Golf North / Bond Head

[tigerphan]

Did anyone have a membership at bond head last year, or play it at all? How were its conditions compared to when clublink was running it?

Considering heading over to golf north from clublink.

[rxxxryan]

Played the South once in early October and greens were in the worst shape I had ever seen them in, actually the worst greens I played on all year and the majority of courses that I played were much cheaper. Also no ball washers on the course. Love the layout of both these courses but don't feel they are worth the price they are charging at the current conditions.

[ShanksMcDuck]

Interesting the comment above. I played in late September and beyond ball marks on the greens had no issues whatsoever. Ball marks are not an issue of the course, rather those who play it. Sucks that people come out and ruin the golf course. They are usually the first to complain as well.

The are removing some bunkers and renovating others. Which I was surprised to see.

The cost is a bit steep for value, but the south course is enjoyable. Not sure I would want to have a membership there, but with Golf North you can use it at any other facility on a lower tier for free which is a nice perk

[Weirfan]

Played the South once in early October and greens were in the worst shape I had ever seen them in, actually the worst greens I played on all year and the majority of courses that I played were much cheaper. Also no ball washers on the course. Love the layout of both these courses but don't feel they are worth the price they are charging at the current conditions.

Friends who play GTA tracks every weekend said the same about conditions and "value". Condition is a primary evaluation criteria for consumers so if it isnt up to snuff, value becomes questionable.

If history is any indication, conditioning at GN run property will be a notch below. i was saddened to see how Grey Silo changed . Perhaps this should be expected when a "discount" golf operation is rescuing failing courses. It's not cheap to operate and maintain a course, let alone 2.

as for the green fees, looks like BH is charging $91 plus tax weekdays and $115 plus tax weekends. That rate includes golf cart so isn't what I would say is out of line for GTA golf.

[Jasonp]

Conditions dropped since GN took over.

[401par4]

Conditions dropped since GN took over.

Not sure this is fair. I like the South and played a few rounds over last season. Clublink left behind a bad mess. Things seem to get a bit better during the year though some greens were iffy. Agree that value is questionable if you put emphasis on conditions...

[Jasonp]

Not sure this is fair. I like the South and played a few rounds over last season. Clublink left behind a bad mess. Things seem to get a bit better during the year though some greens were iffy. Agree that value is questionable if you put emphasis on conditions...

100% CL let it slide over the last 2 years of its lease. But it actually got worse last year compared to how it was even with CL in terms of conditions.

[SimcoeTour]

I played the North course a few times last year and I was actually very impressed.

Echo some comments about CL letting the course get out of hand over the last few years conditioning wise, but it really looks like GN is trying to make BH their crown jewel. They are in the middle of a multi million dollar bunker renovation project on both courses - so I expect conditions will get better and better.

Spring golf can be tricky there on the North in terms of rough length and wetness, but that’s just based on grass growth vs. number of staff vs. number of acres needing to be cut - they simply can’t keep up with it. So if playing it early, be mindful of that.

All and all, $60 to $65 twilight rounds with cart is probably one of the best values in all of the GTA, and I’ll argue tooth and nail on that one

[Weirfan]

All and all, $60 to $65 twilight rounds with cart is probably one of the best values in all of the GTA, and I’ll argue tooth and nail on that one

Their twilight starts at 4pm...hopefully GN manages tee times and their POP a whole lot better than CL ever did otherwise not many are going to get in 18 holes other than perhaps around the Summer Solstice.

BH was known as home of the 5 and 1/2 hour round.

[Section ThirtyOne]

I'm hoping this year is a turning point for conditions, as I really enjoy both layouts at BH. Some will say too difficult, but so long as you play the correct tees and don't let ego get in the way things are very manageable.

For those questioning GN's reputation for conditioning, I can confidently state that Batteaux Creek was in great condition all season long last year. They finally paved all of the cart paths too, a huge improvement from the dusty crushed lime that was there before.

[rosenberg]

Would be great if bond head is back to a playable condition. Used to play it lots 5-6 years back and loved both courses.

[Cdntac]

BH was known as home of the 5 and 1/2 hour round.

I could never definitely figure out why that was. It seemed like the course playing time (at least for the South) always hit a wall on the back nine.

The front always seemed harder than the back to me.

[Weirfan]

Would be great if bond head is back to a playable condition. Used to play it lots 5-6 years back and loved both courses.

The difference could be based on budget differences between private and public.

At least in the US , and I would assume also in Canada, private courses typically have about twice the annual budget for maintenance. According to a Golf Magazine article, in the NE USA that works out to annual maintenance budgets of ~ 1 million USD for private courses and $550,000 USD for daily fee courses.

And BH has 2 courses to maintain.
Traffic is a big factor in conditions as well.

[bobobs]

I'm hoping this year is a turning point for conditions, as I really enjoy both layouts at BH. Some will say too difficult, but so long as you play the correct tees and don't let ego get in the way things are very manageable.

For those questioning GN's reputation for conditioning, I can confidently state that Batteaux Creek was in great condition all season long last year. They finally paved all of the cart paths too, a huge improvement from the dusty crushed lime that was there before.

Agreed. Batteaux was better last yer then many of the previous years. Ironically the new turf fella came from BondHead ( I believe)

[outthere]

Agreed. Batteaux was better last yer then many of the previous years. Ironically the new turf fella came from BondHead ( I believe)

That is good to know, we have been thinking of moving to collingwood