Playing a Round at The Fox Golf Club in Middlesex County, Ontario
The Fox Golf Club is a relatively easy golf course in Ontario that allows you to put fun first and enjoy the sunny weather.
When it was confirmed that I’d be coming back to Middlesex County, Ontario , I was thrilled, and especially when I heard that it would involve a round of golf.
As Ontarians, I don’t think it’s necessarily top of mind, but when you think about the sheer volume of opportunities to golf in Ontario, it’s astounding. It’s largely because we’ve got an enormous amount of land in this province, with only a few concentrated population centres.
Having large swaths of fertile land is good for golf - who knew?
I’ve always been fairly good at sports (I played pro hockey in Turkey for what it’s worth), but golf is one of those games that humbles me to the core. When I was a kid, it drove me nuts, but as an adult, I actually adore it.
I often think of golf as a physical form of meditation. Where else do we get the excuse to spend an entire morning or afternoon disconnected from the problems in our life or the world? In Ontario, you can simply say you’re “on the course,” and you just bought yourself 5 hours unbothered.
Not bad, right?
Naturally, I didn’t go to Middlesex County just to play golf (and I’ll have some more content from this recent trip coming out on Ultimate Ontario in the coming weeks), but I do want to highlight my experience at Granton, Ontario’s Fox Golf Club in this particular article.
Personally, I think that now is the time to get more into golf if you’ve been putting it off. It’s one definite way that we can travel in Ontario right now, and genuinely experience and appreciate the province, and particularly Ontario’s Southwest.
A Quick Overview of The Fox Golf Club in Granton, Ontario
The Fox Golf Club was founded in 1995, and it’s a 18 hole public course. For the Ontario golf buffs out there, it’s worth noting it measures 6504 yards from the longest tees and has a slope rating of 130 and a USGA rating of 72.5. As is typical on Ontario golf courses, it features four sets of tees for golfers of varying skill levels.
What I think is notable about The Fox Golf Club is the really the value element. It’s a nice course, but it’s relatively inexpensive, especially when you compare it to green fees for Toronto golf courses.
If you’re walking the course (and I’ll explain why I’d recommend this below if you’re physically able to do so), it won’t cost you much more than $30, which is a steal.
It’s also a course that’s perfect for golfers of all skill levels, since it’s challenging, but not alienating. I think of the Fox Golf Club as being the type of course where grandparents, parents, and children could all play together happily - a true family affair, so to speak.
My Experience Golfing at Middlesex County’s Fox Golf Club
In a first for me, I actually played this course totally solo. Typically I can take off some of the edge from my errors with light, satirical conversation and a beer or two with friends. Well, not this time.
In actuality, though, it was marvellous. I thought I might miss being able to turn to someone else after shots and so forth, but I relished the chance to just appreciate being on my own, under the beautiful Ontario sun, playing a game.
Golf, as anyone who plays it will know, is an intensely mental game, but I realized that some of that pressure is based on the notion that you’ve got three people watching you. Playing on your own, in that sense, is liberating.
Sure, you can’t turn to your friend when you hit a glorious shot and say, “see?!” But, conversely, you also won’t be ridiculed when you miss that 2 foot putt.
When I left the course, I was grateful that I essentially got to have an uninterrupted conversation with myself for about 5 hours, which is an absolutely rarity in today’s world. I was the player, the caddy, and the audience. It was interesting, and something I’d recommend Ontario golfers get out and do at least once.
If You Like Walking, This is the Ontario Golf Course For You
For those unfamiliar with golf, you can walk a course or rent a cart. Most of the time, with 18 holes, it makes sense to get a cart.
However, The Fox Golf Club is a links-style course, which makes it extremely walkable for an 18 hole course.
Personally, I love to carry my clubs and walk, so I was more than pleased. A links-style course, for those who don’t know, tends to be characterized as having rolling hills, deep bunkers (because of the typically strong winds), and usually fewer trees than your average golf course.
The lack of hills is what makes a course like The Fox Golf Club so walkable. In fact, I played 18 holes in about 3 and a half hours. The average playtime for the course, for those curious, is about 4 hours and 20 minutes.
What Else Should You Know Before Playing at The Fox Golf Club?
Here are few of my observations, or at least a few things that I think are worth sharing in terms of what you should know.
Some of the greens weren’t in the best shape because of the intensive summer heat, but overall the course was in good condition.
The surrounding area offers some glances of classic Ontario beauty. Think about endless fields, inviting ponds, robust trees, and farms in the distance.
They have a practice facility as well as coaching available. There are two greens to practice chipping and putting, along with a 350 yard driving range.
As is Ontario protocol, masks must be worn indoors in the clubhouse at this time.
Unlike some of the more snooty and elite golf courses in Ontario, this course is very much open to the public, and you can book a tee time online at your leisure.
It isn’t a course that will every host a championship, but, as I said above, it’s excellent value, and a lot of fun to play.
Some Other Golf Courses of Note in Middlesex County, Ontario
If you’ve already played The Fox Golf Club and you’re looking for other Middlesex County golf courses, here are a few that you can consider.
Firerock Golf Club: Located in Komoka, Ontario, and known for the way in which its framed by natural grasses, as well as trees. - (public golf course)
Echo Valley Golf Club: Also in Komoka, on the western edge of London Ontario, is Echo Valley Golf Club. It’s a championship 18 hole golf course, which is noted for being particularly picturesque. - (public golf course)
Hickory Ridge Golf & County Club: In London, Ontario, is where you’ll find Hickory Ridge. It’s a shorter course, at just 5200 yards, and a par 68, so could be ideal for golfers who aren’t looking to be out on the course for quite as long. - (public golf course)
Lydinshire Golf & Country Club: Lydinshire calls Arva, Ontario home. It’s noted for having water in play in five holes, which is an interesting test for golfers. Fun fact as well, “Lyndinshire” is actually derived from the Welsh name meaning “London Township.” - (semi-private)
Your Ontario Golfing Adventure Awaits
I can only hope that you find this useful if you’re visiting Middlesex County or Southwestern Ontario in the future, or looking for an excuse to visit.
I’m personally not one of those people that’s hyper obsessed with golf, but I do realize that at this moment there are few better ways for me to get outside and catch a little bit of sunshine, and perhaps crack a smile or two before winter arrives.
I’ve also come to realize that many Ontario golf courses are a beacon for communities, and a way for people to feel a part of something, while collectively playing a game that, though frustrating at times, is ultimately good for your body and soul.
We can’t take that trip halfway across the world right now, but what better excuse to safely and responsibly appreciate this province?
The truth is that places like Middlesex County, and Ontario’s Southwest at large, are filled with opportunities if you know where to look, and stories if only we take a moment to listen.
And, I may not love the voice in my head chastising me for my recent shot on the course, but I’ll tell you, that voice is awfully quiet compared to the trees billowing in the wind, the birds overhead, and the gentle lapping of the water in the nearby pond.
I want to humbly thank Ontario’s Southwest and Middlesex County for hosting me as media. All opinions are completely my own. Below, I’d love to know in the comments if you’ve visited Ontario’s Southwest or Middlesex County before and your thoughts! Or, just your general thoughts on golf in Ontario! I respond to each and every comment personally.