Bay Point Resort Golf Club (Nicklaus course)

Bay Point Resort Golf Club (Nicklaus course): Just across St Andrews Bay from Panama City, you'll find Bay Point Resort and two top-quality and contrasting championship golf courses. The parkland elegance of the tree-lined Meadow course is eclipsed by the usually higher-rated and more expansively roaming Nicklaus course.

Revamped by the Golden Bear stable in 2005, this out-and-back layout weaves its way through a community of large and discreetly distanced housing. The Nicklaus certainly delivers variety, both on and beyond the course. A more tree-lined mid-section on the back-nine (especially at the par-4 12th and par-4 13th) contrasts with the bayside and more condo-flanked front-nine.

The Nicklaus's par-4 1st and par-3 2nd signal that small lakes and ponds will frequently threaten on this wonderfully crafted, varied and ever-challenging layout. The par-4 4th and 5th holes steal the scenic honours. Both are played alongside the Grand Lagoon where it connects into St Andrews Bay, and offer spectacular bayside views. The signature 5th is a testing short par-4 with a double carry over wetlands, from tee-to-fairway and fairway-to-green.

Large and often seriously undulating greens are defended by a stylish array of bunkers, both small and large, as well as considerable mounding. Like many other holes, the long par-5 9th offers plenty of space from the tee, but also a blind drive, up and over a small ridge. A layout typically characterised by excellent upkeep, variety, challenge and great Nicklaus design work.

Note: Bay Point's Meadows course closed in 2018 following extensive damage caused by Hurricane Michael. The Meadows course was still closed as of 2024. The Nicklaus course remains fully operational.