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.
While some golf courses rely on feints, jabs and rabbit punches, Virtues Golf Club goes straight for the kisser with 18 holes of roundhouses and haymakers. The 7,243-yard parkland-style layout, located 40 miles from downtown Columbus, OH, was designed by Arthur Hills and ranks among the “Top 100 Public Courses in America” by Golf Digest. In fact, the course is considered by many publications to be