TANGLE CREEK GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB (705-720-2150)
Ontario Golf Course Review
Nominated as one of Ontario's best new courses in 2003 by Golf Digest, Tangle Creek Golf & Country Club successfully blends the traits of a links style layout together with that of
a traditional North American parkland golf course. This 7194 yard Rene Muylaert design features a nice mix of open fairways lined with mounding and fescue grass, plus tight tree
lined holes with bold, dramatic elevation changes. There is water in play on 10 holes with four ponds and a creek that meanders through the property. Nearly 50 sand bunkers add
to the challenge, which is accentuated by considerable natural areas and ravines that frequently demand carries off the tee or on approaches to the quick, undulating putting
surfaces. Another characteristic that repeats itself time and again are the elevated tees that play to valley fairways, then back up again to raised or perched green complexes.
Four sets of tees at Tangle Creek are interspersed to fit a variety of games, with the Platinum tees playing to a whopping 7194 yards with a slope of 146. Alternate sets play to
6801 yards/136 slope, 6353 yards/131 slope and 5635 yards with a 133 slope for women. As the slopes indicate - one can expect a challenging day at the links…The scorecards
provide hole diagrams which we found to be very helpful, and the course is well marked with small color coded stakes at 100, 150 and 200 yards, plus sprinkler heads that are
measured to the center of the green. On the greens, white flags indicate front pin placement, black equals middle and gold flags mean the hole location is in back.
The beautiful new 12,000 square foot clubhouse at Tangle Creek features a very well stocked pro shop as well as upscale amenities including locker rooms with showers,
licensed lounge and restaurant, and banquet/outing spaces. The practice facility at Tangle Creek is one of the best in Ontario - with a bent grass range featuring 15 acres of target
greens, short game area with bunker, plus large putting green with undulations similar to those one will encounter on the course. Golf camps, clinics and group or private
instruction are available season long.
Golfers are greeted with a beautiful opening hole - a par five from an elevated tee that plays down a valley then climbs back up again to a green complex perched on a hill. The first
ravine carry of the round comes into play on the par four 3rd, which begins from an aesthetically pleasing terraced tee area, and finishes with an uphill approach to an extremely
undulating putting surface. Putting skills will really be challenged throughout the day at Tangle Creek - and the overwhelming recommendation is to play to the correct level on
these multi-tiered surfaces, while staying below the hole. Another ravine rests in the middle of the 5th hole - challenging players to drive it long over the hazard or lay up to the 190
yard area. This begins a five hole stretch where these hazards create the need for carries either off the tee or to the green. The fairway on 6 also ends near the 190 area, and on
seven the ravine comes into play on the third shot of this difficult par five. For those who have not played this course before, we recommend that you drive up the fairway to carefully
plot your second shot, allowing for good positioning on the uphill approach. On nine, the carry is more simple, and is easily navigated from all of the tees. This hole plays uphill
however with trees to the right off the tee and more on both sides of the putting complex. The seventh and ninth holes are pictured above.
The back side is about 300 yards longer than the front, with some particularly challenging four and five pars. The two par threes are also not automatic pars - as length and
accuracy are necessary to navigate the bunkers that protect each hole. Numbers 13-15 are particularly beautiful and challenging, with each hole beginning from an elevated tee
area. From the back tees the par five 13th plays to 627 yards, with a pond and bunker complex situated near the landing area off the tee on the left side. A shot that hugs the right
center will set up for the best second shot - which also requires distance and Accuracy. Many golfers will be playing fairway woods to the green, which is situated past a ravine that
crosses just in front. Others will be laying up and playing for an up and down par over the hazard. Fourteen doglegs right with a pond short left and long right, making this one of
the round's most challenging tee shots. An approach hit left of the green (to avoid the water hazard) may find an advantageous bounce on the slope which will funnel balls towards
the center of the putting surface. Fifteen turns in the opposite direction, and features a creek that crosses about 100 yards away in front of the elevated green complex. The views
from the tees of these extremely challenging driving holes are pictured below.
Sixteen is a pretty par three from an elevated tee, and is followed by the longest par four of the layout on the 479 yard 17th. To reach in regulation, one must cut off as much of this
hole as possible - by hitting over the long sand trap that protects the dogleg. Tangle Creek closes with a snaking, score-able par five that hopefully leaves some pleasant
memories of the day's round. This is a beautiful hole on a gorgeous golf course that seriously warrants the consideration of any golfer visiting the area.
Stay and play packages are available at various area properties including Comfort Inn, Holiday Inn and Days Inn - all near or in Barrie, and Tangle Creek is also within a
reasonable drive of some of the area's top golf resorts. A round here is highly recommended! Bring your "A" game and a camera… for more info, visit our informational page with
link to the Tangle Creek Golf & Country Club web site by clicking here.
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