Signature Muskoka

Muskoka is known for its natural beauty and world class amenities. For golfers, both are in abundance at the courses scattered throughout our region. Muskoka's signature holes are not necessarily the longest or the toughest, but they are the most spectacular. The problem facing linksters, however, is which course to tackle first?

After breathtaking views and a solid test of golf on the front nine, the 10th hole at Taboo Resort, Golf & Spa steps it up a notch. This par-4 stretches out 439 yards from the tips and requires precision off the tee. A long carry over a merciless gorge is vital to hitting the left-to-right sweeping fairway. Take aim at the fairway bunker on the left as everything funnels to the right on this hole. Once secure in the short-grass, note the position of the flag on the very inviting kidney-shaped green. Anything within ten feet of the hole is a job well done and par on the 10th is an excellent way to get your back nine started.

The 5th hole at North Granite Ridge provides arguably the most spectacular view in all of Muskoka. Perched on one of the highest peaks at the Ridge, the ultimate in a true Muskoka golfing experience lays at your feet. The listed 388 yardage is deceiving as the hole plays all of that and more. Accuracy is at a premium off the tee as towering white pines line both sides of the fairway and give this hole a corridor feel. A small pond on the right side needs 255 yards to carry it, just the ideal distance to swallow its fair share of errant tee shots. Success lies in the approach shot as the green is all uphill coming in. Anything short of the narrow, sloping green will roll back down the hill leaving an awkward pitch shot. Deer are renowned to stalk the premises so keep your camera handy.

The 8th hole at South Muskoka Curling & Golf Club brings all facets of your game into play. With swirling winds as much a hazard on this elevated tee as the bunkers and pond surrounding the hole, club selection is critical. Golfers who fly the green have a good chance of ending up in one of four deep bunkers that make par an unrealistic outcome. Those that are too short run the risk of the water hazard or an environmentally protected zone, an area for nesting birds and wildlife that golfers are forbidden to enter, that bring bogey or higher into play. Staying below the hole on this sloped green allows for an aggressive run at birdie. Bring along your digital camera and snap off a few shots as this hole is as picturesque as it is demanding.

With the iconic clubhouse as its backdrop, the 5th hole at The Diamond in the Ruff is as tough as any par-3 in all of Muskoka. Measuring a formidable 217 yards, the true test is garnering enough courage to reach into your bag for enough club when playing into the wind. With perhaps the largest bunker in Muskoka, measuring a massive 200 yards, carry is the key to scoring well on this hole. Encroaching pines give golfers considering a bailout very few options, particularly to the right. With the green sloping from right to left, special consideration must be paid to the position of the pin. Anything above the hole begs for a 3-putt. Be thankful for any green in regulation. Take a deep breath, step up and make the putt.

The ultimate in risk/reward occurs at the 17th hole of Huntsville Downs Golf Club. This par-5 plays less than the advertised 473 yards. The elevated tee overlooks the wonderful expanse of the golf course and is a real visual treat during the fall season. Long hitters will have the green in their sights in two, the generous fairway sloping downhill and feeding left towards the green. A handcrafted rock wall divides the hole and cues golfers to reach for their scoring irons. Two fairway bunkers are bound to take birdie out of the equation and worse if you end up in the mixed Muskoka bush along the left side. An undulating green makes for very few straight putts but rolls true. Expect to get a glimpse at the varied Muskoka wildlife on your trek through this track.

Aptly named 'The Pulpit', the 11th hole at Windermere Golf & Country Club gives one a sense of divinity while perched upon this immense rock cliff. Measuring a reasonable 173 yards, the tee shot will lag more airtime than expected. Wind direction is of the utmost importance in sticking it close. Anything long, left, or right invites disaster. A large bunker on the left gobbles up golf balls for breakfast. Long is a crap shoot with numerous boulders and pines to bring chaos into the mix. Once on the tiny dance floor, you can be rest assured that the putt will roll clean and true on its journey to the cup. A definite must for those fans of autumn colours and golf.

The elevated tee box on the 5th hole at Kirrie Glen exudes peace and tranquility, much needed after a tormenting experience on the previous green. Accuracy is everything on this par-3 that is protected by sand traps, mature trees, and a creek known to catch a ball or two. A prevailing left-to-right breeze favours those who tend to fade the ball. A solid tee shot is usually rewarded on this green as there are no extreme undulations or breaks to negotiate. Rated as the easiest hole on the course, it is also the most spectacular.

Although lesser known that it's more famous Highlands cousin, the Deerhurst Lakeside golf course provides some spectacular views of Peninsula Lake as well as some challenging holes. The signature second hole does both. Listed at 201 yards, this picturesque par-3, although ranked below three other par-3 holes on the course in both length and difficulty, demands your attention. Wind speed and direction must be noted and accounted for in club selection. The tee shot is everything on this hole as the green is bordered by water on three sides. Hit the green in regulation and birdie is a viable option. Miss it, and bogey or worse lurks just around the corner. Remember the old golfing adage that everything must break towards the water.

The first hole at the Deerhurst Highlands gets your round off to a memorable start. This gorgeous par-4 measures a ho-hum 374 yards but squeezes every inch out of it. A well-placed tee shot from the scenic elevated tees is a must. Straying too far from this fairway seals your fate quickly. Facing an approach shot in the 130 yard range, birdie is a definite possibility. Keeping in mind that the green slopes from back to front, and that the highly sought after real estate is protected by two deep bunkers, should encourage players to take more club than originally planned. Strategically choosing your target and navigating this green ultimately makes this difference on this hole.

It is not often that the shortest hole on a golf course is considered a signature hole but in the case of the 8th hole at Muskoka Highlands, an exception is necessary. An extremely elevated tee measures a paltry 121 yards but par is by no means a guarantee. Howling winds, a permanent tenant on this links course, conspire to throw your ball off kilter and require careful consideration of club selection. Deep Scottish-inspired bunkers punish those who stray too long. A large green provides ample landing room however a ridge runs down the middle of the surface essentially cutting it into two. Hitting your ball on the wrong side of this monkey wrench adds to the pressure to make par.

On paper, the 5th hole at Beaver Run Golf Course looks benign enough. A par-4 at only 315 yards usually commands little attention or respect. But this hole requires both accuracy and creativity on the part of the challenger. With a pond 195 yards from the pin, golfers must decide off the tee whether to layup or bomb their tee shot to a tiny, unforgiving landing area. The reward is an easy pitch to the green but a cluster of pines on both sides of the hole and rock outcroppings play havoc on the golfer's mind. With three bunkers surrounding the tiny green, hitting and sticking on this sloping green is essential. Stay below the hole for an easier up hill put. If your ball does find the water, dealing with a temperamental beaver is a losing battle. Take your medicine and move on.

The 6th hole at the Bracebridge Golf Club is perhaps the most versatile hole in all of Muskoka. The four different possible approaches to playing this hole accommodate all skill levels. Going directly for the green not only requires a monstrous poke, but also the accuracy to keep the ball within the narrow fairway that is bordered by forest on the left and a cavernous ravine on the right. More prudent is carrying over the valley onto the crest of the hill. From here, a mid-iron to the green leaves a shot at par or better. The elevation changes are dramatic and even at a yardage of only 317 yards, this par-4 demands your entire repertoire of shot-making.

The 9th hole at the Muskoka Bay Club, dubbed 'The Narrows', is frequently the topic of conversation for almost every golfer who has played this homage to the sport. Love it or hate it, 'The Narrows' begins with an intimidating tee shot, elevated over natural wetlands, to a landing area nearly 200 yards away. With much work still left to do, an uphill approach to a green protected by two rock walls, though visually stunning, tests the gamut of your creativity. Those fortunate enough to find the green in regulation face a treacherous, undulating voyage home. Par is traditionally accompanied by a sigh of relief.

After coming off the longest hole on the course, a 640 yard monster, the 10th hole at The Rock lulls you into a false sense of security. At only 389 yards, this seemingly docile par-4 looks, to the unsuspecting, as the perfect opportunity to regain your composure. Don't let the idyllic scenery fool you as two obstacles stand in your way. First, an accurate tee shot, over a ball-hawking marsh, is required to gain any real estate on the lush fairway. Second, a tiny, sloping green taunts even the sharpest of wedge players. Any approach shot even remotely near the edges of the green will inevitably find its way off the dance floor. Pencil in your 4 and move on to the next Muskoka beauty.

The 8th hole at The Lake Joseph Club is a dramatic and scenic par-3. The tee is significantly elevated from the green and requires a commitment on the part of golfers to make the proper club selection, factoring in the drop in elevation as well as the swirling winds that pass through the valley. A steep rock wall comes into play for shots missed to the left and anything long may require a search and rescue team. Tee shots falling short or a smidgen to the right still have a hope at par. The green rolls at break-neck speed but holds a true line.

During a Skins Game, John Daly once reached the par-5 18th hole at the Grandview Golf Club - The Mark O'Meara Course with a driver and a wedge. For mere mortals, the tee shot is a forced carry over Muskoka wetland to a wide fairway. The marsh continues up the left side as you consider your layup options or the Herculean effort of going for the green. The approach shot will most likely be a blind one as the green is still well above you. Take extra club and a higher trajectory to ensure a soft landing. Putting this green is no bargain as the slope and contours will test your speed and line.

The 12th hole at Rocky Crest Golf Club is a par-5 that can rarely be overpowered. Take a moment on the tee blocks as the elevation provides a majestic vista. A wide fairway awaits your drive and will allow for some additional distance in the drier summer months. The second shot should be a lay up with a mid-iron as accuracy is needed to avoid kicking left into an anxious pond. An approach shot will be within 100 yards to a large green that slopes from back to front. Placement is key for a realistic attempt at birdie on this slick carpet.

Lorne Rubenstein once referred to the 6th hole at Bigwin Island Golf Club as the best tee shot is all of Canada. With elevated tees, this par-4 gem is situated 1500 feet above lake level and is the highest point on the island. Stunning views greet you in every season with the entire Lake of Bays as your backdrop. With a generous fairway and the prevailing wind at your back, summon up the courage to really go at this 460 yard hole. Two deep fairway bunkers on the left side flirt with those who are looking to gain some extra roll on the left-to-right sloping fairway. A mid-iron approach is what remains to the saddle-shaped green that is well above you. The roller coaster ride continues as a false front and penalizing bunker on the front right guard the pin. Typically running at 11 on the Stimpmeter, you had better be within striking distance to avoid a dreaded 3-putt on this green.

Regardless of which course you chose to play, a unique Muskoka golfing experience is assured. From tee to green there is more to soak in than just divots and pitch marks. Stunning scenery and majestic views accompany golfers on their odyssey across Muskoka's fairways and greens. The only question remaining is when will you be back?

Jason James Ferris
http://www.thegolfglove.com