Jack Nicklaus is as well known in the modern golf world for his input on course design as he is a legendary golfer.
Despite winning 18 majors and considered by many as the greatest golfer to ever live, Nicklaus also has a respect and name in the game of course design.
Nicklaus has helped design countless courses, with a particular spurt in the 1990s seeing him increase his tally massively.
Places like Valhalla, Muirfield Village and Harbour Town links are just a few of the memorable courses Nicklaus has helped design and build.
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However, with so many of these courses played by both PGA Tour pros and local amateurs and members, it does beg the question of how Nicklaus helps keep things a doable challenge for both.
Luckily for us, he’s answered that very question.
How Jack Nicklaus plans golf courses for everyone
You’d think an 18-time major winner would want to make things as tricky as possible but that’s not necessarily the case for Nicklaus.
In fact, he is all about getting as many people playing golf as possible.
Indeed, speaking to Golf Atlas back in 2015, Nicklaus revealed just what he puts into course design.
“You figure that the average golfer is not supposed to hit the ball as far as the pro is supposed to hit it. And, you always try to figure out an alternate way to play the golf course. If you look at most every golf course I might have, occasionally, a hole where there’s no bail-out,” Nicklaus explained previously.
“But very rarely do I do a golf course where you don’t have a way for the women, seniors, or the average golfer to play the golf course. Very rarely do I have any holes that don’t present you an alternative or areas where you can bail out.
“If you go look at The Bear’s Club, which has 25 touring professionals who are members of the golf course, they think it’s a wonderful golf course to play. I think every green is open. You can run the ball on to every green on the golf course. I have a bailout on every single hole, but it doesn’t affect how they play.
“That’s the evolution of my design. And even though The Bear’s Club is a strong golf course, the members love it.”
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The golf course Jack Nicklaus would play if he had one final round
Despite having so many courses with his fingerprints all over them, when it comes to picking a favourite of all-time, Nicklaus steered clear of his own.
In fact, he even steered clear of Augusta National.
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Speaking previously on where he’d play if he had just one round to get in, Nicklaus revealed it would in fact be Pebble Beach.
“I got to say, I love Augusta National, but sort of from a golf standpoint if I want to go play one more round it would have to be Pebble Beach,” he said.
“My two favourite places in the game of golf are Augusta National and St Andrews, and that is why I ended my career at St Andrews, just because I had so much respect for where the game started. But it is a pretty hard choice; I hope I don’t have to make it soon.”
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