Vista Vallarta Golf Club - The Nicklaus Course
Rating Snapshot
About
The Nicklaus Course at Vista Vallarta Golf Club is one of two championship courses at the club, the other was designed by Tom Weiskopf. The Nicklaus Course is perched atop the property's highest elevation, offering spectacular views of Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas. The course tumbles across grassy hillsides covered with dense forests of palms and giant ficus trees. True to Nicklaus' style, the wildly undulating greens are balanced by generous driving areas. He also chose to route the holes along the natural contours of the land, giving each hole a unique character. One of the most talked-about holes on the golf course is the par-5 third, which is ranked as the toughest. This 550-yard monster demands three strong shots in order to make it onto the elevated green in regulation, but the tricky part is that the elevation rises a bit more with each shot.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 72 | 7074 yards | 73.8 | 144 |
| Blue | 72 | 6595 yards | 71.7 | 137 |
| White | 72 | 6031 yards | 69.5 | 124 |
| Red (W) | 72 | 5251 yards | 71.1 | 119 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold M: 73.8/144 | 401 | 429 | 550 | 381 | 213 | 452 | 427 | 534 | 182 | 3569 | 536 | 394 | 580 | 340 | 440 | 177 | 423 | 170 | 445 | 3505 | 7074 |
| Blue M: 71.7/137 | 338 | 408 | 519 | 366 | 192 | 435 | 395 | 499 | 178 | 3330 | 513 | 370 | 558 | 314 | 422 | 149 | 383 | 157 | 399 | 3265 | 6595 |
| White M: 69.5/124 W: 73.5/125 | 294 | 360 | 484 | 338 | 168 | 416 | 372 | 453 | 152 | 3037 | 466 | 356 | 538 | 262 | 402 | 125 | 347 | 131 | 367 | 2994 | 6031 |
| Yellow M: 66.4/117 W: 72.0/121 | 260 | 336 | 443 | 268 | 145 | 331 | 284 | 422 | 131 | 2620 | 433 | 334 | 521 | 236 | 311 | 113 | 307 | 114 | 298 | 2667 | 5287 |
| Red W: 71.1/119 | 258 | 334 | 441 | 266 | 143 | 329 | 282 | 420 | 129 | 2602 | 431 | 332 | 519 | 234 | 309 | 111 | 305 | 112 | 296 | 2649 | 5251 |
| Handicap | 11 | 7 | 1 | 13 | 15 | 3 | 9 | 5 | 17 | 6 | 12 | 2 | 14 | 4 | 16 | 10 | 18 | 8 | |||
| Par | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 36 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 36 | 72 |
| Handicap (W) | 13 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 15 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 17 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 14 | 8 | 16 | 10 | 18 | 12 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
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Food & Beverage
Bar, Grill, RestaurantAvailable Facilities
ClubhouseReviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by tcallaway25 on 06/12/2023
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Photo submitted by tcallaway25 on 06/12/2023
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Photo submitted by tcallaway25 on 06/12/2023
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Photo submitted by u314160452191 on 02/04/2023
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Photo submitted by u314160452191 on 02/04/2023
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Photo submitted by u314160452191 on 02/04/2023
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Photo submitted by u9883322 on 06/12/2022
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Photo submitted by u9883322 on 06/12/2022
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Photo submitted by u397521615 on 02/08/2022
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Photo submitted by browndoodle on 02/02/2022
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Hole 15 Photo submitted by u290742857 on 12/02/2021
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Photo submitted by RTomaselli1 on 11/22/2021
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Photo submitted by RTomaselli1 on 11/22/2021
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Photo submitted by RTomaselli1 on 11/22/2021
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Photo submitted by u778001500 on 11/16/2021
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Photo submitted by u778001500 on 11/16/2021
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Photo submitted by u778001500 on 11/16/2021
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Photo submitted by u000006172924 on 12/15/2020
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No. 16 on the Nicklaus course Photo submitted by greg0000023 on 05/26/2019
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A bunker and the bougainvilleas on the Nicklaus course. Photo submitted by JasonDeeganGA on 04/09/2018
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Pro Ivan Cueva on the Nicklaus course. Photo submitted by JasonDeeganGA on 04/09/2018
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A wall of fame celebrates the players from the 2002 World Golf Championships-World Cup at Vista Vallarta. Photo submitted by JasonDeeganGA on 04/09/2018
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Photo submitted by TroyJames on 01/24/2018
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View of one of the holes Photo submitted by kl3443 on 09/20/2012
Challenging layout
Definitely enjoyed this course. It was a lot of fun to play. It has a challenging layout. This time of year the fairways are on the dry side but not too dry. Greens are moderately fast. I would play this again but only for the hot deal price at this time of year.
Very nice experience
My second day this week at VV. Played Weiskopft two days earlier. First off the pro shop staff was very professional and efficient. The starter crew was a really nice retired American. He gave great info about VV. Was excellent. The driving range and putting area was excellent. Get there early to take advantage. The course was in excellent shape. Tee boxes and greens were exceptional. Bunkers were solid. I also played Vidanta twice this week. All courses were great but I rank VVNiklaus, VVWesiskopt and Vidanta in that order. Easy Uber to VV. @$13 each way from the Hard Rock and no issues waiting for an UBer.
Puppies Galore
Always if I around the Golf here. Had 3 puppies join us for the final 6 holes!!!
Best Course in Vallarta
The Nicklaus course at Vista Vallarta is in my opinion the best course in the area. Close to the mountains with terrific views and great holes. Some of the holes are difficult to play and the greens are in great condition.
If you play in the afternoon you can get a great price.
Can only recommend it.
Picturesque layout
We always enjoy playing these two courses. Staff, restaurant, pro shop are all top notch.
Excellent
Played at 2:30 for a cheaper green fee. WORTH EVERY PENNY! The course was in phenomenal condition. The staff was incredibly kind and accommodating. The pace was perfect. And the scenes were stunning. I would definitely play this again if we ever make our way back down here.
Great lay out and facilities at decent price
I have booked a tee time for 14:40 at decent price (89 us $ including fees) considering the regular prices at all courses in the Puerto Vallarta area ( including Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias and Punta de Mita). We played a fast round in 4 hours , me and my wife, as a twosome. The practice facilities are great and the personal is very welcoming). Considering the cost to play this course, the grooming could be a notch better. But the lay out is great with wide fairways in a pleasant environment. We play this course again
Twilight
This is an excellent course in a beautiful setting. That said it is way over priced. I play it in the afternoon at the twilight price making it a really good deal.
Expensive but enjoyable
Rates at this course have increased substantially over the last few years. Getting Hot Deals helped bring the price down to make the price reasonable. The layout is challenging and the course is well maintained.
Beautiful, but...
First off, the course is beautiful, the amenities are great, and the complex is in great shape. But I and my playing partners found it very difficult. Way more ravines and canyons than the Weiskopf course, lots of forced carries, and they all seemed to be at the wrong yardages from the tee or for your second shots. Bombers wont have a problem, but unless you want to play from the very forward tees, you might struggle. Other than that, greens were terrific and the place is awesome. I just found the Weiskopf course a bit more forgiving. Also, good value if you play twilight rates.
Terrible pace of play
Beautiful course layout and I wanted to play again, but pace of play was pretty bad as the group ahead was six players no sure how that was allowed..
