Diamante Cabo San Lucas

First off, Diamante is an incredible property, we had a great time during our 5 night visit. The facilities and resort staff are amazing.

The Dunes driving range and practice area really fun and you feel like you are somewhere special.

Caddies- we were 2 players. We specifically requested a month in advance a caddie that would walk with us and were told "no problem". 5 minutes before our round we were told that our caddie had a sore back and therefore could not walk with us. Furthermore, even though we were willing to pay for our own caddie to drive our cart so we could walk, they refused and only gave us one caddie for a group of 4 people. This may sound like a petty complaint but for $315 they could have handled it way better.

The course- while breathtakingly beautiful, the layout and routing seemed off. Bummer that all tee shots with drivers/woods literally plugged or spun backwards once hitting the ground. Like the layout didn't fit the conditions. Too many blind shots that seemed silly and contrived. Most shots to greens were all carry, no place to run shots up. To call this a top 100 course in the world reeks of corruption. Golf Digest must have been payed off for this ranking.

Comfort stations were ok at best. They should take a look at Quiveras stations and see how it should be done.

We played the Cardinal course the next day and it was spectacular. I would recommend playing Tiger's course and skipping the Dunes. Save your $300, play somewhere else.

I returned from Cabo 4 days ago and all I can think about is how much I want to play this course again. I was hesitant to shell out $350+ but I don’t regret it one bit. The driving range is the nicest, most interesting range I’ve ever seen and it’s not close. You are met by a bar as you walk onto the range, as well as your caddie. The range is expansive and gorgeous, hitting ProV’s and enjoying the dozens of targets you can aim at. The real fun begins on the first hole - a demanding par 5 that requires a well struck tee shot. Once out on the course, you wonder how Davis Love even envisioned the holes amongst the large, sprawling dunes. As you wind through the next few first holes, the elevation changes and demanding nature of the course becomes very apparent. A caddie is mandatory but there’s no other way to play this place for the first time, caddies are invaluable. I’d write a hole by hole analysis, but suffice it to say the back 9 is one of the best 9 hole sides in the world. You have winding dunes amongst the Pacific Ocean that require a focused eye or a big number awaits. I’m a low handicapper, I had 4 birdies and 4 double bogeys... the place is demanding and requires well struck shots - especially on the par 3’s. It also requires a well placed approach shot... the greens are undulating and challenging - large, tiered and fast. Just hitting the green isn’t good enough, I saw a few 4-putts! You have to know where to miss and take advantage. Dramatic is the best word I can think of when describing this course; just an amazing layout and an absolute treat. Hospitality could not have been better and I couldn’t be more impressed with the condition of the course. It’s pure and true.

Played this course with my wife while we were in Cabo a couple of weeks back.

Staff were fantastic. Course conditions and layout were a good test of golf for the better golfer while still being fun for lesd experienced golfers.

We are here at Diamonte in Mexico with family. We golfed the Dunes fabulous. However El Cardonal has some very bad , damaged , not sure what has caused the horrible spots on the entire course. . It took away from the experience of golfing at Tigers designed course. It cost a lot of money to golf here . The value wasn’t there.

It took me three years to finally complete my full round on Diamante Dunes. I played the front nine in 2015 when I was on property to see the new El Cardonal course by Tiger Woods.

I played the back nine in Dec. 2018 after arriving straight from the airport. The round was a bit disjointed as my two-some was stuck behind a five-some of members. No worries, though. We just hung out at the comfort station longer to enjoy the food and drink sthat are free for all players.

Unfortunately, the construction of the Hard Rock and Nobu hotels have robbed the routing of many of its sea views, but there is a silver lining. Guests at these hotels will have access to the courses for the first time.

As the name suggests, the dunes are simply fantastic. The fairways and greens roll as wavy as the sea, so good luck making any putts or finding a flat lie.

The blind shot at no. 14 really baffled us without proper guidance, but it shouldn't be an issue for most groups, which are required to take a caddie (which we didn't have).

The 17th provides the showstopping highlight, a par 3 with uninterrupted views of the water. The relatively new 18th hole - a replacement for the original, more mundane finisher - is a beastly par 5 with a split fairway and elevated green.

For a loop redone multiple times in just nine years, it's amazing the course still looks this good.

The day I played the short course most of the 12 holes were set up to play less than 100 yards, some as short as 40 yards. I thought I had a good short game, but the paspalum grass is so sticky that you can't bounce shots in like I normally do. It exposed my short-game weaknesses, no doubt.

The entire facility wraps around a pond that's never in play until the last hole. The small greens are tough to hit and hold. There's a fair amount of ridges and slopes in a few.

Drinks and snacks are available in a palapa where you check in. It was good to see a handful of couples playing together.

Played 18 on el Cardonal today with Hector as our caddie. The rains last night made the fairway soggy and slow. Hector was a great caddie and after watching us warm up, he knew what clubs to play and where to lay the ball. The fairway and the greens are in great shape. There is a lot of construction going on in the area - but keep an eye on this place. This will be the place to stay and golf in the very near future. A great vacation destination. With staff willing to help at every turn

I play from the middle of the 5 tees at 6099 yards on this links type course. The fairways are reasonably wide but a slight miss which finds any rough makes finding your ball nearly impossible. The fairways undulate and slope so most shots are hit on some sort of incline. The greens are large and immaculate so a 60-80 foot putt is not unusual. The greens also slope so each putt is an adventure. The front nine may be a warm up for the back but it has a couple of very challenging par 3 holes. From the middle tees hole number 2 is 201 yards and hole 7 is 223. By the time you finish on the front you have hit the "comfort stations" twice (plus the station at the driving range). Each station has a stocked bar and lots of food such as tortilla soup, tamales and snacks of all kinds. We pick up lots of munchies and usually non-alcoholic drinks. Others go all in with margaritas and such but their game suffers. The back nine is spectacular as you wind along the Pacific ocean. There are more challenging holes, more comfort stations and incredible ocean views on the back 9. Diamante is a "private" course where owners have access. Others can get free golf by sitting through a timeshare presentation. The course was rated as #36 in the world by Golf Magazine in 2017-2018.

Just finished playing the El Cardinal course. Views and layout were great. Condition of the fairways was one of the worst courses I ever played. An embarrassment to be the resort and the Tiger Woods affiliation. The Dunes Course was fantastic to play. Call before you play to make sure the course has been fixed.

Played the track 6 times in one week. Amenities are world class. Friendly, personable staff all work hard to make you feel right at home. They spoil you big time. Excellent track, lots of variety. Greens roll true. Hot in June & July - ask for the Vacation Margarita at the 15th hole cantina!

Played mostall cabo track in the past ....

This one is quite a great layout and challenging as it gets !

,, when it's windy .. And it's alway windy in cabo

But to drive a golf cart over roughest corduroy road in Mexico for 300 bucks a round (although I didn't pay that )

I would go somewhere else !!

Woods' first design, set upon higher ground than the more celebrated Dunes course at Diamante, weaves through dune-framed fairways on the front nine and over desert arroyos on the back nine.
El Cardonal - named after the tall, slender, multi-armed cactus that thrives in this region - features panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean from nearly every hole.
Woods built a playable resort-style track with splashy-looking bunkers and interesting green surrounds where players can putt, chip or pitch their misses.
The course might be four star, but the experience is five star. Diamante serves free food and drink at the clubhouse before the round and at comfort stations on the course during the round.
With several hotels under construction inside the development, El Cardonal could become more accessible in the future. It is currently run as a private club with limited public access for people willing to sit through a time-share presentation.

unlike the first reviewer our group played from the 2nd set of tees-6850 yds- was enough test, especially into the wind which blows on a daily basis.
the facility:
very nice but still under construction. take advantage of the freebies on first tee.
the staff:
excellent and professional. a forecaddie is a must the first time around.
the practice area:
hitting balls towards the ocean- nice view.
decent little putting green but did not see a practice chipping or bunker area.
the course:
wide open fairways, with a variety of lies. second shots are varied to up hill or down hill greens.
the greens are still young( year old) but for most part hold chip shots well.
Tiger does need to make changes to the greens on # 12 and # 15. Neither green holds a ball especially in windy conditions- they need to be softened. Tip - putts TOWARDS the ocean are fast!
Overall-- I would play it again even with the stiff greens fee.

I just can't say enough about our round here. We played with 24 guys from our club, and every detail was met by the pro shop with unwavering precision. The course was all we expected it to be.

As a property owner I have 6 rounds of wonderful golf each week at Diamante in Cabo. My rounds this time were spent at the El Cardonal Golf Course, Tiger's first offering as a course designer and advisor.

I strongly feel that "Quality Golf" is the #1 factor when choosing vacation destinations. Diamante has the Dunes Course now ranked #39 in the world next to this course so both courses go over the top as far as "Quality Golf". You will completely enjoy both courses.

There are several things that stand out at El Cardonal. #1 is the service level. Caddies are such a great touch and very necessary the first time around. For @25 plus tip you can't beat the experience and fun having your caddie read greens and talk you thru the round. Try to clean your clubs on the driving range.. you can't do it on time because of the staff waiting next to you during your warm up. Did I mention the incredible breakfast and drinks next to range which are "required" before your round?

#2 this course must be played from the tips. I know that 7400 yards might sound like a lot but the strategy and challenges are just too much to not take in. Caddies are critical here on your shots.

#3 The views and overall weather can't be beat at this location. I really loved the greens challenges and the tee shot carries over the sand and trouble areas.

#4 Comfort stations on #5/#8 and #15 provide free drinks and food. Not something you see at most resorts. Of course you pay $18 for this privilege.. ooops! had to mention that one...

OK the only bad issues are some fairways have are not in great shape and some greens are showing some major stress. Several of my golfing partners mentioned this during our rounds.

For ocean views, sand everywhere, incredible warm up areas, challenging and interesting holes, and great weather year around you should definitely consider Diamante and the El Cordonal Golf Course.

Thanks Javier for being my caddie. I really enjoyed meeting you and your brother last week.

Play Quality Golf Everywhere.....

I can't officially rank the Dunes course a five-star experience like others have until I see the back nine. The front nine was good, but to most golfers, it's considered a mere warm up to the back nine's spectacular ocean holes. I only had time to play the front nine, which was a shame. Paul Cowley, the lead architect for Davis Love III, has built two new holes supposedly better than the original 12th and 13th holes that date back to 2009. Towering sand dunes block the ocean views on the front nine, although they're used perfectly for a handful of elevated tees and greens. DL3 and Cowley designed several interesting "half-par" holes. The par 5 sixth hole plays like a long par 4 of 468 yards from the second set of tees. The par 3 seventh hole takes back that half stroke by playing almost like a downhill drivable par 4 at- 247 yards from the second set of tees. Diamante bills itself as a "private resort" where only property owners and those who rent accommodations inside the community are allowed to play golf. These "Stay & Play" renters must sit through a sales presentation to gain access to the courses. Free food and drink are served at the Dunes driving range (try the breakfast sliders and smoothies) and several on-course comfort stations.