La Casa Que Canta Golf Vacations and Luxury Travel Packages
Ixtapa's two fabulous, world-class golf courses make this tropical resort destination a utopia for golfers of all levels:
On both courses, golfers enjoy a relaxed pace of play as well as the traditional expert-and-caring caddie system that is so highly valued in Mexico.
The courses are meticulously maintained, and the greens are groomed daily. An elaborate underground irrigation system draws purified water from one of Ixtapa's three advanced-technology sewage treatment plants.
Club de Golf Marina Ixtapa
Known for his imaginative courses, in 1994 Texan Robert von Hagge designed the championship links of this club to include canals meandering through it. They provide delightful nautical recreation and transportation routes between Marina Ixtapa's private villas, the clubhouse and other facilities. The course has been ranked by Golf Digest Magazine as one of Mexico's best. Its "dunes-style" topography requires both accurate tees shots and approach shots in order to navigate the rolling terrain, expansive sand traps, and water hazards that come into play on 14 of the 18 holes. Because the greens are large and undulating, getting to them is only half the challenge. But with four sets of tees, the course can be enjoyed by all levels of players.
The Clubhouse, in Spanish-Mediterranean architecture, features airy restaurants (open 7 a.m., serving breakfast and lunch daily) and lounge area with picture windows and balconies overlooking the yacht marina and golf course. Facilities include a full-service pro-shop, men's and women's locker and shower rooms, tennis courts, swimming pool, boutique, bar, meeting rooms and, of course, the "19th hole for that extra round".
Specifics - Club de Golf Marina Ixtapa:
Par: 72
Length: 6,781 yards.
Three day special package.
Group rates (12 or more players).
Caddies.
Carts.
Lessons.
On-course beverage cart.
Open year around, 7 days a week, 7 a.m. until dusk.
Course Highlights and Challenges:
- 1st. hole - Par 5, and probably our best chance at Birdie, so give it your best shot; any birdies further on will be harder to earn.
- 4th hole - Par 4, you will need a very accurate drive because there is water all the way down the right side and mounds all the way down the left. An approach shot to a very protected green is equally challenging.
- 9th hole - Par 4, with water from tee to green on the left and bunkers on the right to catch any errant tee shots. Hitting the green requires an approach shot over a large lake which is home for many crocodiles. They do not eat golfers, but they do like to watch the game while sunbathing, so bring your camera.
- 12th hole - Par 4, fairly long with a sharp dogleg to the right. Out-of-bounds on the left jungle to the right makes this a tough-driving hole. The approach shot is to a severely elevated green surrounded bay sand.
- 16th hole - Par 4, long with a sharp dogleg to the left and, causing additional difficulty, water runs from tee to green down to the left. No. 1 handicap hole and the beginning of a very difficult closing three holes.
- 17th hole - Par 3, Signature Hole - 150 yards of carryover water to a green completely guarded by sand, water and mounds.
- 18th hole - Par 5, locally known as "El Hoyo del Diablo" (the Devil's hole), with 609 yards, it is probably one of the toughest par 5s you will ever play. There is water from tee to green on the left, and a series of bunkers all the way down the right side leading to a very narrow green surrounded by more water on the left and sand on the right. A par there is really something to brag about!
Campo de Golf Ixtapa
The CAMPO DE GOLF IXTAPA (previously named "Palma Real"), was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., in 1977. This 18-hole championship course harmonizes with its environment: a former coconut plantation, natural lakes, lagoons, and lush tropical vegetation alongside the scenic Pacific coastline.
Players enjoy not only some of the world's best golfing, but also feeling of closeness with nature. Surrounding the course are coconut and other species of palms, and abundant trees bearing mangoes, guavas, avocados, limes, oranges, almonds and coffee beans. Brilliantly-colored flowers accent the verdant vegetation.
Mexican and international ecologists consider the grounds wildlife preserve. Golfers see and hear a variety of exotic birds such as flamingos, cranes, parrots, macaws, cardinals, and a rare and peculiar species of eagle called "pescador" (fisherman) because it feeds exclusively on fish from the lakes. Seen but not heard are the rabbits and "giant" iguanas.
Do not attempt to retrieve balls from the water hazards because crocodiles live in some of them! They usually repose submerged and out of sight, however they do stroll around at dawn and dusk.
Specifics - Campo de Golf Ixtapa
- Par: 72
- Length: 6,898 yards.
- Electric carts.
- Caddies.
- Rental Clubs: US$12.00.
- Open year around, 7 days a week, 7 a.m. until dusk.
- Cup positions on the green are alternated regularly.
- Clubhouse: all facilities, locker and shower rooms, proshop, boutique.
- Restaurant Palma Real with bar, lunge [lounge] and view of the links, is open daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Caddy House: for rental or storage of clubs.
- Five lighted professional tennis courts, large swimming pool with lounging area and bar service.
- A roving "Bar Cart" with bartender-driver serves drinks all day.
Course Highlights and Challenges:
- 4th hole - The green faces a lagoon and is surrounded by sand traps, so it takes a precision drive to hit it. An overshot lands the ball in a lake that is inhabited by resident native crocodiles.
- 5th and 6th hole - Both holes are bordered on one side by a large lake and on the other by jungle; straight drives are a must.
- 15th hole - Relatively short (350 yards), however a 200-yard tee-off is necessary to span the lagoon that flows into the Pacific. The second shot to the green, generally with a short 9 iron, must be laser-straight to avoid the beach or ocean on your left. The view from this hole is extraordinary: a panorama of Ixtapa Bay, and the entire Hotel Zone along the broad white-sand stretch of Palmar Beach.
- 16th hole - Spectacular from tee to green, its full-length runs along a lake. The green is bordered by water on one side and sand on the other. Optimum precision is required here.
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Phone: 1-415-446-5252 or 1-800-330-8820
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