ClubLink’s Rocky Crest Golf Course – Eighteen Stunning Holes. One Ultimate Muskoka Experience.
Updated: Aug 10
By Grant Fraser, originally published on GolfTheWorld.ca
Welcome to Rocky Crest
Among the many benefits we have as a ClubLink member, none is more appealing than a visit to central Ontario’s beautiful Muskoka region where three of Canada’s best golf courses await. I recently had the opportunity to play Rocky Crest and partake in the good life, Muskoka-style, earlier this summer.
The natural beauty of Rocky Crest
Located in Mactier, Rocky Crest is a short 15-minute drive from Parry Sound and 20 minutes from Port Carling. Since its auspicious entry onto the Ontario golf scene in 2000, Rocky Crest has secured itself as one of Canada’s finest 18-hole designs. Check any Top 50 or 100 best golf course list, past or present, and you’ll see Rocky Crest firmly entrenched among the finest in the country. Measuring 6,884 yards, Rocky Crest is the brainchild of acclaimed Canadian architect Thomas McBroom, who quietly considers this to be one of his best in his extensive golf course design repertoire.
There were many things I liked about my Rocky Crest experience. Besides my fondness of the golf course, I appreciated its proximity to the neighbouring Rocky Crest Resort. Located a mere par 4 away, the short five -minute walk from my lakeside room to the first tee was greatly appreciated at 7:30 am.
While I thought every hole on the golf course was noteworthy, what impressed me most was its playability. Specifically, I am referring to the ease at which I was able to walk the golf course. My round at Rocky Crest is best described as a leisurely four-hour stroll that led me through coniferous Muskoka forests and along rolling fairways meticulously carved through granite outcroppings. My walks after the 8th, 10th and 12th holes reminded me how tranquil golf can be if you simply slow down and savour the moment.
Rocky Crest is a walkable golf course
All the par 5’s at Rocky Crest are exceptional. There are three on the front nine starting with the first hole. Measuring a modest 469 yards, this is an intentionally friendly introduction to the golf course.
Next is the 562-yard, 6th hole that is best appreciated from atop the back tee deck. From here, a granite rock wall provides a breathtaking perspective of how unique this property is. Depending on the time of day, the colours change as the light radiates off the different grey, pink and white mineral formations that comprise the wall. This is a pristine example of the Canadian Shield, the ancient core of our North American continent. Composed of metamorphosed granite and ribbons of other igneous and sedimentary rock, what you are looking at is a geological wonder dating back millions of years.
Teeing off from the 6th hole
McBroom follows up the difficult 6th hole with another par 5; the comparatively easier 471-yard, 7th hole. The shorter distance is welcomed as the hole affords a more reasonable birdie opportunity than its challenging predecessor, arguably the most difficult hole on the course.
The back nine at Rocky Crest features my two favourite holes on the golf course. The first is the 554-yard, Par 5, 12th hole. From tee to green, the hole has fantastic visual appeal as the tree-lined fairway descends and narrows before turning slightly left alongside a pond, seamlessly giving way to the undulating green.
The approach to the 12th green
Then there is what many consider to be Rocky Crest’s signature hole – the robust 553-yard, par 5, 18th hole. From the tee, your best drive of the day is a prerequisite to carry another granite rock wall and reach the fairway. Upon your safe arrival, the hole only gets better as you veer right and take your final 300-yard walk towards the rustic, log-cabin clubhouse and adjoining patio, perfectly situated overlooking the 18th green.
Ask any golfer and they’ll tell you that a special day of golf is one that you don’t want to see come to an end. That was how I felt after nine holes and again after thanking my playing partners for our round as we departed the 18th green. In fact, I enjoyed my day at Rocky Crest so much I decided to stay an extra night at the resort and play again the following morning. I’m glad I did as my appreciation for the golf course and all its natural beauty was only furthered a second time around.
Final approach of the day
Where to Stay – The Rocky Crest Resort
Located in Hamer Bay on Muskoka’s pristine Lake Joseph, the Rocky Crest Resort is a pitching wedge away from the Rocky Crest golf course. While I may be exaggerating, the resort’s 19 lakeside units are within walking distance to the golf course. No long drive to be on time for an early morning tee time is required here. Simply get out of bed, grab a coffee and head to the first tee. It doesn’t get any better than that.
The accommodations at the Rocky Crest Resort were designed with the family in mind. As an all-suites resort, one and two-bedroom options featuring separate bedrooms, living room kitchenettes, jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces provide all the comforts of home. Only here, your front yard happens to be the clear waters of Lake Joseph.
Enjoy the water at the Rocky Crest Resort
Where to Dine – Windows Steakhouse
Imagine yourself having dinner atop a lakeside boathouse. The sun is setting in the horizon as you enjoy a glass of red wine overlooking Lake Joseph. That’s the ambiance you’ll enjoy as part of your dining experience at Windows Steakhouse at the Rocky Crest Resort. While every entre on the menu is tempting, Windows is renowned for its steak selection as only the finest cuts of quality Canadian beef are served to the restaurant’s discerning guests.
Fine dining at Windows Steakhouse
Windows restaurant prides itself on using local ingredients and is a long- time participant of “Savour Muskoka,” a program committed to supporting farmers and businesses in the Muskoka area.
Stay and Play Packages
Stay-and-play golf packages featuring Rocky Crest Golf Club, The Lake Joseph Club, and Grandview Golf Club are available from early May through mid-October. These three championship courses are part of the ClubLink family, and ClubLink Members enjoy exclusive savings and benefits – click here to learn more.
Not a ClubLink Member? No problem. You can still experience these incredible courses by booking a golf package with a stay at Rocky Crest Golf Resort, The Lake Joseph Club Villas, or Sherwood Inn.
About the author: Grant Fraser is an award-winning golf writer and photographer. He has been a proud ClubLink and Glencairn member for 12 years and in 2025, was inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame.
I enjoyed reading about Rocky Crest and its long-standing reputation in the Canadian golf scene. The course’s setting near Parry Sound and Port Carling sounds especially appealing for golfers who appreciate scenic destinations. I was also interested to learn about Thomas McBroom’s role in creating this 18-hole design. EaglerCraft gives me a similar appreciation for exploring carefully designed environments and discovering new experiences.
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The strongest impression I get from this article is that Rocky Crest encourages visitors to enjoy the entire journey, not just the final scorecard. Walking through the Muskoka forests, taking in the ancient rock formations, staying beside Lake Joseph, and finishing the day with a lakeside dinner all create a much richer experience around the game itself. That is probably why the author wanted to return for another round the next morning. Destinations become especially memorable when the activity and the surrounding environment work together, much like a rythm running game combines movement with its environment.
The combination of golf, nature, accommodation, and local dining makes the stay-and-play concept particularly appealing. I also like the mention of Windows Steakhouse supporting local ingredients and participating in Savour Muskoka, because it connects the resort experience with the surrounding community rather than treating the destination as an isolated property. Travel is often most rewarding when the landscape, food, activities, and local character all complement one another. Modern creative technology can similarly combine different elements into new experiences, as seen with nano banana ai.