Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
The Takeaway: A course that is a venue for the Canadian Tour, Nicklaus North has the length and challenge capable of testing the best players in the country, but it doesn’t feature the terrain or architecture that make for a special experience. Grade B-
Quick Facts
Designer: Jack Nicklaus 1996
Cost: $116 - $245 ($27 for a cart) Click for current rates
Phone Number: 604-938-9898
Course Website: Official Website - Visit Nicklaus North Golf Course's official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - 8080 Nicklaus North Blvd., Whistler, British Columbia V8E 1J7 – CANADA
Photos: See additional photos of Nicklaus North Golf Course
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What to Expect: Nestled just minutes from Whistler Village, Nicklaus North opened in 1996, framed by glacier-fed Green Lake. The course features large, undulated greens and plenty of sand and water to navigate. Most significantly, Nicklaus North has two major things going for it; sharing the name of golf’s 20th century GOAT, and being a Canadian Tour host. The course compliments those factors with some nice mountain views and engaging design features, but they aren’t as compelling as the competition in Canada. While the courses in Whistler are often driven by real estate sales, the housing doesn't seem too intrusive at Nicklaus North; though it is certainly present and noticeable throughout the round. With several water hazards along the way, there are numerous risk/reward shots to be taken and the course stands as a stout test for accomplished players. Walking or riding in a cart is an option given the relatively mild terrain.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 71 | 6961 | 73.0 | 138 |
| Blue | 71 | 6413 | 70.3 | 130 |
| White | 71 | 6004 | 68.3 | 126 |
| Green (Ladies) | 71 | 5489 | 70.9 | 130 |
| Red (Ladies) | 71 | 4764 | 67.1 | 116 |
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 17th Hole – 226 Yard Par 3 – A stunning setting awaits on the 17th at Nicklaus North with towering snow-capped mountains creating the backdrop and the sparkling waters of Green Lake setting the left boundary of the course's penultimate hole. Bunkers wrap around the entire left side and back of the green to catch balls from going into the water, so the only safe route is aerially to the center of the green or by drawing a ball in from the right where a gap in the sand will welcome ground shots. A signature Nicklaus one-shotter that is one of Whistler’s great photo moments.
Best Par 3: 10th Hole – 185 Yards – Nicklaus loves to ask players to hit a high fade, and you could use one here with the opening hole on the back nine. The plateau green is bordered on the right by a pond and by bunkers on all of the other sides. With the putting surface angling away from front left to back right, a well executed fade can stay over land the whole way before drifting to the day's pin position. Good course management is needed to prevent a big number, and it stands as a great match play hole.
Best Par 4: 16th Hole – 425 Yards – With float planes often coming and going on Green Lake to the left of the tee and mountains creating a visually impressive backdrop, there is more than one distraction on Nicklaus North's challenging 16th. The tee shot plays to a heavily treed fairway where long hitters can flirt with running out of room as the hole bends to the right. 90 yards short of the green, Fitzsimmons Creek dissects the fairway and forces players to carry it enroute to the green that boasts deep bunkering on the left and brush to the right. The approach shot features one of the most impressive backdrops on the course with a snow capped mountain scrapping the edges of the sky.
Best Par 5: 13th Hole – 564 Yards – The final par five at Nicklaus North arrives at the 13th and also creates one of the better scoring opportunities at the course. A baby fade that drifts towards the snow-capped mountain should leave players in a position to get aggressive on the second shot. With bear sightings most often happening along the right tree line, you may be motivated to keep up the left side so long as your shot carries the fairway bunker 100 yards from the green. The tree line tightens as it gets towards the putting surface, so accuracy is paramount for success whether you are attacking on your second or third shot.
Birdie Time: 3rd Hole – 518 Yard Par 5 – A short par five and certainly an opportunity to pursue an eagle putt, a generous fairway awaits off the tee before it bends to the left and develops some character. 150 yards from the green, water flanks the left side the rest of the distance to the green with a large bunker complex also coming into play 100 yards from the putting surface. On days when the wind is in your face, which is the prevailing direction, laying up to the right side leaves the ideal angle to attack the flag on this wide, but shallow green. Carding a birdie here is a nice momentum boost to the round.
Bogey Beware: 15th Hole – 437 Yard Par 4 – Water is featured twice on the 15th, once between the tee and fairway, then again left of the fairway on the approach shot. The fairway bends left with a pair of bunkers being located on each side of the driving zone which creates one of the more demanding tee shots of the day. On the approach shot, one of the course's largest and deepest bunkers sits sidesaddle on the right and creates a challenging spot to save par from considering how undulated the green is. The final five holes at Nicklaus North are very challenging and getting through them anywhere around par is a substantial accomplishment.
