<em>by LARRY HALL
CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico – Planning our next travel adventure always starts with a family huddle, just my wife Katherine and me, to answer the inevitable question: where to next? For years, every one of these discussions ended the same way. “Let’s go to Cabo,” she would say. And for years, I politely dodged the idea, thinking that the last thing I needed was another hot desert vacation.
Recently, however, I began reading more about the quality of golf in Cabo San Lucas, and that was enough to crack the door open. “Okay,” I said cautiously, “Cabo is a possibility. Let me investigate.” For the next few days, my full attention shifted to golf courses in and around Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
QUESTRO GOLF
As expected, there is no shortage of golf courses, most designed to cater to visiting American golfers and their wallets. A single round in Cabo can be expensive, typically ranging from $200 to $400. Staying true to the mission of my blog, Budget Golf, I went searching for a better value and discovered Questro Golf, which owns and manages three standout courses in the area:
• CABO REAL – designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
• PUERTO LOS CABOS – co-designed by Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman
• CLUB CAMPESTRE SAN JOSE – designed by Jack Nicklaus
Each of these courses can approach $400 per round, but Questro offers the Triple Crown Golf Pass, which includes one round at each course at a significant discount. Since we planned to visit in July, the pass cost $515 and allowed me to play all three courses.
As a fan of ocean-view golf, I was pleased to learn that all three courses deliver exactly that. The reason lies in Cabo’s unique topography. The land rises steadily from the ocean’s edge into the slopes of the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range. Early development claimed most of the beachfront property, pushing newer courses farther inland and uphill. Resourceful developers and designers have responded by securing just enough coastal land to incorporate a few beachfront holes, while the remaining holes climb into the mountains.
Most golfers are more than satisfied hearing waves lap at their feet a few times per round, then enjoying sweeping ocean vistas as the course ascends. From higher elevations, the ocean horizon stretches endlessly, offering perspectives you simply do not get from the beach.
HILTON LOS CABOS BEACH & GOLF RESORT
With the golf courses selected, my attention turned to lodging. I soon discovered that Cabo Real wraps around the Hilton Los Cabos Beach and Golf Resort, with several holes playing alongside the property. After seeing photos of the resort and learning it featured a world-class spa, Katherine and I reached a rare and immediate agreement. This was the place. By offering my golf travel writing services, the hotel provided me with a discounted industry rate.
Before getting to the main event, the golf, I cannot say enough about the Hilton Los Cabos. Knowing that the airport, resort, and golf courses were several miles apart, I rented a car and scheduled my golf for mornings, leaving afternoons free for exploring.
The region features two primary towns, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, about 30 miles apart. Cabo San Lucas is modern and glitzy, catering to the in-crowd. San Jose del Cabo is more relaxed, known for its art galleries and shopping. With transportation and time available, I planned visits to both towns, especially since my wife believes no vacation is complete without purchasing at least one reminder of the trip.
RESORT AMENITIES
After spending our first afternoon lounging on the beach and enjoying the resort amenities, we canceled all sightseeing plans. The Hilton was simply too good to leave. The pools, beach, restaurants, and room were all excellent. When you love where you are, there is little motivation to go elsewhere.
Breakfast was included and served buffet-style, enough to feed a small army. Lunch options were available at multiple poolside grills, while dinner featured excellent choices ranging from steak and seafood to Mexican cuisine. The service was outstanding and the food consistently impressive.
We thoroughly enjoyed our four-day stay at the Hilton Los Cabos, made even better by daily golf and the occasional spa visit. At this point, golfers reading this are probably thinking, “Enough about the hotel. How was the golf?” Patience, grasshopper. The courses were exceptional.
GOLF
Our first round was at Cabo Real, the Hilton’s home course. Several holes wind around the resort before climbing into the mountains and eventually descending back toward the ocean, all with panoramic views.
For the benefit of lady golfers, and at my wife’s insistence, I must share one story. Katherine arrived dressed in what I considered perfectly stylish golf attire. The check-in clerk disagreed and immediately noticed her blouse lacked a collar. Before allowing her to play, he insisted she change. Whether this was dress code enforcement or a clever retail strategy remains unclear. We purchased her a collared golf shirt and continued on our way.
My introduction to Cabo golf was nothing short of spectacular. Every hole offered breathtaking ocean views. Early in the round, the course plays uphill. On the second hole below, my approach shot measured about 150 yards. Accounting for elevation, I selected a longer club and struck what felt like a solid shot. I was surprised to see the ball fall short of the green and even more surprised to find it resting 50 yards below the putting surface.
Once the course turns back toward the ocean, the views dominate every hole. Near the beach, putting a green competes with crashing waves for your attention. Cabo Real constantly challenges golfers with uphill club selection and seaside distractions. It was a memorable and demanding introduction to Cabo golf.
The following day I played Puerto Los Cabos, which delivered a similar mountain-to-ocean experience. At my age, I no longer claim prodigious driving distance. A well-placed 225-yard drive makes me quite happy. I reluctantly admit that my opening tee shot below traveled an embarrassing 150 yards, leaving 200 yards up to the green. Two shots later, I reached the putting surface and promptly three-putted for double bogey.
Puerto Los Cabos is an all-inclusive course, meaning food and beverages are provided free at oncourse palapas (small thatched huts). Golfers are treated to tacos and drinks during the round, and yes, Katherine was appropriately dressed in a collared shirt this time.
Like a scene from Groundhog Day, desert fairways framed by the ocean repeated themselves across all three courses. Desert golf, it turns out, is not so bad when it comes with endless ocean views.
My final round was at Club Campestre San Jose, the farthest course from the hotel. A reliable GPS is essential, as the drive involves numerous twists and turns. The effort is well worth it. Like the others, the round begins with complimentary range balls, forcing you to warm up while staring at yet another spectacular view of the ocean.
By the third day, I found myself oddly accustomed to the scenery. Subconsciously, my mind thought, “Okay, show me something new.” Almost on cue, my cart crested a hill and revealed the seventh hole below, a 541-yard par five. The tee shot carries over desert rock and cactus to a fairway that bends right and plunges downhill, with the ocean stretching across the horizon. What a hole to behold.
After three days of exceptional golf, there is little more to say. With more than a dozen quality courses to choose from, it is difficult to make a bad decision in Cabo. Every course I played was in excellent condition and offered those wonderfully “boring” ocean views on all the holes.
With beachfront hotels available across all price ranges, finding the right lodging is easy. Choose a resort that fits your budget and amenities, and you will be hard-pressed to find a better destination anywhere in the world for morning golf and afternoon chill time.
GO GOLF! GO CABO!
(Larry Hall, a Jacksonville, Florida-based golf writer, is a member of Golf Heritage Society, Golf Writers Association of America, Historical Writers of America, International Network of Golf and Golf Travel Writers of America. He can be reached at: bgtriptips@gmail.com)
