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Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. On the 16th tee at Cabot Cliffs — now rightfully considered one of the world’s great par-3s — the term “sensory overload” hit home. The tiny green perched on the cliffs.
The salty wind swooping over the sea. The crazy line, some 40 yards left of the pin, my caddy suggested I take to hit the green. Too many neurons firing around in my brain.
And, to top it off, I was still a little delirious after playing 15 of the best seaside golf holes I’ve ever seen. Where was I even? Scotland?
England’s North Devon? As it turned out, my feet were firmly planted (that is, until I tried to hold my finish position) on the stunning, wave-lashed shores of Nova Scotia — one of the world’s most captivating golf destinations. While the thrilling, three-course feast that’s set above the swirling sea at Cabot Cape Breton gets a ton of attention — and deservedly so — the province is home to a handful of other courses that can stagger your senses.
Tee off in Halifax For most travellers, the obvious starting (and ending) point is Halifax. And it’s certainly worth a day of exploring to acclimatize. The Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk, the Halifax Citadel and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic are all great options.
Also, nearby Peggy’s Cove, a picturesque fishing village garnished with the iconic lighthouse clutching the rocks, is, perhaps, the most famous photo-op in Nova Scotia. However, the nearby towns of Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, and Blue Rocks — all scenic and historic coastal villages — also merit a detour to inspect. If you do decide to head down to the Lunenburg area, you can add a round of golf at the charming by-the-sea Chester Golf Club.
It’s a quirky, 110-year-old course with wonderful views over Mahone Bay. And, before leaving the Halifax area, you can also add a round at the Links of Brunello. Although several holes on the front nine meander through a residential area, the back nine tumbles and rolls through a beautiful mixed forest.
Northumberland Shore As you hit the highway and head north of Halifax, an “out there” aura prevails as you cruise along the (mostly) two-lane highways that cut through the forests and cruise along the coastlines. Might want to grab a coffee and a few Timbits when you see the sign. They are few and far between in these parts.
And, speaking of Tim Hortons, the luxurious Fox Harb’r Resort would not exist without Canada’s insatiable desire for the double-double. That’s right, this incredible resort, located near the small town of Wallace, was founded by Tim Hortons late co-founder, Ron Joyce. Expect an over-the-top experience that has catered to the world’s elite.
(Tiger Woods, Bill Clinton, and Charles Barkley are just a few famous people who have flown into Fox Harb’r in their private jets.) A mecca for golfers, Fox Harb’r currently has 18 outstanding championship holes in play, including a riveting run along the sea to finish your round. For 2026, a hybrid course — featuring a nine-hole Ocean Course and a nine-hole Vineyard Course — will be in play. However, when the renovation and expansion project is complete in 2027, Fox Harb’r will boast two championship layouts.
Undoubtedly, the showstopper will be the Doug Carrick/Thomas McBroom-designed Ocean Course, which will feature a handful of holes tight to the water’s edge and ocean views from every hole. If you are in the Fox Harb’r area for a few days, you can also tack on an additional round at Northumberland Links, which is just ten minutes down the road. This quaint country course also features a wonderful stretch of holes along the sea.
Canada’s best in Inverness Although it’s a lengthy drive from Fox Harb’r to Inverness (roughly five hours), the trip is beautiful and the payoff is off the charts. Inverness is home to the top two golf courses in Canada, according to national golf magazine, SCOREGolf. In the publication’s 2025 ranking of the Top 59 Best Public Golf Courses in Canada, Cabot Cliffs was ranked No.1, while Cabot Links was a close second.
Both are owned by Cabot Cape Breton, which owns and operates luxury residential, resort and golf destinations in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, the United States, Scotland, France and the Caribbean. In terms of the differences, Cabot Links, a Rod Whitman creation that opened in 2012, has a more traditional links-golf character. Elevation changes are subtle and the greens are not as severe as Cabot Cliffs, which was designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.
But Cliffs, the more difficult of the two, has a greater “wow” factor thanks to that unforgettable finishing run on the cliffs. There is also a third course in Inverness, The Nest, which is a super-fun par-3 course located on higher ground further away from the water. Regardless of which course you’re playing, a fantastic and creative short game (to negotiate the wild contours) and a strong mental game (especially when you’re playing the seaside holes!) are key.
Similar to other Cabot properties, it’s all of the little things — the exceptional staff, the outstanding caddy program, the quality of the food, the pitch-perfect architecture — that vault Cabot Cape Breton to the very top of the food chain. Tip: Plan and book your stay well in advance. Cabot Cape Breton is routinely fully booked.
Beyond the fairways Regardless of how long you stay at Cabot, cruising around the legendary Cabot Trail — the ultra-scenic, 298-kilometre loop that rings the northern tip of the island — is highly recommended. Some of the highlights include spectacular mountain-and-sea views, waterfalls, fishing villages and coastal hikes. Also, along the Cabot Trail are two additional golf courses that can be incorporated into your itinerary.
In Cheticamp, one of the larger towns along the trail, the Le Portage Golf Club is a sneaky good layout that parades through pristine wilderness. Nearly every hole is tree-lined and wildlife sightings, including moose and black bear, are regular occurrences. And last, but definitely not least, Cape Breton Highlands is a historic Stanley Thompson masterpiece that serves up an exceptional “out there” experience.
It offers links, mountain and parkland golf all rolled into one — a wild and rugged crusade that’s every bit as good as Thompson’s revered courses in Banff and Jasper. Certainly, golf-rich Canada has many options for a great getaway. And when people ask me (I’ve played golf in every province) where they should go for a golf trip, Nova Scotia is always top of mind.
True, you may have to endure the odd “sensory overload” situation. And if this induces the odd quadruple bogey, fear not, this is an inconsequential detail that nobody really needs to know about.
