More fun than a lighthouse - Nicklaus at Punta Mita

Just as I was discussing the origin of the island green, the latest issue of Golf World brought my attention to this extreme example of the species - said to be the world's only natural island green - at Jack Nicklaus' Punta Mita design, in Mexico.



Undeniably dramatic though 'The Tail of the Whale' is, I'm not overly sold on any hole that requires you to jump into a boat as a preliminary to putting out. High tide (see picture here) forces golfers to navigate the hole's 194 yards by way of amphibious shuttle ('boat' being far too humble a term for a premium course such as this, presumably).

I'd also love to hear from any agronomists reading this as to how the green holds up in the face of a saltwater drenching whenever the occasional storm blows in.

Brian McCallen looks at the course and resort as a whole here.