The Nicklaus Design Course at Vidanta Puerto Penasco
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 | 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
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Bar, RestaurantLodging
Lodging AvailableAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Banquet FacilitiesReviews
Reviewer Photos
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Photo submitted by u4495017 on 02/07/2026
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Good times with the boys. Photo submitted by Christian2102579 on 03/14/2025
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Photo submitted by Christian2102579 on 03/14/2025
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Photo submitted by Ric2190141 on 03/07/2025
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The 4th green Vidanta Golf Club, August 12, 2024 Photo submitted by u165300364 on 08/13/2024
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Photo submitted by wesmart on 02/16/2024
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Photo submitted by wesmart on 02/16/2024
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Photo submitted by dacougr on 11/02/2023
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Photo submitted by dacougr on 11/02/2023
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Photo submitted by Lonnie8283484 on 06/20/2023
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Photo submitted by Lonnie8283484 on 06/20/2023
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Photo submitted by Lonnie8283484 on 06/20/2023
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Photo submitted by u000003351677 on 03/16/2023
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Photo submitted by u000004071604 on 01/03/2023
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Photo submitted by u314162380030 on 10/14/2022
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Photo submitted by SudsburyAZ on 10/07/2022
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⛳️ Photo submitted by u314163337609 on 08/26/2022
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Photo submitted by u000005689731 on 07/29/2022
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Photo submitted by u194231244 on 06/01/2022
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Spectacular Photo submitted by u194231244 on 05/26/2022
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Photo submitted by u194231244 on 01/11/2022
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Photo submitted by u314162340530 on 11/30/2021
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Photo submitted by u314162340530 on 11/30/2021
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Photo submitted by u314162340530 on 11/30/2021
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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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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
A windy day
The course was in great shape but the wind was tough. Being a 15 handicap playing from the white tees was a challenge. Not a great score but sunny and fun.
Beautiful Course
Course is a little rough, still some dormant grass on the fairways with new grass coming up on areas. Beautiful course and ocean views, a little windy but warm. Love this course.
Must play
There is no better value than this gem on the entire planet. $49-$99 in 75 degree weather on the Sea of Cortez ? Good overall condition, challenging fun. Couldn’t play a garbage course in Scottsdale this time of year at this rate. Absolute no brainer, played on Tuesday. Was reluctant when I read the reviews, I’m assuming these folks either had a horrible round or they literally complain about everything. Will be back.
Vindata
Not a Nicklaus quality course. Long desolate drive from anywhere. Great greens. Beautiful design. Very challenging, lots of wind. Fairways, tee boxes and golf carts were beat up. They have a nice cart senorita but that’s it, your on your own, but that’s ok. Probably spectacular in it’s heyday. Worth the trip if you’re not a diva.
DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY
NIcklaus should be embarrassed Awful condition, terrible carts. No clubhouse. Not a resort course.
Vidanta
Beautiful seaside course. Fairways are patchy with dormant areas and green patches. Greens are reasonable. For this time of year. Wind came up on back nine so conditions became difficult. Overall a good value.
Unimpressed
Really disappointing. The golf carts were the very worst I’ve ever seen in nearly 50 years of playing golf. The club house was closed because it was badly damaged by a windstorm. We were not informed at the gate that we would have to check in at the resort before driving to the course. Had the feeling the whole time that this was a course on the edge of being abandoned and showed no attention to detail at all. As a plus the two on course restrooms were amazing - really out of character for the rest of the experience. We had the course to ourselves for the day that we played and it was easy to see why. Would not recommend this course to anyone.
not the best to be honest
jack jr needs to keep his hands out of course design. a few too many blind tee shots and landing area you don't know about. a free yardage book or gps would go a long wy to help this. also the out cropping in the middle of many fairways are not needed. and as soon as/if you leave the grass your ball is gone. way too thick and lush and you ball just gets swallowed up. I love desert and target golf but think there should be some relief or the chance to find it and hit it again. finally conditions were sub par. greens bumpy and fairways tight but just weird shades and some different grasses poking through making it look spotty. and some of the bunkers you can't even get into they are so small and deep. I know bunkers are supposed to penalize, but many of these give you no chance. bordering on silly.
Not for the amature
My wife and I...slightly better than bogeys golfers....well...nearly all the mens tee you have to clear 100+ yards of gorse to get to fairway...very intimidating hole after hole...and difficult to even find the ball...for the ladies..it is palatable...obviously covid has hit this area hard for finances for proper maintenance
Second round this week
The wind was much stronger so the course was definitely more difficult. Almost too difficult for us. The fairways were patchy so we paid winter rules. There were are a few more golfers but no one ahead of us. Plenty of roll on the fairways. Views are spectacular. Value was good for an Oceanside course. Difficult course with typical Nicklaus features. We would play again on a hot deal.
Very Enjoyable round
The course was in decent winter conditions. Beautiful day and setting. Great layout next to the ocean. Difficult but not extreme, undulating fairways, many bunkers and elevated greens. Played front tees which made it less difficult. The pro shop building was closed so we had to drive back to the resort to check in. We should have been advised at the gate to go straight to the resort. Otherwise a very good experience.
Awesome layout
Course was in overall good shape. Some damage to signs and structural stuff from the past storm but nothing big. Fairways/greens/tee boxes in good playable condition. For the money and even more I would play this course any chance I get. Staff was very friendly.
Once upon a time
Have been going to this course for 12 years and it use to be my very favorite course specifically for its pristine condition. It is no longer a good golf course. The grass is weed infested and patchy. The golf carts are the original ones and are dangerous and uncomfortable..
POOR COURSE CONDITIONS
Unfortunately, the course was in very tough shape they said due to a recent storm and morning dew. I have played it before in June and much better condition. Awesome staff
Golf carts in very bad shape
Second time we've played there. First time, one of the two carts didn't make it. This time, we made it but it was touch and go. Beautiful course that is set up for the experienced golfer. Better put the ball in the middle of the green or you are in trouble. Too difficult for the average golfer.
Nicklaus Vidanta puerto panesco
Spectacular views. Challenging holes. The course is in great shape A friendly helpful staff
This may not be whistling straits but it’s in the same league. A great experience. I’m glad I treated myself.