Ernest4928376

I emailed reservations, securing a "B" Caddy which was confirmed. Arrived at the course and was eventually introduced to my "B" Caddy by an employee of the ProShop. Had good conversation, played solo, and then around the 5th hole, he says to me..."when we were introduced, was I described as a "A" or "B" Caddy". I replied by saying, that I requested a "B" Caddy and had confirmation. He says, "that's wrong, because I've been here for 5 years and I'm an "A" Caddy" He went on to remind me the difference in fees, and immediately made me feel like I was taken hostage.
He knew how much I paid to play (+$300). How big of a jerk would I look if I didn't pay him the "A" Rate. The rest of the round was tense, the conversation suffered, the experience clouded.
I discussed the matter with the ProShop, was given Ted Stonehouse's email address, which has gone unanswered in 8 days.

The other part - I wholeheartedly feel that this course is #1 in the country because of its location. I play in the jewel of the Niagara Region, and there are a handful of courses within an hr's drive that if were on the ocean, would also be ranked #1 in the world. The design wasn't THAT much better than other courses, and certainly did NOT warrant the green fees.

Warning: Before you spend $400 on a round of golf here (not including caddy), you may consider playing 4 rounds of golf somewhere else without spectacular views. FOUR ROUNDS of GOLF.

Let's just say, I wouldn't spend this much for golf, if I knew this is the experience I'd walk away with

Ever since Sparrow Lakes has been purchased by Cardinal Golf Group, the volume of players has dropped dramatically = relaxing rounds of golf.

I chose to play the shorter 18 holes, knowing that it's less than 5000 yds from the tips and par is 67. I wanted to focus on my accuracy, short game and putting, and the Sparrow allows you to do that...without being pushed or held up by the groups surrounding you.

Is it worth the drive? No. I live :03 mins away and don't mind playing here, because the course is well kept (albeit I was never in a bunker), but fairways are nicely cut, greens are okay. The only negative is the dire need of some dogs that are permitted to roam freely and rid the course of the LARGE numbers of dirty Canadian Geese on tje property.

I'll be back again, with the right frame of mind. This is not a par 72, 6500 yard challenge, but you can certainly have a good time here.

I booked my tee time online via GolfNow, and when I got to the course I was introduced to my playing partner, and the starter suggested we start on #10, as it would be less busy. WHAT AN INCREDIBLY SMART IDEA. We played the entire afternoon as if we owned the place. There was a group 1 hole ahead, and 1 hole behind, we were never held up, nor pushed. A perfectly relaxing day playing golf. Thank you Mr. Starter.

As for the course:
P R O S :
+ fairways, greens and bunkers are free from weeds and are healthy
+ course layout is challenging, especially if you tee off from the proper tee boxes
+ staff was incredibly professional
+ the practice facility is 2nd to none. massive chipping area, 2 different putting greens, several bunkers, huge driving range.

C O N S :
- lots of tourists play this course, and they come in all different skill levels
- clientele don't repair their own ball marks on the greens, replace/fix divots in fairway, or rake bunkers. I was raised playing the game to leave a hole better for the person behind you, than you found it.
- the parking lot is inconveniently distant from the ProShop and first tees, and starting your round is not as pleasant as it could be. a possible shuttle would be very much appreciated.

I booked my tee time online via GolfNow, and when I got to the course I was to be paired up with 3 other golfers. I was introduced to my playing partner, and the starter suggested we start on #10, as it would be less busy. WHAT AN INCREDIBLY SMART IDEA.

We played the entire afternoon as if we owned the place. There was a group 1 hole ahead, and 1 hole behind, we were never held up, nor pushed. A perfectly relaxing day playing golf. Thank you Mr. Starter.

As for the course:
Pros:
+ fairways, greens and bunkers are free from weeds and are healthy
+ course layout is challenging, especially if you tee off from the proper tee boxes
+ staff was incredibly professional
+ the practice facility is 2nd to none. massive chipping area, 2 different putting greens, several bunkers, huge driving range.
Cons:
- lots of tourists play this course, and they come in all different skill levels
- golfers are either too lazy or ignorant to repair their own ball marks on the greens, replace/fix divots in fairway, or rake bunkers.
- the parking lot is inconvenient from the first tees, and starting your round is not as pleasant as it could be. a possible shuttle would be very much appreciated.

Let's start with the positives. The course is in great condition. The greens are challenging, the fairways are well maintained and a pleasure to play. The pro shop staff were welcoming and accommodating...when an old sour-puss refused to tee off with me because, "he had the 922am tee time" (i guess he didn't realize 4 people can share the same tee time).

Now more of the bad. There was a tournament before us, after us, and when we were on the back nine, tournament #3. The participants in these tournaments had ZERO golf IQ. We were hit at three times, never heard FORE once. We were about to tee off on #17, until a foursome in the scramble tournament drove both their golf carts onto our fairway at the 225yd mark, prohibiting us from teeing off.

All that being said, the course really can't be held responsible for the golf etiquette of their customers. I'd love to see less tournament play or a more prominent MARSHALL presence.

I went to play a practice round, and chose to play later in the day so that I would not interfere with other golfers, but $25 for 9 holes, on this course?!? to walk ?!? at 6:00pm !!! I think someone in the pro-shop screwed up.

I was one of 4 golfers on the course at this time of day, so that is why Pace of Play is rated high. No idea what it's like during a weekend or normal hour.

Same course, different name. Bunkers had a 70/30 mix of sand and small rocks. Course layout is quirky, because the 9th/10th hole is nowhere near the clubhouse. No drinkable water on the course, so bring everything you'll need for 18 holes with you.

The highlights:
> no other golfers bothered me, because there were only 3 other guys out at this time of night
> the greens appeared to be in pretty good shape
> no rough to penalize bad shots

The low-lights:
> price for a 9 hole walking rate
> possible better training for ProShop staff
> bunkers need legitimate sand, and more of it
> course layout = need of coolers with drinkable water throughout the course
> get away from clubhouse and there is a huge Canadian Geese problem. their "droppings" are all over fairways and greens.

Wow, what a disappointment. Drove 1hr40mins to play in GC Am Tour event here, and would not come back.

Pro's
- great location, quiet, peaceful, no distractions
- great practice area (putting and separate chipping green)
- hole layouts are challenging, the architect(s) need a pat on th eback
- various elevation changes (1-2 club lengths)
- fescue is punishing

Con's
- we had to share our pyramids of range balls
- only bunker with any sand in it was the practice bunker. rest were muddy. I watched a competitor successfully putt out of 2 bunkers.
- green were fluffy and pathetically slow
- bar was closed at 4:00pm when our rounds were complete. no alcohol, no soda, no food - nothing.

"If I had a dime, every time I...fixed (multiple) ball marks", I could have earned enough money to pay for my greens fees today.

Okay, so my buddy and I tee'd off at 4:00pm, so the greens were played all day, but it shows you something about the clientele that play this course...ignorant. Lots of tourists pass through here, and apparently tourist-or-not, fixing your ball mark is not something that is done by most.

Secondly, I was not impressed with the Pro Shop staff, who even though I checked in with a VIP rate, required my buddy to use his smart phone to log into the website and book that way. Instead, I called the golf course (while standing in the pro shop) and change my reservation from 1 to 2. Good customer service would have been experienced if the guy behind the counter just gave the both of us the VIP rate, rather than having me call someone is a different part of the property.

The golf itself was great. Not a breath of wind, the fairways, rough, bunkers, etc... were all in great shape.

Played Hillside/Quarry

I've golfed here numerous times because it's only a 5 minute drive from my house, and because the course conditions are great - but the staff - is quite the opposite.

As one of the premier courses in the Niagara Region, the course conditions at Pen Lakes are exquisite. Most courses have a Canadian Geese problem, but here, it's minimal. The greens are impeccable, the bunkers have some of the nicest sand around, and the course is challenging...BUT
and it's a big BUT...
if you don't drive up in your BMW or Benz or Audi or Bentley, don't expect the staff to treat you with respect.

They look you up and down, and if you're not wearing the latest golf fashion, forget it. If you don't have this year's newest clubs, forget it. That's not a $600 Driver, bug off. If you're not opening a brand new sleeve of ProV1's, forget about getting their respect.

I called the club house a few days before our tournament for a practice round. After explaining the reason for my call to the young girl, I was quoted a price higher than I could have booked on their website !!!!

I've turned down playing this course when a buddy of mine got a deal for unlimited play $50/golfer. That's $25 a round for a course that warrants $75-100/round.

Until the culture surrounding this property changes, I will not recommend anyone golfing here, unless they can avoid any interaction with staff.

This course is hailed as a must stop, and there is no arguing that. The courses at Legends on the Niagara are somewhere YOU SHOULD GOLF, but I was surprised by the lack of bunker rakes.

On more than 1 occasion I noticed fairway bunkers with deer hoof prints in them. Okay, we tee'd off at 11:30am, so obviously they were there from overnight, not between our lead group and us. But when I went to look for a rake, to correct the conditions for any group behind us, I couldn't find a rake. (#18 fairway)

A course this well maintained, this well respected, should have a rake (or 2) in every bunker. Why the bunkers were not raked by employees before our round is another question.

Lastly, the practice facilities are the best in a 50 km radius, but - the bunkers need help. The practice bunkers had little or no sand in them, and again - where are the rakes? They have a massive driving range (perk), and chipping green that must be over 16,000 sq feet, and a green putting green.

Show a little love to the bunkers.

I've made the 2 hr drive to play at this course 4 times this year, and EVERY time our group has been delayed due to slow play. (May 23x2, Sept 19, and Oct 8)

Today's tee time was 1:10pm and we putted out on #18 at 6:13pm. FIVE HOURS OF GOLF ! ! ! Never seen a MARSHALL all day, but saw the cart girl x3. All the carts have GPS on them, so from the Pro-Shop you can see who's holding up 3 groups at a time, yet nothing is done about it.

You have a problem, multiple people have advised you of it, now it's up to you to decide if you want to do something about it. Stop sending out groups 8 minutes apart, when you know you have a problem. Get a MARSHALL who knows what they're doing, and give them the authority to resolve issues onsite. Patrol the course, find the gap and the group behind the gap, and see if they're holding up anyone behind them. If so, give the Marshall the authority to force the sloths to skip a hole, or allow the waiting groups to play-through. Decide whether you want 1 upset slow group who's been forced to skip a hole, or allow others to play through, or you want (I've counted 3 groups today) 3 groups disgruntled over slow play and 5 hour rounds of golf. Market research on customer satisfaction has proven than someone who experiences bad customer service, will share their story with at least 4 other people, whereas someone who has had a positive experience typically only tells 1 other person.

I've already posted my experience on social media for all my fellow golfing buddies to read, and I can assure you, that I have not recommended they visit your course unless they are fully prepared to play a hole of golf, and then sit for 12 minutes in their cart, and repeat for at least 5 hours.

I've made the 2 hr drive to play here in the past, and I've experienced the same thing the past 3 times. HORRIBLY SLOW PLAY on a beautifully maintained course.

Pro's:
> the condition of the course (fairways, penalizing rough, greens, bunkers)
> the location (beautiful scenery, from woodlands, to overlooking the lake). very peaceful.
> I can see why The Golf Channel's Canadian Amateur Tour plays here year after year.

Con's:
> PACE OF PLAY. This is not the first time this has happened. The front 9 was fine, we played without delay, but as soon as we made the turn - disaster. There were two groups on #10, waiting for a group to hit their approach shot. Where is the Marshall? Why does this happen so often at this course?
> ProShop Staff was misleading. He tried to tell me that teeing off after 3:00pm (in September) would be enough time to finish playing 18 holes. Glad I booked for 2:22pm, because we were forced to play #18 by teeing off in dusk, make our approach shots in the dark, and putt blind at 7:30. 5hrs for a round of golf :(
> Don't golf when there is an event at the airport. My group was told by traffic control officers on city streets, that they were not permitted to drive to the golf course, and would have to go around. When we made the :30 minute drive around Fanshawe Lake, officer #2, said the road was closed, even though we could see the driveway to the golf course. We then had to return to point A, and plead with the officer to let us through. We arrived 2hr before our tee time, and due to the re-routes, walked from the car to the tee without a second to spare. Not the course's fault, but doesn't make for a pleasant golfing experience. Although watching a F-22 Raptor do aerial maneuvers a <500 ft overhead is quite impressive (and deafening).

If you can't stick your approach shot on these greens, you'll never, because the greens at Thundering Waters were so soft and receptive, I almost needed a longer ball repair tool to fix my ball marks.

Pros:
> The staff was very friendly and made us feel welcome
> The course is so fun to play. It's designed to challenge all golfers...as long as you play from the right tees.
> The course appeared healthy and in good condition. The rough was lush, the fairways green and moist (not dry).
> The half-way house is perfectly placed in between holes.

Cons:
> There is only a putting green to warm up on. They have cages to make a few swings, but it is not like you can see your ball slicing, like on a real range.
> The population boom in Niagara is crowding this course. There are new houses popping up real close to the tee boxes and greens, and kinda makes it feel uncomfortable.
> The carts no longer have large tablets with yardages on every hazard you could think of.
> Offering carts with (loud) radios, only lead to annoying other golfers, and isn't my idea of golf. Maybe I am too old (40yrs), but radios have no place on a golf course.

After reviewing some recent reviews by fellow Golf Advisers, I decided to visit Pelham Hills to work on my putting.
I was pleasantly surprised by the condition of their putting green. A nearby course has been ravaged by the lack of rain and intense heat, but the practice green at Pelham Hills was healthy, and a pleasure to use.

Although the putting green is small in size, I wouldn't hesitate to return. Thank you Pelham Hills for properly watering your green and ensuring it's alive and well.

To be clear, I only used the putting green and did not golf, so I cannot comment on the condition of the course. But if you want to hit the driving range and then use the putting and chipping greens, I would recommend this place.

This course doesn't appear on the "Top ###" list for no reason, this is hands down the most immaculate course in Niagara.

Pros:
> The Staff
> The Tee Boxes (all are level and lush)
> The Fairways (as green as a Crayola crayon)
> The Greens (healthy, in great condition, minimal ball marks, true, fast and CHALLENGING)

Cons:
> Some bunkers are in need of some TLC
> New yardage book. I liked the old yardage book that had 1 hole / page, not this current version which has a higher focus on advertising than customer assistance.
> Stopped for a burger after finishing our 1st round and before starting our 2nd round of the day. Price a bit steep for a burger ($11). I pay premium green fees if the course is quality conditions, and the same goes for food. I just don't think the burger and fries were worth $11. The staff are phenomenal though. She even gave me tips on the Olympic Rugby match on tv.

As a Golf Advisor "Top 500 Contributor", I feel obligated to share my experience, even if some feel it's minor.

I went to the Practice Facility at Legends on the Niagara, because they have the largest I've seen, and it's incredible shape.
I walked into the ProShop and was told a large bucket of range balls got me approx. 70 balls, so $10 later, I got 2 tokens. I filled my bucket at the dispensing machine and proceeded to the range. (p.s. the balls are all brand new, not a scuff to be found)

My practice plan was to warm up with 10 balls, work on hitting my driver straighter, and then cool down with 10 balls, before spending the majority of my time on the VAST chipping green. Much to my surprise, when I dumped out my bucket, I only received 55 balls. (see picture). After warming up, I returned to the ProShop to discuss my experience and was professionally dealt with. The staff grabbed 2 tokens, went outside to the machine and filled the bucket. Approx. 60 balls were dispensed. Because of my experience I was given another complimentary token.

I've spoken with one of the Manager's and they're going to investigate further, but I just wanted to warn the future guests, to make sure you get what you pay for. Range balls are expensive enough already. $10 for 70 = $.1429/ball. If you only get 55 balls, that price jumps to $.1818/ball. I would recommend counting your range balls immediately, and if you get shorted, bring it to the attention of the ProShop staff to see if they will rectify the situation for you.

Even after this minor inconvenience, I would NOT hesitate to return to Legends on the Niagara (Practice Facility or 1 of their 3 courses). Even though the Niagara Region has experienced a horribly dry summer, the course is in excellent condition, with green fairways, and healthy greens.

I just finished watching Jimmy Walker with the PGA Championships at Baltusrol, and the greens at the PGA event were not even is as good conditions as the greens here. I don't know how much water they use, but I don't care. Everything from the greens to the fairways is lush and green.

The entire region has had a horribly dry summer, but it doesn't look like it's affected Port Colborne CC.

The only negative of today, was the booking process. I booked using their website, for a buddy and me to tee off at 730. We get to the first tee, and a member's group of four was annoyed that they were bumped, by the ProShop staff, because the computer system double booked a tee time. We were then politely hit at on two separate occasions, without "FORE" warning. This is the type of action of children, not grown adults. Real Classy.

If you want some of the greenest, healthiest fairways in the Niagara Region, stop here. The conditions for this price is unmatched.

We HAVE NOT had a significant amount of rain in a very long time. Even though this course has plenty of water hazards, AND is adjacent to a river, either they don't turn on the fairway sprinklers, or not frequently enough. At least the greens are being kept alive.

See picture of the fairway on #17 (which is located right next to a large pond, that did not appear depleted of any of its water.

That being said, I always enjoy coming here. It must be because it's convenient, the green fees are reasonable and you can't get yourself into too much trouble on this course. The rough is barely longer than the fairway.

It has been a very VERY DRY summer in this area, but you wouldn't know it by the condition of the fairways and greens at Seneca Hickory Stick.

Pros:
> chipping and putting green (near ProShop) in tip-top shape
> greens and fairways in excellent condition
> course design always keeps you on your toes
> various elevations to greens
> starter was out of this world courteous and accommodating
> food at the turn was quick AND delicious.
> there is cold water coolers located throughout the course so you can refill as often as you'd like.

Cons:
> the range has suffered
> the cost of a small bag of range balls is $5
> some of the cart paths could use repair

There is no reason someone should hesitate coming here. Grab your passports, if you're from Canada, and make the trip. It's well worth it.

As a NIAGARA resident, I play as many different courses as possible (see all my reviews). I've played here before, and prior to the construction due to the Hwy 406 Expansion, this course was easily Top 5 in the Region. Sadly, that is not the case any more. The new hole layouts feel forced, and unnatural, almost like an after thought. Whomever originally designed the course did a great job, whomever was responsible for the redesign appears to have been rushed, or on a tight budget, because it just doesn't feel like the rest of the course. If you only played the back 9, you'd really feel the true ambiance of this course, but sadly, anything close to the Hwy will ruin your round.

Pros:
the course design (minus the HWY Holes) is links style. plenty of rolling hills, fescue, etc...
there are still 12+ untouched holes from the original design
the multi-tiered greens make golfing here a challenge.
the views. on certain tee boxes you can see for miles (or km's)

Cons:
as I have already said - the redesign is horrible.
no real range. i think it's maybe 200yd long?
a few blind holes on the front enables you to easily anger the players in front of you. then you get to stand in the middle of the FW and be a target for the group behind you.
HORDES of Canadian Geese. Buy a dog for god sakes!! Keep these dirty birds off the property, and their "droppings" too.
some fairway bunkers that I found myself in were not filled with more than an 1/8" of sand. it felt like hitting off of khaki coloured pavement.
their yardage books have also been redesigned, and what used to be 1 hole / page is now 4 holes / page. another poor executive decision.

bottom line - would I come back ???
not this season. maybe not next season. certainly not until the course is no longer under repair.