get to King Valley some time.  A great course just north of the 401 in the Belleville area I stumbled on is Black Bear Ridge - beautiful place with reasonable rates and well worth the drive!

Hello to all ,who love the challenge of the game of golf "yes "  what a game, you just never know what your ball will do, but to play on a Special course makes you want to live forever.  I know that in Canada for most of us our season is way to short :(( , but while the season starts there's so many course to play, I am an average golfer, but I've seen many courses, if I could invite any of my favorite friends to come out, or refer any serious golfer it would be EAGLE CREEK, only a few minutes about 15 from OTTAWA ONTARIO,  can you believe the cart paths are all interlocking blocs, wow somebody must have a sore back, the greens are that special PRO STYLE SPEED, great challenge, the rough is not recomended lol , its Kentucky Blue Grass very difficult for any Tiger Woods want a be  lol, the course itself is not that difficult for the conservative style player. I've been to Myrtle beach , most course are build around condos, Eagle Creek leaves you concentrating on your game , nothing artificial, beautiful settings for sure a must on the Bucket List for anyone who loves the game and oh yes P.S.  please bring one of those digital cameras, as you will appreciate a unique, and distinguished club house  .     Eagle Creek  Dunrobin Ontario

I haven't played a whole lot of courses but when my husband and I went to PEI for a golf vacation last fall we fell in love with Glasgow Hills. The service was second to none, the course was pristine and the views were spectacular. Not an easy course by any means but it was fun to play. We can't wait for a chance to go back.

  Let's break it down to each category,  as far as scenery goes Glen  Eagles, King and Queens course and Bally Bunion, old and Cashen .  Playing through the grass dunes ocean side at Ballybunion is spectacular. As far as atmosphere goes it is it is hard to beat the the electricity in the air standing at the first tee of the Old Course St Andrews with the R @A clubhouse behind you. Locally, my first criteria being walkable with no 200 to 600 yard walks ( or being part mountain goat) between tees.  I do enjoy Rocky Crest, National Pines and Eagle creek. 

My favorite course of all time Oakmont near Pittsburgh....great scenery, design and clubhouse!

My favorite course would have to be Ospery Valley :)

I'll cast my vote for Royal Montreal. It's a beautiful setting, top notch practice facilities, great conditioning and clubhouse. It forces solid shots from all tees and all approaches. It looks rather gentle, but there aren't many good places to miss around the greens. Here's my favorite hole on the course - par 5 number 6.

Whisper Rock North, TPC Sawgrass, Beth Page Black, The National, St Georges...

But The Ocean Course in Kiawah is my favorite.

I have been very very fortunate over the last decade or so with where golf has taken me, I have had chances to play some very high end golf courses, some very prestigious and some very exclusive courses as well.  In no particular order as there is just no way I can rank them here would be a bunch I have played and the reasons I like them.

Kiawah Ocean Course from the PGA Tees- very long course puts a premium on driving the ball well to give you the correct lines and distances into the greens. Plays close to 8000 yards and usually very windy.

Torrey Pines South - very very good layout, makes you think about a lot of shots and where to hit them, condition of this course was very very poor when I played it however.

St Andrews Old Course - home of golf what more can I say

Carnoustie - might be the toughest last 4 holes I've ever. Played with the wind into us on 16 and 18

Valderrama - very tough the first time you play it, have to hit tee shots to specific yardages to have proper shots into greens. 

Hamilton G CC - puts a premium on playing the proper strategy off the tee.

Tobacco Road in NC- most fun I have had on a course, it's a little goofy in some spots but its a major risk reward golf course. Not long but a higher handicap can easily shoot 100 and a single digit can break par. 

Pebble Beach - great views and lots of history

Spyglass - awesome layout. Wish there were more holes look at the ocean

Notable mentions:

Streamsong blue/red

Pinehurst 2

Lake Nona

CCNC

The National NC

The National Golf Club of Canada

London Hunt

Redtail

Goodwood

Devils Paintbrush and Pulpit

Ones that really shocked me this year were the Hoot and the heathlands at Osprey Valley. Well worth making the trip up there to play them. 

Im sure ire ive missed some other ones, if anyone is planning on a trip to any of these locations let me know and I will let you know some good places to play, stay or eat.

Great overview of some great courses Mathew...

I too have had the pleasure of playing many of those courses. You are bang on when you note that Carnoustie is tough when the wind is blowing from the direction of the club house placing 18 directly into the wind. I remember playing a par three at 250 yds and came up short with a very well struck driver.

I have not played the Kiawah Ocean Course but as for distance, I found the Blue Monster at Doral to be a tough track from the championship tees. I played that in the wind and a slight shower. It was the first time I arrived back at the club house totally exhausted from concentrating so hard on trying to score. It is not a tough walk, but certainly a test of ones long and short game.

I have never been to Pinehurst even though I drive by it a couple of times every year. One location I must put on my list.

Darius

My favorite courses are Glen Abbey GC, Weston G&CC, St. Andrews Valley GC and Ottawa Hunt G&CC. My most memorable experience has got to be Ottawa Hunt G&CC. The course has hosted LPGA Canadian Women`s Open and it just makes you feel like a tour player because it is a really difficult course and the scenery is great because you can see the skyscrapers in downtown Ottawa.

Well, I've been lucky enough to play some great courses in Canada, but in regards to a "special feeling" you get when you tee it up, nothing in the world compares to the Old Course at St. Andrews. I played her 3 times on my trip over there this past April and I'll tell you, the best feeling I've ever had on a golf course was cracking a drive over the corner of the hotel on 17 and finding it right down the middle. Walking across the Swilcan bridge solidified the Old Lady as my favourite course in the world.

I too was there in April - back in 2011 - and based on your picture, you looked like you had similar weather to when I was there. A sweater was a must, but we had two weeks of great weather.

I agree with you when you say there is a very "special feeling" when you tee it up on that first hole. It is awe inspiring to be standing is a place of such history.

Darius