Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Montana
Two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf clubs are centerpieces of this 3,000-acre gated community at 7,000 feet in elevation, 40 minutes from downtown Denver. Ponderosa pines, craggy oaks, criss-crossing Cally's Creek and looming sandstone cliffs are the setting for the annual PGA TOUR event "The International", held on the 7,619-yard Castle Pines Golf Club. On a promontory with panoramic Rocky Mountain views, the perfectly preserved, 1980s-era private Country Club at Castle Pines rolls up and down through dense forestlands. Residents love the extensive trail system through the woods, and swimming, tennis and fitness activities at the Canyon Club. Homes $2 to $3.2 million; home sites from $500,000. (866) 660-8870, http://www.castlepinesvillage.com
 Montreux, Reno, Nevada
n a lush high desert and pine forest environment bordering the Toiyabe National Forest in the Sierra Nevadas, the 7, 552-yard Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, which hosts a PGA TOUR event, is the pride and joy of the Montreux community near Reno. A bonus "19th Hole" for practice was designed by LPGA star, Patty Sheehan. Not far from Lake Tahoe, homes are Old World European manor-style, along with mountain lodges and stone cottages. A French Country clubhouse is complete with wine cellar, fitness center, tennis and Olympic-sized pool. Home sites from $365,000; homes $1 to 4 million. (775) 849-9444, http://www.montreuxgolf.com
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 Las Campanas, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Inspired by the pristine air of the 7,400 foot elevation, Jack Nicklaus created two challenging layouts in the upper Rio Grande valley: the Sunrise (7,626 yards, 75/134 slope/rating) and Sunset (7,517 yards, 75/143 slope/rating) are decorated by nature with ancient junipers, pinon trees and fields of wildflowers. Besides a three-tiered practice facility, and fitness and tennis at the Club at Las Campanas, the equestrian center offers English, Western, dressage and jumping instruction. Home sites $140,000 to $1+ million; homes, cabins and Pueblo style casitas $550,000 to $8 million. (866) 401-3578, http://www.lascampanas.com
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 Pronghorn, Bend, Oregon
In high desert scattered with centuries-old juniper and sagebrush, protected by 20,000 acres of federal land, side-by-side Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio courses, a Nicklaus Golf Academy and a spectacular stone and timber clubhouse are the gems of this private development in sunny Central Oregon. An adventure concierge sets up fly fishing and rafting on the Deschutes River, skiing at Mt. Bachelor and myriad outdoor recreation for owners of lodge-style log homes and villas. Home sites $700,000 to $2 million, villas $1.5 to $2.5 million, fractional ownership from $164,800. (800) 541-9424, http://www.pronghornclub.com
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 The Ledges of St. George, St. George, Utah
In the tradition of his uncle, Pete Dye, Matt Dye fashioned The Ledges Golf Club, an impressive 7,200-yard championship course that careens across a desert landscape at an elevation of nearly 4,000 feet. Adjacent to the crags and bluffs of Snow Canyon State Park, more than 110 bunkers and vast tracts of ball-grabbing islands of natural flora and stony catchments comprise the challenge. Residents of four neighborhoods of custom and completed homes enjoy the new $3 million spa clubhouse, and the brand new Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf. Homes from $700,000, home sites $200,000 to $1+ million. (435) 634-4600, http://www.ledges.com
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 Promontory, Park City, Utah
Homeowners lounge by the two-sided stone fireplace in their dazzling new clubhouse at the Pete Dye Canyon Golf Club, a 7,700-yard stunner with views of the Wasatch Mountains. A Nicklaus Signature Design, the Painted Valley Course opened to rave reviews in July 2008; a Forrest Richardson par-60 short course and a Tom Weiskopf track are on the drawing boards. Amenities include indoor/outdoor swimming, tennis, ice-skating, a kids' club, equestrian center and private alpine lodge at Deer Valley. Home sites $400,000-$5 million; cabins $1.3-$2.3 million; homes from $1.8 million. (888) 458-6600, http://www.promontoryclub.com
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 Tumble Creek, Cle Elum, Washington
On hillside terraces above the Cle Elum River a 90-minute drive from Seattle, in a private enclave that is part of the all-season Suncadia Resort, home sites average over an acre, and come with access to the private Tumble Creek course. Designed by Tom Doak of Pacific Dunes and Cape Kidnappers fame, the track winds through pine forests along high river bluffs and across grassy meadows. Also available to homeowners are two additional golf courses (Jacobson/Hardy's Rope Rider and Palmer's Prospector), an ice rink, tennis, hiking and biking trails, a stocked trout lake and a summer tent camp, and nearby skiing. (800) 667-1828, http://www.tumblecreek.com
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 3 Creek Ranch, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Bald eagles fly, elk graze and cutthroat trout jump on the 135 ranches and home sites of this private golf and fly-fishing community between the Gros Ventre Mountains and the Tetons. The 7,729-yard Rees Jones-designed course is lightly laid between wetlands, native grasslands, creeks and lakes, preserving habitat and precious open space. A Director of Outdoor Pursuits, a Fishing Coordinator and a team of naturalists are on hand to enhance the outdoor recreation and learning experience. Home sites $1 to $8 million, homes from $3 million. (888) 920-9292, http://www.3creekliving.com
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 Santa Lucia Preserve, Carmel, California
A short drive from Pebble Beach, 5- to 100-acre estates stand in pristine privacy on oak-studded, rolling land at the foot of the wild Santa Lucia mountain range. An equestrian center, 5-star dining in the historic ranch house, a lake and miles of trails are surrounded by 18,000 acres of the Santa Lucia Conservancy. Tom Fazio has managed to integrate 73 magnificent fairways and greens within a 350-acre paradise of meadows and streams, redwood groves and overhanging, mossy oaks. Homes $3 million to $10,000 million, home sites $1 to $3.6 million. (877) 626-8200, http://www.santaluciapreserve.com
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