I played Cabot Cliffs during my stay at Cape Breton where I also played Cabot Links. See my experience on Cabot Links here. Cabot Cliffs is the newest addition to Cape Breton and I was looking forward to playing the course. It has quickly risen the World Top 100 golf courses and the views look spectacular.
DRIVING RANGE & PUTTING GREEN
PRO SHOP
NEW ACCOMMODATION
On the drive down towards the parking area and driving range they are building some new houses and accommodation on the left hand side.
There is also houses along side the 11th hole and you can see that they are developing the area to accommodate more visitors and investments.
HOLE 1
The first hole is 508m par 5 with bunkers protecting the left hand side of the fairway. When you reach the green you get some great views of the ocean. I started with a hassle free par.
HOLE 2
The second hole is an amazing par 4 measuring 333 meters. This is my favorite hole on the course and really well designed. You stand on an elevated tee and the view is stunning. The hole looks easy on the scorecard, but it can surely challenge you along the way. I hit an iron from the tee in the fairway and that leaves you with an uphill approach shot to a well protected green with run off area in front that can end up with a ball in the penalty area. I was on the green in 2, but I putted for a bogey.
HOLE 3
The third hole is another beautiful par 4 measuring 325 meters. The green sits elevated and you have an uphill approach shot. I hit my tee shot into the left hand bunker and did not get on the green from there. Another bogey on the scorecard.
HOLE 4
Cabot cliffs 4th hole is a par 3. I misjudged the wind a came up way short. However I managed to get up and down with a great chip. The view from the green is incredible and another nicely designed golf hole.
HOLE 5
The 5th hole is 329m par 4 with where you have a blind tee shot to the fairway and you can see the green in the distance. You either go right with an iron towards the fairway which leaves a short approach shot or you can try and carry over the penalty area on the left hand side. It was downwind so I opted for the driver towards the green and hit a superb drive that ended up just short of the green. I did not manage to convert the good tee shot, but still a good par.
HOLE 6, par 3 on Cabot Links
Hole 5 is a par 3 measuring 144m. The green has 2 sections and slopes towards the back. The pin was positioned at the back of the green and the Caddie gave some good directions on what shot to hit. Try to land it short and let the ball feed down the slope towards the hole. My tee shot was well executed and ended up with an uphill putt. Above video of my playing partners putt gives good idea of the green undulation.
HOLE 7
The 7th hole is a 516 meter long par 5 dogleg left to right. There is plenty of fairway to hit but of course it is tempting to cut off some of the corner which takes the right bunkers into play. My drive was perfect in the middle of the fairway but too far back to reach the green. I laid up and hit a good approach shot which lead to my first and only birdie of the day.
HOLE 8
The 8th hole is another par 5 measuring 455m. There is a bunker in the middle of the fairway to avoid but still a plenty wide fairway.
My drive was in the fairway with 184m to the pin. My approach landed on the green and rolled off the left hand side. Made a par….
HOLE 9
Hole 9 is a short par 3 with wonderful views and not to be under estimated. The green has several undulations and the wind is also factor.
My tee shot landed just short of the pin and rolled to the middle of the green. I was happy to walk away with a par.
BACK NINE ON CABOT CLIFFS
HOLE 10
The 10th is another par 5 and pretty straight forward until you reach the green. It is a good birdie opportunity if you hit a decent drive. My drive went straight left into the ocean. My second drive was good and left me with a 6 iron to the green which I struck really well. The green is well protected by bunkers and is slightly elevated. I almost made a par with a lost ball, but had to settle for a bogey.
HOLE 11
11th hole an uphill par 4 with bunkers on both sides of the fairway. The left hand bunkers are reachable from the tee. The green sits elevated from the fairway and is narrow. I missed the green on my approach shot and made bogey.
HOLE 12
The 12th is a downhill par 3 with great views of the ocean. I came up short in the bunker but managed to save par.
HOLE 13
The 13th is an uphill par 4 playing 313m. The approach shot is severely uphill to a blind green. I missed my tee shot way right and had to take a penalty. Ended up with a disappointing double bogey.
HOLE 14
The 14th is a nice par 3 playing 143m. I hit a really good 8 iron to setup a good birdie opportunity. Unfortunately missed it and made par.
HOLE 15
Hole 15 is a par 5 with dual fairways. It is uphill from the tee and downhill towards the green. The line is just on the right hand side of the middle bunker to give yourself an opportunity to reach the green in 2. I hit my tee shot left of the middle bunker and was blocked by the trees. My second shot went right and I had to take a penalty resulting in a bogey. A great and well designed hole with stunning views from the green.
HOLE 16
Hole 16 is a unique par 3 sitting right on the cliffs by the ocean. It only played 110m but can really play long and difficult from the back tees. The scenery is just spectacular and a fantastic golf hole. The green is relatively small and with slopes as you can tell from above. I hit a wedge and made par.
HOLE 17
The 17th is a short par 4 with a blind tee shot. Again our Caddie gave some good directions on line and carry to reach the green. It is easily reachable but very difficult to hit with all the elevations, run off areas and the greenside bunkers that I hit with my 6 iron tee shot. Made a very poor bogey…
HOLE 18
The 18th is a great finishing par 5. The views from the tee is just amazing and a strong way to finish. I missed my tee shot to the right and had to take a drop. Hit the green with my 3rd shot and got a par on the final hole.
MY EXPERIENCE
Cabot Cliffs is a marvelous golf course and there is no doubt it should be part of the World top 100 courses. It is by far the best course of the two on the resort and the course designers has done a great job creating a fantastic golf course in a unique location. There is hardly any weak holes on the course and it is rare that you remember all the holes afterwards. I shot 79 which was good. A golf destination worth visiting and I am sure they will continue to develop.
MY SCORE
[…] Cabot links is located in Nova Scotia, Canada. A remote golf destination that has quickly become a part of the best courses in the world. I stayed at the resort and all the rooms are facing the ocean with views of the golf course. Cabot Links was the first course created and I also played the newer course Cabot Cliffs during my visit. Check out my experience of the Cabot Cliffs here. […]