GolfWeek's 2012 Best Caribbean and Mexico Courses

[Chris Munoz]

Have a couple of issues regarding the rankings for 2012.  How does golfweek come up with these rankings.  who votes for the best courses and how does golf week put courses on the list if they have been closed for more then a year (Roco Ki)  I am also quite surprised that Playa Grande is ahead of Corales.  and also some body needs to see the courses at casa de campo.  they are getting old and need a face lift.  I know they were the first courses in the caribbean, but the hype is over with. 
 
1. Cap Cana (Punta Espada)
Cap Cana, Dominican Republic, 2008
Jack Nicklaus
Avg. rating: 7.81

2. Querencia
San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, 2000
Tom Fazio
Avg. rating: 7.71

3. Casa de Campo (Teeth of the Dog)
La Romana, Dominican Republic, 1970
Pete Dye
Avg. rating: 7.51

4. Mid Ocean Club
Tucker’s Town, Bermuda, 1923
Charles Blair Macdonald
Avg. rating: 7.42

5. Royal Westmoreland
St. James, Barbados, 1994
Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Avg. rating: 7.40

6. Cabo del Sol (Ocean)
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, 1994
Jack Nicklaus
Avg. rating: 7.31

7. Vista Vallarata Golf Club (Nicklaus)
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, 2001
Jack Nicklaus
Avg. rating: 7.20

8. Playa Grande
Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic, 1996
Robert Trent Jones Sr.
Avg. rating: 7.00

9. Corales Golf Club
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, 2010
Tom Fazio
Avg. rating: 6.81

10. Trump International Golf Club (International)
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, 2005
Tom Kite
Avg. rating: 6.80

11. Sandy Lane (Green Monkey)
St. James, Barbados, 2004
Tom Fazio
Avg. rating: 6.80

12. Apes Hill Club
St. James, Barbados, 2009
Chris Cole, Jeff Potts
Avg. rating: 6.67

13. Dunes Course at Diamante
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, 2009
Davis Love III
Avg. rating: 6.62

14. Four Seasons Golf Club Punta Mita (Pacifico)
Punta Mita, Mexico, 2008
Jack Nicklaus
Avg. rating: 6.60

15. El Dorado Golf & Beach Club
San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, 1999
Jack Nicklaus
Avg. rating: 6.65

16. Iberostar Playa Paraiso
Maya Riviera, Mexico, 2005
P.B. Dye
Avg. rating: 6.63

17. Abaco Club on Winding Bay
Abaco, Bahamas, 2006
Donald Steel
Avg. rating: 6.63

18. Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita (Bahia)
Punta Mita, Mexico, 2009
Jack Nicklaus
Avg. rating: 6.60

19. Vista Vallarta (Weiskopf)
Vista Vallarta, Mexico, 2001
Tom Weiskopf
Avg. rating: 6.58

20. Mayakoba (El Camaleon)
Maya Riviera, Mexico, 2006
Greg Norman
Avg. rating: 6.57

21. Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
Guanacaste, Costa Rica, 2004
Arnold Palmer
Avg. rating: 6.50

22. Port Royal
Southampton, Bermuda, 1970
Robert Trent Jones Sr.
Avg. rating: 6.48

23. Casa de Campo (Dye Fore)
La Romana, Dominican Republic, 2003
Pete Dye
Avg. rating: 6.46

24. Reserva Conchal
Guanacaste, Costa Rica, 1996
Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Avg. rating: 6.43

25. Ritz-Carlton Resort (White Witch)
St. James, Jamaica, 2000
Robert von Hagge
Avg. rating: 6.39

26. Trump International Golf Club at Raffles Resort
Canouan Island, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, 2002
Jim Fazio
Avg. rating: 6.39

27. Sandy Lane (The Country Club)
St. James, Barbados, 2004
Tom Fazio
Avg. rating: 6.38

28. Puerto Los Cabos (Norman/Nicklaus)
San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, 2008
Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman
Avg. rating: 6.37

29. Roco Ki (Faldo Legacy Course)
Macao, Dominican Republic, 2008
Nick Faldo
Avg. rating: 6.34

30. Cap Juluca (Temenos)
Anguilla, British West Indies, 2006
Greg Norman
Avg. rating: 6.25

31. Blue Shark
West Providence Island, Bahamas, 2008
Greg Norman
Avg. rating: 6.17

32. Trump International GC Puerto Rico (Championship)
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, 2007
Tom Kite
Avg. rating: 6.10

33. Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort (Lucayan)
Freeport, Bahamas, 1962
Dick Wilson
Avg. rating: 6.10

34. Cabo del Sol (Desert)
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, 1998
Tom Weiskopf
Avg. rating: 6.08

35. Tryall Golf & Beach Club
Montego Bay, Jamaica, 1958
Ralph Plummer
Avg. rating: 6.06

36. Santa Barbara Plantation (Old Quarry)
Nieuwpoort, Curacao, 2010
Pete Dye
Avg. rating: 6.06

37. Tucker’s Point
Harrington Sound, Bermuda, 2002
Charles Banks, Roger Rulewich
Avg. rating: 6.04

38. Moon Palace (Lakes & Jungle)
Maya Riviera, Mexico, 2002
Jack Nicklaus
Avg. rating: 6.00

39. Casa de Campo (La Romana)
La Romana, Dominican Republic, 1985
Pete Dye
Avg. rating: 6.00

40. Palmas del Mar (Flamboyan)
Humacao, Puerto Rico, 1998
Rees Jones
Avg. rating: 6.00

41. One & Only Palmilla (Mountain & Arroyo)
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, 1993
Jack Nicklaus
Avg. rating: 5.97

42. Rose Hall Resort & Spa (Cinnamon Hill)
Montego Bay, 2001
Robert von Hagge
Avg. rating: 5.95

43. Royal Isabela
Isabela, Puerto Rico, 2011
David Pfaff
Avg. rating: 5.90

44. Ocean Club
Paradise Island, Bahamas, 2000
Tom Weiskopf
Avg. rating: 5.89

45. Playacar Spa & Golf Club
Playa del Carmen, Mexico, 1994
Robert von Hagge
Avg. rating: 5.86

46. Tierra del Sol
Oranjestad, Aruba, 1995
Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Avg. rating: 5.70

47. Club Campestre
San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, 2008
Jack Nicklaus
Avg. rating: 5.68

48. Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, 2007
Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Avg. rating: 5.65

49. Dorado Beach (West)
Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico, 1966
Robert Trent Jones Sr.
Avg. rating: 5.64

50. Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort (Reef)
Freeport, Bahamas, 2000
Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Avg. rating: 5.63

[PCCraig]

Nice to see Bermuda is well represented.

[Jud_T]

Certainly haven't played 'em all, but I find it hard to believe there's a dozen courses better than Diamante.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

My guess would be limited visits so far to Diamante would affect it's current ranking....headed down there myslef next month..that will be another "grade" in the computer

[Eric Smith]

Te quiero, Playa Grande!!

[George Freeman]

Certainly haven't played 'em all, but I find it hard to believe there's a dozen courses better than Diamante.

Jud - my feelings exactly

[Bill_McBride]

Nice to see Bermuda is well represented.

........but a stretch to call it "Caribbean."

I'm disappointed not to see Forrest Richardson's Links at Las Palomas on the list.   I love the place.   It's on the northern shore of the Sea of Cortez so perhaps not many raters.

[Jud_T]

I'm also guessing that many here would prefer to play Bay of Dreams over the majority of these courses...

[Jonathan Webb]

#31 - Blue Shark (previously known as "The South Ocean Club") closed down and quit maintaining the golf course back in 2010 when I lived in New Providence.

"The Blue Shark Golf Club (formerly South Ocean) on the west end of the island is based on a layout originally designed by “Gentleman Joe Lee.” It was recently and extensively redone by Greg Norman, who rebuilt the greens and lengthened the course to more than 7,100 yards. Blue Shark was closed at press time."

The site actually had some pretty good movement and was a fun golf course to play.  I enjoyed it more than Lyford Cay which is just down the road.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Having just returned from Cabo...I will certainly agree with Jud...how many courses ahaed of Diamante?
and also Del Sol Ocean for that matter...those two courses are superb.
The new holes at Del Sol are spectacular, you simply cannot get any closer to the Ocean than that, superb use of the terrain certainly my favourite Nicklaus so far.
Diamante was equally as impressive.
Obvioulsy a totally different type of course, Dunes swept galore giving me the old Cypress Point look with all that dune flash everywhere...simply specatculra..great job by the Love company.
New hole splanned on the Ocean side as well to replace the existing numbers 12/13, which will only add to the wow factor...very very impressed.

[Ross Harmon]

I've only played a handful of those, but the ones I have played are probably in the correct order. The one that jumps out as missing is La Cana, Punta Cana. I thought it was a great oceanfront course with some fun holes. Not top 10, but definitely top 50! Anyone else agree?

[George Freeman]

New hole splanned on the Ocean side as well to replace the existing numbers 12/13, which will only add to the wow factor...very very impressed.

Hadn't heard about this.  While I liked those two holes, they definitely had a different feel to them when compared to the rest.

Paging Paul Cowley for an update!

Pretty spectacular site, eh Michael??

[Jim_Coleman]

    Teeth of the Dog got a facelift 4-5 years ago; the Links is getting one now.  I'll still take the Teeth over anything else, certainly Cap Cana.

[Greg Tallman]

New hole splanned on the Ocean side as well to replace the existing numbers 12/13, which will only add to the wow factor...very very impressed.

Hadn't heard about this.  While I liked those two holes, they definitely had a different feel to them when compared to the rest.

Paging Paul Cowley for an update!

Pretty spectacular site, eh Michael??

New 12 and 13 ready absolutely no later than October 2012... eh Paul? The new holes should be incredible and as "connected" to the ocean as any outside of 17 tee now. Without seeing the exact plan I am going to take a stab and say the tee shot on the new 12th will be the most breathtaking on the course.

Paul will be busy down this way as I have it on marginal   authority that the ink is dry on Diamante's second offering to be authored by none other than Mr. Cowley in a solo deal. TOTALLY different terrain and movement but Paul will carve out a good one I am sure.

Ocean Course at 6 and Diamante at 13 speaks volumes to the validity of this ranking. Get 'em straight MWP!!

[Jud_T]

Greg,

Awesome news!  That will be a pretty impressive property.  Time to work on the low draw to battle the oceanside winds. 

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Greg...
As I said while there I think both are underranked...the Ocean holes at both match anything California has to offer...I told you I would write that and take the risk of being chastised on this site...the quality of the architects work on both of these courses and the incorporation of the Ocean is stunning..the new 5-7 at Del Sol wonderful work, heck on number 7 you can hit your shot, take a swim and then go and putt!!!!!

I hope that Paul gets the oppoertunity to do the next Dune project without another"big name"jumping on..I was told atht the Mickelson thing offered  very little...in other words, money for the name without much content...imagine that ....and Paul's detail on the first course deserves another chance...superb attention to detail.
One of the best examples to me is the last par 315 or 16..semi blind 150 yard shot with a wonderful small rdge of natural vegetation guarding the front of the green and a superb short bunker...but also great collection areas just long...just a great hole.

[Anthony Gray]

  Diamante is in my top 5 in the world. It has a little of every thing like Cruden Bay. Roko Ki has a the best two finishing holes I have ever played and nice variety traveling through 3 different landscapes. Cap Cana very nice but I am surprised it ranks high with golf puriests.

  Anthony

[Chris Munoz]

Regarding La Cana, PB Dye has just finished a new nine across the street from the exisiting 18 at La Cana, hacienda.  Great 9 nine holes.  long holes and good movement.  long par 4s and par 5s.  La Cana will have 27 holes, tortuga nine, arrecife nine and hacienda nine.  check out the website www.puntacana.com  for more details. 

[Ross Harmon]

Regarding La Cana, PB Dye has just finished a new nine across the street from the exisiting 18 at La Cana, hacienda.  Great 9 nine holes.  long holes and good movement.  long par 4s and par 5s.  La Cana will have 27 holes, tortuga nine, arrecife nine and hacienda nine.  check out the website www.puntacana.com  for more details. 

Chris, I got a sneak peak of the new 9 earlier this year... remind me, what's the name of the new grass P.B. planted as native/ rough over there? Sounded pretty easy to maintain...

[Greg Tallman]

  Diamante is in my top 5 in the world. It has a little of every thing like Cruden Bay. Roko Ki has a the best two finishing holes I have ever played and nice variety traveling through 3 different landscapes. Cap Cana very nice but I am surprised it ranks high with golf puriests.

  Anthony

Anthony, Anthony, Anthony...

[Greg Tallman]

Overrated:
Querencia
Royal Westmoreland
Playa Grande
Vista Vallarta (Nicklaus)
Trump International (International)
Puerto Los Cabos

Underrated
Cabo del Sol (Ocean)
Diamante
Port Royal
Cabo del Sol (Desert)
Rose Hall Cinnamon Hill
Cabo Real (not listed)

[Mike_Young]

Sometimes I don't know how these get ranked.  We have a course in Costa Rica that is regualrly ranked at the top against the other two beach courses there but it rarely makes the top 50.

[George Freeman]

New 12 and 13 ready absolutely no later than October 2012... eh Paul? The new holes should be incredible and as "connected" to the ocean as any outside of 17 tee now. Without seeing the exact plan I am going to take a stab and say the tee shot on the new 12th will be the most breathtaking on the course.

Paul will be busy down this way as I have it on marginal   authority that the ink is dry on Diamante's second offering to be authored by none other than Mr. Cowley in a solo deal. TOTALLY different terrain and movement but Paul will carve out a good one I am sure.

Ocean Course at 6 and Diamante at 13 speaks volumes to the validity of this ranking. Get 'em straight MWP!!

Greg - I'm guessing the new 12th will tee up by the 11th green and head down the hill/dune toward the water (it's currently just a big sand expanse correct?)?  If that is the land that will occupy the new holes I'm REALLY excited to see how they turn out.  That view from the 11th tee is second to none!

[Greg Tallman]

New 12 and 13 ready absolutely no later than October 2012... eh Paul? The new holes should be incredible and as "connected" to the ocean as any outside of 17 tee now. Without seeing the exact plan I am going to take a stab and say the tee shot on the new 12th will be the most breathtaking on the course.

Paul will be busy down this way as I have it on marginal   authority that the ink is dry on Diamante's second offering to be authored by none other than Mr. Cowley in a solo deal. TOTALLY different terrain and movement but Paul will carve out a good one I am sure.

Ocean Course at 6 and Diamante at 13 speaks volumes to the validity of this ranking. Get 'em straight MWP!!

Greg - I'm guessing the new 12th will tee up by the 11th green and head down the hill/dune toward the water (it's currently just a big sand expanse correct?)?  If that is the land that will occupy the new holes I'm REALLY excited to see how they turn out.  That view from the 11th tee is second to none!

Obviously defer to paul for the particulars but yes, as I understand it the 12th would head down from somewhere in the viciinty of the 11th green toward the ocean.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

that is the way it was explained to me as well.
From a tee adjacent to 11 green down through the dunes a par five in fact and then a shortish par four back towards the current 14th tee.
My only concern is that should that be the case they are taking away a strong par four hole in the current number 13 and putting in another short par four, which I believe the course has enough of already.
The short par fours currently there are all really good holes with options abound from the tee, but they dont need another one.
So hopefully the routing will alllow a par four with some teeth like the current #13....either that or of course do some lengthening to one of the existing short par fours....any of which I think would be possible to do.

One of the luxuries they have is that space is not an issue ..tees can readily be moved to fit what the architect desires.