Golfing Heaven — More quality courses added to local golf scene

Los Cabos is perfect for endless golf rounds

By Rick Stedman

Los Cabos continues to bask in the limelight as one of the world’s most desirable golf destinations. The climate and your clubs are a great match; and with 350 days of annual sunshine, Los Cabos is truly a golf destination like no other. The number of quality golf courses available in the Land’s End area increases yearly, with more on the horizon. The most recent addition to the golf scene here is the opening of Puerto Los Cabos Golf Club in San José del Cabo. Part of the Questro Golf group of quality courses in the area, this 18-hole championship course is unique in that Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman each designed nine holes. Eventually, two 18-hole courses will be built. But for now, this blend of mountain and ocean holes is not to be missed.

Questro Golf, which owns three quality courses in the area — Cabo Real, Club Campestre and Puerto Los Cabos — is a leader in the Los Cabos golf scene. “In Los Cabos, our goal is quality, consistency and professionalism,” says Eduardo Sánchez Navarro, general director of Questro Golf. Quality golf courses and quality resorts go hand in hand. As such, the Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort recently was ranked number nine on Golf Digest magazine’s “50 Best International Golf Hotels Outside of the United States” listing. From San José del Cabo to Cabo San Lucas, golf courses are skillfully carved out of the desert and accented by the sea. In addition to the new projects detailed below, the Querencia is also planning another 18-hole course. Here’s a summary of what’s happening on the Los Cabos golf front.

Courses on the Drawing Board

Cabo Riviera Marina & Golf Resort. Located just 45 minutes north of San José del Cabo International Airport, this development that had its groundbreaking in January 2008 will be situated along a 3-mile strip of beach near La Ribera on the Sea of Cortés. Included in this master plan are two five-star resort hotels with an 18-hole Pete Dye golf course, along with an option to add an additional nine holes. Golf course and beachfront lots will also be available for custom home sites. The forecast is to have the marina and golf course completed in 2010, while the entire master plan including commercial space, resort villas, employee village and the final phases of the marina and golf course will be completed later on. The developer, Marino Mariscal, also built the Las Salinas marina in Ensenada. His developments include 217 projects with 310 million square feet.

Quivira Los Cabos. The development of Quivira Los Cabos, a luxury master-planned residential resort community — with 3 miles of dramatic beachfront adjacent to Cabo San Lucas — began in summer 2008. The 1,850 acres of secluded property will include two Jack Nicklaus–designed golf courses that are anticipated to rank among the best in North America, highlighted by more oceanfront holes than any other development on the Baja Peninsula. Quivira will also be home to The Ritz-Carlton, with both oceanfront residences and a beachfront resort. Residents of Quivira will enjoy lush gardens, 20 miles of biking and hiking trails, sports parks, clubhouse, beach club, a quaint village, community center and more. Marking its location at Land’s End, Quivira also has within its boundaries the most historic landmark in the area: the old Cabo San Lucas Lighthouse, built in 1906.

Grab Your Sticks: Courses Open for Play

Cabo del Sol — The Desert Course. Opened in late 2002, Cabo del Sol — The Desert Course was designed by Tom Weiskopf. This target-style golf experience with sloping fairways offers plenty of bunkers that will challenge the skill levels of all golfers. In addition to blending desert and ocean, canyon-like arroyos and colorful foliage make for a visually appealing golf experience. Weiskopf deliberately designed The Desert Course with one thing in mind: Sea of Cortés views from every hole. With the overall course length varying from 5,300–7,097 yards, there’s a little something for everyone. “My design incorporates Courses on the Drawing Board

Cabo del Sol — The Ocean Course. Ranked 88th in Golf Magazine's “Top 100 Courses in the World,” The Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol is a masterpiece of perfection. The Jack Nicklaus signature design features 1.5 miles of oceanfront. With seven holes directly on the coastline, this gem of a setting is often referred to as “Mexico’s version of Pebble Beach.” The fourth hole is the longest on the front nine, playing 568 yards from the tips, while holes six and seven are back to back oceanfront par 3s at 190 and 162 yards, respectively. Local realtor Chris Snell calls this his favorite track in Los Cabos. “This is simply a phenomenal golf course,” he says. In a typical Nicklaus design, the course provides a variety of safe landing areas for golfers. This 7,075-yard course has been included in Golf Magazine's list of “Top 100 Courses in the World” since opening in 1994. In 1995 and 1998, The Ocean Course hosted Senior PGA Tour’s Senior Slam.

Cabo Real Golf Club. The magnificent Cabo Real Golf Club is a testament to Mother Nature’s handiwork. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and opened in 1989, its nine picturesque oceanfront holes will compete for your attention, especially when whales put on a breaching show just offshore, like they did during the 1996 PGA Senior Slam Tournament. Cabo Real also hosted the 1999 Senior Slam. According to head golf professional Rodrigo Uribe Guevara, the course is in great shape and a new tee box has been added to hole 12. “We built a new tee box for the black tees and increased the yardage by about 10 yards,” says Uribe. The Cabo Real Golf Club, which averages 20,000 rounds a year, is arguably the toughest front nine in Cabo San Lucas.

Cabo San Lucas Country Club. Located a few miles outside Cabo San Lucas, the Cabo San Lucas Country Club — formerly The Raven Golf Club — sits on 745 acres of prime real estate and is the only course with a view of Land’s End. Golfers will appreciate the array of flora and fauna, as well as the course’s exquisite beauty. The two top handicap holes are number five and number 16, respectively. The fifth hole is a 446-yard, par 4 with a serious dogleg right and gentle uphill slope. The green has forward sand bunkers both left and right, along with a water hazard to the left and rear of the green.

According to Cabo San Lucas Country Club’s Director of Golf Eric Grindereng, hole 13, a par 5, 539-yarder, is the course’s signature hole. However, it’s the final hole on the course where you will want to stop and savor the moment or maybe even snap a photo before approaching your second shot. It’s from this vantage point that you will appreciate the unique vista of Los Cabos that includes Land’s End and the Sea of Cortés. The 620-yard, par-5 seventh hole is the longest in Mexico. In 2004, Golf Digest listed Cabo San Lucas Country Club in its “Places to Play” listing.

Club Campestre San José. One of the newest golf courses to open in Los Cabos, Club Campestre San José is located at the roundabout as you enter San José from the west (Cabo San Lucas). This 550-acre upscale community will eventually include a beach club, social club and large retail center with cinemas. The 18-hole golf course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened to the public in summer 2007. Measuring 7,055 yards, the par-71 course will serve as the development’s centerpiece. Its natural beauty can already be appreciated, as the course features beautiful panoramic views of the ocean and desert mountains. Club Campestre’s USGA course rating is 74.3, while the slope is 139.

In addition to the omnipresent sand traps, golfers will also see an abundance of bull trees. The clubhouse also features club rentals, a restaurant and top-of-the-line golf attire for purchase. The course is currently open to the public and community members. However, don’t wait too long to experience this course, for it will become private in approximately three years.

El Dorado Golf & Beach Club. El Dorado Golf & Beach Club offers spectacular golf, as the course winds through desert landscape featuring colorful canyons and arroyos. In addition to having access to the Jack Nicklaus–designed course, which became private in 2006, residents have at their disposal a host of other amenities, including spa facilities, a fitness center, tennis courts, shopping boutiques, and men’s and women’s lounge and locker areas, as well as indoor and outdoor dining facilities. El Dorado opened in 1999 and quickly earned a four-and-a-half-star rating (out of five) on Golf Digest’s “Places to Play” listing. It has attracted the likes of Tiger Woods, Bill Gates and Kevin Costner. El Dorado continues to challenge golfers with its unique fairways, dogleg, water and bunker challenges.

Palmilla Golf Club. Often billed as the Grand Dame of golf courses in Los Cabos, the Palmilla Golf Club has the distinction of being the only 27-hole course in the region. Opened in 1992, this was Jack Nicklaus’ first signature course design project in Latin America. The unique blending of desert and sea features the Arroyo Nine, the Mountain Nine and the Ocean Nine. Palmilla Golf Club gently takes you through 800 vertical feet of the Baja Desert. Many of the holes have a view of the sparkling Sea of Cortés — and the mountain holes are as beautiful as they are challenging, with varied lengths and several water and sand hazards. Five sets of staggered tee boxes, stunning fairways, four lakes and deep shifts in elevation ensure golfers of every skill level have a memorable game. A Mexican décor clubhouse, on-site pro shop and friendly staff complement this charming golf course.

Puerto Los Cabos Golf Club. Puerto Los Cabos Golf Club is the most recent addition to the Los Cabos golf scene. It is set within the 1,900-acre gated golf community of Puerto Los Cabos. Eighteen holes are now open, with the front nine designed by Greg Norman and the back nine designed by Jack Nicklaus.

The 18-hole championship course is a par 73 that measures 7,461 yards from the tips. The Norman nine, called the Mission Course, takes its name from Puerto Los Cabos’ proximity to the old Mission San José del Cabo. The entire nine-hole course features incredible views of the Sea of Cortés. Existing boulders, rock outcroppings and cacti have been incorporated into the design for a truly unique desert course on the ocean.

The Nicklaus nine, called the Marina Course, features a dramatic variety of terrain. There are five mountain holes to bookend the nine, and in the middle of the layout you will find four holes that play through the natural dunes. The fifth and sixth holes are touching the ocean. Puerto Los Cabos Golf Club is a great blend of mountain and ocean golf experiences, as evident by its initial popularity.

The eventual plan calls for a total of two courses — a private Greg Norman 18-hole course and a public Jack Nicklaus 18-hole course — with groundbreaking for the remaining 18 holes beginning in a few years.

Punta Sur Golf Course Los Cabos (formerly Grupo Mayan Golf Los Cabos). This well-manicured golf course should appeal to any golfer, regardless of skill level. The former San José Municipal Golf Course was built by FONATUR, the National Foundation for Tourism in Mexico, and was acquired by the Grupo Mayan chain in 2004. Last year, it underwent another name change, this time to Punta Sur, but is still part of the Grupo Mayan umbrella. This nine-hole, par-35 course measures 3,153 yards and is semi-flat. But don’t be fooled; there are some challenging holes. For example, on the 540-yard, par-5 third hole, you tee off over a lake and then are treated to a wide-open fairway that has a serious dogleg left. And finally, the green is guarded by four sand traps. Likewise, the fifth hole, a 518-yard, par 5, has a green that lies above the fairway, making all approach shots risky and complicated. The course’s signature hole and number one handicap is the 431-yard, par-4 seventh, which has a sharp dogleg left. Prior to a round, golfers can warm up on the driving range and practice green.

Querencia Golf Club. There’s a new kid on the block, or will be in the near future. Recently, officials at Querencia announced that Gil Hanse would be the lead architect for its second course. The design team at Querencia will also include Jim Wagner — Hanse’s design partner — as well as collaborator Geoff Shackelford. “The last time this talented team worked together on a project, they produced the award-winning Rustic Canyon,” says

Jorge Carrera, Querencia president and CEO. Carrera also praised Hanse’s minimalist design style as a perfect fit for Querencia. Minimalists seek to preserve the integrity of the landscape and find holes that occur naturally in the terrain. “Hanse’s courses are often walkable, too,” says Carrera, “a style that symbolizes the close-knit and casual lifestyle here, where things are simple.” Hanse represents a back-to-the-basics movement in golf course design. “The desert, mountains, elevation changes and other unspoiled elements of the topography lend themselves naturally to an interesting golf experience,” says Hanse.

Querencia’s current Tom Fazio–designed course was the first private golf course in Los Cabos, opening in 2000. The course also features a nine-hole short course, a state-of-the-art practice facility and a clubhouse with a sweeping view of the Sea of Cortés. This stunning complex offers only 350 golf memberships worldwide. Non-homeowner golf memberships are available, subject to homeowner priority and other membership criteria.

Indian Head Putting Course. Need to work on your putting game? Try the nine-hole Indian Head Putting Course, which is part of the Indian Head Golf Shop, located at the Playa Grande Hotel on the beach in Cabo San Lucas. Test your skills with a round of simulated golf in one of 26 different world-famous championship golf courses (Pebble Beach, Desert Plains, Pine Valley, Phoenix Mountain, Legends, etc.), or practice your short game on the challenging putting course. Owned and operated by Steve Dodson, former director of golf at Cabo San Lucas Country Club, Indian Head Golf Shop offers golf lessons six days a week. Options include learning on a professional golf simulator or at the driving range in the Cabo Real Golf Course. The golf shop carries men’s and women’s golf wear, golf equipment, golf shoes and accessories. And, if you don’t feel like hauling your clubs to Cabo, Indian Head offers quality rental clubs at very reasonable prices. According to Dodson, Indian Head Golf Shop is the only golf shop in Los Cabos that repairs and fits golf clubs. For information, call (624) 145-7522 or e-mail golfprocabo@hotmail.com. Indian Head is open to the public seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Other Golfing Options. By Los Cabos’ standards, the most economical course in the region is Villas de Cortez Golf Course in East Cape. It’s about an hours’ drive north of San José del Cabo International Airport. Measuring 1,200 yards, this nine-hole executive par-3 course, which was built adjacent to the Hotel Palmas de Cortez, features holes ranging from 55–115 yards. There are also several sand traps, water hazards and two tee boxes on each hole. Greens fees are the best in Los Cabos: $20 for nine holes. This is a great course to practice your short game. Clubs are included with the green fees.

Golf Tournament. Los Cabos hosts the annual World Pro-Am golf tournament in January. Now in its 14th year, the Puerto Los Cabos World Pro-Am will take place at Cabo Real Golf Course, Palmilla Golf Club, Club Campestre and Puerto Los Cabos Golf Club, the newest 18-hole course to open in the region.

With teams consisting of three amateurs and one golf professional, nearly 80 individuals participated in last year’s event. According to tournament director Gordon Neely, PGA tour players will not participate, but rather club professionals — both men and women —  from around the world may sign up. Last year’s team gross championship went to a group from Lakewood Country Club in Ohio that included Tom Waitrovich, Bob Nemetz, Joe Landhenry and Mike Romanello. The team net championship went to Blackhawk Country Club in Wisconsin, whose members included Jeff Simms, Jay Bruner, Stacy Bruner and Brian Hagstrom.

“We conduct the event in January, as most of our participants come from the Northeast portion of the United States, and they are looking to get somewhere warm,” says Neely. “Cabo is a great place, and the golf courses are outstanding.”

This year’s event is scheduled for Jan. 10–15, with participants spending five nights at the luxurious Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort. The tournament format is 72-hole team best ball net, and 72-hole team best ball gross.

Though all contestants must enter as a four-person team, individuals who are looking to participate can sign up on the availability list. “We sometimes place golfers from our amateur availability list,” says Neely. To sign up individually, send an e-mail to wpagolf@yahoo.com. For more information on the Puerto Los Cabos World Pro-Am, visit www.worldproams.com.

Print your own Los Cabos Golf Directory.

Los Cabos Golf Courses

Cabo San Lucas Country Club
Km. 3 Carretera Transpeninsular
U.S.: (888) 328-8501
011-52-613-143-4653
www.golfincabo.com
Designer: Roy Dye
7,220 yards
Par 72
18 holes
Rating: 75.4
Slope: 138
Resort Course
$$$
Course highlights: This par-72 masterpiece created by the Dye Design team is the only course in Los Cabos with a view of the famous El Arco.

Cabo del Sol — The Ocean Course
Km. 10.3 Carretera Transpeninsular
U.S.: (866) 231-4677
011-52-624-145-8200
www.cabodelsol.com
Designer: Jack Nicklaus
7,075 yards
Par 72
18 holes
Rating: 74.5
Slope: 147
Resort Course
$$$$
Course highlights: With seven holes on the water (5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 17, 18), this championship layout is praised by Jack Nicklaus himself for having the "finest three finishing holes in golf."

Cabo del Sol — The Desert Course
Km. 10.3 Carretera Transpeninsular
U.S.: (866) 231-4677
011-52-624-145-8200
www.cabodelsol.com
Designer: Tom Weiskopf
7,097 yards
Par 72
18 holes
Rating: 74.3
Slope: 144
Resort Course
$$$$
Course highlights: This delightful course features ocean views from every hole; Golf Digest recently ranked it No. 5 in Mexico.

Cabo Real Golf Club
Km. 19.5 Carretera Transpeninsular
U.S.: (877) 795-8727
011-52-624-144-0040
www.caboreal.com/golf.htm
Designer: Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
7,037 yards
Par 72
18 holes
Rating: 74.1
Slope: 140
Resort Course
Semi-private
$$$$
Course highlights: The most spectacular view of the course is from the 15th tee, directly on the beach. Often called the Pebble Beach of Mexico, Cabo Real features nine spectacular oceanfront holes on its 3.5 miles of coastline; a must-play for all golfers.

El Dorado Golf & Beach Club
Km. 22 Carretera Transpeninsular
U.S.: (877) 795-8727
011-52-624-144-5451
www.eldoradogolfandbeachclub.com/golf
Designer: Jack Nicklaus
7,152 yards
Par 72
18 holes
Rating: 74.4
Slope: 143
Private Course
$$$$
Course highlights: Though not open to the public, this stunning track features several oceanfront holes and more than a mile of luxury coastline.

Palmilla Golf Resort
Km. 27 Carretera Transpeninsular
U.S.: (800) 637-2226
011-52-624-144-5250
www.oneandonlyresorts.com
Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Arroyo/Mountain: 6,939 yards
Mountain/Ocean: 7,036 yards
Ocean/Arroyo: 6,771 yards
Par 72 (all)
27 holes
A/M Rating: 74.3
M/O Rating: 74.4
O/A Rating: 74.8
A/M Slope: 144
M/O Slope: 146
O/A Slope: 145
Resort Course
$$$$
Course highlights: This 27-hole championship course is Jack Nicklaus' first Latin American design. The course is divided into the Arroyo Nine, the Mountain Nine and the Ocean Nine. Whether beginner or professional, the five sets of staggered tee boxes ensure all golfers an exciting game.

Querencia Golf Club
Km. 27.5 Carretera Transpeninsular
U.S.: (888) 236-2229
011-52-624-145-6600
www.loscabosquerencia.com
Designer: Tom Fazio
7,070 yards
Par 72
18 holes
Rating: 74.5
Slope: 147
Private Course
$$$$
Course highlights: Querencia is building a second golf course and has selected Gil Hanse to design it. The current Tom Fazio-designed course is aesthetically appealing and offers spectacular views from every hole; it's consistently ranked as one of the world's top golf destinations.

Club Campestre San José
Km. 119 Libramiento Aeropuerto SJC
011-52-624-172-6502
www.clubcampestresanjose.com
Designer: Jack Nicklaus
7,055 yards
Par 71
18 holes
Rating: 74.3
Slope: 139
Resort Course
$$$$
Course highlights: If you like sand traps, this is a course for you. Jack Nicklaus went all out to create a challenging course that will truly test your target golf skills. Hurry if you want to play this course, as developers say it will be private in three years.

Punta Sur Golf Course Los Cabos (formerly Grupo Mayan Golf Los Cabos)
Km. 29.5 Carretera Transpeninsular
U.S.: (866) 465-7316
011-52-624-142-0905
www.grupomayangolf.com
Designers: Mario Schjetnan, Cary Bickler
3,153 yards
Par 35
9 holes

Rating: N/A
Slope: N/A
Resort Course
$$
Course highlights: This nine-hole, 3,153-yard course was originally built by the Mexican government and was sold to Grupo Mayan in April 2004. It's a great course for beginners or intermediate golfers. The par-3 eighth hole measures 203 yards and features a lake to the left and sand trap on the right.

Puerto Los Cabos Golf Club
Paseo de los Pescadores, La Playita
San José del Cabo
U.S.: (877) 795-8727
011-52-624-105-6441
www.puertoloscabos.com
Designers: Jack Nicklaus - The Marina Course
Greg Norman - The Mission Course
7,461 yards
Par 73
18 holes
Rating: 75.9
Slope: 145
Private Club
$$$$
Course highlights: Not only the newest course to open, it's also one of the most serene and peaceful oceanfront golf courses in Los Cabos. You're treated to incredible ocean views from every hole on the course. You won't want to miss La Esquina Hermosa - the beautiful corner - which consists of one of Mexico's finest three-hole stretches of golf. Four sets of tees make this an enjoyable golf outing for golfers at all levels.

Note: Courses are listed in order of location driving north on the Carretera Transpeninsular Highway from Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo. Since greens fees fluctuate depending on the time of year and the time of day, the scale used is a general guide. Hence, $ = less than US$50; $$ = less than US$100; $$$ = more than US$100; and $$$$ = more than US$200.

Putt-Putt/Miniature Golf

If you just want to putt around, here is a list of establishments that offer putting greens or miniature golf.

Cabo San Lucas
   Playa Grande Resort & Spa
   Tesoro Los Cabos
   Villa del Palmar

The Corridor and San José del Cabo
   Rusty Putter Bar & Grill
   Grand Baja Resort & Spa
   La Jolla De Los Cabos Resort & Spa
   Westin Resort & Spa Los Cabos

Grass is Always Greener When It's Fake

For All Your Golfing Needs, Visit Indian Head Golf Shop

Indian Head Golf Shop, located at the magnificent Playa Grande Hotel on the beach in Cabo San Lucas, offers a wide variety of golf-related items and accessories. Owned and operated by Steve Dodson, former director of golf at Cabo San Lucas Country Club, Indian Head Golf Shop offers golf lessons six days a week. Options include learning in the comfort of the air-conditioned golf shop while on a professional golf simulator, or on the driving range at Cabo Real Golf Course.

There's also a nine-hole professional putting green on site, designed by Hale Irwin. Indian Head Golf shop carries a large selection of name brand men's and women's golf wear and golf equipment, as well as a good selection of name brand golf shoes and accessories. There is always professional staff on hand to assist customers and guests with all of their golfing needs. And, if you don't feel like hauling your clubs to Cabo, drop by Indian Head, where you'll find quality rental clubs available at very reasonable prices. According to Dodson, Indian Head Golf Shop is the only golf shop in Los Cabos that repairs and fits golf clubs.

If you want to play a round of (simulated) golf on 31 different world-famous championship golf courses, or practice your putting on the incredible putting course nestled below 60-foot rock cliffs and a waterfall, visit Indian Head Golf Shop. For more information, call (624)145-7522. Indian Head is open to the public every day of the week from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Why is Cabo so much fun? There is so much to do! Click here for a list of dive, watersports, fishing and tour operators. You'll also find links to Cabo's world class golf courses, spas, adventure tours, horseback riding, wedding coordinators and cruises.

Read unbiased opinions about Cabo San Lucas activities at TripAdvisor.