GolfWeek's 2012 Best Caribbean and Mexico Courses

[Anthony Gray]

  Cabo is definatly a better destination than the DR. Cabo del Sol and Diamante are a better one two punch than Teeth of the Dog and Cap Cana. Also you can go downtown without a problem and sleep in the gutter.

  Anthony

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Anthony ....love the gutter comment

[Jud_T]

As an aside, anyone going to Cabo with a couple extra bucks in their pocket needs to eat here:

http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/north-america/mexico/baja-california/san-jose-del-cabo/66969/don-emiliano/restaurant-detail.html

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

At the recommendatiom of our Cabo site resident....H in San Jose is superb...the lobster canneloni was exquisite.

[Greg Tallman]

H and Don Emiliano are a drivable par 4 apart and both excellent. I prefer the coziness/quaintness of H myself. Probably my favorite in an area full of wonderful dining options.

I disagree with MWP about the current 13th at Diamante. I just don't think it is that good of a hole with the green being benched into the dune in what I see as an unnatural manner and not in keeping with the remiander of the course. I ss the green site to have been built up to accept the green versus cut into the back side of the dune. I am sure Paul will tell me I am not correct but that is how it appears to me. I would have attempted, or at least explored a massive double green shared with #10 or had green to sit more naturally down near the lake following the natural terrain. The unnatural and large mound along the left of the fairway also creates a "Wait a minute, where did this come from?" moment. Just seems too much effort was made to remove the lake from the play of the hole, same goes for 12 for that matter though the lake is more in play on the approach after a well stuck tee shot.

Gutters in Cabo are rather nice. 

[Lou_Duran]

At the recommendatiom of our Cabo site resident....H in San Jose is superb...the lobster canneloni was exquisite.

What if your tastes are more pedestrian and are staying at one of the all-inclusive resorts?

What three courses would you recommend with some consideration given to cost and access?

[Greg Tallman]

At the recommendatiom of our Cabo site resident....H in San Jose is superb...the lobster canneloni was exquisite.

What if your tastes are more pedestrian and are staying at one of the all-inclusive resorts?

What three courses would you recommend with some consideration given to cost and access?

Lou, Where are you staying? Proximity will certainly play a role in such a suggestion. Send me a PM if you like.

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Lou...
Listen to Greg over me, he knows way more about Cabo than me....except for #13 at Diamante that is

[Jed Peters]

I've been to Cabo as well as Casa de Campo.

I've played 9 holes (2x) at Cabo del Sol on the ocean course, and Querencia.

Querencia was typical Fazio golf--hit the fairway or be done. Cabo del Sol (the 9 holes I played) was excellent.

That said, I think Teeth of the Dog is a PHENOMENAL golf course, especially the ocean holes.

In terms of a stay and play experience, Casa de Campo is one of the finest I've experienced. Airport (relatively) on-site, a fantastic resort with tons of amenities, great golf (there are 4.5 courses now on the resort), etc.

Cabo I really didn't like the having to drive all over/around everywhere and the "time share" mentality of the places--and I was staying at a 5 diamond property--immediately adjacent to the cabo real courses.

If I had to do it again; I'd choose Casa de Campo in a heartbeat.

(That said, I really want to come back and see the newly revised cabo del sol ocean and diamante)

[Chris Munoz]

Ross, the grass you are talking about is Pajon Hatian or hatian pajon.  Looks good from a distance and yes very easy to mow.  just need to keep the weeds out of it and maintain it.  glad you enjoyed the new nine at hacienda.

[Jud_T]

Cabo certainly isn't cheap but the golf, food, hotel and fishing (?) options are surprisingly good.  Unless you want remote beaches and untouched scuba diving, I can't really think of anywhere south of the border I'd rather go...

[paul cowley]

Thanks guys for the comments...I've been away from here a bit it seems.

Yes - if built the new 12th and 13th will be oceanside of hole 11 - originally we couldn't build on that side of the dune because of environmental restrictions....we were the first on the block to build in a dune area and no one was really sure how to address this issue, as previously you could pretty much do what you want as long as you were behind the federal zone. Things have changed now and with new setbacks. The two new holes will play out and back from 11 green with very close tee/green relationships between holes (not the trek some have complained about) . I was there in August to work out the details with Owner Ken Jowdy, who is responsible for the new routing concept. What also works with this change is that the old holes will still be used (with the addition of a par 3 betyween 13 green and 12 tee) as a three hole loop for the community and part of the teaching/practice facility...not bad to have two holes that were originally part of a Top 100 course to practice on.

[Greg Tallman]

I've been to Cabo as well as Casa de Campo.

I've played 9 holes (2x) at Cabo del Sol on the ocean course, and Querencia.

Querencia was typical Fazio golf--hit the fairway or be done. Cabo del Sol (the 9 holes I played) was excellent.

That said, I think Teeth of the Dog is a PHENOMENAL golf course, especially the ocean holes.

In terms of a stay and play experience, Casa de Campo is one of the finest I've experienced. Airport (relatively) on-site, a fantastic resort with tons of amenities, great golf (there are 4.5 courses now on the resort), etc.

Cabo I really didn't like the having to drive all over/around everywhere and the "time share" mentality of the places--and I was staying at a 5 diamond property--immediately adjacent to the cabo real courses.

If I had to do it again; I'd choose Casa de Campo in a heartbeat.

(That said, I really want to come back and see the newly revised cabo del sol ocean and diamante)

Jed, If you ever get back this way please let me know and we'll make sure you have a better experience. That said Casa de Campo is a wonderful location and overall experience for those that do not mind feeling somewhat confined to resort grounds.

When were you here and why only 9 holes on separate occasions?

How did you like Las Ventanas specifically?

[Jed Peters]

I've been to Cabo as well as Casa de Campo.

I've played 9 holes (2x) at Cabo del Sol on the ocean course, and Querencia.

Querencia was typical Fazio golf--hit the fairway or be done. Cabo del Sol (the 9 holes I played) was excellent.

That said, I think Teeth of the Dog is a PHENOMENAL golf course, especially the ocean holes.

In terms of a stay and play experience, Casa de Campo is one of the finest I've experienced. Airport (relatively) on-site, a fantastic resort with tons of amenities, great golf (there are 4.5 courses now on the resort), etc.

Cabo I really didn't like the having to drive all over/around everywhere and the "time share" mentality of the places--and I was staying at a 5 diamond property--immediately adjacent to the cabo real courses.

If I had to do it again; I'd choose Casa de Campo in a heartbeat.

(That said, I really want to come back and see the newly revised cabo del sol ocean and diamante)

Jed, If you ever get back this way please let me know and we'll make sure you have a better experience. That said Casa de Campo is a wonderful location and overall experience for those that do not mind feeling somewhat confined to resort grounds.

When were you here and why only 9 holes on separate occasions?

How did you like Las Ventanas specifically?

I think it was two years ago? We sat and spoke--you set me up at Querencia? Guess I'm not that memorable.

I think the 9 was under construction at the time; I played by myself.

The resort/hotel was nice; that said it was overpriced, NOT kid friendly, and they tried to hit me up for a timeshare upon walking through the doors. Not a very good experience IMHO.

I guess I'm not a cabo guy? I just didn't like the spread-out-ness and how everything was super expensive. I don't mind paying a lot; I just don't like being nickel and dime'd--which I felt like everywhere I went in cabo.

[Greg Tallman]

I've been to Cabo as well as Casa de Campo.

I've played 9 holes (2x) at Cabo del Sol on the ocean course, and Querencia.

Querencia was typical Fazio golf--hit the fairway or be done. Cabo del Sol (the 9 holes I played) was excellent.

That said, I think Teeth of the Dog is a PHENOMENAL golf course, especially the ocean holes.

In terms of a stay and play experience, Casa de Campo is one of the finest I've experienced. Airport (relatively) on-site, a fantastic resort with tons of amenities, great golf (there are 4.5 courses now on the resort), etc.

Cabo I really didn't like the having to drive all over/around everywhere and the "time share" mentality of the places--and I was staying at a 5 diamond property--immediately adjacent to the cabo real courses.

If I had to do it again; I'd choose Casa de Campo in a heartbeat.

(That said, I really want to come back and see the newly revised cabo del sol ocean and diamante)

Jed, If you ever get back this way please let me know and we'll make sure you have a better experience. That said Casa de Campo is a wonderful location and overall experience for those that do not mind feeling somewhat confined to resort grounds.

When were you here and why only 9 holes on separate occasions?

How did you like Las Ventanas specifically?

I think it was two years ago? We sat and spoke--you set me up at Querencia? Guess I'm not that memorable.

I think the 9 was under construction at the time; I played by myself.

The resort/hotel was nice; that said it was overpriced, NOT kid friendly, and they tried to hit me up for a timeshare upon walking through the doors. Not a very good experience IMHO.

I guess I'm not a cabo guy? I just didn't like the spread-out-ness and how everything was super expensive. I don't mind paying a lot; I just don't like being nickel and dime'd--which I felt like everywhere I went in cabo.

Sounds like you were down in the summer of '09 as that would have been the only time we had just 9 holes open and with the swine flu and all we were a bit preoccupied with going into survival mode at that time. My sincere apologies for lack of memory but it could be wrose... you could be truly unforgettable like our Dr. Gray.

If you are staying at Ventanas and playing golf at The Ocean Course and Querencia... yes you can rack up a nice tab. That said you can have a nice time in Cabo for far less. The nickel and dime mentality and timeshare garbage is awful... I won't be shy about charging you but I don't think we'll ever be accused of nickel and diming 

You were hit up for timeshare at Las Ventanas??

[Jim_Coleman]

   Just to bring things up to date, Casa de Campo has 5 courses, not 4.5.  And I never feel confined to the resort.  There's nothing more fun than watching the defending champion Toros play baseball.  The restaurants in town are great - don't miss Luca's.  And if you must go to a casino, there's one in Dominicus - 20 minutes away.  I am prejudiced, though.

[Carl Nichols]

Anthony,
Is Roko Ki still open? I think it may not be.

[Anthony Gray]

  I got married in La Romana. Stayed at Casa de Campo many times. In Cabo I was left downtown by one Greg Tallman. I watched the final four, played in a mariachi band,had an extremely high bar bill, was shown a gun at a brothel, and was told by a man that he was the devil as he showed me drugs that were in a pouch where his zipper used to be. My pick is Cabo.

  Anthony

 

[Anthony Gray]

Anthony,
Is Roko Ki still open? I think it may not be.

  Not sure.But they were having big money problems. Its a shame too because it is an unique course and has great beauty. 18 and 17 are splended. The clubhouse on the beach with an unswimable surf is special.

  Anthony

[Greg Tallman]

  I got married in La Romana. Stayed at Casa de Campo many times. In Cabo I was left downtown by one Greg Tallman. I watched the final four, played in a mariachi band,had an extremely high bar bill, was shown a gun at a brothel, and was told by a man that he was the devil as he showed me drugs that were in a pouch where his zipper used to be. My pick is Cabo.

  Anthony

 

I may have left Dr. Gray downtown but I suspect the reason was related to his experience with the gun for which I was NOT present.

I was present for a ridiculously high bar bill that consisted of one bottle of champagne and a few "regularly priced drinks" for his host. His "hostess" seemd to enjoy the champagne.

[paul cowley]

A & G...bonding is but a pale comparison for the feelings it seems you two have found amongst the Arcos. It's beautiful really...P