Jack Niklaus Course at Vidanta Puerto Peñasco

Written by www.casago.com’s Local Expert

About

The Vidanta Golf Course at the Puerto Peñasco Mayan Resort opened in early 2000 and is one of the top 20 golf courses in the Caribbean and Mexico! The stunning course is a 18-hole, 7,200 yard course nestled between the Sea of Cortez and the La Pinta Estuary. It is extremely challenging, as it is a Championship level course designed by Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus II.  

The course is open to the public and available for golf tournaments of all sizes. Further, they will put the whole tournament together for you. They can provide everything from lunches to prizes! If you want to impress your group, then Vidanta is the best place in Peñasco to hold your tournament. If you do hold your tournament here, players can conveniently stay at the Grand Mayan or Mayan Palace. Alternatively, if they want to explore more of Peñasco outside the course, we recommend a vacation rental. 

Getting There

From Phoenix & Tucson to Vidanta

Being one of the most popular courses in the Caribbean and Mexico, Arizona residents often come to Peñasco just for golfing! It's a pretty easy drive from both Phoenix and Tucson. Also, you can easily find directions using Google Maps or any other GPS application.

To get to the Mayan Resort and Vidanta from Phoenix, you will take I-10 West and go south on Hwy 85 to Gila Bend. Then, go South on Hwy 85 to the Mexican border at Lukeville/Sonoyta. It's approximately a 1 hour drive to Puerto Peñasco and then an additional 24 minutes to the Mayan Resort on the Caborca-Puerto Peñasco highway. Drive with care on this road as it can have some potholes. If coming from Tucson, take Highway 86 West through Sells, Arizona to Why and then south on Highway 85 to the border.

Rates & Rules

This course is a little more expensive than others, being a famous Jack Nicklaus course. Rates vary depending on the time and day of the week you select for tee time. The most expensive times start from 8AM to around 12PM. Before and after that, you will likely see drops in the rates. In addition, there are sometimes drops in rates for last minute bookings. The most inexpensive time is towards the end of the day, from 2PM onward.

There are a few rules that players must abide by at this course. Such as:

  • Walking, metal spikes, and teams of more than 4 are not allowed.
  • You must wear proper golf attire. This means no denim and you must wear a collared shirt. As for men, pants must be slacks or shorts. Women are able to wear golf skirts or skorts.

The Course

Before you play, take advantage of the driving range, putting green, and pitching/chipping area. In addition, they offer professional coaching. Vidanta offs such amenities as a complete Pro Shop, lessons, locker room, restaurant and bar, practice range, putting green, bag storage, and packages.

As you traverse the course, you will see 87 bunkers and 2 lakes to add to the challenge. You will find yourself playing on 7 holes that run alongside the Sea of Cortez that add interest and will test your golf skills. On the back side of the course, you will play along the La Pinta Estuary while viewing the mountains in the background. The course features several elevated greens as well as fairways that wind through the bunker areas. The greens and fairways are carpeted in Salam Seashore Paspalum and natural vegetation line the fairways.

After your day on the course, plan to spend some time being pampered by the staff of the Tides Social House for great food and drinks.  Relax and watch as the tides of the Sea of Cortez moves in and out and stay for one of the stunning sunsets. This course and all it has to offer apart from golf will not disappoint!

What’s Included

  • Golf Cart Included
  • 18 Hole Time
  • Practice Balls

Local Tips

  • Proper golf attire is required at all times. (Shirts should have collars and denim & t-shirts are forbidden)
  • The most inexpensive tee times are before 8AM and after 2PM.

Reviews

4/5 (4)
5/5
dacougr
Fantastic course on the ocean. Should avoid during very windy days otherwise great course. Have daily deals on golfnow for a great rate. Play every time I visit PP.
5/5
Jlarsen
Excellent course and some very fun holes. We had to check in at the hotel as they are doing a remodel on the pro shop at the course. Staff at the course are very friendly. Will play again next time in town as this is by far the best course in Puerto Penasco and is half the cost of any US golf course on the coast. Has some very pretty holes.
5/5
Brian B
Nice course, but can we get a yardage book or a picture of the dang holes? So many tees shots were completely blind that it was comical. You just aim at a pole 125 yards out and pray. Bunkers just pockmark the fairways. Do you know they are there? Nope! Not until you drive to find your ball and realize it rolled into a 6x6 bunker.
/5
Sami
Great suggestion! Thanks for the feedback.

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