Grand Niagara Resort
It may not have a clubhouse yet, but the golf course at the Grand Niagara Resort makes up for it in so many ways. If you have not had a chance to play a Reese Jones-designed golf course, now is the time. I am personally deeming this course the must-play golf course of May, 2007.
You may be wondering, "What makes my recommendation worth the article it is written in? Well, here is your answer - I am not a great golfer, but I know a good golf course when I play one. Some readers think they want a golf course review by some big-shot PGA member. Let's think about that for a minute. I have played golf courses all over Canada, the United States and Mexico and have made an important observation from all of these experiences - there are very few good golfers out there. The fact is that most golfers shoot in the 90's. Don't get me wrong, I have golfed with my share of mid 80's golfers, but they are few and far between.
Let's go back to why my opinion should mean more to you than some professional course review master. I look at course for what it is. I ask myself, is it playable for a guy that breaks 90 once every 6 rounds, and can I break 100 if I play it from the tips? You would be surprised how many courses do not fall into this category.
Grand Niagara Resort is one of the few that actually meets these standards. When I played this course, I shot 90 and feel very confident that I could stay under triple digits every time. The course design is great. The standard elevated greens that Reese Jones loves can really hurt your game but the size of the greens make up for it. There are some beautiful tree-lined fairways mixed in with some great water holes.
It is difficult to narrow down my favorite hole on this awesome course, but Iill give it a go anyway. I would rate hole number 5, a short par-4, as my pick for the best hole at Grand Niagara. Youill make a long journey across the road to an elevated tee box that looks down to a stream running in front of the green. Even if youire a long ball hitter, don't try it. Lay up and use your wedge or 9-iron in to the green. The pin placement on the green can make the hole even more difficult with the bunker on the front right.
Grand Niagara has a great combination of challenging and playable holes. This course is playable, but still challenging enough for all you low-handicappers. All of these factors combine to make Grand Niagara Resort my must-play course for the month of May.
Coming soon, my June must-play course.
Yours Truly,
The Average Golfer,
Brad Maloff
Niagara Falls Golf Adventures
Sales Manager/Underrated Course Reviewer
