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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 |
Course Details
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Rules have changed for Golf Now Cart rentals
When we arrived I was told the rate for golf cart rental has gone up by $7 each because we booked on golf now for the after 2PM rate
It could be a better course if they improve the fairways!
Cheap green fee but walking rate & you expect slow pace!
good to play by walking in the course
me and my wife enjoyed our rounding at Sparrow Lake-Heron course,cauz good pace to play and perfect condition of the green.
Course has a good fairway to shoot off of but need to put ball in good positions.
I would recommend this course as it has been to me. Greens are miss leading at times. They can be quicker than expected due unseen lies when you have not transverse it before putting. Second shots in are long at times but on certains par fives not so but correct placement is required.
Great Round of Golf
Sparrow Lakes - Heron course is one of the best golf courses in Niagara. The layout is challenging and usually plays longer than you would think. We were the first group out in the morning and finished in 3 1/2 hours (twosome walking). The best course for the money in Niagara.
Amazing value
This has been one of my favorite course in Niagara for the past couple of years. The golf course itself is in great shape, comparable to course that would cost twice as much or more. You just can't beat the value of playing this course. There is a lot of water hazards, and it favors shot makers over long hitters. Taking advantage of the 5 par 5s can make up some shots just stay out of the water !
On the weekends it can get quite busy, but we still got our round done in 4 hours.
This course is always fun, and a challenge for all golfers.
The course is well maintained & has some good features
Exceptional value as pace of play was less than 4 hrs.& staff friendly and as I booked as a single I was able to get off early.
Great course will definitely be back
The deal we got was incredible and they even gave us a promo cart!!!
Course ok but not happy with billing for play.
Arrived at course and presented a debit card. System was down so had to take cash out of THEIR bank machine. Cost me $1.50 service charge (which they get) and then my bank charged me another $1.50 service charge. Glad I saved a bit of money on the round because it cost me $3.00 to pay them.
They should absorb the cost of the bank machine and lower the rate to cover the extra charges to me. Funny how their machine malfunction never cost them any money at all. Only me! $3.00 is trivial, but it is just the point that I had to pay due to THEIR issue.
GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE! (sarcasm)
I had to stop and get gas in my car to get there. Maybe I should have asked them cover that cost as it was related to me getting there to play their course??
Great starter though, he was very informative and friendly!
Good Overall Experience
The Heron is a challenging 18 holes that is in good overall condition. It's always a pleasure to play this course. The only thing I did notice is that some of the sand traps were hard. They would need some additional maintenace. I would play this course again and/or refer it to a friend.
always windy
nice course but it is overrated and priced. Needs better signage and maps of holes.
What a deal!!!
The BEST deal in southern Ontario !! Worth the drive to Welland!!! What a gem!!! They offer 18 holes at a championship course for under $20 to walk most weekdays! Are you kidding me!!!!
Somewhat challenging fun course in great shape
Hazards are way more water than trees but the fairways are good and the greens are among the best courses I have ever played and the warm up practice green is a great design and perfectly matches the course green speeds. Highly recommended course.
This course is very challenging.
I found it too difficult for my golfing abilities. There were a lot of water hazards.
Cart path only (course very wet) Greens were great.
Championship layout. Well maintained. Varying sizes of greens.
Water hazards strategically placed.
Greens were receptive to a good iron shot.
Course easy to get to.
Great day out
Cant beat $25 round here with cart. Great value and fun challenging track. Would definitely play again for that price. Not worth $50 tho
Sparrow Lakes G C Heron Course.Marvelous experience.
We have played their other course many times. This was our first time on the Heron course. We all thought it was outstanding. Even though the greens had been recently aerated they were still very consistent.
Seaview Stay & Play Golf Package
You are correct, the course handled your situation poorly, but you didn't review the golf course itself. If I have a pocket full of cash, should I play there?