Palmilla is the only 27-hole course in the Cabo area, and with the unsympathetic arroyo, mountain and ocean nines, I never lack a challenge. Well, actually, it’s more accurate to say that I soldier on always challenged! This is the course that launched Los Cabos’ distinction as the golf mecca it is today. Palmilla’s $40 million resort refurbishment in 2004 renovated an already beautiful course designed by the master, Jack Nicklaus.
Cabo Del Sol is a two-course wonder designed by two champions. Jack Nicklaus created the magnificent ocean course and Tom Weiskopf the inspired desert nine. Golf Magazine has ranked its skillfully groomed ocean course, accessed at Kilometer 10 on the corridor, among the top 100 golf courses in the world. My favorite hole here is 16. It has a beautiful view of the Sea of Cortez behind the green, but whales breaching offshore have distracted me while setting up with my 7-iron. The taco stop between holes 9 and 10 offers a welcome break, not to mention the best shrimp tacos in Cabo. The ocean course is an awesome play, but I’m more comfortable on the desert course since it is more forgiving for a high-handicap like myself. I lose fewer balls and the views are great, but alas, no taco stop.
Querencia Country Club is a semi-private course designed by Tom Fazio. I had a chance to play it when a member invited me. One of the things I remember most vividly is the fact that if you placed the ball anywhere off the fairway, it was gone. I mean you just were not able to get it. The course was built along the tops of ridges and played across arroyos. I lost so many balls there that I had to borrow some from my golf mates or buy mine own back from the guys who would go down and fetch them! Why I still have my yardage guide for this course I’m not sure. It has my day’s score on the back; do not ask me to show it to you. Querencia is located at Querencia Blvd, just outside San Jose between the surf beach overlook and The One and Only Palmilla entrance.
The course that gives me the most trouble, and the biggest challenge, is Cabo Real. The course is located on the mountain side midway between San Jose and Cabo San Lucas, across from the Hilton Hotel and Las Ventanas Resort. This is a Robert Trent Jones, Jr. design and the sight of the 1996 and 1999 Senior Slam. I am humbled every time I play the front nine; I have not been able to get through them with the same ball I used to tee-off on the first hole. However, the back nine has two holes I particularly enjoy. Hole 11 is a dogleg left, then up hill to the green. The green lies between two mountaintops and there are traps on the right front. The green slopes from back to front, left to right. Hole number 12 is a short hike up the hill on the right. A 205-yard par 3 from the tips, it appears to be about a 60-yard vertical drop. I can expect more distance with the high tee-off, and as an added bonus, it has a breathtaking view of the Sea of Cortez.
One of my favorite golf courses is El Dorado. I played El Dorado before it became a private club. The back nine holes on this Jack Nicklaus design are the most beautiful I have ever played. The course has been changed since it became private, and perhaps one day I will have a chance to try it again.
The Cabo San Lucas Country Club, on the four-lane just outside Cabo San Lucas near the Wal-Mart center, is the course I play most often. It is a Dye design, the closest to Cabo San Lucas where I live, and the least expensive 18-hole course in the area. From the tips, it’s the longest in our area at a total of 7,220 yards. This course is watered with re-cycled water, as are almost all the courses in our area, and occasionally you run across some muddy spots on the fairways. My favorite hole here is 17, a short par-3 with water on the left. Ospreys, herons, cranes and ducks seem to think they own this hole. If you are playing early, jackrabbits are commonly encountered. You almost always see roadrunners. Snakes are not uncommon. (Take the penalty if your tee shot lands near one.) There are stunning and plentiful birds of all kinds.
An option for those not willing to foot the hefty fees, charged at most of the courses, is to opt for a round at the 9-hole public course, located in the center of San Jose del Cabo. Known as the Mayan Resorts Golf Los Cabos, it costs just $116 for the 9 holes. Compared to other courses, this can be a real bargain. Rarely the welcome ocean breezes here, but there are fairways and greens, which for some can be rapture enough.
I have been fortunate enough to have opportunities to play almost every course in this great golfing heaven. I’m still looking forward to playing the newly opened Club Campestre at the western edge of San Jose del Cabo, and the nine holes open at Puerto Los Cabos at the eastern edge of San Jose next to the new marina. All the courses require carts and maintain regulation play. As expected, at every course professional caliber rental clubs are available and all courses have excellent practice facilities. If you need a little encouragement, you can arrange for lessons at most, if not all, sites. Prices are steep and can vary depending on the season and time of day you play, so be sure to check before going to the course.
When you golf in Los Cabos, you’ll play holes that make you gloat or whimper. Whether a hole-in-one miracle or a hacker’s hell, it is always a memorable day on a remarkable course. If anyone cares to rally round a much-improved dedicated lover of the game, I’m your guy. I’ll be happy to golf with you!
Cabo del Sol
Rating: 74.5
Ocean Course: Jack Nicklaus
Desert Course: Tom Weiskopf
Ocean: Front 9: 3,654–Par 36; Back 9: 3,449–Par 36
Desert: Front 9: 3,433–Par 36; Back 9: 3,664–Par 36
Green Fees: (tax included)
Ocean $350, Desert $220. Twilight, after 2 p.m. 25% discount
Location: Km. 10.3 Transpeninsular Hwy. Tourist Corridor
Phone: 145-6360 US: 1-866-231-4677
Internet: www.cabodelsol.com
E-mail: ufierros@cabodelsol.com.mx
Cabo Real Golf Club
Rating: 74.1
Par 72. Bermuda Tees and Fairways, TIF Dwarf Greens.
Front 9: 3,525–Par 36. Back 9: 3,512–Par 36
Designer: Robert Trent Jones II
Green Fees (tax included): $280
Location: Km. 19.5 Transpeninsular Hwy, Tourist Corridor
Phone: 173-9400 US: 1-877-795-8727
Pro Shop: 144-0040
Internet: www.caboreal.com
E-mail: reservations1@conciergeloscabos.com
Cabo San Lucas Country Club
(Formerly Raven Golf Club)
Rating: 75.4
Designer: Dye Corporation
Front 9: 3,651–Par 36; Back 9: 3,569–Par 36
Green Fees (tax not included):
Before 12 p.m.: $169; After 12 p.m.: $135;
After 2:30 p.m.: $95
Location: Km. 3 Transp. Hwy.
Phone: 143-4653, Fax: 143-5809, US: 188-8328-8501
Internet: www.golfincabo.com
Club Campestre
San José Golf Course
Designer: Nicklaus Design
Par 71. Paspalum Grass. SeaIsle 1 Fairways and Tees. SeaDwarf Greens.
Green Fees: $220, tax included.
Location:Km.119 Libramiento Aeropuerto San José del Cabo
Phone: 173-9400
US: 1-877-795-8727
Pro Shop: 172-6500
Internet: www.questro.com.mx
E-mail: reservations1@conciergeloscabos.com
El Dorado Golf and Beach Club (Private)
Rating: 74.4
Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Par 72, 7,152 yards
Location: Km. 21 Transpeninsular Highway, San José del Cabo
Phone: 144-5451
US: 1-877-795-8727
Internet: www.eldoradogolfandbeachclub.com
Mayan Resorts Golf Los Cabos
Rating: N/A
Designer: Cary Bickler, Mario Schjetnan
9 Holes: 3,153–Par 35
Green Fees (tax included):
$130; Twilight, from 2 p.m.: $69
Location: Km. 30.5 Transpeninsular Highway, San José del Cabo
Phone: 142-0905, 142-0882
Internet: www.mayanresortsgolf.com
golfloscabos@mayanresorts.com.mx
Palmilla Golf Club
Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Three 9-hole par 72 courses: Arroyo, Mountain & Ocean Arroyo: 3,337; Mountain: 3,602; Ocean: 3,434
Green Fees: Consult with the Club House.
Location: Km. 27 Transpeninsular Highway, Tourist Corridor
Phone: 144-5250
Fax: 144-5245
US Toll Free: 1-800-637-2226
Internet: www.troongolf.com
Puerto Los Cabos Golf Club
Opening December 2007
Course Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Course Designer: Greg Norman
Par 72. Paspalum Grass, SeaIsle 1 Fairways & Tees;
SeaDwarf Greens
Green Fee: $250, tax included
Location: Paseo de los Pescadores, Pueblo La Playa
Phone: 144-1200
US: 1-877-795-8727
Internet: www.questro.com.mx
E-mail: reservations1@conciergeloscabos.com
Querencia Golf Club (Private)
Rating: 75.5
Designer: Tom Fazio
Par 72, 7,070 yards
Location: Km. 28 Transp., Hwy. San José del Cabo
Phone: 145-6600
US: 1-888-236-2229
Internet:www.loscabosquerencia.com
