What could be more enjoyable than a little outdoor fun and exercise, spending time with friends and family amidst nature on a beautiful golf course. Bring your clubs to the lake! There are fourteen golf courses within a 5 to 20-minute drive from the beach.
Golf can be good for your health and your heart. Walking an average course for a round of golf can chalk up five to seven kilometres. If you walk 18 holes three to five times a week, you’ll get an optimal amount of endurance exercise for your heart and improve muscle tone and endurance.
Golf balls are like eggs. They’re white, sold by the dozen, and you have to buy some more a week later.
LIST OF LOCAL MEMBER GOLF COURSES
Widder Station Golf & Country Club
Widder Station Golf & Country Club in Thedford offers many challenges in a railroad theme setting with natural and created terrain. RCGA rules govern all play. Golf course is O.G.A. rated.
OVERVIEW OF AREA GOLF COURSES
*Tee-On Network course (tee-on.com) / **GolfNorth course (golfnorth.ca)
Arkona Fairways Golf Club*
8562 Townsend Line, Arkona. 519-333-6446, arkonafairways.com
The maturity of this course provides irresistible natural beauty. Lush, mature tree-lined fairways and fast, well-manicured greens are just a taste of what golfers can expect. Don't miss out on Mulligans Bar & Grill, this eat-in or take-out on-site restaurant will have you returning to Arkona for more than just golf!
Bluewater Golf Course & Campground*
77416 Bluewater Hwy., Bayfield. 519-482-7197, bluewatergolfandcamp.ca
This 9-hole course dates to the 1920s. A target-style course, it presents the golfer with shot variety on each round. There is not much forgiveness for shots that veer too far offline. As such, few golfers escape without using all their clubs. Good control over all aspects of your game is needed to score well. Bluewater’s multiple tee system allows its nine holes to be played almost 400 yards longer on the second nine (6,122 yards total). The most dramatic difference occurs on the 9th hole, which transforms from a 395-yard par four to a 473-yard par five.
Exeter Golf Club**
40374 Kirkton Rd., Centralia. 519-235-1517, golfnorth.ca/exeter
In 1961, when this golf course was established, golfers could play all day for a dollar! This gently rolling, well-treed, 9-hole golf course supplies challenges from its strategically placed bunkers. Finish off your round at The Barn, the on-site restaurant, pub, and popular wedding venue that’s just the right mix of rustic and modern.
Forest Golf Club & Inn**
102 Main St. S., Forest. 1-800-265-0214, golfnorth.ca/forest
A resort-style, walkable 27-hole course (18-hole and 9-hole courses) with many par 3 holes complemented by some longer holes to keep your driver from getting rusty. New for 2021, Disc golf was added. Part of the GolfNorth family of courses, Darrell Bankes and Innova Disc Golf designed a course for the public to play in a golf course setting. Resort amenities include an on-site restaurant, pub, indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, and meeting and event rooms. golfnorth.ca/forest, 1-800-265-0214
Goderich Sunset Golf Club*
33937 Golf Course Rd., Goderich. 519-524-8047, sunsetgolfclub.com
Offers two courses: a Baby Boomer par 3 course of 9 holes of fun for everyone and an 18 hole course for challenge and excitement. The Boomer course is designed for short game practice, beginners, families, parties and seniors. Golf holes range from 86 to 213 yards in length, taking only a couple of hours to play. The 18-hole course designed to test golfers’ skill levels features strategically placed sand traps, narrow tree-lined fairways, and water holes.
Indian Hills Golf Club*
6991 Lakeshore Rd., Lambton Shores. 519-786-5505, indianhillsgolf.ca
This Ross Axford designed 18-hole championship layout is one of southwestern Ontario's truly scenic courses. This par 71, 6539-yard course, assigned a Golf Ontario slope rating of 133 (standard playing difficulty is 113), requires careful shot consideration. Enjoy the challenge of water hazards and sand traps against a picturesque backdrop. The course was rated “best southwestern Ontario golf course” by the London Free Press (2003).
Ironwood Golf Club**
70969 Morrison Line, Exeter. 519-235-1521, golfnorth.ca/ironwood
Golfers of every skill level will experience challenges on this 18-hole 6165-yard course, which first opened in 1965. The course offers four sets of tees for different skill levels. Well-groomed fairways and greens keep Ironwood difficult yet friendly. Consistently rated one of the best courses in the London region.
Oakwood Resort
70671 Bluewater Hwy., Grand Bend. 519-238-2324, oakwoodresort.ca
A perfect balance for avid golfers, families or conference attendees. This scenic 18-hole, par 70 golf course never strays far from the resort complex and offers 5,356 yards of course amongst mature coniferous and oaks trees. Clusters of trees play a part in narrowing the fairways and approaches to the greens. The resort also offers on-site dining, spa, indoor pool, suites and cottages.
Sandhills Golf Club**
9767 Port Franks Rd., Thedford. 519-243-1800, golfnorth.ca/sandhills
Modest in length, this course is perfect for the novice golfer and offers the ideal layout to sharpen the short game. Even advanced golfers playing from the back tees will be tested. Longer hitters will need to hit well-executed shots, as several shorter par 4 holes are reachable but peppered with interconnected water hazards ready to drown your ball! There are also no flat, straight-to-the-hole putts. Relax in the Old Western-style clubhouse after a game or practice on the putting and chipping green.
Sawmill Creek Golf Resort & Spa
3790 Lakeshore Rd., Camlachie. 519-899-4653, facebook.com/sawmillcreekgolf
This course is a par 71 “Links style” 6,445-yard championship layout featuring lots of undulation and bent grass on tees, fairways and greens with little to no trees. An original Rene Muylaert design, refreshed with touches by Doug Carrick on several holes, the course offers playability and challenge to all levels of golfers from 4 tee locations.
Seaforth Golf Club
42990 Front Rd., 1-A Doig Dr., Seaforth. 519-522-0985, seaforthgolf.com
This 18-hole, par 71 course on 100 unspoiled acres was re-designed in 2005 by Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member, Dan Halldorson. A mature course with entertaining stories behind each personalized hole, the course promises golfing pleasure and fun to all who come to play. Amenities include a complete practice facility with a full-length driving range, two practice putting greens, one short game chipping green, and a 90-yard pitching area so players can hone every aspect of their game.
White Squirrel Golf Club*
72538 Bluewater Hwy., St. Joseph. 519-236-4030, whitesquirrelgolfclub.com
Beginners to Pros, this course suits all levels. Challenging yet walking-friendly, White Squirrel is known as having the best greens in the Bluewater Area. For the last few years, the owners have invested heavily in revamping all the bunkers and upgrading to better quality sand found at high-end courses. Features a newly built Pro Shop. The bar and restaurant have been extensively renovated and boast the largest patio in the region; great spots to have lunch or dinner before or after your game.
Widder Station Golf, Grill & Taphouse
8395 Decker Rd., Thedford. 519-296-4653, widderstation.com
This scenic 18-hole, 72 par, 6271-yard championship golf course winds through the rolling terrain and offers a variety of interesting holes for even the most experienced golfer. The fun layout provides great hole variety and challenge, and fast greens will take the break out of putts. Several holes are blind and dog-leg shots with chances to drown some golf balls. Strategic shot-making is critical on a few holes. Enjoy Widder’s “Train Wreck” beer in the Taphouse or newly-built event space dubbed “Widder Flats”.
Woodlands Links Golf Course
37858 Huron Rd., Clinton. 519-482-7144, woodlandslinks.com
An Audubon and championship links-style course, Woodlands offers lush landscapes and wooded areas. No two holes play alike, offering a challenge for beginner and avid golfers. Water hazards, strategically placed sand and grass bunkers, and natural roughs will challenge. The 8000-square foot clubhouse was built from the original post and beam barn dating back 175 years. It’s accented by rusticated fieldstone architecture, surrounded by rock gardens, flanking outdoor patios, and offers excellent views overlooking the course.
MINI PUTT LOCATIONS
Gold Coast Mini Putt
75526 Bluewater Hwy., Bayfield. 519-565-9154
Golfers of all ages will enjoy this 18-hole mini-putt. The outdoor course offers a fun and unique mini-golf experience for everyone!
Grand Bend Mini Golf
72 Main St. W., Grand Bend, 519-317-2781, grandbendminigolf.com
Explore Grand Bend's historic past while taking your shot at a hole-in-one. This course highlights Grand Bend's historic buildings.
GOLF AT A GLANCE CHART
Type | Holes | Yardage | Par | Driving Range | Putting Green | Power Cart Rentals | Pull Cart Rentals | Club Rentals | Pro Shop | CPGA on Staff; Lessons available | Teaching Pro | Golf School | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arkona Fairways | Public | 18 | 5,453 | 68 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||
Bluewater Golf Course | Public | 9 | 6,122 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |||
Exeter Golf Club | Public | 9 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||||
Forest Golf Club | Public | 18 | 4,612 | 66 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |||
Goderich Sunset Golf Club | Public | 18 | 5,900 | 70 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
Indian Hills Golf Club | Public | 18 | 6,179 | 71 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
Ironwood Golf Club | Public | 18 | 6,179 | 71 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |||
Oakwood Resort Golf Club | Public / Resort | 18 | 5,356 | 70 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
Sand Hills Golf Club | Public | 18 | 5,536 | 71 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |||
Sawmill Creek Golf Resort | Semi-Private / Resort | 18 | 6,445 | 71 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
Seaforth Golf Club | Semi-Private | 18 | 6,027 | 71 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
White Squirrel Golf Club | Public | 18 | 5,956 | 72 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||
Widder Station Golf Club | Public | 18 | 6,271 | 72 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
Woodlands Links | Public | 18 | 6,617 | 72 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |