Course Review: The Fox Golf Club, by Jeffrey Reed (August 2005)

Copyright 2005 London Ontario Golf

One of the beauties of golf in southwestern Ontario – and in the city of London, for that matter – is the great variety of course types. The Fox Golf Club, a semi-private club on Elginfield Road just north of London, provides the local golfer not only with a variety of holes, but a trip to Scotland where links golf rules. Don’t look for well-manicured fairways; do look for rolling hills, plenty of fescue, and undulating greens.

In fact, The Fox GC was in great shape from tee to green despite our hot, dry summer – a real testament to new management and a crack greens crew. The only downfall was the speed of the greens; however, members at this popular club like them that way, according to the pro shop.

The Fox GC measures from 5,199 yards to 6,409 yards, and is a good venue for both beginners and low-handicap golfers who can risk a good round via the many risk-reward holes. Most fairways are wide open, but an errant tee shot will be lost in the knee-high surroundings of natural grasses. The on-site practice facility runs adjacent to the fairway at hole No. 1, and so do many range balls, but having a range here is a real plus for the club, and the price is right at only $5 for a warm-up bucket of balls.

Former City of London director of golf, Bill Fox, designed the front nine at The Fox GC (est. 1995), while his son, Bill Fox Jr., designed the back nine (est. 2001). The rebuilt clubhouse, and 19th hole – The Thirsty Fox – boast character and very friendly staff who make visitors feel like members.

The biggest challenge at The Fox GC stems from constant changing windy conditions. The front nine are for the most part wide open but challenging, thanks to a number of design features. No. 2 is a narrow, 195-yard par-3 with out of bounds to the left, and an undulating green. The fourth hole, a 466-yard par-5, features a shallow, undulating green fronted by a large pond and protected by a bunker to the left, and out of bounds at the rear. No. 8 is a tough par-5 measuring 565 yards, with strategically placed deep fairway bunkers, a valley fronting the green, and a blind shot to the pin. A very tough par-3 ninth measures 200 yards but plays more like 220 yards in windy conditions. Once you’re on the green, expect the quickest putts of the day on rolling turf.

The back nine at The Fox GC is more heavily treed and features some severe doglegs. A 327-yard par-4 12th hole at first glance appears like a birdie hole, but out of bounds left demands pinpoint accuracy off the tee to a slightly elevated green with a centre ridge. The signature hole, No. 13, is a pretty par-3 measuring 163 yards from an elevated tee. Then, the real fun begins at the par-4 14th, a dogleg left measuring 307 yards. Cut the corner with a 3-wood, or lay up for an easy pitch: the decision is yours. At the 339-yard 15th, you face a 90-degree dogleg left from the tee, but the smart play calls for a long iron to set up a pitch shot.

The finishing holes at The Fox GC are the toughest holes on the course. No. 17 is a 230-yard par-3 that plays like 250 yards downhill into the wind. The 18th, a par-5, 555-yard monster, features a double dogleg and tight fairway with an undulating green.

At The Fox GC, accurate tee shots will see you score low. You can bump and run all day long, but you will face some challenging greens, not to mention a nasty second cut and plenty of fescue during your journey.

I’ve always enjoyed my rounds at The Fox GC, and you will too: the price is right, the staff are courteous, and the rural surroundings make for an enjoyable afternoon. 

The Fox GC
Granton, Ont.
519-225-2757
Green Fees:
$29 weekdays, $33 weekends, cart $28
Driving Range:
$5 small bucket, $8 large bucket
www.foxgolf.ca