Nicklaus Club Monterey
The opening nine holes work their way up an isolated valley and return to the clubhouse, with the stylish ninth hole serving as the exclamation point.  The green on the closing par 4 is strategically positioned adjacent to a large lake that adds character and beauty to what is regarded among the most respected “pure” golf holes at Nicklaus Club – Monterey. Our back nine is a superb collection of risks and rewards, with several holes capturing Nicklaus’ vision for the dramatic landscape.  In particular, the 14th hole is a par 3 perched atop a dramatic bluff, playing a full carry across a deep, rugged canyon to a sizable green.  The elevation, at both the tee and green, offers 360-degree views of the magnificent Santa Lucia Mountains, as well as stretching East across the Salinas Valley and out West to Monterey Bay. Allowing the land to dictate the design for Nicklaus Club - Monterey, Nicklaus found his final routing to include six par 3s, five par 5s and seven par 4s, with five sets of tees that range from 5,003 from the front to 6,756 at the back.  Regardless of the chosen distance, the course requires both caution and courage, occasionally both on the same shot.
 

HOLE ONE


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526 Yards/Par 5
The opening hole is a slightly uphill par five with strategic bunkering along the way.  Only reachable for the longest of hitters, players must contend with bunkers left and right off the tee, and a central bunker in the approach area.  The putting surface is small and contains plenty of slope to challenge your short game skills.
 
 

HOLE TWO


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286 Yards/Par 4
Although seemingly innocent on the scorecard, this short par four plays straight uphill and requires precision to reach the shallow green.  Club selection will be at a premium on the approach and the green contains a large vertical undulation, making accuracy to the specific hole location essential for success.
 

HOLE THREE


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184 Yards/Par 3  
This downhill par three plays shorter than the yardage and the prevailing wind usually follows; however, trouble awaits in the form of a large, deep bunker and sideslope for any errant shot to the right.  A tee shot that stays left will use the natural contours and provide a chance for success.
 
 
 

HOLE FOUR


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464 Yards/Par 4
Completely devoid of bunkers, length and slope become the challenging factors on this prodigious par four.  A tee shot placed in the right center of the fairway will offer a preferred angle to the green, which is divided into three sections by undulations.  Reaching the proper section of the green will bring large rewards when putting to your final target.

HOLE FIVE


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380 Yards/Par 4
The tee shot plays to a landing area with multiple bunkering left and right, making shot selection and positioning key for a successful approach.  The smallish, elevated green is guarded by deep bunkers left and right, so errant approach shots will be tested with challenging recovery shots from the sand and rough.
 
 

HOLE SIX



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159 Yards/Par 3

This shorter par three plays slightly downhill to a large, sloping diagonal green with a variety of interesting hole locations.  Club selection will be at a premium to get close to the flag, as the wind swirls back in this small valley and is constantly changing the character of the tee shot.
 

HOLE SEVEN


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523 Yards/Par 5 
A reachable par five for longer hitters, the seventh offers a mixture of challenges including the meandering creek to contend with on the tee shot, and two deep bunkers guarding the green.  The preferred approach angle is from the right hand side of the fairway, opening up the green for a possible birdie or par.
 

HOLE EIGHT


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192 Yards/Par 3
Club selection and distance control will be paramount to success at this stunning trip across the pond.  The green is separated by a large deck which creates some interesting short game dilemmas for those who end up on the wrong side of the surface.
 

HOLE NINE


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475 Yards/Par 4 
Arguably the most scenic and dramatic on the course, a long and accurate tee shot will give golfers the opportunity to confront a large, subtle green complex guarded by the lake on the right.  The hole requires all of the shotmaking skills to succeed, and par will be an excellent score on every occasion.
 

HOLE TEN


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562 Yards/Par 5
The starting hole on the inward nine is a downhill dogleg right that requires a tee shot to negotiate the fairway bunkers both left and right.  The green is guarded by a large lake on the front right hand portion, so it is best to approach the hole from the left hand side of the fairway following your second shot.
 

HOLE ELEVEN


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209 Yards/Par 3
An uphill par three that plays longer than the yardage, the eleventh plays to a rolling putting surface with a huge undulation across the center.  Bunkers and rough come into play, and will test your recovery abilities.  Par will be a good score here.
 
 

HOLE TWELVE


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452 Yards/Par 5
Straight uphill and usually into the wind, this hole presents an opportunity for a birdie whether you reach the green in two, or lay up for a third shot approach.  The ideal tee shot will avoid the fairway bunkers down the left and provide the player options for the second shot.  The putting surface is sloping and deceptively speedy – watch the downhill putts.

HOLE THIRTEEN


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366 Yards/Par 4 
The tee shot on this dogleg right par four must be carefully positioned away from the large tree bisecting the fairway, leaving an uphill approach to an elevated green that is not visible to the golfer. Thoughtful judgment of the slope will be paramount to selecting the proper club for approach, and will be rewarded with a good score.
 
 

HOLE FOURTEEN




205 Yards/Par 3

At the high point of the property played across a dramatic canyon, the tee shot must carry the expanse of the canyon to a putting surface that is larger than it appears to the naked eye.  A little extra club will provide the means for success at this outstanding offering.

 

HOLE FIFTEEN


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560 Yards/Par 4
An incredible vertical drop sets the tone for this engaging par four played to a sloping, dogleg right fairway landing area.  The tee shot should play down the right side to allow for maximum roll once landed, and the bunker fronting the green is cleverly disguised away from the putting surface, providing an optical illusion.
 

HOLE SIXTEEN


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161 Yards/Par 3
Although not long on distance, the emphasis will be to reach the correct portion of the green where the flagstick is located, and if not attained, challenges will be numerous in dealing with the slopes and speed of the green surface from an inopportune angle.  Players will be wise to factor the uphill into their assessment of the tee shot.
 

HOLE SEVENTEEN


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582 Yards/Par 5 
This meandering, cascading par five presents a variety of options for how to attack the hole, but the major component will be dealing with the omnipresent pond tightly guarding the left hand side of the green.  Long hitters could reach the in two, and all types of scores will be seen here.
 

HOLE EIGHTEEN


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470 Yards/Par 4
A stunning, captivating hole with a creek up the left and bunkers on the right, the closing hole requires both length and accuracy for an opportunity to reach the green in regulation.  A single, deep bunker guards the green and putting skills will be tested at this excellent finishing hole.