Cabot Links / Cliffs / Nest

[jvincent]

Just got back from our trip to Cabot yesterday. This was the rebooking of our trip that was cancelled last year due to Covid.

 

It's my second trip so I don't really have anything to add about Links/Cliffs that hasn't been said before. Both courses are fantastic.

 

This was however my first opportunity to play the Nest, the new 10 hole short course. It opened last year and in August (?) of this year they added lights so that you can play it at night. We teed off about 30 minutes before sunset as an 8-some. We asked if that was cool when we checked in and they said once we didn't hold anyone up it was OK. We ended up letting a couple of twosomes through but and we could see that two groups who were further behind us ended up forming an 8-some as well.

 

Playing at night, with 8, and about a 2-3 club wind at times was a blast. The greens at the Nest are very tricky. Lots of slopes and run off areas. We saw balls land and run all the way across the green only to end up in a collection area. We played it from the "back" tees and the longest club I hit was a 7i on a hole that was into the wind.

 

I'll post some pictures in a follow-up post.

[jvincent]

Some photos from the Nest.

 

[SGH]

Was an absolutely fantastic trip. I have some thoughts on how not to play the Nest, that's for sure.

 

Is it too early to start planning our return?

[jvincent]

Never too early to start planning a return trip.

[jvincent]

Speaking of planning, here are some thoughts / tips for others planning a trip.

 

1. If you can afford to, stay multiple days and play each of Links / Cliffs more than once. That way you have a chance at different pin locations and winds. It can make for very different experiences.

 

2. Assuming you are playing 36/day try to play both courses on the same day, i.e. don't play the same course twice on the same day. Also try to play each course in the AM and PM.

 

3. Again, assuming you are playing multiple days with 36/day on some days, I'd suggest the following depending on your fitness level.  Day 1 = 36, Day 2 = 18 + Nest, Day 3 = 36, Day 4 = ???. While the two courses aren't difficult walks, you will get tired playing 36/day.

[BallerNate]

On 9/21/2021 at 11:08 AM, jvincent said:

Speaking of planning, here are some thoughts / tips for others planning a trip.

 

1. If you can afford to, stay multiple days and play each of Links / Cliffs more than once. That way you have a chance at different pin locations and winds. It can make for very different experiences.

 

2. Assuming you are playing 36/day try to play both courses on the same day, i.e. don't play the same course twice on the same day. Also try to play each course in the AM and PM.

 

3. Again, assuming you are playing multiple days with 36/day on some days, I'd suggest the following depending on your fitness level.  Day 1 = 36, Day 2 = 18 + Nest, Day 3 = 36, Day 4 = ???. While the two courses aren't difficult walks, you will get tired playing 36/day.

Sounds like an incredible schedule…would love to do that type of trip someday!

 

The Nest at night looks incredible too…definitely a couple of new ideas for the bucket list, thanks!

[kwcsports]

Nest looks cool, I've been there many times but not since the short course opened. Hopefully get up there soon. Great pics as well, looks amazing. 

[SwingHard71]

We are going to Cabot in June with a group of 12. Does anyone have any advice for transportation from Halifax to Cabot? The sprinters that Cabot offers are not large enough to accommodate our group. Any ideas/recs greatly appreciated. Thanks! 

[Drarp]

Has anyone that's gone to Cabot played Fox Harb'r? I know Cabot Cliffs is in a league of it's own, how would Fox Harb'r compare to Cabot Links? Or Crowbush in PEI?

 

Looking at pictures of Cabot Links, there seems to be buildings, villas, etc.. in the background on so many holes, which I tend to dislike..

[jerebear21]

Cabot links is built like the Scottish seaside courses along a small town.  The buildings,villas are barely noticeable. After the first 2 holes or so, you’re out “there”.  If it wasn’t for the cliffs, the links would be one of the best courses in North America.

 

We’re heading back in 1 week.  Very excited!

[kwcsports]

22 hours ago, Drarp said:

Has anyone that's gone to Cabot played Fox Harb'r? I know Cabot Cliffs is in a league of it's own, how would Fox Harb'r compare to Cabot Links? Or Crowbush in PEI?

 

Looking at pictures of Cabot Links, there seems to be buildings, villas, etc.. in the background on so many holes, which I tend to dislike..

I'd skip Fox Harbr, ok course but if in PEI, play Crowbush for sure. 

[Drarp]

8 hours ago, kwcsports said:

I'd skip Fox Harbr, ok course but if in PEI, play Crowbush for sure. 

 

Crowbush > Fox Harb'r? I've played Crowbush a lot in previous years, love it, just curious how Fox Harb'r compares since I imagine they're a similar style.

 

I don't know there's something about Cabot Links.. i looked at pictures and vlogs of Cliffs and I'm like WOW, even the inland holes looked amazing.. it reminds me of a cross between St. Andrews Castle Course and Kingsbarns. Two courses I love. But everything I see of Cabot Links looks kind of meh.. I mean I get that it's a true links course in canada which is unique, but it kind of just looks like a dime a dozen links course you would find in any seaside town in the UK. 

 

 

[kwcsports]

1 hour ago, Drarp said:

 

Crowbush > Fox Harb'r? I've played Crowbush a lot in previous years, love it, just curious how Fox Harb'r compares since I imagine they're a similar style.

 

I don't know there's something about Cabot Links.. i looked at pictures and vlogs of Cliffs and I'm like WOW, even the inland holes looked amazing.. it reminds me of a cross between St. Andrews Castle Course and Kingsbarns. Two courses I love. But everything I see of Cabot Links looks kind of meh.. I mean I get that it's a true links course in canada which is unique, but it kind of just looks like a dime a dozen links course you would find in any seaside town in the UK. 

 

 

I didn't like Fox Hrbr because it was plain and boring. Some nice views and the course is always in great condition, just does nothing for me. It's set up like a florida resort course, It's too much cash for what it is IMHO. 

[vandyfan]

Is there plenty of stuff for the (non-golf playing) wives to do? Looking at this for a 40th birthday trip but need to have something for my wife to do while I am playing 36 holes. If there is limited stuff I can always just try to get up here solo. 

[Drarp]

Just got back, here's my take. kwcsports was right, Fox Harb'r not worth playing, nothing special. Spend that money on more golf at Cabot. In my opinion if you're going to cabot and have:

 

1 round: play cliffs

2 rounds: play cliffs twice

3 rounds: links once, cliffs twice, in that order

 

My regrets: Getting a caddy and playing the nest, that $200 would have been much better spent on a replay round. Cliffs is a good walk, lots of elevation changes. Cliffs is incredible, I've golfed all over the world, it is spectacular. Hole 17 is silly, but pretty. Don't lay up, go for the green. Hole 15, hit it to the upper left or you won't get to see the beautiful green on your approach. 

 

 

[Drarp]

On 8/1/2022 at 11:59 AM, vandyfan said:

Is there plenty of stuff for the (non-golf playing) wives to do? Looking at this for a 40th birthday trip but need to have something for my wife to do while I am playing 36 holes. If there is limited stuff I can always just try to get up here solo. 

 

There's a nice beach, restaurants, my wife was able to occupy herself. My wife is pretty low maintenance though, and if it was my 40th she would basically be telling me "go, don't worry about me".