Pecanwood is one of the most player-friendly Jack Nicklaus courses I have played. And that makes it a highly enjoyable experience. It has generous playing corridors and as long as you stay away from the many bunkers you will have a fun time here. Some bunkers cannot be avoided as they are well positioned, yet a good strategy off the tee to play away from them will be rewarded with a fairway lie rather than a sandy one. I was amazed at the number of bunkers right of the fairway on 18, a strong finishing hole, and another large nest of them fronting the par-5 fifth green. There are cross bunkers to carry at times (1-6-15), and even a deep trap in the middle of the fairway (12), yet Jack always provides an alternative route. This was Jack’s first South African design, and the greens have fewer slopes in them than elsewhere, meaning more putts are likely to be holed.
