Best Jack Nicklaus golf courses

Home to an annual PGA TOUR event and host of the 1983 Ryder Cup Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,081

Situated in Palm Beach Gardens, northwest of West Palm Beach sits the fantastic five-star PGA National Resort. Opened in 1981, the course was originally designed by Tom and George Fazio before Nicklaus came in and redesigned the course in 2014.

Host of the annual Honda Classic on the PGA TOUR, the course’s toughest stretch of holes (15, 16, 17) are nicknamed “The Bear Trap” after the man himself. The par-3, par-4 and par-3 layout all have forced carries over water with wind playing a factor into shot making on each hole. The course in total plays less than 7,100 yards with water hazards and greenside bunkers prevalent throughout.

An annual PGA TOUR stop since 1969 and home of the RBC Heritage Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina | Par: 71 | Yardage: 7,110

Located on Hilton Head Island and home to the annual RBC Heritage tournament on the PGA TOUR, Harbour Town was Nicklaus’s first golf course design, with the help of Pete and Alice Dye. Opened in 1969, the course has remained relatively unchanged over the years and has become a huge travel destination for golfers worldwide.

The terrain on the island is relatively flat and only plays 7,100 yards from the back tees. The fairways throughout the course are relatively narrow with bunkers guarding the greens on every hole. The famous red and white lighthouse stands tall in the background behind the 18th green and has become the signature symbol of the course.

Regularly hosts PGA TOUR events and is ranked on Golf Digest’s list of top public courses in California Location: La Quinta, California | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,204

Located in the heart of the Palm Springs desert stands the PGA West complex comprised of three public courses and one private course, all designed by different people. The Nicklaus Course was opened in 1987 and co-hosts the annual American Express tournament on the PGA TOUR.

The course is laid out with generous fairways, large fairway bunkers, and strategically placed greenside bunkers. Water plays a significant role throughout the course with over half the holes having hazards in play. At just over 7,200 yards from the tips and with six tees to choose from, this course is a must play on a trip to Palm Springs.

Ranked by Planet Golf Magazine as the 46th best course outside the United States Location: Cap Cana, Dominican Republic | Par: 72 | Opened: 2006

Opened in 2006, the Punta Espada Golf Club is located outside Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Built along the east coast of the island, eight of the holes play either over or along the coastal waters of the Caribbean offering spectacular views throughout the island.

Punta Espada has been ranked “#1 Best golf course in the Caribbean and Mexico” by GolfWeek as well as #35 on Golf Digest’s best courses in the world. Playing a touch under 7,400 yards from the back tees, the course uses the natural landscapes of the area to cater to golfers of all skill levels. Due to the natural waste areas surrounding the holes, the bunkering mostly shapes the fairways and guards the greens. The fairways are fairly generous with large landing areas off the tee, but approach shots need to be placed well to avoid hazards.

Host of the 2014 Ryder Cup and 2019 Solheim Cup Location: Auchterarder, Scotland | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,296

Nicklaus hasn’t done a ton of design work in Scotland, but one of the few he did complete was the PGA Centenary Course at Gleneagles Resort, located 50 miles outside of St. Andrews. The resort itself was opened in the early 20th century with two great courses, Queen’s Course and King’s Course, operating as the only golf on property until 1993 when Nicklaus built the PGA Centenary Course.

Since its opening, the course has hosted the 2019 Solheim Cup and the 2014 Ryder Cup, both of which were won by Team Europe. This course is certainly a challenging layout and is longer than both its sister courses measuring 7,300 yards from the far tees.

The layout is a little different than others Nicklaus designs. Tee shots are narrower, bunkers are mostly next to the fairways instead of in them, and there is very little water coming into play. With a location in the Scottish hills, the fairways and greens are rather undulating with many slight elevation changes from tees to fairways to greens.

Ranked as the #1 golf course in the Algarve by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Algarve, Portugal | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,181

Located in the hills northeast of Tavira, Monte Rei North Course is widely regarded as one of the Algarve’s finest golf experiences. The course enjoys sweeping views of the Serra do Caldeirão Mountains, glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean and is the only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course in Portugal.

This championship layout features water hazards on eleven holes and an unusual mix of five par-3s, eight par-4s and five par-5s. The par-4 13th is the standout hole, playing from an elevated tee with a natural lake backdrop and panoramic mountain views.

Host of the 2009 South African Open Location: Cape Town, South Africa | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,373

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Cape Winelands, Pearl Valley is one of South Africa’s premier golfing destinations. The course combines mountain views, crystal-clear lakes and indigenous flora with a championship layout that hosted the 2009 South African Open.

The 18-hole layout features wide landing areas, strategic water hazards and bunkering that asks golfers to think carefully about every shot. Its signature hole is the par-3 4th, where water runs along the right-hand side and a protective bunker guards the green.

Voted one of the World’s 100 Greatest Courses by Golf Digest Location: Los Cabos, Baja California Sur | Par: 72

Built along the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean on the tip of the Baja Peninsula sits the immaculate Quivira Golf Club. Quivira is one of six golf courses that Nicklaus designed in the Cabo San Lucas area helping to put the golf on the international map.

Opened in 2014, this Nicklaus design is considered one of the best golf courses in the world with its unique terrain and spectacular views. Due to the setting on which the course was built, golfers will experience blind tee shots, rising and descending elevation changes, and sandy waste areas off the fairways. Holes 1-4 play in the valley before heading up into the mountains to play holes 5-17 before playing 18 back down into the valley. Quivira is definitely one of the golf courses that you should experience at least once in your lifetime.

Generally considered the most difficult of the Reunion Resort courses Location: Orlando, Florida | Yardage: 7,200

The Tradition Course by Jack Nicklaus at Reunion Resort, Orlando, can be as deceptive as it is beautiful thanks to the smooth parkland-style layout that flows around the resort. Many of the holes are designed to tempt golfers into hitting risky shots with potentially big payoffs, making it a great matchplay golf course that offers endless entertainment.