Imagine an authentic, challenging links experience resembling some of the world’s most famous Scottish layouts. Now imagine it in Canada for less than $45 a round. Okay, now stop imagining. Tarandowah Golfers Club is the real deal—a place of head-shaking bounces and shoulder-shrugging triple-breakers, of towering uphill par-4s and sharp-edged, shaggy-bearded bunkers that wait to swallow wayward play.

It’s the first Canadian design by British architect Dr. Martin Hawtree, the man who gets the call from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club whenever an Open Championship venue needs toughening up. Tarandowah is not for the fair-weather golfer out for a Sunday stroll, but for a serious test of golf at rock-bottom prices, it can’t be beat.

Why Go Now

Ontario Golf magazine picked Tarandowah as the province’s best new course last year, which is always a feather in the cap of any new track. But the fact it’s still charging less than $50 during peak season makes it a must-play for 2009—it won’t be that cheap for much longer.

Green Fees

$48 weekends, $42 weekdays; cart rental $17 per person.

Best Deals

Tarandowah’s best hotel bets are in nearby London, where cut-rate rooms abound. What’s more, another well-hidden first-rate course, Forest City National (fcngolf.com), can be played on weekdays for $40 before 8:30 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m., and $50 on Sun. from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (puregolf.net).

Broke Local Secrets

Golf writer Robert Thompson loves Tony’s Pizza on Dundas Street. “It’s in a dodgy part of town, but serves the best panzarotti in Canada, in my estimation,” Thompson says. “Not expensive, but hidden to all but the locals who are aware of it.”

This story was originally published in the April 2009 issue of up! magazine as part of The Great Canadian Value Golf Guide, profiling the country’s 10 best courses for spend your golfing money. Check out other value golf spots in The Great Canadian Value Golf Guide 2009.