Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia’s Best Golf Courses

Nova Scotia’s golf history dates back to the late 1800’s with a number of golf courses and clubs forming at the turn of the century - the likes of Yarmouth Links (1890), Amherst Golf Club (1909), and Brightwood (1914) being built around this time. Work by Donald Ross, Willie Park Jr., and Stanley Thompson largely dominate the notable golden age courses, while modern work by Thomas McBroom, Rod Whitman (WAC Golf), and Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw (Coore and Crenshaw) are showcased in todays modern golf offerings. New courses or notable renovations are being completed by Christine Fraser (Christine Fraser Design), Jeff Mingay (Jeff Mingay Golf), and a collaborative effort by Doug Carrick (Carrick Design) and Thomas McBroom (Tom McBroom Golf Design) at Fox Harb’r (Fox Harb’r Resort) are exciting opportunities for developing golf destinations.

Cape Breton Island is today’s primary golf destination in Nova Scotia, which is home to some of Canada’s greatest golf courses of the last century with the likes of Cape Breton Highland Links, Cabot Cliffs, and Cabot Links dominating the spotlight since National rankings began popping up in the 1990’s. A roughly 4 hour drive through the countryside and up along the Cabot Trail these three marvellous golf courses deliver such a rousing golf experience full of pure enjoyment. A must visit destination awaits!

Must Play

Cabot Cliffs
Cabot Cliffs Public

Perched above the Cabot Strait on Cape Breton's northern tip, Cabot Cliffs is among the finest new golf courses built anywhere in the world this century. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw sculpted a routing of incredible drama and variety — clifftop holes of breathtaking exposure give way to duneland corridors and natural green sites that reward imagination.

Cabot Links
Cabot Links Public

Canada's first true links course, built directly on the tidal flats beside Inverness Harbour on Cape Breton Island. Rod Whitman's design embraces the ground game — fairways tumble and roll, winds shape every decision, and the ocean is a constant presence along the routing. Unpretentious in the best links tradition - improving with each play.

Highlands Links
Highlands Links Public

Stanley Thompson's mountains and oceans masterpiece. Carefully routed from Middle Head Island through Cape Breton National Park following the natural contours of the land with extraordinary care. Valley holes give way to headland views, and the Clyburn River crosses the layout repeatedly. While distant, Highlands Links is among the most accessible great courses anywhere in the World.

Medium Recommendations

Golf course’s that would make an excellent addition to any itinerary. Private clubs that might be difficult to access, and public offerings that showcase interesting architectural appeal.

  • BrightwoodPublic
  • Links at BrunelloPublic
  • Northumberland LinksPublic

Light Recommendations

A golf course that stands out as particularly notable to locals or to the travelling golfer who has already experienced the other courses in the higher categories.

  • AntigonishPublic
  • Ashburn (Old)Private
  • Bell BayPublic
  • Digby PinesPublic
  • Glen ArbourPrivate
  • Hartlen Point ForcesPublic
  • KenWoPublic
  • The Lakes at Ben EoinPublic

Unverified Recommendations

A golf course that has been presented for comment but has not yet been fully evaluated or formally reviewed.

  • Bluenose (9 holes)Public
  • Fox Harb’r (Ocean)Public
  • Fox Harb’r (Vineyard)Public
  • White Point (9 holes)Public