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| Course Profile |
| One of Niagara's premier golf courses, the Links of Niagara at Willodell was selected as "a hidden gem" by Ontario Golf Magazine. In a great setting bounded by Lyons and Tee Creeks, the Links of Niagara offers a scenic and challenging layout, great course conditioning all season long, complete practice facilities and excellent value. Certified as a "Beginner Friendly Course" by the National Golf Course Owners Association, the Links of Niagara is a "must play" when golfing in the Region. |
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The Links of Niagara offers a solid mix of great driving holes, strategic holes, testy par 3s and some of Niagara's very best greens (2002 Niagara Golf Awards).
A championship-calibre layout from tee to green, the Links of Niagara is built on a gently rolling landscape and features fairways bounded by mature treelines, bunkers and numerous water hazards. In play on ten holes, a number of ponds and two creeks define the character of the course and the way it plays. |
| Situated on 180 acres of pristine NIagara countryside, the Links of Niagara offers a challenging test of golf, no matter one's skills. Not only a great golf course, facilities include a driving range, short-game range, putting greens, chipping and bunker practice areas. |
| Course Review |
| The Links of Niagara is a mature course and is very popular and highly regarded among Niagara golfers. The rolling, wooded layout is not unlike other Niagara courses, but with treelines defining most fairways the Links of Niagara is more demanding off the tee than most. Numerous bunkers, speedy undulating greens and the ever-present water hazards stiffen the course, making it challenging for even the most skilled players. However, from the appropriate tee boxes, the strategic design plays fairly for players of all abilities. |
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The Links of Niagara layout features generous rolling fairways and well drained, soft and very playable shallow bunkers. The average size greens, some of Niagara's best, are well bunkered and mounded, hold approach shots well and putt quick and true.
Accuracy off the tee is paramount to scoring well here, and straight is more often rewarded than long. Keeping the ball in the fairway is critical since playing from behind trees, out of fairway bunkers or taking a drop at a water hazard almost guarantees bogey or worse. Missing greens places added importance to a sharp short game and solid putting. |
| The front nine at the Links of Niagara starts kindly but toughens on the way in and offers plenty of diversity, challenge and fun. Especially demanding and scenic are the holes along Tee Creek - # 5 thru 9 - as pretty a stretch as can be found in Niagara. Each tempts long hitters but punishes anything wayward, and the par-3 7th (photo below) is a great short hole.
The first four holes provide an opportunity to loosen up and swing away without too much grief. However, upon reaching the 5th hole - a short par-4 across Tee Creek to a secluded green - strategic rather than aggressive play is advised. On the inward holes stay left off the tee, as the creek and bordering trees are a constant hazard. The par-3 7th is a beauty, and the gorgeous 9th tee disguises a long, demanding uphill hole. |
| The back nine starts with a pair of 5-pars - the reachable-in-two 10th - a birdie opportunity - and the 11th where a pond is very much in play on the second shot. In the middle stretch, where accurate iron play is the real test, pars are always good scores. The dog-leg, par-4 17th is a demanding driving hole where both long and straight is a must. A tiny green tucked between two bunkers and a small woodlot makes it a difficult target. The home hole is more forgiving and sets up well for big hitters. |
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| A rare balance between length off the tee and strategic play, combined with a scenic layout and great course conditioning goes a long way to explaining the high regard that the Links of Niagara at Willodell enjoys. Additionally, the course incorporates great practice facilities, friendly service, a new pro shop and great food. |
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... the complete guide to Niagara golf |
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