Nova Scotia / Maritime Golf

[BallerNate]

On 6/3/2023 at 10:34 PM, 69isfine said:

Hello Maritime gang.  I’m heading to Nova Scotia next week, mostly in Halifax and Cape Breton.  I’m booked into Highland Links for a round and I’m looking for a round in the Halifax area.

 

I won’t have a car for this round.  Any recommendations for the round and cheap club rentals for the week?

As far as Public Courses in the Halifax area, there’s Brunello, Grandview, Lost Creek, Brightwood, and Hartlen Point as far as full 18 Hole courses.

 

Further outside of Halifax there’s Penn Hills past the airport, and some really nice courses in the Valley which are about 1 hr outside of town.

 

Hartlen Point and Grandview are in great shape, but very tough to get Tee times. Brunello is very popular, but there’s major construction going on around the course this year.

 

Lost Creek and Penn Hills are both underrated courses that are very nice, challenging, and easier to get Tee times than the 3 mentioned above.

[BallerNate]

On 6/3/2023 at 10:34 PM, 69isfine said:

Hello Maritime gang.  I’m heading to Nova Scotia next week, mostly in Halifax and Cape Breton.  I’m booked into Highland Links for a round and I’m looking for a round in the Halifax area.

 

I won’t have a car for this round.  Any recommendations for the round and cheap club rentals for the week?

I should also mention the weather report is rough for this week. Cold and rainy until Wednesday.

 

I’ve got a Tee time booked on Friday morning, so hopefully will warm up and not rain by then.

 

Weekend should be nice though. Just depends what days you’ll be in town?

[Chanceman]

My group is thinking of a trip to Cabot. What would be a good week and a half itinerary?

Core would have to include Cliffs and Links plus Cape Breton. 
We would probably rent a car/suv and drive course to course. 

[myspinonit]

On 5/31/2023 at 12:33 AM, myspinonit said:

I know it's very early in the season, but any updates on PEI course conditions or if the smoke from the dreadful mainland fires have hit badly? The latter doesn't seem to be the case, at least so far, looking at IQ Air. 

 

My wife and I  head to PEI on June 19. Four days golf, another 5 days sightseeing.  We have rounds booked at Eagles Glenn, Countryview, Fox Meadow and  Green Gables. From the flyovers at GolfPEI,  Countryview looks the least interesting to me, but my wife thinks it looks pretty and likes the wide fairways. And forced carries certainly aren't her thing.  I'll be doing all the sightseeing driving non golf days so I'm not keen either to beat myself up with tougher tracks like Crowbush on the golf days. 

 

We gather that bringing  lots of bug spray with Deet is a must in June.

 

Updates: We got sidelined a day in Calgary -missed connection due to plane mechanical issue- but were able to add on a couple of days at the end to make up. With our travel dates juggled and rain expected today and possibly next week we also did some course juggling after some eyeballing on Wednesday of courses we had pre-booked.

We scrapped Countryview as it looked too boring for even my wife (does not golf much) and Fox Meadow as just a bad vibe. Mostly from the very non professional proshop staff (didn't even acknowledge us while browsing, just engrossed iin their own banter for example).

So we did 9 holes at Red Sands on Thursday knowing it would be not a great golf course, but it was a good cobweb and jet lag wakeup (4 hours later here than home in Vancouver). Then played Green Gables on Friday. The much prettier back 9 was a nice surprise, as was my ball-striking that had taken a sabbatical the past few weeks. We stopped by Glasgow Hills today for lunch and decided to play here Tuesday rather than Green Gables again on Tuesday and Eagles Glenn is booked on Thursday.

My wife surprised me today by suggesting another round tomorrow (Monday) at Brudenell, and it is booked.  We did a detour to Crowbush yesterday just to see it. Though this was our first visit, I can understand the comments on another forum   about it looking bereft with trees gone, which also probably would have helped as a bit of a windbreak. I'm sure it is very windy there a lot, (as is PEI generally) but I cannot see it as pleasurable yesterday. A staffer in the Glasgow Hills proshop says they are working to replace the downed trees with fescue and that "it will look fantastic".

Food: We are staying a few minutes from North Rustico. The Old Village Bakery nearby has become a daily stop. We gave it a couple of tries to get into the Blue Mussel (too busy and they don't take reservations, just an on call "Waitlist") but we enjoyed dinners next door at On The Dock and nearby at Pedros. Great lobster linguini last night at Pedros, and reasonable price. The music from the Blue Mussel seemed quite loud (as least for we old-timers) and we will likely still skip trying to get in there. Casual, quiet and able to get in easily is much more to our style. We will probably do The Mill at least once too, dine in or take-out. Lunch at Piper's at Glasgow Hills was surprisingly disappointing considering the reviews, though service was good. We both ordered burgers and salad; burger was quite greasy and my wife could not eat hers. An alternate was offered, so she got the flatbread, but it too was greasy and soggy, more like a soggy pizza. Maybe a different chef Sundays?

Edited June 25, 2023 by myspinonit

[BallerNate]

On 6/25/2023 at 5:21 PM, myspinonit said:

Updates: We got sidelined a day in Calgary -missed connection due to plane mechanical issue- but were able to add on a couple of days at the end to make up. With our travel dates juggled and rain expected today and possibly next week we also did some course juggling after some eyeballing on Wednesday of courses we had pre-booked.

We scrapped Countryview as it looked too boring for even my wife (does not golf much) and Fox Meadow as just a bad vibe. Mostly from the very non professional proshop staff (didn't even acknowledge us while browsing, just engrossed iin their own banter for example).

So we did 9 holes at Red Sands on Thursday knowing it would be not a great golf course, but it was a good cobweb and jet lag wakeup (4 hours later here than home in Vancouver). Then played Green Gables on Friday. The much prettier back 9 was a nice surprise, as was my ball-striking that had taken a sabbatical the past few weeks. We stopped by Glasgow Hills today for lunch and decided to play here Tuesday rather than Green Gables again on Tuesday and Eagles Glenn is booked on Thursday.

My wife surprised me today by suggesting another round tomorrow (Monday) at Brudenell, and it is booked.  We did a detour to Crowbush yesterday just to see it. Though this was our first visit, I can understand the comments on another forum   about it looking bereft with trees gone, which also probably would have helped as a bit of a windbreak. I'm sure it is very windy there a lot, (as is PEI generally) but I cannot see it as pleasurable yesterday. A staffer in the Glasgow Hills proshop says they are working to replace the downed trees with fescue and that "it will look fantastic".

Food: We are staying a few minutes from North Rustico. The Old Village Bakery nearby has become a daily stop. We gave it a couple of tries to get into the Blue Mussel (too busy and they don't take reservations, just an on call "Waitlist") but we enjoyed dinners next door at On The Dock and nearby at Pedros. Great lobster linguini last night at Pedros, and reasonable price. The music from the Blue Mussel seemed quite loud (as least for we old-timers) and we will likely still skip trying to get in there. Casual, quiet and able to get in easily is much more to our style. We will probably do The Mill at least once too, dine in or take-out. Lunch at Piper's at Glasgow Hills was surprisingly disappointing considering the reviews, though service was good. We both ordered burgers and salad; burger was quite greasy and my wife could not eat hers. An alternate was offered, so she got the flatbread, but it too was greasy and soggy, more like a soggy pizza. Maybe a different chef Sundays?

Nice, thanks for the recap.

 

What was your favourite course on the Island that you played?

[myspinonit]

On 6/30/2023 at 8:03 PM, BallerNate said:

Nice, thanks for the recap.

 

What was your favourite course on the Island that you played?

Glasgow Hills for both me and my wife, even though as above we did not like the  restaurant food.  We played it twice. Bering in mind she's playing the most forward (Green) and I was playing the not much longer and newly rated White/Green  Though I played Whites on a couple of holes for variety into the teeth of the wind and it was blowing hard when we played. Our last  round was going to be Eagles Glenn. But when we stopped by to take a  look last Wednesday before we played it, two female members were  in the shop asking what was up with the several inch rough and even long fairways…they found four balls in the fairways during play. The pro behind he desk said it was not related to a coming tournament ( in response to their question if that was why, Said he had noticed the long rough playing himself rhe prior weekend and would speak to the greenskeeper. 
 

Additional note: clothes shoppers might check out the PEI Golf outlet store n PEI that gets clothes some with logos, some not  from the courses ans sells at discounts. Not just old stock.  I bought several items For example I bought a current edition Footboy shirt, no logo, and a Sunice wind-shirt each  for I think 30 percent off. 

Edited July 2, 2023 by myspinonit

[BallerNate]

1 hour ago, myspinonit said:

Glasgow Hills for both me and my wife, even though as above we did not like the  restaurant food.  We played it twice. Bering in mind she's playing the most forward (Green) and I was playing the not much longer and newly rated White/Green  Though I played Whites on a couple of holes for variety into the teeth of the wind and it was blowing hard when we played. Our last  round was going to be Eagles Glenn. But when we stopped by to take a  look last Wednesday before we played it, two female members were  in the shop asking what was up with the several inch rough and even long fairways…they found four balls in the fairways during play. The pro behind he desk said it was not related to a coming tournament ( in response to their question if that was why, Said he had noticed the long rough playing himself rhe prior weekend and would speak to the greenskeeper. 
 

Additional note: clothes shoppers might check out the PEI Golf outlet store n PEI that gets clothes some with logos, some not  from the courses ans sells at discounts. Not just old stock.  I bought several items For example I bought a current edition Footboy shirt, no logo, and a Sunice wind-shirt each  for I think 30 percent off. 

Awesome, thanks for the insights.

 

Just checked out Glasgow Hills’ website and it looks gorgeous! Very cool that they have an Island green too…very cool!

 

Hoping to make a Golf trip to PEI sometime this season. I actually lived in PEI for 2 years, but didn’t play Golf at that time and only started playing in 2020.

[myspinonit]

4 hours ago, BallerNate said:

Awesome, thanks for the insights.

 

Just checked out Glasgow Hills’ website and it looks gorgeous! Very cool that they have an Island green too…very cool!

 

Hoping to make a Golf trip to PEI sometime this season. I actually lived in PEI for 2 years, but didn’t play Golf at that time and only started playing in 2020.

We stayed at Cavendish Breeze B and B our last night.  Very reasonable and she is adorable.

[Chanceman]

On 6/15/2023 at 12:04 PM, Chanceman said:

My group is thinking of a trip to Cabot. What would be a good week and a half itinerary?

Core would have to include Cliffs and Links plus Cape Breton. 
We would probably rent a car/suv and drive course to course. 

Going back to this idea we are thinking of including Algonquin along with the Cabots and Highland Links. 
Where would be best to start this trip flying in from say New York?

[BallerNate]

On 7/18/2023 at 4:21 AM, Chanceman said:

Going back to this idea we are thinking of including Algonquin along with the Cabots and Highland Links. 
Where would be best to start this trip flying in from say New York?

Just seeing your message man. Too bad you didn’t get a response.

 

I just booked Cabot Cliffs for 3rd week of October. Will have a better feel for everything up there after that!

 

When are you thinking of going?

[ScubaSteve]

On 7/18/2023 at 1:21 AM, Chanceman said:

Going back to this idea we are thinking of including Algonquin along with the Cabots and Highland Links. 
Where would be best to start this trip flying in from say New York?

Just got back from my first trip to NB/NS visiting family. We managed to golf several rounds in NB including Algonquin and Kingswood (Fredericton). Algonquin had some nice views and decent shape, but I’m not sure I would do it again. Hard/fast greens so tough to stick them, too many blind shots, punishing green runoffs, tight fairways - mind you I’m not a Links fan to begin with. Really liked Kingswood though. One of my top 3 courses I’ve played. Every hole is different and well designed. Just a beautiful course especially with the fall colours at this time of year. Drove back from Saint John to play it again the next day. Next time we are out there will play it at least twice. Just my opinion of course. 

Edited October 8, 2023 by ScubaSteve

[Bad9]

4 hours ago, ScubaSteve said:

Just got back from my first trip to NB/NS visiting family. We managed to golf several rounds in NB including Algonquin and Kingswood (Fredericton). Algonquin had some nice views and decent shape, but I’m not sure I would do it again. Hard/fast greens so tough to stick them, too many blind shots, punishing green runoffs, tight fairways - mind you I’m not a Links fan to begin with. Really liked Kingswood though. One of my top 3 courses I’ve played. Every hole is different and well designed. Just a beautiful course especially with the fall colours at this time of year. Drove back from Saint John to play it again the next day. Next time we are out there will play it at least twice. Just my opinion of course. 

I love both of those places. Daughter went to school inFredericton and I p,acted Kingswood a bunch but not for a few years. I have to get back

[BallerNate]

On 10/8/2023 at 11:24 AM, ScubaSteve said:

Just got back from my first trip to NB/NS visiting family. We managed to golf several rounds in NB including Algonquin and Kingswood (Fredericton). Algonquin had some nice views and decent shape, but I’m not sure I would do it again. Hard/fast greens so tough to stick them, too many blind shots, punishing green runoffs, tight fairways - mind you I’m not a Links fan to begin with. Really liked Kingswood though. One of my top 3 courses I’ve played. Every hole is different and well designed. Just a beautiful course especially with the fall colours at this time of year. Drove back from Saint John to play it again the next day. Next time we are out there will play it at least twice. Just my opinion of course. 

Played Algonquin last season and absolutely loved it personally!

 

Haven’t tried Kingswood though…will have to try that next time I’m in NB for sure.

[Foley589]

On 6/3/2023 at 10:34 PM, 69isfine said:

Hello Maritime gang.  I’m heading to Nova Scotia next week, mostly in Halifax and Cape Breton.  I’m booked into Highland Links for a round and I’m looking for a round in the Halifax area.

 

I won’t have a car for this round.  Any recommendations for the round and cheap club rentals for the week?

Brunello, Oakfield, Glen Arbour, Ashburn are probably the top courses 

[BallerNate]

12 hours ago, Foley589 said:

Brunello, Oakfield, Glen Arbour, Ashburn are probably the top courses 

It should be noted for anyone planning to visit that Oakfield, Glen Arbour, and Ashburn, are all Private courses, so you would need to know a member to get on.

 

For the best Public courses around Halifax, my favourites are Grandview and Hartlen Point.

 

Brunello was always the top ranked Public course, but they were doing a ton of construction around the course that affected the conditions this year.

 

Fox Harbour is ranked in the Top 100 courses in Canada and is a little ways outside of Halifax, and people speak very highly of Chester and Ken-Wo. I haven’t played any of those 3 yet, but will make sure to get out to those next season.

[Bad9]

4 hours ago, BallerNate said:

It should be noted for anyone planning to visit that Oakfield, Glen Arbour, and Ashburn, are all Private courses, so you would need to know a member to get on.

 

For the best Public courses around Halifax, my favourites are Grandview and Hartlen Point.

 

Brunello was always the top ranked Public course, but they were doing a ton of construction around the course that affected the conditions this year.

 

Fox Harbour is ranked in the Top 100 courses in Canada and is a little ways outside of Halifax, and people speak very highly of Chester and Ken-Wo. I haven’t played any of those 3 yet, but will make sure to get out to those next season.

I played Glen Arbor the year before it went public (2yrs ago) and conditions were absolute garbage. They charged $100 and I’ve played courses that were $20 that were way better conditioned. Played Ashburn old a few years back and it was immaculate. Fox is working on the second ocean nine now. Ken Wo is 5 minutes from my house and it’s very nice but I prefer Berwick heights.

[BallerNate]

2 hours ago, Bad9 said:

I played Glen Arbor the year before it went public (2yrs ago) and conditions were absolute garbage. They charged $100 and I’ve played courses that were $20 that were way better conditioned. Played Ashburn old a few years back and it was immaculate. Fox is working on the second ocean nine now. Ken Wo is 5 minutes from my house and it’s very nice but I prefer Berwick heights.

I played Glen Arbour last year. The course looked like it was in great shape, but it was extremely foggy and dumped rain for the whole Back 9, so unfortunately I didn’t get to fully enjoy it.
 

Ashburn, Ken-Wo, and Fox Harbour are all on my list for next season, but will add Berwick Heights to my list too! Hadn’t heard anything about Berwick Heights.

[Bad9]

11 minutes ago, BallerNate said:

I played Glen Arbour last year. The course looked like it was in great shape, but it was extremely foggy and dumped rain for the whole Back 9, so unfortunately I didn’t get to fully enjoy it.
 

Ashburn, Ken-Wo, and Fox Harbour are all on my list for next season, but will add Berwick Heights to my list too! Hadn’t heard anything about Berwick Heights.

KW and Berwick are nice courses but not like Fox. I find KW gets attention above how I find it. Berwick was in better condition this year.

[Foley589]

21 hours ago, BallerNate said:

I played Glen Arbour last year. The course looked like it was in great shape, but it was extremely foggy and dumped rain for the whole Back 9, so unfortunately I didn’t get to fully enjoy it.
 

Ashburn, Ken-Wo, and Fox Harbour are all on my list for next season, but will add Berwick Heights to my list too! Hadn’t heard anything about Berwick Heights.

Truro and Northumberland Links are great as well! Osprey Ridge is a bit out of the way but it’s nice as well. 

[BallerNate]

On 11/18/2023 at 7:18 PM, Bad9 said:

KW and Berwick are nice courses but not like Fox. I find KW gets attention above how I find it. Berwick was in better condition this year.

Ken Wo, Berwick, and Fox Harbour are all on my list for next season for sure!

 

Have to check out Chester as well from what I’ve been hearing.

[BallerNate]

On 11/19/2023 at 4:43 PM, Foley589 said:

Truro and Northumberland Links are great as well! Osprey Ridge is a bit out of the way but it’s nice as well. 

I played Truro GC this season and loved it!

 

Got to play Osprey Ridge last year and really enjoyed it as well.

 

Northumberland Links I haven’t made it to yet…another one for the list next season! A couple of people told me it’s definitely worth checking out.

[Xavier_11]

On 12/10/2023 at 11:54 PM, BallerNate said:

Northumberland Links I haven’t made it to yet…another one for the list next season! A couple of people told me it’s definitely worth checking out.

 

 

IMO it is one of the most underrated courses in Canada. And now has a view of the ocean from all 18 holes after the storm a couple years ago. Always in great shape and some of the best greens in Atlantic Canada. Must Play!

[Bad9]

14 minutes ago, Xavier_11 said:

 

 

IMO it is one of the most underrated courses in Canada. And now has a view of the ocean from all 18 holes after the storm a couple years ago. Always in great shape and some of the best greens in Atlantic Canada. Must Play!

I have not played better greens in NS. Period.

[BallerNate]

21 minutes ago, Xavier_11 said:

 

 

IMO it is one of the most underrated courses in Canada. And now has a view of the ocean from all 18 holes after the storm a couple years ago. Always in great shape and some of the best greens in Atlantic Canada. Must Play!

 

6 minutes ago, Bad9 said:

I have not played better greens in NS. Period.

Damn…that good huh?

 

Ok cool, I’ll definitely check it out this upcoming season!

 

Just looked it up and it’s 2 hrs from me in Halifax. Would you guys usually drive there for 1 round, or stay overnight and play back-to-back days?

[Bad9]

31 minutes ago, BallerNate said:

 

Damn…that good huh?

 

Ok cool, I’ll definitely check it out this upcoming season!

 

Just looked it up and it’s 2 hrs from me in Halifax. Would you guys usually drive there for 1 round, or stay overnight and play back-to-back days?

I used to stay with a friend who lives exactly 1km from the first tee.

[Xavier_11]

1 hour ago, BallerNate said:

 

Damn…that good huh?

 

Ok cool, I’ll definitely check it out this upcoming season!

 

Just looked it up and it’s 2 hrs from me in Halifax. Would you guys usually drive there for 1 round, or stay overnight and play back-to-back days?

 

It's a 15 minute drive from Fox Harbr. Try to stay there and knock both courses off at once. I know you mentioned that was another one you wanted to play.

[BallerNate]

1 hour ago, Xavier_11 said:

 

It's a 15 minute drive from Fox Harbr. Try to stay there and knock both courses off at once. I know you mentioned that was another one you wanted to play.

Yessss, that sounds fantastic…good call!!

 

That sounds like a fantastic couple of days of Golf for sure! Can’t wait for the season! 😎🔥

[Aleriooon]

On 12/23/2023 at 6:00 PM, Bad9 said:

I have not played better greens in NS. Period.

Northumberland and Abercrombie are consistently the best greens in the province.

[BallerNate]

On 1/27/2024 at 12:38 PM, Aleriooon said:

Northumberland and Abercrombie are consistently the best greens in the province.

Good to know. I’m going to have to get out to those this season for sure!

 

So much to look forward to…can’t wait!!