On the road to Woodstock, Ontario

Back in 1969, there was another road trip to Woodstock. That one involved over half a million people descending on Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in upstate New York for probably the most famous folk festival ever. The event was immortalized in a song written by Joni Mitchell and performed by Crosby Stills Nash & Young.

By the time we got to Woodstock
We were half a million strong
And everywhere was a song
And a celebration

Our Woodstock road trip is a little closer to home and won’t be quite so crowded. And while nobody is writing a song about it, there are four good reasons to celebrate. Or should I say, four wonderful golf courses: Craigowan, Innerkip Highlands, Otter Creek and Tarandowah.

As most readers know, Woodstock, Ontario is located about mid-way between Cambridge and London along the 401. Two of our courses are practically in town while the other two are less than an hour away and also easily accessible from Brantford and Kitchener.

This is a pure golf trip, so I won’t burden you with “other attractions”. Suffice to say, the internet has lots of other things to see and do in any of the surrounding cities. Likewise, hotel accommodations are plentiful.

All four courses were included in our 2025 Best Value Golf Courses in Ontario and represent four great reasons to take your game on the road.

Craigowan Golf & Country Club
Woodstock, Ontario
18 holes / Green fee: $80 walking

This well-maintained gem is located in the rolling hills of Oxford County, just north of Woodstock., with mature trees framing fairways and nine possible tee deck combinations, there are lots of options to find your perfect yardage. While there have been subsequent architectural tweaks from Doug Carrick, Mike Weir and Ian Andrew, the original 1959 Robbie Robinson design has stood the test of time. There’s a reason multiple notable tournaments have been held here, including the 2014 Canadian Women’s Amateur.

Craigowan is a testament to one of course designer Robbie Robinson’s greatest strengths: He built golf courses that people are happy to play every day. No gimmicks. No surprises. Just a beautiful old-style golf course that is timeless.

Innerkip Highlands Golf Club
Innerkip, Ontario
18 holes / Green fee: $75 walking

About 5 kms north of Highway 401, between Cambridge and London, Innerkip is a warm hug of a course. Measuring 6,432 from the tips, the gently rolling property is easily walked. Trees are more for framing—set well back from landing zones, save for the tight par-5 9th and 15th holes. But this well-maintained design does feature a pair of watery graves: the island green at the par-4 5th; and the par-3 6th and 17th holes, which wrap around opposite sides of a pond and gentle waterfall.

Otter Creek Golf Club
Otterville, Ontario
18 holes / Green fee: $62 walking

Opened in 2008, this head-turning Dick Kirkpatrick creation is situated in a rural farm community, 20 minutes from Woodstock. Encompassing 300 acres and carved through the wooded valleys of Otter, Cedar and Spittler Creeks, the course meanders cleverly over former farmers’ fields and tobacco lands. It stretches to 7,100 yards, but six sets of tees provide plenty of options. The rustic 5,000 sq. ft. clubhouse and 1,500-square-foot patio offer superb views of the 18th hole, which carves through the wooded creek valley. Note that this is a cashless facility.

Tarandowah Golfers Club
Springfield, Ontario
18 holes / Green fee: $78 walking

There are few comparisons in Canada and nothing like it in Ontario. With its pot bunkers, firm and fast, fescue-lined fairways, and crafty, undulating greens, this creation from English golf architect Martin Hawtree—his only Canadian design—is a throwback to the links found on the Scottish coast, the west of Ireland or the south of England. A short drive southeast of London, it’s an addictive, everchanging, windswept experience. Bring your imagination—and a decent bump-and-run and sand game. Since opening in 2007, Tarandowah has cultivated a great fan base—one that is growing constantly.

For further info on any of these golf courses, click on the image or the name of the club.