Plan a Getaway to One of the Best Golf Courses in Ontario

It’s a near-impossible task to identify the best golf courses in Ontario. Golfers recognize that every course has its own appeal, whether it’s newbie-friendly or killer tough, blessed with jaw-dropping scenery or having the special energy of friendly staff. Furthermore, have you ever taken a guess at how many golf courses in Ontario exist?

With over 800 golf courses to choose from across the province, this article focuses on narrowing the field to cottage country resort golf courses and hidden Northern Ontario gems—along with some suggestions for local accommodations, dining and attractions—so you can plan your Ontario golf getaway beyond the province’s large urban centres.

When does golf season start in Ontario?

Golf season can start as early as late March or early April in Southern Ontario, depending on the harshness of the winter. For Central Ontario, plan on teeing off in late April or early May, while lingering snow can delay opening dates to mid- to late May in Northern Ontario.

When do golf courses close in Ontario?

Again, length of season often comes down to latitude—with exceptions driven by unusually warm fall weather. Typically, golf courses close in Ontario around Thanksgiving, though southern courses may stay open through late October or early November.

Best Small Town Golf Course in Ontario

Huron Pines Golf and Country Club in the small town of Blind River, located along the Trans-Canada Highway midway between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie, is emblematic of so many small town golf courses peppered all across Ontario. What sets Huron Pines apart is its scenery and sense of community. This 18-hole course stretches between the Mississagi River and Lake Huron’s North Channel, with soaring white and red pine trees and smooth rolling terrain. The mood is friendly, yet the challenging course—opening and closing with long par-five holes—sets a sporty edge to the game.

Plan your trip

• Blind River is a bustling community with a full suite of amenities, including delicious homemade baking at A Touch of Home and fine dining at Pier 17. On the River serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Huron Pines golf course.
• Pier 17 offers accommodations within a short drive from the golf course. The Lakeview Inn and the NorthShore Wayside Inn are other places to stay in Blind River. MacIver’s Motel and Campground is located just west of Huron Pines Country Club.
• For waterfront accommodations, check out Birchland Cottages in nearby Iron Bridge or Lake Lauzon Resort, a 15-minute drive east on Highway 17.
• Blind River offers easy access to the Deer Trail touring route, a scenic half-day drive through a rugged landscape of hills and wild rivers, on secondary highways.

Best Golf Course on an Island in Ontario

Perhaps this is an odd distinction, but then again, Manitoulin Island holds the title of the world’s largest freshwater island—and it is home to several golf courses. Brookwood Brae is known as Manitoulin’s “old course”—established in 1964 with a challenging and scenic nine-hole course. It is located near the town of Mindemoya, and capitalizes on Manitoulin’s picturesque pastoral landscape to provide a great golf experience. The course embraces “island time,” with first-come, first-served tee times and a relaxed atmosphere.

Plan your trip

• Follow up a round of golf with a meal at Brookwood Brae’s fully licensed on-site restaurant. Visit HawEatery for great takeout or try MUM’s Restaurant & Bakery for breakfasts, coffee and homemade treats. Beer lovers will want to try a craft pint from Manitoulin Brewing Company.
• Nearby accommodations include the Manitoulin Inn and Twin Peaks Bed and Breakfast.
• Getting to Manitoulin Island aboard the MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry from the Bruce Peninsula is half the fun. The island’s quiet roads are great for taking a scenic drive.

Best Fall Colours Golf Course in Ontario

With rolling terrain, long views of the St. Marys River and the Great Lakes, waterfalls and babbling streams, Crimson Ridge is one of Ontario’s prettiest golf courses in all seasons. But this modern, championship-level 18-hole course in Sault Ste. Marie truly lives up to its name starting mid- to late-September, when the maple-lined fairways and surrounding hardwood-clad hills light up with the reds, yellows and purples of changing leaves. With such gorgeous terrain it’s hard to believe Crimson Ridge is located less than a 10-minute drive from pretty much anywhere in Sault Ste. Marie. The par-72 course tests your long and short game, featuring hills, doglegs and smoothly contoured greens. Crimson Ridge is open from mid- to late-May through October.

Plan your trip

• Embers on the Ridge offers fine dining with an upscale atmosphere overlooking the course.
• Stay within an easy drive of the course at the Water Tower Inn. While you’re in Sault Ste. Marie, mix it up with a game at The Root, a smaller yet enjoyable nine-hole course with a relaxed atmosphere and excellent on-site dining.
• Enhance your visit with a full-day wilderness rail adventure aboard the Agawa Canyon Tour Train, which offers departures into the scenic Algoma Highlands north of Sault Ste. Marie in the summer and fall.

Best Golfing in Northeastern Ontario

There’s plenty of space in Northeastern Ontario, a fact that’s fully leveraged by the beautiful Haileybury Golf Club in Temiskaming Shores. This friendly nine-hole course has a great community vibe, perhaps owing to the fact that golfing in the area dates back to 1921, making it one of the oldest clubs in the province. Expect a challenging yet fun golfing experience, with great views over Lake Temiskaming. The par-36 course measures nearly 3,000 yards; the fourth tee is particularly beautiful, with elevated tees providing a bird’s-eye view of distant waters. Shoot a round of golf and enjoy some camaraderie on the clubhouse patio.

Plan your trip

• Stay at the President’s Suites or the Haileybury Lakehouse in Haileybury, or try the Waterfront Inn in New Liskeard, just to the north. All three options put you within walking distance of the Lake Temiskaming shoreline, including Niska Park in Haileybury and New Liskeard’s waterfront boardwalk trail.
• The Whiskeyjack Beer Company serves microbrews and great food in downtown Haileybury. Try dining at Northern Fields, Liv n Gracie’s or Tap That Kitchen + Bar in New Liskeard.

Best Golfing in Northwestern Ontario

Make a cross-Ontario golf trip to Northwestern Ontario, where Kenora’s Beauty Bay Golf Course exemplifies Sunset Country. This 18-hole, par-70, parklands-style golf course mirrors the contours of the Canadian Shield at Black Sturgeon Lake, a 20-minute drive northeast of downtown Kenora. The beautiful clubhouse—featuring a convenient pro shop, snacks and cold drinks—overlooks the water. But the real attraction is great golfing, with over 6,000 yards off the blue tees. After a moderate warmup, the third hole is a tough 542-yard par-five, with a water hazard immediately before the green; the 17th hole features a right-angle fairway that demands a careful approach; and the 18th is a memorable par-four beauty that brings you back to the lake.

Plan your trip

• Stay at Maynard Lake Lodge or Hidden Trail Resort, both offering waterfront accommodations near Beauty Bay.
• Kenora comes alive in the summer with a vibrant waterfront. There are plenty of motels and hotels in town, including the Clarion Lakeside Inn.
• Eat at the Boathouse Lakeside Grill or visit Lake of the Woods Brewing Company’s brewpub, located in the town’s historic firehall. Supper Fairy and The Hungry Pug Cafe are also great dining options.

Best Golfing in the Boreal

For a different take on the usual Ontario golf scenery, escape the leafy forests of Central and Southern Ontario and play on the fringes of Canada’s immense, conifer-dominated boreal forest at the Spruce Needles Golf Club in Timmins. This expansive 18-hole course spans over 6,600 yards, with natural water features and gently rolling terrain, including a massive 516-yard, par-five fifth hole. Meanwhile, the par-four 18th is a memorable finisher, with the sloping fairway running parallel to the mighty Mattagami River and a tight green that’s buttressed by bunkers on each side.

Plan your trip

• Stay at Timmins’ exclusive Cedar Meadows Resort and Spa, featuring luxurious rooms, excellent dining and unique outdoor attractions, including a 100-acre wildlife park with buffalo, elk and fallow deer. There’s also a separate 10-acre enclosure home to a pack of wolves rescued from zoos, where you have the unique experience of sleeping with the wolves.
• Timmins is a busy northern city with excellent dining options. Local favourites include Ciao Sandwich Company, Radical Gardens, Ambroi Gourmet Foods and Lot 88 Steakhouse and Bar.
• Follow up a day on the links with a fresh pint at Full Beard Brewing’s brewpub in downtown Timmins.

Best Golf in Ontario Cottage Country

Deerhurst Highlands Golf Course in Huntsville easily ranks among the top golf courses in Ontario. It’s an 18-hole, par-72 course set in gorgeous Central Ontario cottage country, with incredible views of nearby Fairy Lake and densely forested hardwood hills. The dramatic terrain of this advanced course is captured in the “signature” 10th hole, a long 484-yard par-four, opening with a bold rock face running parallel to the fairway. The Highlands course is open from mid-May through the third week of October; the links are open to the public, with special rates for Deerhurst Resort guests. From luxurious accommodations to fine dining, watersports and golf, there’s plenty to do on an Ontario golf trip to Deerhurst Resort.

Plan your trip

• Besides the challenging Highlands course, Deerhurst’s nine-hole Lakeside course offers a more mellow experience with scenery that’s made it known as Ontario’s “hidden gem.”
• Huntsville is the beating heart of Ontario’s Cottage Country, with great dining options including Tall Trees Muskoka (for gourmet, curated tastes) and farm-to-table at Main St. Local Kitchen.
• A duo of great bakeries are located east of Deerhurst in the community of Dwight: Erika’s boasts hearty breakfasts and a variety of goodies, and Henrietta’s Pine Bakery creates delicious sweet raisin buns.

Best Budget Golfing in Ontario

Sudbury is a vibrant Northern Ontario community that’s shedding its Nickel City moniker in favour of the City of Lakes, owing its vast Canadian Shield geography that’s equal parts land and water. When it comes to golfing in Sudbury, Twin Stacks Golf Club is a local favourite for its long history, unique layout, friendly vibe, budget-friendly prices and lengthy season, which often runs until the end of October. It’s hard to believe this nine-hole course was built on the site of a former mine and smelter, attesting to Sudbury’s immense regreening efforts. The course is fun for all levels and offers a cheap $22 green fee and reasonable rentals of carts and clubs. The first hole is a doozy par-four, with a narrow fairway widening to a spacious landing, where you make your next shot to an island tee that’s only reachable by footbridge. There are friendly mens’ and ladies’ golf nights and the clubhouse offers a restaurant.

Plan your trip

• With no less than 10 local courses, Sudbury is a great destination for an Ontario golf getaway. The Lively Golf Club is known for its technical holes; Idylwylde Golf and Country Club offers a refined, traditional golfing experience; and Timberwolf is an elite, championship course.
• Sudbury offers a wide range of accommodations, including the Hilton Garden Inn, the TownePlace Suites and the Travelway Inn.
• A short list of favourite places to eat in Sudbury: Salute Coffee, Kuppajo Espresso Bar, Verdicchio Ristorante, The Daventry Kitchen & Bar, Beef and Bird and Respect is Burning Kitchen + Bar.
• Sample local beers from 46 North Brewing or Stack Brewing, or visit Crosscut Distillery if handcrafted spirits are your thing.

Best Golf Resort in Ontario

Just ask resident pro, Mike Weir, the Canadian golfing legend and 2003 winner of the coveted green jacket at The Masters on the PGA tour: Taboo Resort & Golf just north of Gravenhurst easily ranks among the best golf resorts in Ontario. The 7,400-yard course is rated difficult, yet playable. Regardless of skill level, everyone admires its sweeping views and rugged scenery emblematic of the Canadian Shield, complete with pink granite outcroppings and iconic windswept pines. The Taboo golf course is part of a larger resort complex with luxury accommodations, beaches, tennis courts and more on prestigious Lake Muskoka, making it the perfect destination for a golf getaway in Ontario.

Plan your trip

• Dine at Taboo’s 19th-Hole Gastropub or make a trip into Gravenhurst for plenty of food options. Try Lo Siento for authentic tacos; the Blue Willow Tea Shop serves high tea and baked goods; and Muskoka Surf and Turf offers classic summer fare.
• Rather not stay at the resort? Try the Residence Inn or the Inn on Bay Bed and Breakfast in Gravenhurst.
• Sawdust City Brewing Company crafts the taste of Muskoka in small batches of beer, served ice-cold at a downtown Gravenhurst brewpub.

Plan your golf getaway in Ontario

It would take a lifetime to play a round at each Ontario golf course. With diverse terrain and a pleasant climate, it’s no surprise Ontario golf trips are so popular. Our list will help you get started with planning your next adventure. 

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