This course is remarkably easy on the eye, and so it should be: it was designed by star Canadian architect Graham Cooke, who has fashioned spectacular courses across the country—including the acclaimed Fox Harb’r in Nova Scotia—not to mention resorts in such far-flung locations as Finland and Italy. Located just west of Lindsay, a 90-minute drive from Toronto, Oliver’s Nest is a rural respite from congested city courses: the landscape is dotted with mature trees and Mariposa Brook ambles throughout. What’s more, the course is meticulously maintained, with tidy tee blocks, smooth fairways and fast greens. But looks can be deceiving: this pretty course provides plenty of challenges. Half the holes are doglegs, and the winding brook provides an added hazard on several occasions. The first hole—a 360-yard par four from the tips—is particularly tough. With water hugging the right side of the fairway and fescue beckoning just off the left, a straight drive is crucial. The 14th, a par three, is tricky. From the back tees, players face a 210-yard uphill tee shot—often into a wicked wind. If you can judge the distance, brace yourself for a putt on a roller-coaster-style green.