The Nicklaus Design Course at Vidanta Puerto Penasco
Rating Snapshot
About
Jack Nicklaus and his son teamed up to design the course at The Nicklaus Design Course at Vidanta Puerto Penasco (formerly known as Peninsula De Cortes Golf Club and Peninsula Golf Club at Vidanta Puerto Penasco). Half of the layout plays along the Sea of Cortes while the other half wanders inland through native wetlands and desert vegetation. Long hitters will enjoy this golf course, which stretches to more than 7,000 yards. The Nicklaus team designed a challenging layout but the rugged terrain also deserves credit. They utilized not only the natural hazards but also the stunning views, which are as varied as the challenges. Every hole is framed by a backdrop of the desert, mountains, or sea. The signature hole is the par-3 sixth. On this tough hole you'll be met with a series of waterways that sits between the tees and the green complex, where four bunkers are also lurking.
| Tee | Par | Length | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 72 | 7210 yards | 74.7 | 140 |
| Blue | 72 | 6639 yards | 72.4 | 134 |
| White | 72 | 6383 yards | 71.0 | 130 |
| Gold | 72 | 5475 yards | 66.9 | 116 |
| Red | 72 | 5180 yards | 70.3 | 121 |
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Out | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | In | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black M: 74.7/140 | 474 | 551 | 412 | 180 | 425 | 180 | 540 | 344 | 433 | 3539 | 481 | 400 | 560 | 458 | 183 | 400 | 443 | 184 | 562 | 3671 | 7210 |
| Blue M: 72.4/134 | 421 | 530 | 388 | 170 | 393 | 154 | 495 | 308 | 408 | 3267 | 444 | 360 | 520 | 425 | 171 | 369 | 410 | 172 | 501 | 3372 | 6639 |
| White M: 71.0/130 W: 71.0/130 | 392 | 518 | 375 | 150 | 380 | 150 | 487 | 295 | 391 | 3138 | 412 | 345 | 508 | 417 | 158 | 357 | 396 | 160 | 492 | 3245 | 6383 |
| Yellow M: 66.9/116 | 338 | 404 | 303 | 142 | 375 | 145 | 412 | 290 | 332 | 2741 | 312 | 244 | 485 | 375 | 120 | 350 | 312 | 128 | 408 | 2734 | 5475 |
| Red W: 70.3/121 | 336 | 400 | 298 | 115 | 328 | 120 | 408 | 233 | 329 | 2567 | 308 | 241 | 482 | 320 | 117 | 312 | 308 | 125 | 400 | 2613 | 5180 |
| Handicap | 5 | 15 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 3 | 6 | 18 | 14 | 2 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 16 | |||
| Par | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Bar, RestaurantLodging
Lodging AvailableAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Banquet FacilitiesReviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by jcs1228 on 05/09/2021
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Photo submitted by jcs1228 on 05/09/2021
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Photo submitted by jcs1228 on 05/09/2021
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Photo submitted by jcs1228 on 05/09/2021
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Photo submitted by jcs1228 on 05/09/2021
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Photo submitted by jcs1228 on 05/09/2021
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Hole #3. Photo submitted by tedpate on 04/29/2021
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Photo submitted by u637032088 on 02/24/2021
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Photo submitted by ErikQuiroz on 12/03/2020
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Photo submitted by jamese592 on 06/13/2019
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Photo submitted by uncletio on 02/17/2019
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Photo submitted by uncletio on 02/17/2019
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Photo submitted by uncletio on 02/17/2019
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Photo submitted by uncletio on 02/07/2018
Vidanta - A Hidden Gem
Any golfer heading to Rocky Pointe should add this course to their events list. The layout is terrific. Challenging from the blue tees (6600 yards), with elevated greens that will test even the better players. The ocean views from the Sea of Cortez are simply amazing. Photo ops galore. Do yourself a favor, and take the 40 minute drive from the center of town and go play this course.
10/10
An amazing course from start to finish. One of the most challenging courses I've ever played from 7200 yards. Amazing views, weather, playing conditions every single hole. The staff is hard-working and great as well.
Rocky Point Golf
Hard to believe this course is 4 hours from Phoenix. Just absolutely stunning views, challenging holes, perfect condition. Crazy we may have been 1 of 4 groups on the course. We paid $80 which is a steal. Would certainly go back.
Probably my favorite course.
Front nine was great. The back nine the wind picked up and makes for a very difficult track. I love playing here. They did charge me $10 to hit range balls.
A must go for golfers
Spectacular but tough. Went on a windy day (gusting @25-30 mph) and being my 1st time it took me 6
Holes to put the driver away and play conservatively.
Next time I play it will hopefully be able to tame this beast. Ppl couldn’t be nicer. Food was great. At the price I pd on GolfNow was a bargain.
Fabulous Nicklaus style links course
If you are staying in the area of Puerto Penasco (aka Rocky Point) Mexico then this course is a must! We are staying at the Mayan Palace Vindata resort about 5 hrs drive from the Phoenix area and the coruse is part of the resort complex. The corise is immediately adjacent to beach, dunes, surf. Gorgeous. Remiscent of the Ocean Course at Kiawa Island. It is also nightmare tough for this 15 hdcp player. Jack has worked in elevated greens, heavily trapped, over-water shots, sunday-style pin placement on almost every hole taxing your driving and shot making to the utmost. Condition of the course was good not excellent. Greens a bit bumpy with pohana. Tee boxes a bit mounded from sanding. But I never once had a bad lie through the green. Carts do not have GPS so I advise bringing your own to help negotiate all strategic tee shots and the hidden shots to green. As a resort guest you pay 49.50 for what I judge to be a $250.00 experience. We will be trying it again tomorrow.
Another Nicolas Course too hard to play
i’ve played Nicolas courses all over the USA and unfortunately they are just to hard to enjoy. I’m a 7 handicap and even though the course views are amazing this is way to hard for a resort course. As I said it’s just not a fun course to play. Save your money and you can see the spectacular views without dropping a couple of hundred bucks.
Bad
Stay away from playing here for a while. Not the premium shape that it should be. I am a low handicapped and this is inexcusable. $70 for rental clubs and they give you regular shaft because they don’t have Stiff. Not green, very disappointed.
Last Round for 2020
Put 2020 in the books with this round in Penasco.
Wind was howling the day we played which made the course trickier than it already is.
Staff is always excellent and attentive.
Course set up and conditions were perfect.
A lot of improvements over the last few months.
I’ll be back as always.
Amazing course and in great shape!
There were only 2-3 holes on the back nine that needed a little love. The rest was outstanding! Staff was great! Windy and desert so bring all the back up balls you can and don’t be scared to lose a couple sleeves out there.
