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
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Reviewer Photos
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.
Vidanta Puerto Peñasco, Beautiful course horrible rough
I have played this course several times and love the course! I played the course on 8/4/2020 with my wife, the tee boxes, fairways and greens were excellent but the rough made the course unplayable! The rough was anywhere from 12 to 24 inches high, you miss the fairway by 6 inches it was a lost ball, 3 to 6 feet left or right of a green it was a lost ball! I lost 7 balls during my round (typically play the same ball for an entire round)!
There was nothing indicated on the Vidanta website or on the Golfnow website that there were any issues with the course! I was very disappointed with the quality of the course based on the rough!
Great Views
I would give it 5 stars if they would upgrade there golf carts.
Better than I remembered
Nice resort course. In good shape. If you hit it in the rough you will not find it. Very few golfers on the course. The only drawback is the distance from town, about a 45 minute drive. The clubhouse is closed for construction and you must check in at the hotel.
Outstanding layout
This course is in fantastic shape and is such a great value for the money you spend to play it. The clubhouse and restaurant are closed due to winter weather damage. It’s too bad because the restaurant was very good and the pro shop was well stocked. If you are interested in a great golf layout and a well conditioned course, you must play here!
Beautiful course to play
Beautiful golf course in ocean front. Excellent course condition. Has to play there if you have a chance.
Great Course
The course is in great shape and the ocean view is fantastic. The only negative was the power cart, it ran out of power on hole 16 and we had to push it with a another golfer's cart.
Beautiful course
Second time playing this course - beautiful setting very challenging will play it again
A taste of Ireland in Mexico
Beautiful beach side links course. I've played all the great links courses in Ireland and this one holds it's own with them.
Incredible Golf Course
What a beautiful Golf Course, why the prettiest one I've ever played.
Not as hard
Every review said this course was hard. If u can play in the wind, it is fine. As a five handicap I could adjust. The fairways, except one, we're plenty wide! Cabos views are much better! It is worth 75 or less. They had just punched the greens so can 't comment on their normal conditions I would definitely play it again for the price I paid, $49!.
Great Course, Amazing Views
The Nicklaus-designed links course at Vidanta Puerto Peñasco was everything I expected it to be; challenging, beautiful and really fun.
Weather is sensational and challenging, as wind speed is increased (especially on the holes overlooking the sea of Cortes) which really influences ball flight.
The course features a variety of shots that range from blind tee shots to inviting drivable par 4s.
100% recommended.
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