Opinion on Nicklaus designed courses?

Question

I just got back from Reunion (outside Orlando) and played the Nicklaus designed course and I think Jack is getting a little wacky in his old age. Most of the greens were very shalllow, so if you were a half a club off on the approach you had no chance. The greens were elevated with severe steep bunkers, and even one hole with an unraked waste area surrounding the green on three sides. This is a resort area and the course was so difficult that pro's would have a tough time breaking par, and the average tourist hack is not going to break 100. I have played other Nicklaus courses and it seems Jack is more intent on making his course difficult to score on than enjoyable? I am begining to think that if I hear a course is designed by Nicklaus I will just stay away.

Answer 1

Jack Nicklaus isn't about making the course play ungodly difficult.  You have to think about the kind of player Jack was.  Highly analytical and methodical.  His philosophy is that you have to think your way around the golf course.  You can't pull out the driver every time.  When you are hitting your approach shot you've got to be positive you've chosen the right club.  I like his designs, because of just that.  I've got to think about each and every shot.  On some courses I may be able to hit driver every hole and get away with it.  On a Nicklaus course, I might shoot 140 doing that.  Strategy is key.

Answer 2

welcome to the wonderful world of nicklaus design.jack has inovated his courses with small greens and rolling bunkers unless you are up to the challenge stay away they are only getting tougher

Answer 3

The game has changed. Course design must be "tricked up" to compete. Sounds like the key to these courses is playing the appropriate tees for your ability and length.

Answer 4

Fortunately for you, Jack Nicklaus isn't the only golf designer in the world.  Chalk it up to a bad day on the course.  What I've seen of Nicklaus designs, all the problem areas are visible.

Answer 5

Nicklaus has a wide variety of golf courses and how they are designed.  Las Campanas Golf Club (Sunset), however very long at around 7,700 yards, is very subtle and not nearly as challenging as some of his other golf courses.  Most of the greens here are wide open in front, meaning you can roll the ball up on the green, instead of trying to fly long irons in.  Also, his Long Bay Club in Myrtle Beach is a fairly simple course.  Nicklaus designed this course to feature many bunkers, which quite a few of them are big enough that you can even drive your cart through.  You might have just lucked up and played some of his most difficult courses, but there are others that are much easier.  I can't wait to get on Tiger's first USA course.  It's only a couple hours away from where I live.  I'm eager to see if his designs are anything like Jack's.

Answer 6

That's typical of a Nicklaus designed course. They're not for hackers. If you don't play well it could be long, difficult five hours. You found out the hard way. Jack has been personally involved in the design of 261 courses world-wide to date and his design company, Nicklaus Design, expects to open 27 more course in 2008.