Smuggler's Glen Golf Course Review

What better way to recharge the batteries than an overnight golf trip to Glen House Resort to finally play Smuggler's Glen Golf Course? Located just off the 1000 Islands Parkway near Gananoque, Ontario, Smuggler's Glen was the perfect place to get away, relax, and play golf.

We arrived later on Friday and checked into our upper-level room in the Pinewoods Lodge. The room had a beautiful, rustic riverfront view and all the amenities(a propane fireplace was a nice touch). You couldn't ask for a nicer place to stay before tackling a round at Smuggler's Glen.

 "The Gorge"

We ate at the Smuggler's Lounge that night, where the three-piece band Black Rapids Gold entertained us. Lou, the bartender/server, was the perfect host. We dined on great appetizers(calamari, bruschetta, and wings). My favourites were the 40 Creek BBQ wings and Triple Bogey beer. My wife loves all the appetizers and her Mike Weir Chardonnay.

Smuggler's Glen Golf Course Review
After driving up to the clubhouse, I was greeted by Ben, one of the many friendly and helpful staff at Smuggler's Glen. Since it was my first tee time, I hit a few balls to get warmed up. The newly expanded practice green and natural grass driving range was ideal for working out the kinks in my swing. Smuggler's Glen has a new fleet of GPS-equipped golf carts, which was also very helpful, as I had never played the course before.

The opening hole at Smuggler's Glen is a very scenic and intimidating par 5. Not long from the white tees at 433 yards, your tee shot has to clear "The Gorge." You don't have to hit the driver here off the tee, but it is fun to try.

You can breathe on #2, a pleasant uphill par three aptly named "Upper Ridge." You don't want to be long and right on this hole. The following two holes reminded me of playing golf in Muskoka, which has significant elevation changes, exposed rock, and scenery.  The 4th hole is a stunner of a par 5. Playing your second shot up to the narrow fairway takes gut. Green is narrow and tricky to hit when the wind swirls.

 "Settler's Field"

The greens and fairways at Smuggler's Glen are bent grass and were in top condition even so late in the season. The day I played, carts were on car paths only because of all the rain that had fallen in the area. Jason Boyce, the Director of Golf at Smuggler's, said he and his staff continue to work on drainage issues, which are a battle for most golf courses.

The 6th hole didn't fit my eye, and I found it a tough tee shot on this longish par 4. Although there's plenty of landing area from the tee, the "Wild Creek" is intimidating. Smuggler's Glen's par 5s are scenic and solid, including number 7, "Rolling Meadows," with out of bounds on the left side. This par 5 will test all facets of your game. "River View" finishes off the front with a tight driving hole. Be careful on this par 4 as you want to go quickly.

 "Bio Challenge"

I really enjoyed the back 9 at Smuggler's Glen because it was a great mix of fun par 3s with drivable par 4s and stout par 5s. The downhill par 3-tenth is just a fun hole. Trying to figure out which club will get you there in the ever-present wind might drive you crazy, but you'll enjoy it in the end. The "Gambler" is just a fun grip and rip hole where I managed to be short of the green on this uphill par 4. The "Rock" again hearkens me back to Muskoka with rock outcroppings and elevation to frame one of the prettiest tee shots on the course. Sixteen through eighteen do the same with "Shorty," a birdie hole, to the 18th "Green Monster," a mammoth par 5 where it's terrible to lay up.

"Bull's-Eye"

 "The Gambler"

Smuggler's Glen was a challenging yet fair golf course. The scenery is spectacular, especially in the Fall. With 5 different sets of tee boxes, it will be fun for all levels of golfers. Green fees are very reasonable and vary according to the time of the year you play. With a healthy membership of just under 100 golfers and thousands of resort guests playing Smuggler's Glen annually. Smugglers will continue to excite and challenge golfers for many years to come. (2015 will be Smugglers' 10th Anniversary)

 "The Gambler"

"The Rock"