Marina Vallarta Golf Club

One previous reviewer put it succinctly: this course is “meh.” The layout is challenging, probably the best part about it. The course conditions are reminiscent of a low-end municipal course. The staff is indifferent, and the amenities - again, think low-end muni. We played Vista Vallerta (Nicklaus) a few days prior. Honestly, save your money and play that course. It is in amazing condition and the amenities match the price.

We stayed across the street at the Marriot resort. This course was a perfect morning activity. The grass was a little dry and bare in spots on the fairways, but the course was fun and challenging. Real water hazards, given the crocs! Lots of other wildlife, too.

Pace of play was terrible. 25 minute wait on some hole. Should be a sign to let smaller groups or faster play players through. Nice course for the money, but if you plan to play 18 holes be ready for 5 to 6 hours .

You have to ask for your clubs to be cleaned after play. They cater more to the members. We live there permanently but don’t feel like we have to ask for everything

Ok, let's take it from the top and just break down the review ratings.

Pace of play: Poor - It's ten minute tee times, the second hole plays like an extended par 3 and the third hole actually IS a par 3, so the backup starts right out of the gate, and the pace doesn't improve. You're not finishing this in less than five hours.

Course Conditions: Average - This rating is really a shame because this should be an Excellent, based on the views alone. However, the bunkers are a sad joke. It's not sand, it's hard packed dirt. Until they fix their bunkers, this course remains average. It's a testament to how poorly the course is managed when most of the fixes that would make this one of the top two courses in Marina are so simple.

Staff Friendliness: Excellent - Buyer beware, it just depends who you get at the counter. One is excellent and one is poor. This time, I got the excellent one, so Woo Hoo.

Course layout: Good - You know, it's not easy to have a course layout that is good for golfers of all skill levels, but this course manages to do it. Skilled golfers can play aggressively and the course will challenge their accuracy(but not their distance), and beginners and intermediates always have safe places to layup so that they can take a higher percentage shot on their next swing. A real kudos to this layout.

Off course amenities: Fair - I changed this from Poor to Fair simply because of the restaurant. Good food and friendly staff inside the restaurant, but that's where the amenities end. They don't even give you a cooler of water for your round, and at the prices they're charging coupled with the amount of time you're going to be just sitting around waiting, this is inexcusable and just screams muni vibe. There are memberships available here, but don't kid yourself, this is a straight up muni course. A beautiful and fun muni course, to be sure, but a muni nonetheless.

Recommend to a friend: NO - Unfortunately, I could not recommend this course to a friend, simply due to the pace of play. I would recommend that they pay nearly double to play Vidanta, or slightly more than Marina to play El Tigre. I really want to recommnend this course, but I just can't.

We had a wonderful time and round of golf. The service and entire staff was exceptional. The course offers tee options for all golfers. You may even see a croc or two near the water.

The course is not in great shape; but we did see crocodiles, iguanas, and pelicans. That was cool! Also, for a few holes there was a six-some in front of us. Guess they split up at some point and then it moved better. One hole with ocean view. Overall: Meh

Ok, let's take it from the top and just break down the review ratings.

Pace of play: Poor - It's ten minute tee times, the second hole plays like an extended par 3 and the third hole actually IS a par 3, so the backup starts right out of the gate, and the pace doesn't improve. You're not finishing this in less than five hours.

Course Conditions: Average - This rating is really a shame because this should be an Excellent, based on the views alone. However, the bunkers are a sad joke. It's not sand, it's hard packed dirt. Until they fix their bunkers, this course remains average. It's a testament to how poorly the course is managed when most of the fixes that would make this one of the top two courses in Marina are so simple.

Staff Friendliness: Excellent - Buyer beware, it just depends who you get at the counter. One is excellent and one is poor. This time, I got the excellent one, so Woo Hoo.

Course layout: Good - You know, it's not easy to have a course layout that is good for golfers of all skill levels, but this course manages to do it. Skilled golfers can play aggressively and the course will challenge their accuracy(but not their distance), and beginners and intermediates always have safe places to layup so that they can take a higher percentage shot on their next swing. A real kudos to this layout.

Off course amenities: Fair - I changed this from Poor to Fair simply because of the restaurant. Good food and friendly staff inside the restaurant, but that's where the amenities end. They don't even give you a cooler of water for your round, and at the prices they're charging coupled with the amount of time you're going to be just sitting around waiting, this is inexcusable and just screams muni vibe. There are memberships available here, but don't kid yourself, this is a straight up muni course. A beautiful and fun muni course, to be sure, but a muni nonetheless.

Recommend to a friend: NO - Unfortunately, I could not recommend this course to a friend, simply due to the pace of play. I would recommend that they pay nearly double to play Vidanta, or slightly more than Marina to play El Tigre. I really want to recommnend this course, but I just can't.

Every ten minutes does not work for this course we waited every hole except 2 and we didn’t finish the entire 18 left after 16

The course is fine greens in good shape

Would recommend only at lowest price

Not worth the frustration for good golfers

Last played 5 years ago. Course is still in very good shape. Would like a course map as I did not remember the layout of some holes. Overall a great experience