You think of John Daly and you probably think of Diet Coke, Hooters, and a backswing that goes so far past parallel it defies the laws of physics. The "Grip It and Rip It" mantra isn't just a marketing slogan; it’s a lifestyle. But there is a quieter side to the Wild Thing that doesn't involve loud pants or RVs in Hooters parking lots. Daly actually spent a significant chunk of his career trying to leave a mark on the earth—literally—through golf course architecture. When you step onto a John Daly golf course, you aren't just playing 18 holes. You're basically stepping into the mind of a guy who thinks a 300-yard carry over water is a "safe" play.
It’s a weird legacy.
Most celebrity designers, like Jack Nicklaus or Greg Norman, build courses that feel like monuments to their own discipline. They are polished, expensive, and often punishing in a very "country club" way. Daly’s approach was different. He wanted courses that the average guy could play without losing a dozen balls, but he also wanted to reward the daredevils. If you’ve got the guts to take the shortcut, he’ll give you the green. If you don't? Well, you're playing the long way around.
The Ghost of Wicked Stick
Honestly, we have to start with the one that isn't there anymore. Wicked Stick Golf Links in Myrtle Beach was the quintessential John Daly golf course. It opened in 1995 and for twenty years, it was the pilgrimage site for fans of the Long Ball. It wasn't a "links" course in the Scottish sense—no gorse or fescue to be found—but it was wide open. That was the point.
Daly teamed up with architect Tom Clark to create a place where you could unleash the driver on almost every single hole. Most courses in Myrtle Beach are tight, lined with Carolina pines that eat wayward tee shots for breakfast. Wicked Stick was the opposite. It had massive fairways and huge greens. It felt like a playground.
The tragedy, if you're a golf nerd, is that Wicked Stick closed in 2015 to make way for a housing development. It’s a common story in the golf industry, but for Daly fans, it felt like losing a piece of history. It proved that Daly’s vision for golf was populist. He didn't want you searching in the woods for thirty minutes. He wanted you to swing hard.
Why the "Power Game" Defined the Layout
At Wicked Stick, and later at his other projects, Daly’s influence showed up in the "risk-reward" bunkering. If you look at the design of the 11th hole—a massive par 5—you could see his fingerprints. The fairway was wide, sure, but the angle to the green was protected by sand that only a 300-yard carry could clear.
Sevillano Links: The Hidden Gem in Northern California
If you want to play a John Daly golf course that actually showcases his evolving eye for design, you have to go to Corning, California. Sevillano Links is located at the Rolling Hills Casino, and it is a beast. It’s a massive, sprawling layout that covers over 400 acres. Most modern courses are squeezed into 150 acres to save on water and maintenance.
Sevillano is different.
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It’s huge. It’s exposed to the wind. It feels like a piece of the high desert meets the Central Valley. This is where Daly’s partnership with Kevin Benedict really shined. They created a "Best of both worlds" scenario. From the back tees—appropriately named the "Daly Tees"—the course plays to an absurd 7,661 yards.
Think about that.
Seven thousand, six hundred yards. That is longer than most PGA Tour setups. But here’s the kicker: from the forward tees, it’s actually manageable for a weekend warrior. That’s the nuance people miss about Daly. He knows he’s a freak of nature, but he knows his fans are usually guys drinking a beer on a Saturday morning.
Managing the Wind and the Grass
At Sevillano, the challenge isn't just distance; it's the elements. Because the course is so open, the wind whips across the valley. Daly and Benedict used wide corridors to account for this, but they also used large, undulating greens that require a delicate touch. It’s the ultimate irony of John Daly: the man known for the most violent swing in golf has some of the softest hands on the planet. His courses reflect that. You can bomb it off the tee, but if you can't putt on those massive, multi-tiered greens, you’re going to card a 90.
Thundering Waters and the Niagara Factor
Across the border in Ontario, Canada, you'll find Thundering Waters. This is another John Daly golf course that leans heavily into his "Lion" persona. It’s located just a stone's throw from Niagara Falls, and it’s arguably his most scenic design.
The front nine and back nine feel like two different worlds.
- The Front Nine: Tight, wooded, and requires a lot of "target golf." It's almost like the course is trying to frustrate the long hitters.
- The Back Nine: This is pure Daly. It opens up. You see the big fairways. You see the bunkers that dare you to try and fly them.
Critics sometimes argue that Daly’s courses lack a cohesive "theme." They say they feel like a collection of 18 individual holes rather than a journey. But isn't that exactly what John Daly is? He’s a guy who lives in the moment. He doesn't care about the "arc" of the round; he cares about the shot he’s hitting right now. Thundering Waters reflects that spontaneity.
The Controversy of "Signature" Design
We need to be real for a second. In the world of golf architecture, "Signature Designer" is often a polite way of saying "the famous guy showed up three times, signed some blueprints, and took a check."
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Does John Daly actually design these courses?
The answer is nuanced. No, he isn't out there with a transit and a bulldozer at 5:00 AM every day. He works with lead architects like Kevin Benedict or the late Tom Clark. However, unlike some pros who just lend their name, Daly is known for being very specific about "look and feel." He wants the bunkers to look rugged. He wants the greens to be accessible from the ground. He hates "forced carries" where a beginner has to hit it over 150 yards of water just to reach the fairway.
He’s a populist designer.
He remembers being a kid in Arkansas playing on muni courses. He wants the game to be fun. This is why a John Daly golf course often features "bail-out" areas. If you're scared of the water on the right, there’s almost always a massive patch of grass on the left where you can play it safe. You’ll have a harder second shot, but you’ll still have your ball.
The Lost Projects and What Could Have Been
Daly’s career in design was hit hard by the 2008 financial crisis. Before the bubble burst, there were talks of Daly-branded courses all over the world, including several in the South and even overseas. The "John Daly Learning Centers" were supposed to be a thing.
Most of these projects evaporated when the money dried up.
It’s a shame because Daly’s "Big Golf" aesthetic was actually ahead of its time. Today, we see a trend toward "minimalist" and "wide" designs—think Bandon Dunes or Pinehurst No. 2. Daly was advocating for wide fairways and fun over "toughness" back in the mid-90s. He was just doing it with a more "blue-collar" aesthetic than the guys in the Hamptons.
How to Play a Daly Course Without Losing Your Mind
If you find yourself at Sevillano or Thundering Waters, you need a strategy. Don't let the name on the scorecard trick you into playing like a moron.
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- Ignore the "Daly" Tees: Unless you carry the ball 290 yards in the air, do not play the back tees. You will hate your life.
- Watch the Wind: Because his designs are often in open spaces, the wind is your biggest enemy. Play a lower ball flight than you think you need.
- Aim for the "Fat" of the Green: Daly loves large greens. Use that to your advantage. Aim for the center and take your two-putt.
- Embrace the Risk: Once or twice a round, Daly will give you a "Hero Shot." A short par 4 you can drive, or a par 5 you can reach in two if you cut the corner. Do it. That’s why you’re there.
The Future of the JD Design Brand
Is there a future for the John Daly golf course?
Daly is currently more of a "living legend" than an active developer. He spends more time on the PGA Tour Champions and making appearances at the Masters (usually in his RV). However, his influence persists. Designers are starting to realize that the "Tiger-proofing" era—making courses impossibly long and narrow—actually killed the joy of the game for many.
Daly’s philosophy was always about the "Joy of the Hit."
Even at his own course, Lion’s Den in Arkansas, which he bought and renovated, the vibe is relaxed. It’s about the community. It’s about a kid being able to walk on and hit a ball as hard as he can.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Round
If you're looking to experience the Daly brand of golf, here is exactly what you should do next:
- Book a trip to Sevillano Links: It is consistently ranked as one of the best public courses in California and offers the "purest" Daly experience remaining.
- Check out the JD Signature line: If you can’t get to a course, look at his equipment and clothing. It sounds silly, but the bold patterns are part of the same "don't take it too seriously" philosophy that defines his course layouts.
- Support your local muni: Daly is a product of public golf. The best way to honor his design legacy is to play the local courses that prioritize accessibility over exclusivity.
Golf can be an incredibly stuffy, gate-kept sport. John Daly spent thirty years blowing smoke in the face of that elitism. His courses aren't just patches of grass; they are reminders that golf is a game, and games are supposed to be fun. Stop worrying about your handicap for five minutes. Go out there, find a wide fairway, and rip it.
That’s what John would do.