Deerhurst Highlands
Robert Cupp and Thomas McBroom carved Deerhurst Highlands out of the Muskoka rock in 1990, and it remains one of the most respected public courses in Canada. A par 72 of 7,011 yards over granite, forest and elevation, it is the headline round at a long established Huntsville resort and welcomes visitors.
Photo: Deerhurst Highlands Golf Course via Google.
The verdict
Deerhurst Highlands helped put Muskoka on the golf map. When Robert Cupp and Thomas McBroom opened it in 1990, it was one of the first courses to take full advantage of the dramatic granite and forest of the region, and it has stayed in the conversation about Canada's best public golf ever since, regularly listed among the country's top public courses by ScoreGolf.
For the traveling golfer it offers championship scale at a resort you can simply book into. The Highlands is a strong, rugged test that asks for accurate driving and good course management, set against the rock faces and timber that make this part of Ontario so distinctive. As the centerpiece of Deerhurst Resort on Peninsula Lake, it is an easy and rewarding addition to any Muskoka trip.
Deerhurst Highlands at a glance
- Opened
- 1990
- Designer
- Cupp and McBroom
- Type
- Rock and forest (resort)
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 7,011 yds
- Green fee
- ~C$150 (2026)
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the resort and leading course databases. Deerhurst Highlands is a par 72 of about 7,011 yards, designed by Robert Cupp and Thomas McBroom and opened in 1990. It is a resort course open to visitors; indicative 2026 green fees are around C$150 in peak summer and lower early and late season. Rates change by season and time of day, so always confirm current pricing and availability directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Highlands is defined by its terrain. Cupp and McBroom routed the course through a landscape of granite ridges, mixed forest and wetland, so the round constantly changes elevation and the tee shots demand commitment over rock and timber. The most photographed moment is the par 4 tenth, played beneath a sheer face of exposed granite that frames the hole and reminds you exactly where you are.
It is a course that rewards the player who can shape a tee shot and place an approach. The fairways are generous in spots but framed by trouble, and the greens are well protected, so position off the tee sets up everything. From the back markers at just over 7,000 yards it has plenty of teeth, while the forward tees keep it fair for the mid handicapper enjoying the scenery.
Beyond the Highlands, Deerhurst is a full resort with a second shorter course, the Lakeside, which makes an easy warm up or relaxed second round. Take a cart for the elevation, allow time for the views, and let the rugged Muskoka character set the tone for the day.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort course open to visitors; many golfers play on a stay and play package at Deerhurst Resort |
| Green fee | Indicatively around C$150 in peak summer 2026, lower early and late season (indicative) |
| Cart and caddie | Carts recommended for the elevation; walking is permitted |
| Booking | Through the resort, online or by phone; book ahead for summer weekends |
| On the day | Golf attire and soft spikes; a second resort course, the Lakeside, is also on site |
| Getting there | Huntsville on Peninsula Lake, roughly 2.5 hours north of Toronto by car |
Access and fees verified June 2026 from the resort and public sources. Green fees vary by season, day and time, so always confirm current pricing and availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The simplest option is to stay at Deerhurst Resort itself on Peninsula Lake, which puts you steps from the first tee and offers the full lakeside resort experience. Huntsville town and the wider Muskoka lakes also provide lodges and hotels within easy reach if you want to mix bases on a longer trip.
For a complete Muskoka golf week, pair Deerhurst Highlands with Doug Carrick's dramatic Muskoka Bay Club at Gravenhurst and the island setting of Bigwin Island on Lake of Bays. Three contrasting courses, all within an hour or so, make a memorable northern Ontario itinerary.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts around Huntsville.
Play Deerhurst Highlands on a Muskoka golf trip
We book the Deerhurst tee times and rooms, route the best of Muskoka around it, and sort the transfers from Toronto. Tell us roughly when and who is traveling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Deerhurst Highlands questions
Who designed Deerhurst Highlands?
Deerhurst Highlands was designed by Robert Cupp and Thomas McBroom and opened in 1990 at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario.
What is the par and length of Deerhurst Highlands?
Deerhurst Highlands plays to par 72 and measures about 7,011 yards from the back tees, threading across rugged Muskoka terrain with rock outcrops and elevation changes.
Is Deerhurst Highlands a good public course?
Yes. Deerhurst Highlands is regularly ranked among the top public golf courses in Canada by ScoreGolf and is the headline course of a long established Muskoka resort.
Can the public play Deerhurst Highlands?
Yes. Deerhurst Highlands is a resort course open to visitors, often as part of a stay and play package. Green fees are indicatively around C$150 in peak summer 2026 and vary by season, so always confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.