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Cardinal Lakes Golf Club - Heron Course
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About
The Heron Course is one of two 18-hole courses at Cardinal Lakes Golf Club. It is the club's newer championship layout, designed to complement the original course, the executive-length Sparrow. It is 6,765 yards from the back tees but it feels as though it is considerably longer since many holes play into the prevailing wind. The golf course combines elements of classic links, parkland, and Carolinian courses. The generous fairways are guarded by bunkers and the large, fast greens are gently contoured and surrounded by trees. Water is a prominent feature throughout, coming into play on all but four holes. The layout saved the most challenging for last with its signature 18th hole, a par 3 with a tricky island green.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 72 | 6750 yards | 71.6 | 133 |
| White | 72 | 6095 yards | 69.6 | 125 |
| White (W) | 72 | 6095 yards | 75.6 | 134 |
| Gold | 72 | 5650 yards | 67.1 | 118 |
| Gold (W) | 72 | 5650 yards | 72.9 | 127 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 5263 yards | 70.7 | 121 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue M: 72.3/130 | 550 | 175 | 425 | 363 | 200 | 410 | 426 | 363 | 527 | 3439 | 537 | 370 | 197 | 425 | 367 | 502 | 195 | 521 | 179 | 3293 | 6732 |
| White M: 70.1/123 W: 76.1/140 | 516 | 150 | 405 | 335 | 184 | 360 | 393 | 350 | 513 | 3206 | 524 | 345 | 155 | 395 | 358 | 467 | 155 | 469 | 154 | 3022 | 6228 |
| Gold M: 68.3/117 W: 73.8/133 | 483 | 141 | 377 | 320 | 159 | 320 | 344 | 334 | 490 | 2968 | 450 | 320 | 130 | 377 | 339 | 437 | 140 | 444 | 129 | 2766 | 5734 |
| Green M: 67.1/114 W: 72.1/126 | 462 | 115 | 342 | 280 | 150 | 282 | 298 | 319 | 460 | 2708 | 439 | 260 | 125 | 339 | 307 | 378 | 114 | 393 | 92 | 2447 | 5155 |
| Handicap | 13 | 17 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 18 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 12 | |||
| Par | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 36 | 72 |
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Reviewer Photos
Great Course
Paid $20 for a walking rate through golfnow and purchased a cart for $16 (each) at the course. This course easily can sell green fees at $50 plus cart. Very well maintained and well kept. The greens are near perfection and roll very well. Played on a Saturday of a long weekend and pace of play was very good, this course does not pack in tee times that cause those long 5 hour rounds like many courses do. The course is quite flat, but makes up for it with many hazards and bunkers that are well placed. Definitely a top course in the Niagara region with prices of a lower end course. Highly recommend for players of all skill levels.
Great golf couse.
The wind was very strong which was too bad because we don't play this course too often and would like to have enjoyed it better. Other than that, everything was good.
Great fall golf
Cool and windy day , course was in great shape for late fall golf in Ontario. Going back next week.
Great value for the money
Nice course in reasonable shape for the fall(greens had been aerated recently). Got a good deal on GolfNow. Nice clubhouse and restaurant too. I'll play here again.
What value
Fourth time playing this course....incredible value and great staff...usually windy making it a challenge but Saturday was almost a perfect golf day with my son...greens are FAST and top notch.....
Worth the drive down from Burlington...every cent!!!
sparrow lakes review
Great day on the course. Excellent facilities and friendly staff.
Challenger Hybrid Course of Floridian and Links Style
Great hidden gem; challenging, well cared and solid value.
Layout is a combination of a Floridian and Links style mix based on the water holes, OB and open terrain.
Very critical to find fairways on this course as the many hazards, bunkers and OB are in play. Best to play into the most fat side of the fairways which is usually 150 yards out into the green.
Course is currently playing very firm and the greens are the fastest in the area, perhaps a 13 on the stimp meter. Greens roll true.
Wet but worth it!
Played the first 14 holes in the rain. Still a beautiful course. As soon as the sun came out the "cart-girl" was there. That's service. All the staff was friendly. The Heron has some long holes with dog legs, awesome challenges. We missed the chance to play "The Sparrow" course the next day. Will play them both next time for sure.
Fast greens
An excellent links style course, large fast sloping greens, I'm looking forward to my next round. Highly recommended as a must play in Niagara and I agree !!
Track good deal at special price
Course in good condition but devoid of mature trees. Regular price in today's market too high. Worth a repeat visit.
Staff
I had a rain check from the course from a time that I used Golf Now. Went to use the rain check and they wanted to charge me more. Said the rain check was only good for Golf Now times. She finally agree not to charge me more. Staff should learn how rain checks work.
Long Walk
Great course, good shape...very long to walk on a warm day..the Heron is good golf value for locals and visitors.
Great Course
It was the first I played this course after playing several rounds at the other course (Sparrow). We walked it but for me it was too long for it. The next time I play it I will definitely take a cart. There are several 500 yard holes that make it challenging for the moderate to average golfer as the fairways are pretty wide and not much hazards either. I will play this again for sure
Sparrow Lakes - Heron
Coarse has a good layout. Is somewhat tight with a far bit of water and traps. The condition was very good.
The Golfnow website was a pain in the butt to get the tee time. Finally had to call an operator!!!
Sparrow Lakes
Great course - company I took to play really enjoyed the course
Nice day for golf
Had a very good day with friends, good pace although the course was busy
Heron Course @ Sparrow Lakes
Course is in good shape and plays very challenging for most experienced golfers. There is quite a bit of water and long fescue grass that can get you in trouble quick. If you can avoid the hazards then hopefully the wind is calm because this becomes a challenge in itself. Overall the course is in great shape and I would recommend it to friends for the price it is a good day of golf.
Great walkable course
The course is in very good condition, greens are fast and bunkers well-maintained.
Great mid-week Golf
We played the first time on a Monday and found the course in very good condition. It is forgiving course, so slicing still allows recovery quite easily. It's a good value for the cost. We walked and completed in about 4 hrs. at a leisurely pace. Not a difficult course but still enjoyable.
good course to walk
A good vale for the money when booked on Golf Now--a good walking course--relatively flat but challenging enough. lots of water and sand. 18th hole is fun. It was in very good condition and the greens were fast.. 4 tournaments going on, but didn't interfere at all. Staff were very accommodating
Seaview Stay & Play Golf Package