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.
Your Golf Bud by Bud Key, Mid-Atlantic Director, TeeTime Golf Pass
For many golfers, approaching the first tee is an experience that can be truly terrifying, even paralyzing. The dread is so intense it feels worthy of deep analysis — a case for Sigmund Freud, a couch, and perhaps a friendly therapist.
The process is deceptively simple: You walk to the tee, unseal an expensive sleeve of golf balls, adjust your glove, and take your stance. A couple of easy practice swings, a confident address of the ball, and then… panic.
Suddenly, the swing you’ve rehearsed thousands of times on the driving range […]
