The Nicklaus course at Colleton River Plantation made its debut in 1993, six years before the longer, tougher Pete Dye layout was unveiled, with both 18-hole layouts set out on a peninsula that separates the Colleton and Chechessee rivers. The Nicklaus course offers the usual Lowcountry mix of wooded and swamp-laden holes, as well as featuring a closing stretch of holes that occupy a more open landscape.
It may be shorter than its sibling but the course can still be stretched to just over 7,100 yards, with only a couple of the par fours measuring less than 400 yards from the tips. The 166-yard 4th is a very photogenic short par three, playing to an island green out in the marshes which is completely surrounded by water at high tide. Golfers should also bring their driver across the bridge to the green as the tee boxes for the 5th hole are also located on the island.
On the inward half, the links-style final five holes are very impressive, starting with the short par five 14th, which emerges from the woods then doglegs sharply to the right, over a very large fairway bunker to the green. The 189-yard 17th is a lovely par three, its green perched on the river, whilst the 454-yard closing hole flirts with marshland all along the right side as it bends towards the home green.
