Nicklaus at Chung Shan Hot Spring Golf Club

The Nicklaus Course at Chung Shan Hot Spring Golf Club sits in Zhongshan, a city in the Pearl River Delta region of Guangdong Province. Jack Nicklaus designed this layout as part of a larger resort complex known for its natural hot springs, which have drawn visitors to the area for generations. The course reflects Nicklaus's approach to golf design in China during a period of significant development in the country's golf infrastructure, typically emphasizing strategic options from the tee and well-defended greens.

The terrain in this part of Guangdong tends toward rolling hills with subtropical vegetation, and courses in the region often incorporate water features and take advantage of natural elevation changes. Nicklaus designs from this era generally feature multiple tee boxes to accommodate different skill levels, generous fairway corridors balanced by hazards that penalize wayward shots, and green complexes that reward precision in approach play. The hot spring resort setting means the course operates within a broader leisure destination that includes spa facilities and accommodations.

Golf in Guangdong Province developed rapidly in the 1990s and early 2000s, with international architects creating courses for both resort play and private membership. Zhongshan's location between Guangzhou and Macau places it in a corridor that saw considerable golf construction during this period. The course serves both traveling golfers visiting the resort and regional players drawn to a Nicklaus design in southern China.