Nova Scotia lays claim to more than 50 golf courses. Among the most memorable: Highland Links (tel. 800/441-1118 or 902/285-2600) in Ingonish, which features a dramatic oceanside setting; and Bell Bay Golf Club (tel. 800/565-3077 or 902/295-1333) near Baddeck, which is also wonderfully scenic, and was voted "Best New Canadian Golf Course" by Golf Digest in 1998.
While the big names are fun, I really enjoy playing some of the less-famous courses around the province, too. The Bluenose Golf Club (tel. 902/634-4260) has been operating on a beautiful tract of land known as Kaulbach Head overlooking Lunenburg's harbor since 1933. (It's visible in the distance from almost any point in the old town.) The short, 5,275-yard track here plays harder than it looks because of numerous slopes and sidehill lies. Views of the ocean and town are stupendous on both the starting and finishing holes; greens fees are C$25 (US$20) for 9 holes, C$40 (US$32) for 18 holes (carts cost extra), and afterward the clubhouse grill serves up some mighty fine burgers and beers on tap. Other nicely scenic tracks open to the public include the Chester Golf Club (tel. 902/275-4543), with amazing ocean views and fine course maintenance, and hilly, beautiful Osprey Ridge (tel. 902/543-6666; www.ospreyridge.ns.ca) near Shelburne; designed by the noted course architect Graham Cooke and opened in 1999.
For one-stop shoppers, Golf Nova Scotia (tel. 800/565-0000, ext. 007; www.golfnovascotia.com) represents 27 well-regarded properties around the province and can arrange customized golfing packages at its member courses. A handy directory of Nova Scotia's golf courses (with phone numbers) is published in the "Outdoors" section of the Nova Scotia Doers & Dreamers Travel Guide.
