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 that cuts through the first, ninth, 15th, and 18th holes. The green has been pushed back 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 most likely leads to 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 old green pad which has shrunk over the years are evident both on the ground and in aerial images. The historical aerial displayed shows a number of holes with squared off greens, today the putting surfaces are largely small 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. Further, the large green has many internal subtle contours. Historic photos of this hole show a larger sandscape across the front of the teeing ground - a feature that can be seen on the middle-right section of the historical aerial referenced.

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.

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. Tee shots must navigate the bisecting creek and for players who lay back off the tee a central fairway mound for players adds an element of depth to this tee shot 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”).