Settlers’ Ghost Golf Club, located just west of Barrie near Horseshoe Valley, is one of Ontario’s most scenic modern public courses. Designed by John Robinson, the 18-hole, par-72 layout runs across rolling farmland with panoramic views of the valley and nearby Lake Simcoe.
The course measures 6,700 yards from the back tees and features generous fairways framed by tall grasses and natural fescue. Each hole presents multiple strategy options—risk-reward par 5s, short but tricky par 4s, and long par 3s that demand crisp ball striking.
The greens are large and beautifully contoured, offering several pin positions that can change the character of a hole completely. Conditioning is consistently top-tier, and the design strikes a perfect balance between playable and challenging.
The clubhouse includes a popular restaurant and patio overlooking the 18th green, with friendly staff and a relaxed, country-club feel. Settlers’ Ghost also offers a top-tier practice range and short-game area.
This is golf that’s both scenic and strategic—a must-play for anyone traveling through Simcoe County.
The first lesson in Golf Course Architecture 101 is that land should dictate design. So it’s no surprise that hall-of-famer Hale Irwin, one of the few players in history to win three U.S. Opens and a prodigious student of the game, would follow that rule to a “tee” at Coyote Crossing in West Lafayette, IN. The award-winning layout fits the property like a well-worn glove.
