WOODINGTON LAKES GOLF CLUB (905-936-9523)
Ontario Golf Course Review 9/27/04
Woodington Lakes Golf Club in Tottenham, less than 1 hour north of Toronto, is first class in every sense of the
term. From clubhouse amenities to the meticulously groomed golf course to the excellent service, this facility
provides a premium and memorable experience. Designed to accommodate the low to mid-level handicap
player, Woodington Lakes is also enjoyable for high handicappers and novices - with forward tee boxes that play
to 5255 yards and a 121 slope. The tips will challenge the best of players as the course winds along a rolling
terrain at a distance of 7015 yards with a formidable slope of 145. Alternate sets play to 6480 yards/138 slope
(green tees) and 6067 yards/128 slope (white tees). We recommend the whites for the average golfer, who will
find plentiful challenge from the 70 soft sand bunkers plus numerous natural, environmental water hazards.
The clubhouse at Woodington Lakes is very upscale, and features a full service pro shop, banquet and
boardroom facilities, and private and corporate locker rooms (with showers) that include a private fitness center.
The beautiful restaurant and tiered outdoor patio offer wonderful golf course views, and fine cuisine is available
for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The facilities can accommodate groups of up to 225 for special occasions and events.
On course, classy marble yardage blocks are posted at 100, 150 and 200 yards, with 250 yard markers also
visible on the fairways of the par fives. Tee boxes provide color coded measurement indicators, and 150 yard
stakes efficiently double as directional devices on the fairways. The flags on the mildly undulating and
immaculately kept putting surfaces are color coded for front, middle and back pin placement, and weather
covers are featured on each cart. Another nice feature - the scorecards provide diagrams and tips on how to
play each hole, a great amenity for first time visitors. We were impressed by the extremely interesting layout
which includes doglegs that bend in either direction, plus a nice mix of tight and open holes that often begin with
tee shots over grass depressions and valleys. Though the terrain is anything but flat, the design is such that well
placed tee shots will often find fairly level lies amongst the undulations and mounding that define the fairways.
Mature trees border both sides of most holes, but ample landing zones are most often present. There is nothing "tricked up" about this pure lay out - what you see is what you get.
The front side is the shorter of the two nines, and begins with a beautiful opening par four with a carry over a
grass valley to an ample fairway that ends abruptly past the 150 yard area, where a formidable wetlands area is
situated. A good warm up is recommended before teeing off, as this number three handicapped hole will
demand a couple of accurate shots to reach in regulation. After a reasonable par five and short par three, golfers
will encounter the course's number one handicapped par five 4th. There is ample room off the tee but the
winding design is fortified by fairway bunkers near the landing zones of the first two shots. The right to left slope
requires that approaches are aimed towards the right side. The perched green complex and uphill nature of the
par four 5th also makes par on this hole a good score, and hole number 6 is the toughest par three on the course
. A creek and natural area cross in front, and the green is nestled into a hill protected by a deep bunker in front -
with some bail out room short left. Players managing these initial 6 holes with a reasonable score should be able
to make the turn in good shape. The proceeding 5 hole stretch is the easiest on the course, beginning with the
short par four 7th. A reasonable carry over a natural area is needed off the tee, and a drive positioned left of the
large fairway bunker will leave a simple pitch to a ridged putting surface. The 8th begins uphill, but ultimately
plays downhill as it makes a turn to the left near the 150 area. The ample fairway on nine slopes right to left, which helps position the ball perfectly for a clear view of the putting complex.
It is possible to keep the momentum going to begin the back side, as the first three holes are the 14th, 16th and
8th handicaps. The tenth tees over a valley and doglegs right at the 150. There is water and bunkers on the left
and out of bounds along the right - but ample room in between. Eleven is a par three that is uphill and can be
affected by the wind, but here is plenty of room for error. A pond is situated to the right from about 260 in on
twelve, and the narrow, triple tiered and well bunkered green presents putting challenges. A carry over a pond is
necessary of the tee on 13, which is a long par four that bends right to left along an extremely rolling fairway.
Fourteen is one of the most unique holes on the course. This four par begins with a tee shot to a split level
fairway, with the top level bordered by a steep bank on the left and another to the right that leads to the second
tier. These narrow landing areas provide positioning to reach the well bunkered green, which is situated beyond
a creek and natural area that comes into play 100 yards out. The toughest hole on the back side follows - a tight
dogleg left par four that measures 455 yards from the tips., with natural areas bordering the fairway.
The par three 16th is the number 18 handicap but can be difficult if the wind is up, as this hole is situated in the
open, on the highest ground of the layout. Wind can also greatly effect the tee shot on 17, which plays to a green
that is well protected by bunkers, with a water hazard positioned to the right and long. Number 18 is one of the
best golf holes in Ontario. This finishing par four demands a tee shot that approaches the left center of the
fairway near the 150 yard marker (or beyond). The tee shot must carry the inlet of a lake, to a fairway that slopes
right to left towards the hazard. The approach to a plateau green must be accurate, as water rests immediately in
front and to the left, and trees create problems along the right. The inlaid rock retaining wall in front, and the
beautiful clubhouse in the background frame the green on this gorgeous golf hole. The terrace that is situated on
a perch above the green provides a wonderful environment with great views - for weddings and special events.
Woodington Lakes is truly on of the finest golf courses in Ontario - and the luxurious clubhouse and amenities
provide a great compliment. An award-winning Master Chef helps making dining experiences memorable, and
the cathedral ceilings and picture windows of this 30,000 square foot facility create a relaxing and enjoyable
atmosphere. A day here is one well spent! For more info on the course and facilities - and for a direct link to the
Woodington Lakes website, visit our page for the property on our web catalog of courses to play in Ontario by clicking here
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