
Photo Review: Nicklaus North Golf Club
Reading Time: 4 minutes A rare Jack Nicklaus Signature design, Nicklaus North is in stunning Whistler, British Columbia
Information:
- Whistler, British Columbia
- Public – Daily Fee
- Jack Nicklaus (1996)
- 49th in Canada (ScoreGolf)
Nicklaus North is part of the trifecta of Canadian Top 100 courses in the Whistler area that I played on my recent trip to the boujee resort town. The other two, Big Sky and The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, can be viewed by clicking here and here, respectively. Nicklaus North is probably the most famous of the three, though, but that comes with the territory. Whenever Jack Nicklaus, one of, if not the best golfers of all time, attaches his “signature” label to a golf course, it gets special attention.


















There’s no doubt Nicklaus North has its moments. The closing stretch is for sure the better part of the course, and 7-8 are decent holes as well. But my issue with Nicklaus North lies in the fact that it’s somehow top 50 in the country. If this golf course was not ranked, it would be an enjoyable round of golf. Still boring, sure, and mundane at times without much architectural interest (albeit, not many architecture geeks find their way to Whistler for quality golf with Capilano, Marine Drive, and others about an hour and a half south in Vancouver), but it doesn’t hold that “top 50” reputation that you expect quality golf that both charms the casual player and impresses, or at least intrigues the architecture nerd.
I don’t have any issue with Nicklaus North. They were a great host, the service was amazing, there was free lemonade on the first tee (!), and they treated everyone beautifully. The golf course was in great shape for the recent rain, they did everything right. My issue lies with Jack Nicklaus as an architect, who has yet to show me anything that truly excites me. Nicklaus North is a fairly standard golf course that gets a huge boost for being in Whistler.
Have you played Nicklaus North? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear some comments on the course and how others found the architecture and actual golf course. Leave your thoughts below!