Reviews of Cape Breton Highlands Links (Golf)

Mohamed Sheikh

Best scenic course in Atlantic Canada ! Great golf and wonderful service:)

Ric Daniels

The scenery is just like being home in Scotland.

Michael Penda

Great round of golf, friendly staff

Kristine Erickson

I played golf today and was somewhat underwhelmed. It was $165 Canadian but simply was not in primo shape. The fairways were cut, but the greens had not been cut at least today and we were not sure if they had been cut yesterday. The layout is quite nice, lots of trees, some water, lots of up and down, great views, lots of challenging holes, but the putting was made difficult because of the length of the grass on the greens. Personally, if I would have known I would have played elsewhere.

Vashtie Maraj

Course is in great shape - need to be on the right level as the greens are as tough as they come

Jamie Renouf

Drive around Cape Breton Island in 2 days and 1 night with a 91 yr old Grandpa. A very easy drive from Halifax to Cape Breton. Check in the Air B&B, unload the luggages, drive around that area, check out the Lakes at Ben Eoin Golf Club & Resort. Go into a cozy little house by the Big Pond which also belong to the Air b&b. Grandpa can enjoy the beautiful sunset indoor other can have fun by the shore taking all kinds of sunset pictures. Supper in Sydney after the sunset is a challenge because most of the restaurants are closed. The Air b&b we stay in is very nice with 3 comfy bedrooms. We can have a good rest. Second day, have picnic in Ingonish Beach, then visit Keltic Lodge, not counting all the amazing look off sites, next stop is Meat Cove. the drive is a bit bumpy, but worth the ride, the view is breath taking. Last stop is the Skyline, take a short hike. another amazing scenery. I wish we can finish the whole trail and stay there longer, but with the 91 yr old grandpa, just go out to the west side of the path is good enough. During the trip, we see the autumn color, special vegetation pebbles beach, beautiful resort, splendid coast line, shapely cliffs, calm lakes, rough ocean, hidden streams, open rivers, up the highlands, down the valley, baby bear crossing the road, deer hiding behind the trees and porcupine walking into the bushes, seal diving into the ocean. I think we may see the whale if we can stay longer in Cape Breton.

Holly DiGiovanni

Beautiful

greg doucet

Played the course this morning. Everything was amazing from the service to the greens. Rolling true on every hole with clean fairways and bunkers. Seems like everything had turned around from the previous year. A must play if your visiting. My favourite course on the island so far.

Rolf Schindel

(Translated) Very nice place. (Original) Tres belle place .

Christine Saunders

Beautiful, challenging course. Just don't expect to play to your handicap.

Joe Legge

played the 6@6pm deal yesterday with my 2 sons. staff were great but the course was a huge disappointment. general up keep of the course was poor at best and it's a real shame for this course thats in a great location and thompson layout. i was not able to play the cabot lcliffs/links course but based on what i've heard/seen, i would definitely opt for one of these courses over the highlands based on the price/value. 2 stars for the staff but no stars for the course. disappointed.

Curtis Draeger

Cape breton

Gauze D

Great layout, greens very nice and consistent. Don't recommend walking....

Karl Koch

Love this place

GHOZLANI Khalid

(Translated) Beautiful landscapes breathtaking. (Original) Splendide des paysages à couper le souffle.

Ken Barr

Described by course architect Stanley Thompson as his masterpiece "mountains and oceans course." Very old school in all the right ways. Crazy bumpy everywhere so driving a cart feels like an ATV offroad adventure. Gotta admit I absolutely love this course. Hole #7 Killiecrankie might be my favourite hole ever. Was made in the era when they only had horse power, and that gives it a totally unique feel. Barely a flat spot to be found anywhere. Magnificent!

Suzanne Butler (Where2Golf)

The condition of this course is not consistent with any other top 100 course in the country. For a course rated so highly, there should not be greens with no grass in areas. They should have more than 1 staff in the clubhouse and the beverage cart should not leave at 4:00 on a Saturday. This course is clinging on to it's former reputation, which does not reflect the current version of the course. Hopefully the course owners read these reviews because either not enough money is going into maintenance of the course, or it is terribly mis-managed.

Don MacLellan

Such a stunning course with so much history. No starter or course marshal to enforce pace of play.

Edward Niedziejko

Brilliant autumn colours. Restaurants mostly close from mid October.

Debra MacLean

Beauty is everywhere at this course. Every season provides another experience. While it is a little out of the way, it is definitely worth the time and effort. The course itself is amazing! Service of the staff is wonderful and they will help make your time there one of the best of your golfing life!!

Mark MacDonald

Absolutely beautiful Golf Course with perfect greens. Challenging but fair layout that routes you through the highlands with lots of elevation changes. Some holes are quite a distance from others so probably not the best course to walk. Many of the locals said that this course struggled condition wise after new ownership but it looks to be close to back to it's original glory. One of my favorite rounds ever!

Scott Allison

The course is in great shape and it was a wonderful day

MANISH uppal

Great day golfing.. Lovely staff. Clubhouse had great service and tasty snacks after a day of golfing

Gerry Ashley

Absolutely beautiful, in great shape!

Ron Binning

Course speaks for itself. Staff was helpful and the food and patio was perfect. I was there on a sunny day too which made it all the better.

GoingLeftyGolf

Played here last week. A real disappointment. Definitely a five star layout with great scenery but in terrible condition. Greens were very slow, fairways were as bad as I have ever played and traps were a joke. To think it was once considered one of the best courses in the country. Such a shame.

Pat Higgins

Great condition for 2020 season

Ben malach

A National Treasure. Beautiful location and community.

Scott Bartholomew

Great picnic on the grounds.

justin macdonald

Great golf course, fantastic views! The greens are the best I’ve played on all year! I’ll be back to play here again! Highly recommend!

Sean Kelly (LinkedGolfers)

Beautiful. Makes you feel at home 100% of the time

Gaynor Ferguson

Great Park fantastic

Jeff Davis

Nice calm drive and splendid scenery from New Brunswick to Cape Breton. Must do. Add it to the bucket list.

Sean Clancey

One of the best experience of my life :)

Andre Chiasson

Wonderful region to visit

MJ meditations and wellness

Awesome golf course

D David Li

Too expensive, otherwise awesome

Nick Stamatakis

A true gem!

Ian D Harrow

We played the course today and we were completely disappointed. What a shame to let a gem of a course sink to the level that it currently is in. It is obvious to me that they either just don’t care or don’t have enough money to keep the course up. They are still advertising it as it once was, one of the top 100 courses worldwide. That just isn’t the case anymore and shame on you for charging the amount you are. In my opinion it would not be worth paying $25.00 for green fees. Mr. Thompson would be rolling in his grave if he could see the course today. The course layout and views are spectacular but he course is in horrible shape My advice is save your money and don’t bother making the drive. Currently it is not worth the price of admission.

Irene Whitty

Great scenery. Fairways need some maintenance.

liam. currie6

Amazing Park in Canada just like the Rocky Mountains but better with the Atlantic Ocean and Coves around the park/island!

Jillian L. Russell

I loved this course. It was the most difficult course I have ever played. It is also one of the most memorable and beautiful. Highland Links is a golfers dream.

Lucien Charbonneau

(Translated) It's not as good as expected, but it's not bad~ (Original) 沒想像中的好，但也是不錯了～

Chip McCullough

My husband and son love golfing here!

Tamara MacDonald

My favorite course in the world, but poorly managed and too expensive. Greens are poor, fairways spotty, and very very poor management. No service while playing. My grandparents played this course the year it opened & throughout their entire lives and would be very disappointed if they saw how it was managed today. Should be in much better shape considering how many golf tourists now come to CB for the Cabot courses. I worry that they come to ingonish and leave thinking they will never come back,.

Steve Renton

Great food, great prices, but super absent service. I feel like I could have just served myself because it took 10ish minutes just to see our server for the first time with 3-4 other tables of 2-4 people each, and at least one other server was working that had the other tables. I've worked in the restaurant industry before, I get it if it's super busy, a holiday, you're understaffed, someone called in sick.... This wasn't one of those times.

Rob Ito

I played this course as a young man with my Dad. It was epic. Years ago it was on Shells Wonderful World of Golf.

Brent Warburton

Not to be missed!

Skip Quinton

well its apparent that when the union workers were maintaining the course it was in awesome condition now its just a good place to golf and should not even be in the top 20 in the country. Its a joke when outside agencies rate these courses because they get treated like kings for a positive and bias rating .The recent experience I had with the course was on August 1 2015 the greens on the front nine were in terrible condition the back nine were 100 percent better .Sand traps are in deplorable condition there is rocks bigger than a golf ball among plenty other rocks there is no signage to alert golfers in carts to stay within acceptable distance of the greens which most golfers should know I witnessed carts within 10 feet of the green. So if these conditions get u a rating of 3rd best course in Canada then maybe we should charge these people rating the courses green fees and no freebees to up the ratings In closing I would like to say I am a resident of cape Breton and for sheer cape Breton beauty people will play Higland Links course but I can guarantee cape Breton workers would take special care of this course so I say to the company running the show now we want our course back to first class status like it was before you took control and are now neglecting it.

Holly DiGiovanni

Beautiful

Jim Mills

Really nice spectacular views

Sandy Michalik

Ok my earlier post below remains without comment from current management. I am now convinced that they could care less what people think....what a shame.

Ray Chaput

Beautiful scenert

J HC

Legendary track. Was in great shape. Highly recommended

_gobzz 3526

Still a little wet, layout a little unusual

Kyle Richardson

We were pretty disappointed with this course. For the price I would expect GPS on the carts, little things like tees or water in the cart, and a yardage book. None of that is provided. I have played at least 6 courses in PEI that are the same price or less and they all have at least some of those things. Fairways were in terrible shape as were the tee blocks. Some of the pathways were under repair and you had to drive through a construction zone to get to the one hole but they didn't drop the rate. The edges of the bunkers were brutal. Sand just laying any which way with no sharp edges. That said, the greens were fantastic, there are some stunning views and very unique hole layouts. Course has a lot of potential but poorly managed in my opinion. I won't be back. Will spend my money on PEI courses.

renu

Great golf course.

L. M. E.

Great golf Course and in great condition in mid-October. Almost every very hole has a view. Challenging. Fun to play

Jeanie Crosby

Amazing place.

Tracy Gerber

Always a great experience. We did the evening 6 holes and had a great time. Fairways and greens in great shape.

Mylene Bouffard

(Translated) Great location, clean rooms, enough parking space, but breakfast buffet chaotic (Original) Tolle Lage, saubere Zimmer, genügend Parkplätze, aber Frühstücksbuffet chaotisch

Tom Flockhart

Incredible gem of a course. It gets better every time you play it. The layout is tough, beautiful and magic. It's 9 holes out and 9 holes back in. Pack a lunch and you're gone for the day as the great George Knudson said. The course was in fantastic shape too, ignore the old reviews saying otherwise. It was pretty bad last year I have heard from staff on the course. Managment has done a great job getting things back on track this year! Golf here!

Taylor MacDonald

One would assume that a Stanley Thompson property would be a treat to play. Highland Links is not. I was shocked upon driving into the parking lot and seeing the shanty buildings. There is no driving range, the restaurant was closed, the carts were dirty and had no sand or coolers and no towels. The course was in horrible condition which was a result of a low maintenance budget and lack of staff. Such a shame that the new ownership has let this property go.

Dan OReilley

GREAT for hiking

William Fogarty

Very disappointing, the course is in really bad condition. We play in Quebec for a quarter of the price and the conditions are way better. Really underwhelming

Y Jacques

(Translated) Impressive (Original) Impressionnant

Jacquie Rowsell

Absolutely amazing.

Dana MacQueen

Have played 35 of the top 100 in Canada and would rate this with Big Sky ;as the most overrated course on my list! Bad course conditions, no practice net and four average holes. Golf North is running this Stanley Thompson classic into the ground!

Stewart Varley

# 1 ..Better than most courses you will ever play. ???????????????????? . scenery is wicket..

Ray Monahan

Beautiful

Tyler Curtis

I've played this course for almost thirty yrs and I've seen it in both incredible and horrible conditions and every weather condition possible. Under this current ownership group, the course is the worst condition I've seen it. Sad to see the lack of care. Marshall badly needed. Although green pretty well everywhere, those aren't fairways, that's rough. The tees are almost rough conditions. Greens were inconsistent speeds. I expect MUCH more from a world calibre course.

Darlene McLuckie

Fabulous course with magnificent views

shaun thorne

Not worth the money. The course itself is fine; nice views, moderately decent shape (brown patches of grass on every hole, but nice enough to play well) but for that price, I would expect every little detail to be impressive. We're traveling, so we had to rent clubs. We had to go back in and ask for balls and tees because they weren't included and they were crappy ones at that. Every course I've played in Alberta includes water bottles and a few tees in the cart, and most have GPS so you know your distances. This course didn't have any of those. They didn't even have a spot to refill our own water bottle when we made it to the canteen. Green fees and rentals totalled over $400 for 2 people. I would have been fine paying $100-150/person for that course, but those prices just made the whole experience miserable. We regret taking time out of our vacation to get robbed like that.

Pat White

Nice golf course very fun to play (very much on the short side but it is an old course) but I have to say a big disappointment from what I was expecting from a course that is ranked in the top 5 in Canada.

Greg MacDonald

Pros: The layout and scenery are stunning. I personally liked the fairways, although I know some have issues with them (very few flat lies). I think it gives it that true British Links-y feeling. Con...and it's a big one. The condition of the course. I was leary of the reviews I had read before playing there and sadly they were realized. Management is blaming the weather this year, but people have been complaining about the conditions going downhill for a few years now. Weather cannot be soley responsible for the conditions I witnessed. Add to that a $125 regular green fee, and this is unfortunately a course to avoid. They really seem to be resting on their 'top 10' ranking laurels, and I hope this review along with all the others push GolfNorth to restore Stanley Thompson's track to its former glory.

Steve Fleury

My new favourite course ever. Enjoyed it more than Cabot to be honest. Say hi to Stanley!

Jake “Illtempered” Fraser

Course is in excellent and staff very pleasant.

Curtis Collard

One would assume that a Stanley Thompson property would be a treat to play. Highland Links is not. I was shocked upon driving into the parking lot and seeing the shanty buildings. There is no driving range, the restaurant was closed, the carts were dirty and had no sand or coolers and no towels. The course was in horrible condition which was a result of a low maintenance budget and lack of staff. Such a shame that the new ownership has let this property go.

Scott Yu

Unique early 1940s design makes for an outstanding experience hole after hole.

Ian P

Amazing setting but needs to be better maintained.

ryan cooper

In great shape this year!

Graham Whitty

Gorgeous!

Paul Serwatuk

The best course in the country.

Stephen Rievaj

I've phoned a multiple of times over 4 days this past week. I've left a messages,And I'm still yet receive a response back,now I'm wondering how stay on business. Update ! Rumor has it that the Ingonishers Don't want Non-Locals playing "Their Course "! Yet it's Federally funded ! hmmm

Jay Brotman

I've golfed here for over 40 years and it has a special place in my heart because it is such a special place. It had a few bad years recently but they have a new maintenance guy and he worked some kind of magic. It is in the best condition I can remember it being in. Pristine fairways and greens

Craig Storey

Fantastic course, challenges are many and views are spectacular. Carlson hour King view rooms are my go to!

Francois Levesque

(Translated) Surprising (Original) Surprenant

JF Talbot

Beautiful place to spend our honeymoon

Ian MacLeod

Course is in beuatiful shape! A great experience to play. Scenery is spectacular!

John Melodysta

Over priced and rustic.

janet head

this should be on your bucket list!

Champy L.

The best course layout I have ever played. I would recommend this course to anyone.

Florent Trouillebout

NOT worth the price! I’ve paid 150$ for what I tough was a world class golf course, but it was not the case! It’s a wounderfull design and nice landscape, BUT very very poor course maintenance. Greens and fairways were awfull, tee off long as rough... I’ve played with members, they told me that since the change of management the course conditions has deteriorated. It's a beauty of the past, which should not be part of the top 100

John Estefan

First time golfing at Highlands and it was amazing. Staff were great and the course was in fantastic shape. Beautiful challenging course with such a grand history. It was nice to see the 1941 pictures at some holes. Now plans to go back!

Eric Peterson

A gem on the tip of Cape Breton. Amazing views, friendly people, and close to all the nearby trails of the national park. If you're into golf, there are several options as well. If you are lucky enough, you can go on a whale watching tour and see some of our ocean friends breach the surface!

Figs and Pigs

This place never gets old. I had heard that it was not well maintained in the last several years but that is not the case., the place looks great.

Karen Macleod

Absolutely horrible conditions. I can’t believe this course is rated as high as it is . Stay away!!!!

mei mei Sing

Great course at a descent price. Take the time to play this course if you are in the area.

Mike Barrett

Nature’s Home

Allan Thomson

Beautiful, rugged mountain scenery from the car and plenty of trails to explore on foot. We can recommend the Skyline (MacKenzie Mountain) and Middle Head trails (Ingonish).

James Milton

Very nice view of the ocean while you golf

Jack Castonguay

Excellent Course, Amazing Views. Bonus winter fun for locals.

Jay Crawford

Here for annual golf weekend. Please let Parks Canada run this place again Since it has been taken over it has lost its reputation as one of the best. Greens and fairways are a disaster No beverage cart.. just a girl with 2 coolers strapped to a golf cart. Club house closes at 5 so don't expect to enjoy a cold one after your round. Course is the worst I've seen it in 20 years . No idea how it made it to Score Golfs top 10.

John Rogez

Beauty is everywhere at this course. Every season provides another experience. While it is a little out of the way, it is definitely worth the time and effort. The course itself is amazing! Service of the staff is wonderful and they will help make your time there one of the best of your golfing life!!

Mark McLeod

Breathtaking!

harvey ellsworth

Love it

Anne Brodie-Allan

Beautiful course.

He ling Guei

Excellent!!!!

Jeremy Yaseniuk

Course was in top notch condition

Charlotte Henry

Poor condition. The layout is awesome and challenging. The views are great too.

Brandon S

Couldn't ask for a better place ❤ to be.

Hillary Kabanza

(Translated) It's not as good as expected, but it's not bad~ (Original) 沒想像中的好，但也是不錯了～

Colin MacDonld

Amazing golf! Best views

G Allen

A gem of a course. Playing during the fall colours was fantastic.

Freko Mitch

The course is a national treasure, the routing is genius and the improvements being made to bring the course back to its original design are fantastic. Those that complain about not having little modern conveniences or the course not being in perfect condition are missing the point. The course takes you on a tour of Cape Breton itself, starting along the ocean, working it's way up through the mountains, across a gorgeous river valley, and finally back out to sea. Stanley Thompson showed great restraint by not over bunkering the course. Many of its best holes don't have a single bunker, instead the terrain itself provides all the challenge you need. I dream about the day I'll be able to return.

Paul Morrison

Seenery was fantastic. Golf was great. Food at the Purple Thistle was verygood. Service was excellant

David Bryce

Great golf course with beautiful views and challenging for every level of golfer

arthur vickers

Beautiful place.

colinreturn

Played this jewel of a golf course on July 4. What a disappointment. The fairways hadn't been cut in days, weeds popping up in the rough, the greens blotched with brown and bare patches. Why buy a great golf course if you are going to treat it like a municipal track?

Debbie Lush

Best course I have ever played , a must for any golfer .

Harvey Butts

We visited on a bright sunny day and the views were spectacular.

Jordan Mclean

I brought my son to Highland Links to celebrate his Birthday and to spend sometime together. Hospitality was the best, the course was in great shape. I want to give a shout out to Jarvis who made our day the best. Thanks, will be back again

ERIC ST. MICHAEL

Quality of maintenance aside, Highland Links is a "must play" course if you are visiting Cape Breton's Cabot Trail. Here is an essential part of Thompson's outstanding legacy to golf, even if it's not as "polished" as the other sparkling gems in his illustrious collection.

Mark

One of the amazing golf courses I've ever played. Reasonable green fees. Challenging track. Now I know why it's ranked in the top 10 in Canada.

Curtis Collard

I got the chance last year to come and work at the keltic lodge, now I'm back but on the golf course! Certainly a 5 star course! Come stay and play! You wont forget it

Linda Howes

Wet and cold took the fun out of our 2 rounds

Cyril Haley

Loved it

ian pemb

Great course

Chris Williamson

because of tough weather with super strong wind, not really enjoy the game. but the staff is really nice. some of the course views are unique

Norm Apt

We found the course challenging and in great shape. I recommend this course to anyone who has the opportunity to play it and you can expect to be challenged.

Julian Beltrame

These guys really know how to run a course into the ground. Reviews for this course are fairly uniform across Nova Scotia. "Used to be amazing, then changed ownership and plummeted". Staff was unpleasant for the most part. Anyone looking to play some golf in NS, I highly suggest checking out The Cabot or Le Portage. Highlands was the worst stay and play experience of our road trip.

Linda LaVine

Great Course ORIGINAL

A Google User

These guys really know how to run a course into the ground. Reviews for this course are fairly uniform across Nova Scotia. "Used to be amazing, then changed ownership and plummeted". Staff was unpleasant for the most part. Anyone looking to play some golf in NS, I highly suggest checking out The Cabot or Le Portage. Highlands was the worst stay and play experience of our road trip.