Vista Vallarta: Nicklaus

Vista Vallarta is located on the west coast of Mexico, 20 minutes from the Puerto Vallarta airport in Jalisco. The property, which opened in 2001 features two spectacular and contrasting signature designs by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf. The Nicklaus course is situated on the resort's highest elevation and follows the natural topography of the land passing through undulating grassy mounds and dense forests of ficus and palm trees all while offering far-reaching views of Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding bay. The front side is highlighted by the par-5 third playing increasingly uphill with each shot and revealing views of the shimmering sea below, as well as the par-4 sixth, which also plays uphill and is dissected twice by creeks and rocky canyons. A daunting finishing stretch greets the golfers on the back-nine, including the difficult par-3 15th with forced carry over water, and also the 445-yard par-4 18th with a creek running the entire left side of the hole. In classic Nicklaus fashion the Vista Vallarta course forces players to contend with difficult club selection off the tee as well as steep and undulating breaks in the greens.