DEERHURST GOLF CLUB (705-789-6411) Highlands Course
Review 9/05
General information:
Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, nestled into an idyllic 800-acre wilderness setting on Peninsula Lakes in the
Muskokas, has grown into one of Canada's premier all-season destinations. In fact - it has been honored as the
second best golf resort in Canada by Score Magazine. Located just two hours from Toronto, this upscale resort
features two acclaimed golf courses, a superb variety of accommodations, exquisite dining and entertainment,
plus a host of year round and seasonal recreational activities. Whether traveling alone or with family, for business
or pleasure, Deerhurst provides abundant opportunities for play or work. For a host of photographs and informational text on all this resort has to offer, visit our page for the Deerhurst Resort by clicking here.
The golf experience at Deerhurst includes two golf courses, a grass driving range, putting greens and a short
game area with practice bunker. Each course features a pro shop with restaurant/lounge. At the Highlands
Course, Steamers Restaurant is a perfect place for steaks, seafood and fine wine, while the Lakeside Course
features course-side dining and beverages at The Pub and outdoor patio. Also located at the Lakeside Course
is the Deerhurst Golf Academy with introductory, private, family/group lessons and 3-hour golf schools available.
100, 150 and 200 yard stakes are posted in the fairways of all par fours and fives, and small flags indicate front,
middle and back hole locations on the greens. Sprinkler heads on the Highlands Course are measured to the
center of the green, and course diagram booklets are also available for each course. Coolers and weather covers are standard on all carts.
HIGHLANDS COURSE
The Highlands course features fours sets of tees that play to 7011 yards/140 slope, 6506 yards/138 slope, 6012
yards/128 slope and 5393 yards with a slope of 125. Nine holes have water hazards in the form of ponds or
meandering burns, and there are 80 sand bunkers in play on the fairways and greenside. The design includes a
mix of links style and parkland holes, significant elevation changes, and holes that play from elevated tees to
raised green complexes. Annually acclaimed as one of Canada's top golf courses, The Highlands Course has
earned a 4 ½ star rating from Golf Digest Places to Play, and has been ranked as the # 12 best course in
Canada by Golf Digest.com "Planet Golf". Dense woods of maple, oak and pine define the fairways, with granite
outcroppings add testimonial to the rugged terrain from which this manicured, highly conditioned design was sculpted.
The front nine features some beautifully rugged golf holes, and affords an opportunity to get off to a great start.
The opening hole is a dogleg right par four that with proper distance control can present ample birdie
opportunities. Golfers with a left to right shot shape can benefit here. The second is a long par four that plays
uphill - an extremely tough hole to par. The third (pictured above left) is a challenging par three that invites shots
placed left of the putting complex - anything right will find trouble in the bunker or slope on that side. The short par
four 4th is inundated with sand bunkers on both sides - totaling 10 altogether. On five players will find an ample
fairway that narrows past the 100 yard marker, as a pond comes into play along the left side (pictured above
right). This water hazard presents a good reason play this hole as a three shot par five. An uphill four par on six
precedes another par five - this one approachable in two. Long hitters may catch the downward slope past the
250 stake, which will help balls to roll towards the 150 marker. The eighth is a beautiful par three from an
elevated tee that plays over a creek and a natural area, and is followed by a tight dogleg left four par finishing hole - both are score-able. (photos of holes 6 and 7 are below)
The back side begins with a pair of dogleg right par fours, the first playing from an elevated tee and the second
leading to a green situated on a perch above 4 sand traps that front the putting complex. The twelfth is a par
three that is protected by mounds and swales, and thirteen is one of a group of holes that feature elevated tee
areas and raised green complexes. There is room left of center off the tee, and the approach here is 2 clubs uphill. Both the 11th and 13th holes are pictured below.
Attempting to reach the par five 14th in two is a risky proposition. There is plenty of room off the tee, but the
green is bordered by water to the right and behind, and there is little room for error long. As with many of the
putting complexes on the Highlands Course, the green here is double tiered and quite undulating. Number 15 is
a very interesting golf hole. The tee shot should be played to the left of the fairway trap in the 100-75 yard area,
leaving a simple approach over a creek. This meandering burn intersects the fairway off the tee and also comes
into play on the second shot. Sixteen is a bit similar, although the approach over this stream is a bit more
challenging. Short left is trouble and the bunker on the right creates a challenging recovery. Photos of the 14th and 16th green complexes are featured below.
The putting surface on 17 is part of a double green complex shared by the par three 8th. There is a good deal of
room, but wind may play an important role as the tee shot is nearly all carry over a pond. The closing hole begins
with a carry over a ravine, with the left side of the fairway near the cart path a good landing area. A tee shot that
reaches the slope may roll to the 150 yard stake, leaving a simple approach. Those that do not get a lot of
distance off the tee will have to lay up on the second shot, to leave a wedge approach over another burn that
crosses just in front of the raised green. The landing zone slopes left to right all the way from tee to green on this challenging par five.
Deerhurst Highlands is a great golf course, with excellent conditioning and thoughtful landscaping throughout.
We had an opportunity to spend a couple nights at the resort, which has a lot to offer. This golf course is the
shining jewel however. Open for public play, a round at the Highlands is a memorable golf experience, and one
that we highly recommend. For more info visit our page for the Highlands, with direct link to their website by clicking here.
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