Designer: John Geale Dickson (1875)
Location: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
History: Supposedly the oldest course in North America still on its original property, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s first few holes were laid out by John Geale Dickson in 1875. This course was certainly held in high regard and a Toronto newspaper in 1882 claimed it “bids fair to become the St. Andrews of Canada.” In 1895, Niagara-on-the-Lake held the first international tournament in golf history, The Niagara International, and C.B. Macdonald won the long drive competition during the event. Niagara-on-the-Lake briefly closed for World War I but otherwise has remained open since 1875. In 2007, it became semi-private, allowing the general public to play the course.
The commemorative plaque
Conditions: 7/10, Niagara-on-the-Lake is in overall solid shape with true-rolling greens, well-manicured fairways, and thick rough.
Value: 7/10, A semi-private Club with teetimes for the general public, rates here are competitive at $50 CAD to walk 9 holes during peak summer weekends and further discounts for twilight, shelf-season, and weekdays.
Scorecard:
Tee Par Yardage Rating Slope
Black 36 2930 34.5 123
White 36 2701 33.5 115
Gold 36 2339 33.8 120
Hole Descriptions: For a course of such historical significance open the public, Niagara-on-the-Lake seems to fly under the radar but I was very fortunate to stumble upon this gem on a beautiful summer day while in the Buffalo for work. Wedged on a tight property along the shores of Lake Ontario, Niagara-on-the-Lake occupies a beautiful setting with expansive views of the Lake and Toronto in the distance. The course is largely flat and easily walkable and features numerous classic motifs, small greens, and clever mounding. If I had to criticize anything, it would be the tree overgrowth that has encroached on some holes, but this seems to be a common theme among the older Canadian courses I’ve played and doesn’t significantly detract from an otherwise very fun and quirky 9-holer. Niagara-on-the-Lake the town is charming as well and a day here with golf included is something I’d highly recommend.
As you’d expect from a course designed in 1875, the design here is somewhat basic and this is seen on the opening hole, a straightaway 323 yard par 4. The task is simple here – hit two straight shots and make an easy par but the fairway is very tight and lined by Lake Ontario down the right and a busy road to the left. Furthermore, you’ll likely have many eyes on you from the patio and putting green on this teebox. This approach plays slightly uphill towards a subtle green lined by bunkers on either side.
The par 4 1st – “Straightaway” is a memorable opening hole and tougher than it appears
The approach at 1 with Fort Mississauga in the background
The 2nd hole is another short par 4 at 320 yards and features a truly dreadful teeshot with tall trees directly in front of the teebox, forcing you to either lay-up or hit a big hook. Once you find the fairway, this hole is pretty straightforward with no real hazards and a flattish green lined by a bunker short left.
A chainsaw is needed on the par 4 2nd – “Mississauga”
The approach at 2
Nicknamed “Little Misery”, the 3rd hole is the first par 5 at Niagara-on-the-Lake and plays as a slight dogleg left at 474 yards. This is a tight hole with trees down the right and Queen Street down the left the entire way. A well-placed crossbunker at 250 yards on the right is also to be avoided. Longer hitters will have the chance to get home in two, but there are several bunkers flanking the green as well. This green features a small false front but is overall fairly flat.
Accuracy is required at the par 5 3rd
The well-defended 3rd green
Today’s 4th hole plays to the original 3rd green as an 132 yard par 3. This one-shotter plays directly at Lake Ontario and slightly downhill with a small green containing a back right plateau defended by bunkers short, left, and right. My member playing partners were lamenting about trees that fell down behind this green, but today’s hole is gorgeous and you can see Toronto on a clear day.
The par 3 4th – “Unnamed”
At 479 yards, the 5th hole is the longest on the course and probably deserving of its number 1 handicap. Starting along the banks of the Lake, this par 5 features an immediate dogleg right to a very tight fairway lined by tall trees and a bunker down the left at 240 yards. Like the 2nd, this is another very awkward teeshot where you’ll either have to hit a big cut or lay-up to find the fairway. There’s major tree trouble on this lay-up and approach as well, as tall trees on either side create somewhat of a bottleneck about 100 yards short of the green. On the other side of these trees, there are numerous bunkers on either side and an interestingly shaped green.
The par 5 5th – “Hunter”
The approach at 5 forces you to thread the needle
The 6th hole is another short par 4 at 322 yards but features a tough teeshot from the Black Tees, forcing you to stay under overhanging branches down the right. Otherwise, this hole is quite straightforward with plenty of room down the right and a gorgeous approach to a right-to-left sloped green on the water surrounded by bunkers.
The par 4 6th – “Fairfield”; Boy, Canadians sure love their trees!
The gorgeous approach at 6
The 7th is a very interesting hole and probably my favorite on the course. This 301 yard par 4 plays along Lake Ontario as a dogleg left with the direct line to the green blocked by a line of tall trees around 210 yards. I suppose longer hitters can get over these trees with a high ballflight but the majority of golfers will need to aim to the right of them. This leaves a fantastic downhill approach to a long, front-to-back sloped green featuring two distinct tiers. This green is one of the most fun anywhere and trying to get your ball onto the correct tier on this approach is exhilarating.
The par 4 7th – “Silverton”
A beautiful set of barrier bunkers mandates an aerial approach at 7
The 8th hole turns back inland as a 362 yard fairly straightforward tree-lined par 4. The most notable feature of this hole is its narrow, original 1875 green defended by bunkers on either side.
The par 4 8th – “Cinch”
After a bit of an awkward walk across the 2nd fairway, Niagara-on-the-Lake’s closing hole is a beastly 217 yards par 3. There’s lots of room to miss short, but only the best strikes will find this large putting surface which features a fall-off on the right and is defended by a long left bunker.
Pars are well earned at 9 – “Home”
General Comments: Built on a small property with limited space, practice facilities at Niagara-on-the-Lake are basic and include a small practice green near the 1st teebox and a net to hit balls into. The clubhouse is quaint and cute and includes a restaurant and patio with gorgeous views. Pace of play was about average when I played and the course is generally very busy.
Not much of a range, but what a setting!
Verdict: The oldest continuously operated course in North America, the semi-private Niagara-on-the-Lake is a seriously charming 9-holer located along the banks of Lake Ontario. While tree overgrowth does detract from some of these holes, the history and beautiful views make this a very worthwhile play.
