Matt,
I've never been there, but what would you say about Brora?
Most who I talk to say that its an absolute charmer and that if you are expecting perfect conditions--demand perfect conditions--it would be a better decision not to play there ever and to please forget to tell anyone you've ever heard of it. they want it kept a secret, these true lovers of the links. You see, the architecture and the charm rule the place (so I'm told.) Probably most because of the simplicity. So perfect without the slightest hint of snobbery. Pretty cool is the first thing that comes to mind. Anyone that would care about the conditioning there doesn't belong there--one of the greatest places to experience the truest esssence of the Sport. Ran's review of it tells you to watch out for the cow pies walking from tee to green.
I guess I'm trying to suggest that sometimes--we American's put a lot of priority on conditioning. Don't get me wrong, I love a well-conditioned course just as much as the next guy, but I've found that the rough at the edges look to be more consistent with enjoying the sport at its fullest, especially when it comes to seaside golf. Real Golf.
But I do know how to give a course its due--when it deserves it.
Since we are obviously debating the course in general--the Oceano--well, let me list a few things that I, myself, don't care for architecturally.....
Hole 1) As about as exciting as white-breaded cheese sandwich. Not one ounce of provocative strategy--no strategy what-so-ever.
Hole 2) A decent hole from the tee because of the strategy of the lower and higher fairways. Which fairway would provide the easier path for one's game? Honestly, I don't see any reason why anyone would ever want to be on the lower right fairway and you definitely don't want to be too right from tee to green. Anything on the right side of the green is down the hill and out of bounds--if you play it that way, so that decision to be made from the tee has now become a moot point. PLAY IT LEFT. (at least that is what I've seen of the hole in my plays there)
Hole 3) A typical hole for a course (9 holes) that has some huge signs of mediocrity. Memorable? Not a chance!
Hole 4) Actually the best hole on this nine a decent hole with some strategies to be decided. You have the forced carry over the ravine to a typical punchbowl/backstop green complex.
Hole 5) After a terrifying ride down the hill, where your hoping and praying to Our Lady of Guadalupe that Alfredo, the Bajamar cart mechanic has done a decent job of maintaining the brakes on your cart (because the ride from the clubhouse to the first tee alone is reason to never walk the course--let alone the walk down from Hole #4, its time to play a somewhat decent par 3 over the water. You walk on to the tee and the water is literally splashing on to you from the rocks--your impressed! the tee shot on this par 3 is pretty stout, only your about to get the same green complex for the next three holes after it. I'll give it a passing grade here, but here come the rest of the last three out of four golf holes, and this is where the repetition really begins.
Holes 6,7 & 8 ) If I didn't complain about it, then I would be guilty of being biased against Rees Jones, so here it comes: I don't think I've ever seen worst artificial containment on a golf course in my whole life. Why? Well obviously to block out any errant tee shots into the houses that will eventually someday blot that entire left side. Its just horribly shaped; horribly planned. There is not a single ounce of strategy on any of these three golf holes--NONE. The four ocean holes walk single file in line to the 9th, which then marches up hill, but given the amount of land down there--which doesn't seem like a lot, you think someone could have devised some sort of different routing that featured the holes going into different directions, while still having room to some houses. Heck, maybe even a dog-legging par 4 or five with a break for a road no different then Shinnecock #12, or something like that. For that land down there, to me that's why it is a wasted opportunity.
Hole 9) While this hole could have been much worst, it isn't too bad, just a mere let down probably no different then finishing the 18th at Cypress Point for some. Only for me I was let down four holes before it. Blast a drive up the hill, blast a second shot to the green; DONE.
It's time to go get a shitty margarita in that room they call a bar, and definitely don't eat the food, which sucks for the prices they charge there. Use that time instead to get into Ensenada for Hussong's.
Matt, that's my take on what was once Mexico's once affordable gem--but Bajamar's Vista and Lagos courses are worth some amount of praise. (and to experience the somewhat entertaining work of a Mexican legend, Percy Clifford.)(I've played 27 holes of Clifford's handiwork, and seemingly he got it. Some of the work is quite good including Mazatlan's Club Compuestre, another course I've played a fare share of times on four visits there.)