GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.5
347 Reviews (347)
5 Stars
228
4 Stars
96
3 Stars
16
2 Stars
6
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.3
Value
4.1
Layout
4.7
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.8
Amenities
4.3
90.1%
Recommend this course
321 out of 347 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.6
16 Reviews (16)
5 Stars
12
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.0
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.8
Amenities
4.3
StaffFriendliness
4.7
87.5%
Recommend this course
14 out of 16 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.5
22 Reviews (22)
5 Stars
15
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
2
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.1
Value
4.0
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.8
Amenities
4.2
StaffFriendliness
4.8
86.4%
Recommend this course
19 out of 22 reviews
Read Reviews
frame.svg
AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
circle-star.svg
Course Highlights
The Nicklaus course delivers a challenging mountain layout with wide fairways, protected greens, and stunning views overlooking Puerto Vallarta. Friendly staff and consistently smooth pace of play make rounds here a standout experience.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 7074 yards
Slope 144
Rating 73.8

The Nicklaus Course at Vista Vallarta Golf Club is one of two championship courses at the club, the other was designed by Tom Weiskopf. The Nicklaus Course is perched atop the property's highest elevation, offering spectacular views of Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas. The course tumbles across grassy hillsides covered with dense forests of palms and giant ficus trees. True to Nicklaus' style, the wildly undulating greens are balanced by generous driving areas. He also chose to route the holes along the natural contours of the land, giving each hole a unique character. One of the most talked-about holes on the golf course is the par-5 third, which is ranked as the toughest. This 550-yard monster demands three strong shots in order to make it onto the elevated green in regulation, but the tricky part is that the elevation rises a bit more with each shot.

Book a Tee Time at
Vista Vallarta Golf Club - Nicklaus Course
Powered by GolfNow.com
Hot Deals at Vista Vallarta Golf Club - Nicklaus Course
View more Hot Deals on

Course Details

Year Built 2001
Architect Jack Nicklaus (2001) Chet Williams (2001)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fee
Caddies Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Golf School/Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discovery
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill, Restaurant, Beverage Carts

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Lounge

Accolades

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
golf ball.svg
$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
waivedfees
12 rounds of waived fees
redeemtrophy
GolfPass Member Pricing
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection

Reviews

4.5
347 Reviews (347)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

One of the world's best!

Good layout, somewhat difficult but fair. Fairways are wide enough to allow for some off shots. Course is in great condition, especially the greens.

Bring your camera to capture the on believable scenery.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Dr AGUILAR

We stay in Vallarta in more 20 vacations and no now tvOS Course

We like Play with my Family here is a Good Course , We are played all Course in Vallarte and Nuevo Vallarta but reís is excelente Course

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Hidden Dangers

The name, Vista Vallarta, is exact in the location of the course and the views available. This is very much a course with elevation changes in relation to other courses in the area. One key feature of this layout is the hazards off the tee, many of which are not visible from the tee. The starter was helpful and explained the first hole in detail but further into the round there was some other instances where course knowledge would have helped. The conditions were great with the greens being very true and holding an approach shot relatively well.

Note we played on a holiday (NYE) and the course was closing at 4pm. No notification was given of this (1:30pm hot deal) but luckily we showed up early enough to start around 12:30 and complete in time.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

player friendly course

In very good condition, wide fairways, it was a pleasure to play it,

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

A beautiful course in excellent condition

Played the Friday before Christmas and the course was very quiet. Made it around in under 3 hours and greens putted true and reasonably fast. Lots of topo and nice layout. You don't play next to the ocean and not much wind. Other than the difficulty of getting to the course it is nice change from Vidanta, Litibu etc all. Price is also a little strong which may account for lack of play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Vista Vallarta Golf courses

We play both Tom the Vista courses and found them very challenging but fair. Both in great condition. As always the staff there is great. We had a very good caddy Domingo who was a pleasure to have with us for both rounds.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Challenging

Beautiful area, mountain course with lots of greenery and hazards. Well maintained

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Course

I recently played this course (Nicklaus) with my son. I booked through GolfNow at a very reasonable rate of $75USD per person which included a cart, water, hand clothes on ice (which was a great amenity in the heat) and access to the driving range/chipping green. The staff were very friendly and made everything easy for us. This course has a great layout and is in good condition. The only room for improvement that I can suggest is with the sand traps. They need more sand as I found there was only a thin layer of sand in the middle of the trap over a hard soil surface that made it difficult to get under the ball properly. This is something I noticed at other courses in the area as well. Overall, it was a great experience that I would recommend.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Course, But a Tad Pricey

The course was in great shape and a joy to play. I don't think I would have payed the rack rate though. Played on a Monday GolfNow hot deal ($100), but just for my gf to ride was $50. Layout is fun and challenging and the Staff were very hospitable. Played in about 2 & 1/2 hrs, but that was bc I was a single and the course was dead. Overall, would play again only on a Hot Deal though.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Excellent experience

This course was recommended by one our club pro's. I was a little reluctant after playing the Nicklaus Vidanta course which was very flat and boring. This course is the opposite. Much better conditions, vastly better layout with significant elevation changes, 12 ravines to hit over, well-bunkered and faster greens than you typically see in Mexico. Overall a great experience and I will play it again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

VALLARTA GOLF

es la primera vez que juego este campo, y esperaba mucho mas , el campo esta muy seco y ademas la llegada es complicada, es mucho mejor campo y mas barato jugar en flamingos. definitivamente no volveré a este campo de golf

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Must play in PV

A must play in PV if you use the golf now discount.

Course is in excellent shape, never anyone on the course, range and warm up facilities are close to where you tee off.

Clubhouse and restaurant are excellent.

If no discount then $209 U.S. a round is too much for this Canadian.

Conditions Good
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Golf in Mexico

A very enjoyable course that challenges you and at the same time provides you with the opportunity to have fun.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 38
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Confirm conditions first

Fairways mostly pretty good, but recent rains washed out virtually all bunkers which where unplayable. And isn't Nicklaus course known for bunker challenge?

Sand washed away and several filled with deep standing water. I lost a ball in one because the water was so spread across and so deep! Ha ha! Shouldn't have tried to clear the bunker in first place. Greens good but furry and slow.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

jungle golf course

There is no hotels or houses..just awesome to be there and play..very expensive but not too bad thanx to golf now...play there every year I visit from Canada..everyone there trees you special..

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Best Course that I played while in PV

Played the Norman, Weiskopf and Nicklaus course, of the three the Nicklaus course was in the best condition and the most forgiving. Generous fairways and approachable greens. Did not get a chance to play the Nicklaus course at Vidanta but I understand that it is also a very nice course. If I paid $100.00 or more to play a course in the U.S. the condition of the course would be perfect, not the case with all of PV courses. They charge double to triple what they would be worth in the U.S. Playing golf in the PV area is somewhat expensive compared to the courses back in the U.S

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Vista Vallarta Nicklaus Course

Good value if you get the deal through Golf Now, paid half price

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account