Bird Sanctuary Challenge
The Nicklaus Course weaves through a designated bird sanctuary, with native species visible from tee to green. This wildlife backdrop brings both beauty and unique distractions, especially near the wetland-protected holes.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Reunion Resort & Golf Club – Nicklaus Course
Kissimmee, Florida
Established
2006
Architect
Jack Nicklaus
Access
Resort
Par
Par 72
Length
5,055 – 7,219 yds
The verdict
A Signature Nicklaus Florida Test
Reunion Resort’s Nicklaus Course is big, bold, and immaculately presented, setting the stage for a memorable round on Tifeagle greens and championship shoulders. The course offers a blend of risk-reward drama and strategic ball placement, with water, sand, and wildlife all in play. Regional travelers seeking a top-tier Orlando golf experience shouldn’t miss this signature Nicklaus layout.
Course DNA
Difficulty
82
Scenery76
Conditioning84
Shot Variety78
Walkability53
Green Complexity77
Wow Factor73
Design Quality75
Don't miss
Pause for a moment on the sanctuary holes to spot rare native birds—these protected wetlands deliver a tranquil, memorable pause in the round.
At a glance
Quick facts
Grass type
Tifeagle Bermuda on greens
LPGA history
Hosted the Ginn Open, 2006–08
Designed for wildlife
Set in a designated bird sanctuary
Multiple courses
Resort features Nicklaus, Palmer, and Watson layouts
Bunker count
Over 90 strategically placed bunkers
Water in play
Several holes with water hazards and forced carries
Greenskeeper's tip
Stay below the hole on approach
Tournament focus
Regular site for PGA Section and major junior events
The design
The architecture
The Nicklaus Course at Reunion Resort is a bold yet elegant display of Jack Nicklaus’s signature design, creating a stern test for shotmakers while staying true to the Florida landscape. Sweeping doglegs, long forced carries, and artful bunkering mark the routing, with water features and native vegetation defining strategic decisions from tee to green. The greens are large and undulating, requiring precision both on approach and with the putter, while the setting in a protected bird sanctuary offers rare tranquility for a resort course of this caliber.
Jack Nicklaus brings his championship touch and strategic vision to Reunion, demanding both boldness and discipline from golfers at every turn.
Defining features
- Expansive Tifeagle greens with pronounced contours
- Frequent water hazards and risk-reward carries
- Native landscaping and protected wildlife corridors
- Deep, strategically positioned bunkers throughout
- Dramatic finishing holes featuring both water and sand
- Multiple tee boxes to accommodate a wide range of skill levels
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 9
Wetlands Approach Finale
PAR
4
YARDAGE
408
This dramatic par 4 plays along water to the left, with a fairway flanked by trees and bunkers, demanding accuracy both off the tee and into a sloped green. Club selection is critical given the wind and the penal water hazard framing the approach. The green is set just beyond a narrow inlet, rewarding precision and punishing anything left.
Play it smart
Favor the right side of the fairway for the best angle in, but control your distance to avoid the bunkers lurking at the landing zone.
Where it bites
A mis-hit or overly aggressive approach risks a watery end to the front nine.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approach to protected green over water
Favor the safe side rather than challenging tight pins, especially with wind up.
Risk-reward drive on a drivable par 4
Assess your confidence and wind before deciding; the miss short is often much better than long.
Long-iron approach to elevated green
Take enough club and don't be afraid to play for the heart of the putting surface.
Navigating deep fairway bunkers
Lay back off the tee to keep bunkers out of play, unless you absolutely need distance.
Playing through the bird sanctuary holes
Tune out the distraction of wildlife—focus on your routine and trust your yardages.
Windswept long par 3
Take one more club than you think and keep your flight low if possible.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Resort-level presentation with manicured Tifeagle greens, variable firmness depending on season, and generally excellent fairways.
Pace
Rounds tend toward resort pace—expect around 4.5 hours on busy days.
Vibe
Relaxed, high-end resort atmosphere with attentive staff and group-friendly energy.
Dress code
Standard resort golf attire—collared shirts and no denim.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Book your tee time early
Peak-season tee sheets fill fast—notable for major events and weekends.
02
Bring extra balls
With water in play on numerous holes, a few wayward shots can add up.
03
Brush up on bunker escapes
Deep, Nicklaus-style bunkers reward a confident sand game.
04
Map your strategy before round
Review the scorecard and layout ahead to plan where to attack and where to stay safe.
The lore
How it came to be
- 2006
Nicklaus Course opens at Reunion Resort
- 2006
First Ginn Open (LPGA) played at Reunion
- 2008
Final LPGA Ginn Open at Reunion
- 2018
Refinement of holes 17-18 and select bunkers
- 2024
Nicklaus clubhouse and resort amenities renovated
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Ginn Open Legacy
From 2006 to 2008, the Nicklaus Course served as host to the LPGA's Ginn Open, drawing some of the world's elite players and cementing its status as a championship venue. The legacy of professional competition can still be felt in the course's design and presentation.
Tri-Signature Resort
Reunion stands alone as the only resort in the world featuring courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tom Watson on one property. The Nicklaus Course is the cornerstone of this iconic trio, drawing fans of all three legends.
Strategic Finishing Stretch
Course regulars praise the back-nine closing stretch, where water hazards and deep bunkers frame approach shots and test nerves late in the round. The 17th and 18th are said to be both picturesque and penal.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The Nicklaus Course is set on a certified Audubon bird sanctuary.
2
Hosted the LPGA’s Ginn Open three times in the late 2000s.
3
Reunion Resort is the only property in the world with Nicklaus, Palmer, and Watson signature courses.
4
Some greens are nearly 50 yards deep, making club selection critical.
5
Over 90 bunkers add strategic drama throughout the round.
Build the trip
If you're making an Orlando golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
ChampionsGate Golf Club – International
Resort
A destination-level, modern public course within minutes of Reunion.
Orange County National – Panther Lake
Public
One of the area’s best pure golf experiences with wide play corridors.
Shingle Creek Golf Club
Resort
Centrally located with top-tier service and welcoming to visitors.
Bay Hill Club & Lodge
Resort
Arnold Palmer’s legacy and unique, tour-tested challenge.
Celebration Golf Club
Public
Great value and accessibility for warm-up or casual play.
Stay at Reunion Resort or nearby Kissimmee/ChampionsGate for the smoothest trip logistics.
Course DNA
If You Like Reunion Resort & Golf Club – Nicklaus Course
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.7
Grande Dunes Resort Course
Myrtle Beach, South CarolinaConditioning
Why it matches: If Reunion Resort & Golf Club – Nicklaus Course is your kind of course, Grande Dunes Resort Course is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Strong DNA Match8.7
Ladera Golf Club
Thermal, CaliforniaWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. Ladera Golf Club a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Reunion Resort & Golf Club – Nicklaus Course.
Strong DNA Match8.3
Mystic Rock at Nemacolin
Farmington, PennsylvaniaDifficulty
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Mystic Rock at Nemacolin a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Reunion Resort & Golf Club – Nicklaus Course.
Community Sentiment
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