Cabot Cliffs, Nova Scotia, Canada is a must play

[kwcsports]

Just came back from a trip to Inverness. We played Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs. Both are beautiful and fun but Cabot Cliffs is off the charts. Breathtaking views from the ocean holes. It is a must visit for the avid golfer IMO.

[cliffhanger]

Some pics to show from both courses would be great. How about some info on why its so great. I mean what do you have to judge it against as being a must visit for the avid golfer? I am from Cape Breton ( Little Pond ) and i hear lots about these courses and have little or no info other than "its great" and "its a must play". I have played Bell Bay in Baddeck and Highland Links in Ingonish and both are very nice courses however i played Pebble Beach and the Links at Spanish Bay in Monterey California and they are not even in the same league as Pebble. Ive even heard that "The Cliffs" is the only true links course in North America as defined by the R&A... Well that doesn't make it great or a must play IMHO. I'd also like to rave about the Cabot Trail however since my trip to Monterey and going through 17 mile drive and coastal Hwy #1 from San Francisco to Santa Monica... well you have to see it to believe it. I would even go so far as saying Pebble is even further off the charts even though i haven't played the Cabot courses.

[wrigley]

[quote name='kwcsports' timestamp='1441385386' post='12263500']
Just came back from a trip to Inverness. We played Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs. Both are beautiful and fun but Cabot Cliffs is off the charts. Breathtaking views from the ocean holes. It is a must visit for the avid golfer IMO.
[/quote]

How were the greens? I heard that the Cliffs were really slow, understandable because they want the grass to grow. But the greens at he Links shouldn't be slow this time of year.

[kwcsports]

[quote name='wrigley' timestamp='1441389834' post='12263846']
[quote name='kwcsports' timestamp='1441385386' post='12263500']
Just came back from a trip to Inverness. We played Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs. Both are beautiful and fun but Cabot Cliffs is off the charts. Breathtaking views from the ocean holes. It is a must visit for the avid golfer IMO.
[/quote]

How were the greens? I heard that the Cliffs were really slow, understandable because they want the grass to grow. But the greens at he Links shouldn't be slow this time of year.
[/quote]

Greens were slow. They said it will take some time with the new grasses to get them up to speed.

[1lovesputters]

We decided to remake the clambake...

For the critics, I wasn't that impressed with the shape of the Links, but the layout is stellar IMO. Really tough winter, so they are in trouble this year.

Regarding the Cliffs, it is beautiful, exciting, and a pinnacle of modern golf with a blend of Bandon Trails and Streamsong Red if they were built on 17 mile drive. It was just seeded 3 months ago, so the green speed shouldn't be judged at all.

Can't say enough good. Not really even one hole I thought was a concession.... All accomplished on a sub-7K yard course.

[attachment=2945868:ClamBake.JPG]

[attachment=2945870:Cabot Cliffs 16 Bunker.JPG]

[18underpar]

Played there beginning of August - greens were slow on both courses, but like previous comments, they had a rough winter and the Cliffs side is still maturing. The overall experience at Cabot was unreal though. Layout of both courses were great, accommodations were five star and the food was awesome too.

Views at the Cliffs course were incredible, seemed to be a pretty friendly course suitable for all levels of golfers. Can't wait to go back and play it again.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

I am definitely going to make a little trip up to Nova Scotia next summer. I'll squeeze ina few more rounds in NH, ME and maybe RI as well.

[av1084]

What was the easiest way to get there, for those that have gone?

No smart a$$ responses, please.

[cbbaron]

[quote name='av1084' timestamp='1442026054' post='12302486']
What was the easiest way to get there, for those that have gone?

No smart a$$ responses, please.
[/quote]Think its a 12 hour ride from Boston. If you fly to NS I think airport is a couple hours away like Bandon

[FSCMatt]

[quote name='av1084' timestamp='1442026054' post='12302486']What was the easiest way to get there, for those that have gone?

No smart a$$ responses, please.[/quote]

I'm not sure where you're located, but I know they have nonstop flights from Chicago to Halifax. Is assumes they have nonstop flights from other major cities. It's a 3 hour drive from Halifax to Inverness.

[Chilidog]

They have a flight from Charlotte to Halifax. They'll pick you up there and bring you to the resort.

[kalch]

there really are not words to describe the views on these courses. Ive played pebble, Torrey Pines, yet these two courses have world class views better than those courses. Yes the greens were slow, and The Cliffs is still immature, but if Cabot Cliffs doesn't launch in the top 25 in the world, i'd be shocked, at least higher than links already does. The 16th on the Cliffs is unique, with views that are just ridonculous. The number of holes with ocean view is just stupid. They were still building the driving range, plus an 18 hole putting practice area.

[av1084]

Is there no range there at the moment?

So consensus is just fly into Halifax?

[Under2hours]

Yes Halifax and then a 4 hour(?) drive. The scenery and drive through Cape Breton is spectacular. Add to that Highland Links one of the other top 10 in Canada and you have a spectacular golf vacation

People are commenting that the greens aren't really ready yet and will take time, but that should be the least of your worries.

[1lovesputters]

We booked a long time ago, direct from Toronto to Sydney (we were targeting playing Highland Links also - it used to be #1 in Canada). We got rerouted and had to take a connector through Halifax to Sydney. The extra leg wasn't something I enjoyed ;-)

[size="2"]http://www.highlandslinksgolf.com/[/size]

We didn't end up playing there; spent the whole time in Inverness. We heard after the fact that Highland was in stellar shape. I wish we'd got to play there also.

[kalch]

driving range down the road. honour system $10.
range open next year.

in canada, westjet and air canada do fly direct to sydney, at odd times...

throw in a jaunt to golf on PEI, and youve got an incredible long golf trip. with the US dollar so strong here, americans could go to the maritimes for a week long golf trip for about $2000 usd and golf everyday along the ocean and/or other great courses.

[wrigley]

The drive on the Cabot Trail from Highlands to Inverness is spectacular. It's comparable to the drive on PCH from Monteray to Santa Barbara.