There's a special kind of joy in a shorter course that still makes you think. Beaverton Golf Course - a public, 18-hole par-66 just east of Lake Simcoe - does exactly that. It's a place where pace is brisk, the setting feels relaxed, and shot-making (not sheer yardage) earns you the best looks at birdie. Perfect for mixed-ability foursomes and golfers who want to keep their swing sharp without grinding for five hours. From the first tee, the theme is clear: position beats bravado. The par-4s reward a well-placed tee ball that leaves your favorite wedge yardage; the par-3s show off tidy green sites that ask for committed club selection. Misses aren't catastrophic - this isn't a death-by-lost-ball layout - but stray too far and trees, bunkers, or a tricky angle can turn "easy par" into a scrappy bogey fast. What makes Beaverton memorable is how it fits a real day. You can loop 18 before lunch, or sneak out for nine and still make dinner on the patio overlooking the course. The clubhouse crew keeps things light and welcoming, with a full kitchen, event-friendly banquet space, and a patio that's tailor-made for that one last story about the near-ace on 12. It's also a solid venue for tournaments and league nights - the kind of place that takes care of the details so you can just show up and play. If you're the stats-minded type, Beaverton is wedge-round heaven: lots of approaches from scoring distances and plenty of chances to roll in putts if you leave yourself on the right tier. If you're newer to the game, the routing offers forgiving lanes and intuitive transitions that keep the nerves down and the fun up. Either way, you'll walk off feeling like you had every opportunity to shoot a number. Short version: Beaverton proves "short" and "soft" are not the same thing. It's thoughtful golf in a friendly package - exactly the recipe most of us need more of.