Pinehills (Nicklaus)

One of two new millennium 18-hole layouts at Pinehills Golf Club, the Nicklaus course was first unveiled to the public in 2002, one year after its sibling the Jones course debuted. Designed by the Golden Bear’s oldest son Jack Jnr, the course places great emphasis on precision approach play.

Occupying the northeast portion of a large, 300-acre densely wooded property that lies just off Pilgrims Highway, the Nicklaus course is tree-lined from start to finish, though the playing corridors are wide enough to stave off any feelings of claustrophobia.

Highlight holes include the slightly downhill, left doglegging 4th, rated stroke index 1, where the fairway narrows considerably as it heads towards an angled green; and the 384-yard 9th, which bends gently right along a heavily sand-protected fairway towards the green.

On the back nine, the 189-yard 15th is a challenging par three hole that mandates an all-or-nothing carry across a ravine to a wide, shallow green; while the toughest hole on the inward half is kept until last, at the 476-yard 18th, where water flanks the left side of the home green.