Golf in Los Cabos and Baja Sur

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Golf

San José del Cabo

Although most of the area's best golf courses are in the Corridor, Los Cabos's original course, Campo del Golf San José (Hwy. 1, Km 31.5, San José del Cabo. 624/142-0905), has wide fairways and few obstacles or slopes. It's good for beginners or as a warm-up. The well-maintained 18 holes are lined with residential properties (broken windows are not unusual). Some holes have nice ocean views, and there's a large lake near the bottom. It costs $99 to play 18 holes; twilight rate is $69 including cart rental.

The Corridor

Los Cabos has become one of the world's top golf destinations, thanks to Fonatur, Mexico's government tourism development agency, which decided to expand Los Cabos's appeal beyond sport-fishing. In 1988, the agency opened a nine-hole course in San José. Green fairways now appear like oases in the middle of the desert, with breathtaking holes alongside the Sea of Cortez.

Some courses in Cabo offer memberships, but most allow nonmembers to play. The exceptions are Querencia, designed by Tom Fazzio, and the El Dorado, designed by Jack Nicklaus. These courses, while said to be spectacular, are only open to members and their guests.

About a million gallons of water a day are required to maintain each course, which partially explains why courses charge some of the highest greens fees in the world. The cost usually includes access to the driving range, a golf cart, and bottled water. Some courses offer reduced rates for twilight play (after 3 PM). Greens fees are exorbitant -- up to $350 in winter and $220 in summer. Rates given here are for high season, approximately November to May. Most hotels near the courses offer packages and reduced fees. Reservations are essential at all courses unless it's noted otherwise.

On the inland side of the Corridor, Cabo del Sol Desert Course (Hwy. 1, Km 10.3, the Corridor. 624/145-8200; 800/386-2405 in U.S. www.cabodelsol.com) is said to be "user-friendly": the longest hole is 625 yards, par 5. The course was designed by Tom Weiskopf. Special rates are available if you play both this and the Cabo del Sol Ocean Course. Greens fees start at $148 for twilight times, and $217 during the day.

Cabo del Sol Ocean Course (Hwy. 1, Km 10.3, the Corridor. 624/145-8200; 800/386-2405 in U.S. www.cabodelsol.com) has been included in Golf Digest's "Top 100 Courses in the World." According to designer Jack Nicklaus, it has the best three finishing holes in the world. On the par-3 17th hole, you drive over an ocean inlet with waves crashing below. The 18th hole is a mirror image of the 18th at Pebble Beach, California. Six holes are seaside. Greens fees start at $170 for twilight times, and $250 during the day.

The challenging Cabo Real Golf Course (Hwy. 1, Km 19.5, the Corridor. 624/144-0040; 877/795-8727 in U.S. www.caboreal.com), designed by Robert Trent Jones II, has straight and narrow fairways, difficult slopes, and strategically placed bunkers. The first six holes are in mountainous terrain, working their way up to 500 feet above sea level. Recovering from mistakes here can be quite difficult. Three holes are oceanfront. The course played host to the PGA Senior Slam in 1996 and 1999. Greens fees for 18 holes are $280, and $154 at twilight.

The 27-hole One&Only Palmilla Golf Course (Hwy. 1, Km 7.5, the Corridor. 624/146-7000; 954/809-2726 in U.S.) has wide fairways, gentle slopes, and large, challenging greens. On the 10th hole, you drive from a cliff, with the sea at your back; on the famous par-4 14th, you drive onto an island fairway. One hole borders the Sea of Cortez, and 12 holes have excellent sea views. It costs $210 and after 1 PM it's $135 for Palmilla guests and $255 with a twilight rate of $160 after 1 PM for nonguests to play nine holes. You can make reservations up to 60 days in advance.