St Mellion Nicklaus
When the Nicklaus Course opened at St Mellion in 1988, it was the first course in Europe that Jack Nicklaus had personally designed, and the ambition shows. A par 72 of 7,054 yards carved through a steep Cornish valley, it is a bold, modern championship test that hosted the Benson and Hedges International Open and still stands as the headline round of any south west golf trip.
Photo: St. Mellion Estate via Google.
The verdict
St Mellion set out to build something grand, and they hired the right man. The Nicklaus Course, opened in 1988, was the great champion's first design on European soil, and he used the dramatic Cornish valley to create a course that climbs, falls and demands committed, powerful golf. At 7,054 yards from the back it is a genuine championship length, and the European Tour recognized as much by bringing the Benson and Hedges International Open here from 1990 to 1995.
It is a different proposition from the heathland and links classics of the south. This is muscular, American influenced design, with water, big elevation changes and greens that ask precise, aggressive approaches. As the centerpiece of a resort with lodging on site, it makes an ideal base for a Cornwall and Devon golf break built around one truly memorable headline round.
St Mellion Nicklaus Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1988
- Designer
- Jack Nicklaus
- Type
- Parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 7,054 yds
- Green fee
- Visitor rate
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from St Mellion Estate and leading course databases. The Nicklaus Course was Jack Nicklaus's first European design and opened in 1988, a par 72 of 7,054 yards. St Mellion is a resort that welcomes visiting golfers; green fees vary by season and day (indicative, 2026), so always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Nicklaus Course uses its valley to the full. Tee shots are played from elevated boxes down into the landing areas and back up to greens perched above, so judging elevation and carry is constant, and the player who can hit it long and straight is rewarded while the short or crooked hitter is exposed. This is design that asks you to take it on.
Water and bold bunkering frame the key holes, and the greens are large but heavily contoured, demanding approaches that finish on the right tier. The closing stretch is a true championship finish, the kind of run that produced drama when the tour came to town, and it leaves no room to coast home.
What stays with you is the scale and the ambition. St Mellion feels like a course built to host tournaments, big and dramatic against the green Cornish hills, and playing it is a proper occasion rather than a gentle stroll.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort course that welcomes visiting golfers seven days a week, often as part of a green fee or stay and play package; advance booking recommended |
| Green fee | Indicative visitor green fees in the region of 70 to 120 pounds depending on season and day (2026); stay and play packages can offer better value; always confirm directly before booking |
| Booking | Reserve through the St Mellion golf reception or as part of a resort package; the Nicklaus is the flagship of the estate's two courses |
| On the day | Smart golf dress on course; buggies are widely used given the elevation changes and length; allow time for a demanding round |
| Getting there | Near Saltash in Cornwall, close to the Devon border and the A388, a short drive from Plymouth |
| Best months | April to October; the mild south west climate keeps the course playable for much of the year |
Access and fee details verified June 2026; rates change by season and day, so always confirm directly with the resort or your trip planner before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The easiest base is the St Mellion resort itself, with a hotel, spa and the second course on the doorstep, which makes an early tee time and a relaxed stay and play trip straightforward. Plymouth, a short drive east, offers a wider choice of hotels and waterfront dining.
The Nicklaus pairs naturally with the great Cornwall and Devon courses for a full south west tour, linking to the links and heathland of the wider region for a varied multi course itinerary.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near St Mellion.
Build a Cornwall golf trip
We arrange tee times at St Mellion and the best of the Cornwall and Devon courses, pair them with the right base and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
St Mellion Nicklaus Course questions
Who designed the Nicklaus Course at St Mellion and when did it open?
The Nicklaus Course was personally designed by Jack Nicklaus, his first design in Europe, and opened for play in 1988.
What is the par and length of the St Mellion Nicklaus Course?
The Nicklaus Course is a par 72 of 7,054 yards, a long and demanding parkland layout cut through a Cornish valley.
Can visitors play the St Mellion Nicklaus Course?
Yes. St Mellion is a resort that welcomes visiting golfers and offers green fee and stay and play packages; book ahead and confirm the current rate before you travel.
Where is St Mellion Estate?
St Mellion is near Saltash in Cornwall, England, close to the Devon border and the A388, a short drive from Plymouth.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.