Just got back from Cape Breton Highland Links

[ontario]

Thought I would share my impressions of this golf club.

This course doesn't look difficult and the yardage is modest at 6,592 yards from the back tees. But, it plays much longer and comes by its 73.9 rating honestly.

This is not a point-and-shoot course. You really have to think about club selection. Some greens are guarded not just by bunkers but by swales and dips in front of the green, making it impossible to run up onto the putting surface or get a favourable bounce up to it.

From the tees, some of the fairways looked wide to me but they must've been optical illusions because I had a lot of trouble finding the short stuff. I think I would've been much better off if I left the driver in the bag or better yet, the trunk of my car.

Also, at this club, if you hit an errant tee shot, there is no hitting it back from another fairway. The ball is gone.

Greens were my one disappointment. They were slow and inconsistent. Not my type of putting surface. Also, if you are accustomed to private club type of golf, you will probably be disappointed by the conditioning of the course. It is fine for a public track but not nearly as nice as the private clubs in the GTA. It was okay with me because I am sure the Scots didn't intend for the game to be played on the pristine carpets that we are so spoiled by today.

If you decide to visit overnight, I highly recommend the adjacent Keltic Lodge. First class accomodation and the food was outstanding. Some very reasonable packages available considering the quality of the hotel and restaurant. If you're going on a boy's trip, I warn you there is absolutely nothing in the way of night life. The hotel basically shuts down at 10PM.

Finally, it terms of overall rating, I would say it is a fine, fine golf course and combined with the Keltic Lodge, an excellent value and first class overall experience. However, I think Highland Links is living a bit on past glory. There are many new, superior courses in Southern Ontario alone, albeit without the spectacular Cape Breton scenery. This is not meant as a criticism of Highlands Links but as a comment on the explosion of high end golf in Canada in the last 10 years. I played Bigwin earlier this summer and I think it is a superior course and superior experience. I'm left scratching my head at the exceedingly high rankings that Highlands Links gets in the magazines.

Green fees were $65 to $100 depending on time of day. There is no driving range there.

[Golfing in Ottawa]

Here is an excellent Heli-guide tour of the course and each hole.
http://www.worldwidegolfguide.com/hgg_home/highland_links/pages/highland_overview.html

I have not played the course, but from the video it does look "tight" with some drastic rolling fairways in places.......

Have heard the comments about the greens from other people. Perhaps it is a combination of both the climate on Cape Breton and Parks Canada running the show. I suspect both............

Yes, I am suprised with all the fine courses that have sprung up over the past 10 years that Highland Links still holds the high ranking. However, it could very likely recieve a run for its money in the next couple of years if Cabot Links http://www.cabotlinks.com/index.html arrives on the scene.
Especially if the Bandon Dunes creater is involved in the project.
Mind you Cape Breton will then have a great tandem of two top notch, but different courses to play. Also throw in Nick Faldo's "The Fortress" http://www.ontgolf.ca/g4g/2006/12/08/new-course-in-cape-breton/
and the Island could certainly see a huge surge in golfers, perhaps stealing some of the revenue PEI has enjoyed over the past decade.

[Frank101]

the secret to highlands is in the design...

if you are judging a course by its conditions and resort experience I'm sure there are far better, but when it comes design and naturalness (is that a word) highlands is hard to beat!

[ontario]

Why wouldn't you take conditioning into account when rating a course? If you include such esoteric factors such as scenery or "naturalness", how do you leave out such a critical factor as conditioning?

I enjoyed the course. I just find it hard to believe it's the #1 public course and the #7 course overall in Canada (as ranked by Score Magazine in 2006).

I think sentimentality has a lot to do with it retaining it's ranking.

[rmack27]

because there are too many new courses out there that are all basically the same. perfect course conditions just don't cut it anymore. it's like they're clones of each other. you won't find too many courses in canada comparable to highlands, that's for sure.

[Frank101]

when i say naturalness i dont mean the scenery.

I mean how the course sits on what is basically the lay of the land. How the fairways aren't just flat and the great use of elevation changes. How the course is "natural" rather then created by machines. Other than cutting down trees I dont think anything about the course design is fake (ala eagles nest faux dunes).

Also, if you think its esoteric, then its obvious why a course review by you should be taken with a grain of salt.

How do I leave out conditioning? I dont. But that makes a great experience not a great golf course.

Sorry if you misunderstood.

[ontario]

Newsflash: Every course review is a personal opinion.

Natural is good. I like Stanley Thompson golf courses. But I wouldn't turn down an invitation to play Whistling Straits where they moved 800,000 cubic yards of earth. Or Shadow Creek where the moved 25 million cubic feet.

[laxgolf]

when i say naturalness i dont mean the scenery.

I mean how the course sits on what is basically the lay of the land. How the fairways aren't just flat and the great use of elevation changes. How the course is "natural" rather then created by machines. Other than cutting down trees I dont think anything about the course design is fake (ala eagles nest faux dunes).

Also, if you think its esoteric, then its obvious why a course review by you should be taken with a grain of salt.

How do I leave out conditioning? I dont. But that makes a great experience not a great golf course.

Sorry if you misunderstood.

I have to agree with Frank here. Highland Links is a unique experience and a crown jewel in this country. I've played it a few times and the second time the conditions were just OK, but it didn't change anything. I still loved every minute of it and would still play it if it was a pile of dirt.

[JEBS]

Thanks for the review!! even with few shortcomings it seems to be a nice track at a prety decent rate!

[Frank101]

Again Ontario,
I'm sorry if I am offending you because I dont mean to do that.

I'm saying your review should be taken with a grain of salt because mose people going to play Highlands Links are aware it is not in the best condition, yet, they dont care. So if your overall experience wasn't as good as some other southern ontario courses because the conditions weren't very good, then it should be taken with a grain of salt.

Basically, I'm trying to say you are missing the entire point of Highland Links.

Sorry for the misunderstanding once again.

[laxgolf]

Again Ontario,
I'm sorry if I am offending you because I dont mean to do that.

I'm saying your review should be taken with a grain of salt because mose people going to play Highlands Links are aware it is not in the best condition, yet, they dont care. So if your overall experience wasn't as good as some other southern ontario courses because the conditions weren't very good, then it should be taken with a grain of salt.

Sorry for the misunderstanding once again.

Without question I'll take Highland Links at $100 over any $100 course in the GTA.

[ontario]

I'm not offended frank. If you read my review, you'll note that I have a lot of positive things to say about Highlands Links and only one negative - the conditioning. I'm also questioning its ranking in the magazines. That's all. H.L. is still a positive experience that I would recommend to anyone.

As for the pricing, it's priced right for the market. Not too many $100+ courses in Atlantic Canada (are there any?).

[Golfing in Ottawa]

I'm not offended frank. If you read my review, you'll note that I have a lot of positive things to say about Highlands Links and only one negative - the conditioning. I'm also questioning its ranking in the magazines. That's all. H.L. is still a positive experience that I would recommend to anyone.

As for the pricing, it's priced right for the market. Not too many $100+ courses in Atlantic Canada (are there any?).

Only a couple:

Glen Arbour - http://www.glenarbour.com/Rates.asp $105 - $155 per round

Fox Harbour - $200/per round(have to be guest of resort to play)
http://www.foxharbr.com/golf/rates/

[moneyjism]

Played it on July 15th of this year, it kicked my *** and I loved it. Do you remember the 7th long and very narrow par 5, that one really got me. Overall I thought it was great.

[ontario]

The 7th is the double dogleg, right? (slight left then right dogleg). As tough as it gets.

http://www.highlandslinksgolf.com/hole7.html

I was ready to throw in the towel on 16, the short but uphill, par 5. Not a single flat lie on the fairway. I was walking the course and this hole just about killed me.

http://www.highlandslinksgolf.com/hole16.html

The 6th is gorgeous and jumps out at you as being reachable in two. But, the marshy landing area offers no bounce and you're lucky if your drive doesn't plug.

15 is possibly the prettiest hole in Canada. The crucifix in the cemetery across the road was a befitting sight.

[RobertThompson]

I've played HL many times -- and it is the closest one can get to Scotland without a trans-Atlantic flight.

Ontario, don't take this the wrong way, but what new Ontario courses would you think are superior to HL? And kudos for making the trip and taking the time to discuss it -- but I'm intrigued by your thoughts and hoped you could add to them.

[ontario]

I've played HL many times -- and it is the closest one can get to Scotland without a trans-Atlantic flight.

Ontario, don't take this the wrong way, but what new Ontario courses would you think are superior to HL? And kudos for making the trip and taking the time to discuss it -- but I'm intrigued by your thoughts and hoped you could add to them.

I would say Bigwin is a better course by almost every measure. Outside of Ontario, I thought Crowbush was just as scenic with better conditioning. I haven't played all the new Niagara area courses but I hear there are some good ones.

On the private side and perhaps not so new are King Valley, Devil's Pulpit, Greystone, Mad River, Summit.

All these courses are ranked below Highlands Links and again are just ones that I've played.

[Frank101]

Ontario, everyone likes what they like and it is good that you like those courses over Highlands Links because they are much closer than the 2 hour+6 hour drive to Highlands.

However, I'm sure ALOT of people will disagree with courses like Bigwin (beating it in every measure? I dont see any measure lol), Crowbush or any Niagara course coming remotely close to Highlands Links.

[ontario]

frank:

It's just my opinion. Highlands Links is not the #1 public course in Canada and it's not the #7 course including private. It's my opinion. Sorry if that opinion offends you.

It's like arguing over the best movie ever. "Citizen Kane" or "The Godfather". Hell, maybe "Old School". "lol" all you want but it's personal preference.

[Golfing in Ottawa]

Ontario, everyone likes what they like and it is good that you like those courses over Highlands Links because they are much closer than the 2 hour+6 hour drive to Highlands.

However, I'm sure ALOT of people will disagree with courses like Bigwin (beating it in every measure? I dont see any measure lol), Crowbush or any Niagara course coming remotely close to Highlands Links.

Frank why don't you do a review of Highland Links and some of the PEI courses (ie. Crowbush, Dundarave, Glasgow Hills, Eagles Glenn) on your Blog?

I think everyone on this forum would agree that the reviews you have done on the other courses are terrific !!

[Frank101]

Why thank you Golfing in Ottawa. I played the courses back before I was taking pictures of golf courses. Unfortunately, I am going to stick to my policy of only reviewing/commenting on courses I have pictures for.

I dont claim to be a golf course afficionado and I am fully aware everyone has their own opinions and I agree everyone likes what they like, what I'm trying to say here is that the reviewer seemed to focus on the quality of the "experience" rather than the course design and Highlands Links is ranked so highly because of its mix of great course design and beautiful topography. I don't think many courses in the top 100, from what I know, are ranked in regards to the resort, accomodations, clubhouse, nightlife, golf carts etc. (even though they probably are indirectly because many people can't help but notice these things) However, I think the fact that most courses in the top 100 have exceptionally better conditions that HC is a testament to how good the golf course really is.

Plus, I've only played Crowbush Cove, Mill River and Highlands Links on the east coast. :rofl:

[ontario]

Why thank you Golfing in Ottawa. I played the courses back before I was taking pictures of golf courses. Unfortunately, I am going to stick to my policy of only reviewing/commenting on courses I have pictures for.

I dont claim to be a golf course afficionado and I am fully aware everyone has their own opinions and I agree everyone likes what they like, what I'm trying to say here is that the reviewer seemed to focus on the quality of the "experience" rather than the course design and Highlands Links is ranked so highly because of its mix of great course design and beautiful topography. I don't think many courses in the top 100, from what I know, are ranked in regards to the resort, accomodations, clubhouse, nightlife, golf carts etc. (even though they probably are indirectly because many people can't help but notice these things) However, I think the fact that most courses in the top 100 have exceptionally better conditions that HC is a testament to how good the golf course really is.

Plus, I've only played Crowbush Cove, Mill River and Highlands Links on the east coast. :rofl:

Come on now Frank, you are putting words in my mouth. I mention the nightlife as a warning to anyone coming to the area looking for it (there is none). I mention Keltic Lodge because it offers great dining and accomodation and puts together a great value package with golf. I didn't mention golf carts and for the record, I walked.

I'll spell it out - from a pure golf perspective, I think Highlands Links is a fine, fine experience however, I do not think it deserves to be the #7 overall and #1 public course in Canada. I'm talking here about layout, conditioning, clubhouse, practice facilities, pace of play. Those are the things that are important to me.

Please treat my review as a personal opinion. Sorry if it offends the Highlands Links Booster Club.

[Frank101]

Ontario, this is going to be my last post cuz I think we are just getting the wrong vibe from each other. I never said you were reviewing based on the things I listed (nightlife, resort, carts etc.) but that as I posted "...focused on the quality of the "experience" rather than the course design..."

So again, and for the final time, I apologize if you think I'm putting words in your mouth..

:help:

[ontario]

Yep, better just to let this thread die. See you on the links sometime. I play your home course next week. I'll be sure to post a review ;).

[Bellyhungry]

I applaud Ontario for taking his time to share his thoughts on HL here.

The latest Golf Magazine has HL ranked inside the top 100 courses in the world (the other two Canadian courses being St Georges GC and Hamilton, both ranked lower).

Now I am intrigued and want to make a trip out East.

[RobertThompson]

Ontario's thoughts are fair, but I think if one really considers the make up of a course like Highlands -- not just the conditioning, but all the factors that make up the course -- then one is hard pressed to argue for a course like Bigwin or the Pulpit ahead of it.

With the exception of the opener, a straight forward par four with a wild fairway, Highlands' front nine offers exceptional shot variety (the second is one of the best two shot holes in Canada, and is remarkable in its simplicity), two of the greatest par fives in golf, and one exceptional three.

The back nine is stunningly good, especially 13, with its plunging fairway that forces an accurate tee shot, and the 15th, as dramatic a par five as their is in Canada.

The greens have tremendous contour, which is one of the reasons they will never play that quickly. To stimp them at 11 would make many impossible to play without reworking all of them, which would be a great loss.

Highlands offers variety and challenge. In contrast, a course like Bigwin is pretty and does offer several good holes (#5, #16, #18), but I think one would really have to consider how it is a better course than Highlands.

I'm surely not always correct in these matters (my wife will say I'm rarely correct), but I think, Ontario, if you consider the golf course beyond just a couple of holes, if you consider it as one entity, and you consider the various elements within it, then one understands why Highlands rests where it does within the world.

[Golfing in Ottawa]

Here is an excellent article (2005) listing Canada's top golf courses as compiled by.
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/opinioncanada.html

"architect Ian Andrew, budding golf designer Jeff Mingay, architecture enthusiast Ben Cowan-Dewar and golf columnist Robert Thompson, ranked the best courses in our country featuring the most interesting, and exciting golf architecture. Our list is not meant to be a scientific list – there were no criteria set for the ranking. Each individual was left to determine what creates a great golf course."

Excellent description of Highland Links by Jeff Mingay and Ben Cowan-Dewar. They certainly focus on the points which make HL unique and special that Robert Thompson brought out in his previous post.

[ontario]

Ontario's thoughts are fair, but I think if one really considers the make up of a course like Highlands -- not just the conditioning, but all the factors that make up the course -- then one is hard pressed to argue for a course like Bigwin or the Pulpit ahead of it.

With the exception of the opener, a straight forward par four with a wild fairway, Highlands' front nine offers exceptional shot variety (the second is one of the best two shot holes in Canada, and is remarkable in its simplicity), two of the greatest par fives in golf, and one exceptional three.

The back nine is stunningly good, especially 13, with its plunging fairway that forces an accurate tee shot, and the 15th, as dramatic a par five as their is in Canada.

The greens have tremendous contour, which is one of the reasons they will never play that quickly. To stimp them at 11 would make many impossible to play without reworking all of them, which would be a great loss.

Highlands offers variety and challenge. In contrast, a course like Bigwin is pretty and does offer several good holes (#5, #16, #18), but I think one would really have to consider how it is a better course than Highlands.

I'm surely not always correct in these matters (my wife will say I'm rarely correct), but I think, Ontario, if you consider the golf course beyond just a couple of holes, if you consider it as one entity, and you consider the various elements within it, then one understands why Highlands rests where it does within the world.

You make a good case. At Bigwin, you can pretty much bomb it off the tee. I don't mind that but I guess it lacks challenge and imagination.

I like to see the hole in front of me. I want to see what I'm up against so I can plan my shots. At Highlands Links, there were a lot of blind shots and surprises as you round a dogleg or come over a hill.

Also, I found it impossible to ignore the poor conditions of the course. The greens were slow, bumpy and inconsistent. I learned to hit every putt heavy because I knew, that if I missed, I would not go very far past the hole and the comeback putt would be makeable. I play a lot of courses with greens that are as heavily contoured. I don't think it's a valid reason to make them slow.

Anyways, who am I to critique Stanley Thompson. I've only designed golf courses in my mind, although they were all award winners.