Royal Niagara Golf Club (905-685-9501)
Ontario Golf Course Review - 7/13/02 (photos updated August, 2006) -
The Royal Niagara Golf Club is a premier, upscale golf facility, and is one of six properties in Ontario owned and
operated by the Kaneff Golf Group. Located between the Old Welland Canal, the beautiful Bruce Trail, and the
Niagara Escarpment, Royal Niagara offers a stunning golf experience. Sculpted fairways, undulating greens,
cavernous bunkers, and an abundance of water are featured on this 7000 yard layout. Three impressive nine
hole courses - the Escarpment, Iron Bridge and the Canal provide unique experiences on 27 holes of championship golf.
Also on property is a beautiful clubhouse with pro shop, dining area and lounge, and upscale banquet and outing
facilities. The practice area includes a driving range with grass and mat tee areas, a short game area with
practice bunker, and a spacious putting green. The Royal Niagara Golf Academy provides instruction for all levels of ability, with group and corporate clinics as well as individual lessons available.
Upscale amenities are the norm at the Royal Niagra. Rain covers (to keep your clubs dry during inclement
weather) and Par View GPS are standard on each golf cart. This effective system provide accurate yardage
information from tee to green. 200/150 and 100 yardage blocks are also in place on the fairways, and the flag
sticks are color-coded for visual pin placement info. Four sets of tee play from an average of 3500 to 2700 on
each nine, providing all types of golfers to play to their level of skill. Our round featured reviews of the Iron Bridge and Escarpment courses.
Iron Bridge
This nine opens with a straight par five , with a water hazard along the left side. Thew fairway slopes in that
direction so the safe play is right all the way. Anything hit past the fairway bunker may result in a downhill lie. The
dogleg left par four second features a hidden sand trap.past the tree line left. Aim just right of the cart path for the
best chance at reaching in regulation. Number three plays more openly than it appears. Aim for the raised green with a high soft approach, and avoid the front bunkers and the sloping depression left.
A beautiful shot of the Iron Bridge is available here. The par four 4th features a wide fairway that is very
conducive to driver. The elevated green is protected on the right by bunkers, and on the left by deep rough. There
is plenty of room to reach the multiple ridged green on the par three 5th. The creek crossing in front leaves about
10 yards of bail out room. Number 6 is extremely tight with a sloping fairway. Most golfers will lay up on their
second shot, as a creek runs through the fairway near the 100 yards marker. The par four 7th is also tight, as it is
flanked by mature trees on either side. The creek must be carried at least 100 to 150 yards dependant upon tee
box selection. Number 8 is the easiest hole on the course to birdie, if you are able to land it below the flag on the
back to front sloped green. The closing hole features an open, links style fairway with bunkers and mounds on
both sides. The Iron Bridge nine is very playable, and presents a nice mix of links style and tree lined fairways.
Escarpment
The Escarpment Course plays a bit tighter than the Iron Bridge layout, requiring more accuracy off the tee and
on approaches. It begins easily enough however, with a par four that plays wide open off the tee. The putting
surface is uphill and very undulating. A tight fairway is the challenge on the short par four 2nd. Lay up off the tee
or stay to the right side with your driver. The approach is narrow with woods left and bunkers right. There is bail
out room to the right on the fairway of number three. This hole bends gently left to a green with grass swells on
both sides. The fairway seems open on the par five 4th - but only tee shots hit to the left center of the fairway will be able to see the green through the narrow opening between two tree lines.
The approach is very tight. Number five is par three with a ridged green that slopes heavily right to left, and is
surrounded by grass swells. A tough tee shot awaits on the shrot par four sixth. Aim just right of the trap as the
fairway slopes left to right towards the bush. The approach must avoid the green-side depressions. Next up is
the prettiest hole of the layout This picturesque par three must carry a pond, with bunkers protecting the front and
back of the putting surface The eighth features a water hazard that runs the length of the fairway from 150
yards in. The hazard also runs behind the green, creating the need for a soft, accurate approach. The par four
finishing hole on the Escarpment offers a generous fairway and a good opportunity to finish strongly. This nine is
quite interesting, with 4 fairly open fairways and 5 tight tree lined holes providing a nice variety. The water
hazards are not just for show here - as thay may figure prominently in the final score. There is lots of mounding a high grasses bordering the fairways on this layout.
If you are seeking an enjoyable and affordable round of golf with upscale conditioning and service, the Royal
Niagra will keep you satisfied. There is a nice variety of holes within each nine, and in the make up of the 27 hole
layout. The GPS is a plus, and the facilities - from the clubhouse to the dining area to the practice areas - leave
little to be desired. We found our round here enjoyable and relaxing - a day well spent!.
For detailed information on this Ontario Golf Course - CLICK HERE.
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