Royal Ottawa’s best holes make use of the tumbling natural land contours. Like that of the first (“St. Andrews”), a brisk par 5 that plays down and up through a small valley which cuts through the first, ninth, 15th, and 18th holes. The green has been pushed further down this hole in recent years towards the old second, and features a slight front to back pitch that propels running shots off the back of the firm and fast surfaces.

The second hole, played originally as the third, is a mid-length par 4 that plays through a valley which, for most, plays with a blind approach to this strong green complex. One of the larger on property, the green features a leading edge that falls off on the left side. Remnants of the original green pad which has considerably shrunk over the years are evident both on the ground and in aerial images. The historical aerials displayed herein present a number of holes with squared off greens and unique bunker styles that today have been lost to architectural changes and maintenance practices. A majority of the putting surfaces presented today are smaller and rounder in shape.

The par 3 sixth (“Sandy”) is undoubtedly a bold design with its large sand areas naturally drawing in the golfers attention. The large green is protected by this reimagined hazard. It has many internal subtle contours that are unnoticed from the tee but must be respected from players in an around the putting surface. Historic photos of this hole show a larger sandscape across the entirety of the teeing ground - a feature which is best seen in the 1931 aerial image displayed front and centre above. These architectural changes are noticeably a limiting factor in the historic preservation of the golf course at Royal Ottawa.

Short par 4’s at the seventh (“Peninsula”) and 10th (“Spring”) are accompanied by small greens, which are contrasted with the long ninth (“Halfway”) and 15th (“Westward Ho”) holes which have larger putting surfaces and are more receptive to running shots from far back. At both the ninth and 15th, players must choose their path from the tee - a small valley and creek system cutting directly across these two holes delivers penal and strategic elements to the course’s routing. With golf course revealing itself upon multiple plays, these elements become more apparent to returning golfers.

Undoubtedly, players will note the back-to-back par threes at the mid-length 11th (“Little Misery”) and short 12th (“Bide a Wee”), where the two-tiered putting surface of the former and domed green on the latter rarely ever yield less than par on the scorecard. A unique and difficult set of holes for sure.

Finally, the closing stretch from 15-18 is some of the best golf on property. The aforementioned 15th, a brilliant long par 4 that lets the land do most of the talking, requires tee shots must navigate the bisecting creek and for players who lay back off the tee a central fairway mound adds an element of depth and strategic choice one must consider. The 16th (“Mound”), a mid length par 4 plays back towards the clubhouse, its small green sits perched up on a mound, surrounded by bunkers, and is angled from right to left making for a delicate short iron into this greensite. At the last, a challenging and picturesque finish awaits with the beautiful Tudor style clubhouse framing the benched small green of the 18th hole (“Home”).