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.
My buddy Tim called golf “the expensive sport” last summer. He said it while buying his third $14 beer at an NFL game. I let it go – mostly because he was paying for mine too – but the comment stuck with me. Was he right?
I didn’t think so. But I wanted to prove it with actual numbers.
So I dug in. National Golf Foundation reports, concert ticket data, NFL cost analyses, streaming price histories. The full picture. And what came back surprised even me – golf isn’t just holding its own against other entertainment options. In a
