It’s Hard to Understand Why Anyone Would Choose a Golf Vacation in Cold Rain Over Nayarit, Mexico

What they say about golfers is true—they’re a crazy group of folks, and gluttons for punishment. Anyone who would consider cold sideways rain in Ireland or Scotland over Mexico’s sunny beaches surely needs a medical evaluation. Golfers rave about pints of Guinness after grueling days on the links when frankly, Jameson spills from a pub’s bar mat would do the trick after the ass-kicking’s dealt by The European Club and Carnoustie. There isn’t a single damn palapa with fresh margaritas on the Open Championship rota—so why the hell do Americans cross the Atlantic when Puerto Vallarta International Airport is only two hours from Dallas?

It’s golf’s great con that joy is earned and that a golfer’s resume isn’t complete without shooting a hundred in rain gear during a “four seasons” 10-mile trek hike round of golf in northern Europe. True joy happens at the Punta Mita Golf Club Pacifico Course off the back of the 9th green at the tiki bar where they serve scratch palomas and ocean views. Misery happens on the links when it’s a smidgen over freezing in lashing rain and there isn’t palm frond protection or a beverage cart for 4,000 miles. Old Tom Morris was a demented man with his fondness for waist-high fescue, but thank god for golf course designers Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman who elevated the game in Mexico where there is an emphasis on fun, sunshine and cerveza in the comfort of an E-Z-GO.

Quality golf is all over Mexico, but the three major golf regions are Riviera Maya to the east, Cabo to the west and Nayarit in between. Each has its unique attributes, but all share the sincere warmth of the Mexican people which along with Southeast Asia—is known by travel experts to offer the world’s preeminent, most sincere hospitality. Mexico is a postcard with its pristine beaches, mountains, cenotes and ancient ruins, but often, it’s a friendly bartender that visitors remember most. Some people do things because they have to, and others because they want to with sincerity which is what it feels like in Mexico.

There is care and attention at all touch points at the Iberostar Selection Playa Mita, a beachfront all-inclusive in the state of Nayarit about 40 km/20 miles northwest of the airport. Tortillas are made from scratch and popup Aperol Spritz bars are strategically positioned near ocean-view lookouts. It’s a convenient golf hub to access the best tracks in the area and for day trips to nongolf treasures such as the surfing village of Sayulita or a hike up Cerro del Mono Monkey Mountain. Travel to all parts of the world is better with tee times on the agenda, but Nayarit has enough to offer for even the anti-golf pickleball mob.

Stay in Nayarit, play in Nayarit and put these four tracks to the schedule listed in order of WBGD preference: Punta Mita Golf Club, Flamingos Golf Club, Higuera Golf Club and El Tigre Golf Club. There are two Nicklaus designs at Punta Mita Golf Club, the Pacifico and Bahia which are the unquestionable top-shelf golf courses in the area. The brilliance of Pacifico’s Tail of the Whale island green par 3 is perhaps the Golden Bear’s architectural crowning achievement. The 200-yard par 3 is accessible only at low tide when a cart path is revealed, but all 36 holes at Punta Mita are plush because conditions are perfect. Ocean views are everywhere at Punta Mita, beverage carts buzz around like Speedy Gonzalez and Mexican thatch palapas serve tacos, cold drinks and the world’s finest tequila. For all the tropical reasons people travel to Mexico—Punta Mita is golf hedonism.

If Punta Mita is an A+ world-class experience, Flamingos Golf Club and Higuera Golf Club get an A-. Also a footgolf course, a soccer and golf hybrid,  Flamingos has one of the best pre- and post-round hangouts with its massive palapa restaurant-bar. Golf course itineraries are like sports teams where each player has a job and responsibility and together are stronger than any individual. Flamingos and Higuera pull their weight and while it would be fun to play Punta Mita every day—a little variety and change of scenery is even better.

Conditions on Higuera are good and Greg Norman, its designer left more of the thick jungle than the other courses in Nayarit—the Shark is known for demanding accuracy, and he does here. Higuera is likely the most difficult course because it’s easier to lose golf balls in the palm tree and mangrove woods. But a challenge is good and Higuera is a nice break from the more wide-open resort-style courses in the region. And look for Higuera to get better with an enhanced golf course maintenance budget and the leadership of new director of golf Martin Côté. On-brand with an emphasis on fun in the region is Higuera’s premium tequila cart outfitted with Don Julio 1942, Jose Cuervo Reserva, Clase Azul Reposado and the world’s best silver tequila, Casa Dragones. Near the turn on the back nine is a taqueria, Mexican beer and mezcal bar, which is included in the green fee that starts at around $100—worth every peso.

Flamingos is close to the Pacific Ocean but does not touch it, but there is plenty of water and swampy wetlands. The golf course has several rolling hills, thick jungles and maneuvers through several bird sanctuaries. Not a long golf course, it plays 6,700 yards from the tips and is built for casual golfers on vacation—another Irish links adversary with an emphasis on fun.

International golf offers a chance to see how people in other parts of the world experience the game. Cut through houses in a residential area, El Tigre Golf Club is the Mexico equivalent of an American suburb neighborhood club. If you could only play one round of golf in Nayarit, it wouldn’t be El Tigre, but on an itinerary, it’s a lot of fun and a good deal with green fees starting at around $100. Water is on nearly every hole, and so are houses ranging from little condos to massive estates—see the real estate office for availability. This golf course is part of a community with an Olympic pool, fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts and restaurant and bar. As we walked off the 18th at dusk, a local high school golf team wrapped up practice on the range—a scene familiar to any American golfer.

Variety is the spice of life and Nayarit has plenty. Golf enhances the Mexico experience—it’s not essential, albeit a heartbreaking notion to imagine a golf-less Mexican holiday. It’s a fun conversation with friends, but ponder the thought of having to choose the food and drink from one country forever—which country would it be? There isn’t a wrong answer, but a Mexican culinary parade with garlic, cilantro, cumin, avocado, tomatoes, chiles and lime certainly would receive a large portion of the world’s vote. Scotland should be celebrated for inventing golf, but all glory to Mexico for reinventing it in good weather with premium tequila carts.

Travel Information:

• Airport: Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR)
• Stay: Iberostar Selection Playa Mita
• Play: Punta Mita Golf Club (Pacifico and Bahia Course), Flamingos Golf Course, Higuera Golf Club and El Tigre Golf Club

Non-Golf Day Trip:

• Sayulita: a surfing and beach village 7 miles/12 km from the Iberostar Selection Playa Mita
• Stay: Sayulinda Hotel
• Eat + Drink: Don Pedro’s Restaurant & Bar