- Born
- Jan 21, 1940
- In
- Upper Arlington, Ohio
About
Nicklaus’ career as a competitive golfer needs no introduction. And thanks to a half-century-long span that covers some 400 layouts worldwide, his career in golf course design needs scarcely any, either.
Nicklaus got into golf course design at the height of his professional golf career, teaming up with Pete Dye to design Harbour Town Golf Links, which debuted in 1969. The attachment of Nicklaus’ name to the course helped soften the ire of fellow pros in its controversial early days, which gave Dye cover to continue in his own development as a great architect. It was Nicklaus’ springboard into the same profession, a lucrative side-business to his on-course exploits.
By adding golf course design to his storied playing career, Nicklaus followed Arnold Palmer in parlaying his success on the course into a powerful commercial brand. The Golden Bear went from golfer to corporation, and helped make golf course design a profitable extracurricular activity for fellow greats of the game.
From the 1970s into the early 2000s, Nicklaus courses - especially his higher-touch “Signature” designs - could be counted on to be strenuous tests of golf. Narrow fairways, angled greens, deep bunkers and numerous hazards place a premium on ball-striking. Though somewhat simplistic, the notion that a golfer had to hit high left-to-right approaches in order to play a Nicklaus course of that era was not without merit.
At a time when the PGA Tour dictated trends in golf course design - prestigious feel and high degree of difficulty - Nicklaus delivered for his clients, including several high-end resorts and real estate developers.

Selected golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus
La Quinta, California
Public/Resort
Pawleys Island, South Carolina
Semi-Private/Resort
Palm Coast, Florida
Resort/Private
Bluffton, South Carolina
Private/Resort
Columbus, Ohio
Semi-Private
With the Golden Bear now in his 80s, his son, Jack Nicklaus II, is assuming a larger leadership role in the design business. The Nicklaus name figures to appear on new golf courses for years to come.
-- Tim Gavrich
4 Min Read
March 18, 2021
Jack Nicklaus has amassed a global design portfolio that is among the world's most prestigious as well. Here are his best courses, according to Golf Advisor's raters.
Jack Nicklaus Design videos
Companion Content
Companion Content
17 Min Read
golfpass.com
Jack Nicklaus Designed Courses Map
Jack Nicklaus Designed Courses
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Breckenridge, ColoradoPublic/Municipal
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Victoria, British ColumbiaResort
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Crossville, TennesseePublic
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Gyeongseo-dong, IncheonSemi-Private
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Gyeongseo-dong, IncheonSemi-Private
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Breckenridge, ColoradoPublic/Municipal
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Chester, Cheshire West and ChesterResort
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Alhama de Murcia, MurciaResort
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Wilmington, North CarolinaPrivate
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Wilmington, North CarolinaPrivate
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Wilmington, North CarolinaPrivate
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Morgan Hill, CaliforniaPrivate
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Morgan Hill, CaliforniaPublic
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Gading Serpong, BantenPrivate
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Henndorf am Wallersee, Salzburg-UmgebungSemi-Private
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Palm Coast, FloridaResort/Private
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Hilton Head Island, South CarolinaResort
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Chirnside Park, Yarra Valley & DandenongsPrivate
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Chirnside Park, Yarra Valley & DandenongsPrivate
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St Augustine, FloridaResort
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San Luis Potosi, San Luis PotosiPrivate/Real Estate Development
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Bueng, ChonburiResort/Semi-Private
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Bueng, ChonburiResort/Semi-Private
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Bueng, ChonburiResort/Semi-Private
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Carmona, CaviteResort/Private
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Carmona, CaviteResort/Private
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Bluffton, South CarolinaPrivate/Resort
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Linkou District, New Taipei CityResort
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Linkou District, New Taipei CityResort
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Linkou District, New Taipei CityResort
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Linkou District, New Taipei CityResort
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Vila Nova de Cacela, Vila Real de Santo AntónioSemi-Private/Resort
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San Jose del Cabo, Baja CaliforniaPublic
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San Jose del Cabo, Baja CaliforniaPublic
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San Jose del Cabo, Baja CaliforniaPublic
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Pawleys Island, South CarolinaSemi-Private/Resort
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Palm Beach Gardens, FloridaResort
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La Quinta, CaliforniaPrivate
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La Quinta, CaliforniaPublic/Resort
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Pinehurst, North CarolinaResort
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Bend, OregonPublic/Resort
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San Jose del Cabo, Los CabosResort
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San Jose del Cabo, Los CabosResort
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San Jose del Cabo, Los CabosResort
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Punta Mita, NayaritResort/Private
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Changping, BeijingResort/Private
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Changping, BeijingResort/Private
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Changping, BeijingResort/Private
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Port Saint Lucie, FloridaPrivate
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Columbus, OhioSemi-Private
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Kempton Park, EkurhuleniPrivate
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Sam Phraya, PhetchaburiResort/Semi-Private
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Sam Phraya, PhetchaburiResort/Semi-Private
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St. Mellion, SaltashSemi-Private/Resort
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Gold Canyon, ArizonaPrivate
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Gold Canyon, ArizonaPrivate
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