Puerto Vallarta’s Best Golf Dynamic Duo
By Tim Cotroneo
Batman and Robin, Thunder and Lightning, and Thelma and Louise rank among the best dynamic duos of all time. When it comes to Puerto Vallarta’s most amazing golf courses, Marina Vallarta and Vista Vallarta Golf Courses are in a league of their own.
If your Puerto Vallarta vacation only has time for two 18-hole escapes, then the Joe Finger designed Marina Vallarta Golf Course, and the Jack Nicklaus designed Vista Vallarta offer distinct complementary experiences. What is similar about these two choices are congenial staffs, top notch Bermuda playing conditions, and an emphasis on putting your tee shot in play.
You can’t go wrong with which course you play first. For the sake of planning your Puerto Vallarta golf itinerary, let’s begin with the Marina course. This palm tree-lined Bermuda grass creation is located in the heart of the city, and its boundaries are embraced by the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Madre Mountains.
Perfect Stay and Play Hotel
Travel can be exhausting, so why not make your vacation as easy as possible? For the golfer who wants to include at least two rounds of golf during his or her Puerto Vallarta vacation, then a luxury stay at the Casa Velas Resort is the perfect match.
The 80 suite Casa Velas is located next to the Marina Vallarta Golf Course. In fact, many of the suites at this all-inclusive boutique hotel feature a golf course view. The hotel offers special green fee rates for guests looking to take advantage of convenient world-class golf. The hotel front desk can arrange transportation to both Marina Vallarta (five-minute commute) and Vista Vallarta (25-minute commute.)
Upon arriving at the Marina Vallarta clubhouse, expect welcoming views of the lush practice area and the 18th hole green. For golfers who choose to leave their clubs at home, Marina Vallarta offers premium Callaway and TaylorMade rental clubs.
Crocodiles, Ocean, and Luxury Residences in the City
At some point in your Marina Vallarta round, you’ll realize what a symphony of sights, sounds, and uncommon convergences you’re experiencing on this tropical 6,600-yard layout. When was the last time, in the same five-minute span, you see an elderly sombrero wearing woman walking her poodle and then spot a crocodile lurching at a snowy egret on the edge of a pond.
Or name the round that your drive lands 10 yards from a mansion with a palapa roof, before gasping as a pelican nearly scoops up your Titleist on the green. This same pelican appears to be smiling as it continues five yards beyond your ball before braking near the third hole flag. These singular yet daily Marina Vallarta golf occurrences are why a tee time at this course is one of the hottest tickets in town.
Houston born Joe Finger, the man who designed Marina Vallarta, made his architectural mark with courses in Canada, Italy, Germany, the Caribbean, and the U.S. His creative flair is evident throughout this course which opened in 1989 and is positioned smartly on the outskirts of Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant 354-slip marina. Accents on this colorful golf journey include coconut tee markers, towering palm trees, lagoons, and waterfalls. The course is flanked by Mexican residential architecture, the Pacific Ocean on the 4th hole, and the Sierra Madre Mountains on the horizon.
Vista Vallarta – Vistas That Go on Forever
You know that a golf course has an international reputation when the answer to “who holds the course record” is Phil Mickelson. Lefty’s 62 during the third round of the 2002 WGC World Cup still stands more than two decades later.
As you tee it up on the Par 4, 401-yard 1st hole, you may have more realistic priorities on your mind. That is until you spy a family of eight racoons scurrying into the woods about a sand wedge to your left.
Beyond this wildlife encounter, it’s hard not to appreciate your first glimpse of the course’s namesake far beyond the first hole green. Amazing panoramic vistas seem to hover above every hole as you contend with a seesaw of elevations that alternate from tee to green.
Two Ohio State Hall of Famers
Golf professional Ivan Cueva shares that Jack Nicklaus wasn’t the only Ohio State grad to design a championship golf course at Vista Vallarta in 2001. Tom Weiskopf also designed a beauty on Vista’s 478-acres carved from the Pacific Coast jungle.
Cueva explained that you can’t go wrong choosing either track that are aptly named The Nicklaus Course and The Weiskopf Course. You’re reminded of your choice simply by glancing at the golf cart GPS guiding your round. At the top of the GPS in large font you read “The Nicklaus Course.” Cueva notes that the Nicklaus experience involves more extreme terrain, deep ravines, and swift creeks along the lower elevations.
From the tee box on most holes, golfers enjoy generous fairways. It’s on your second shot that Nicklaus tests golfers. On multiple occasions, Cueva encouraged his playing partner to choose a lesser club and lay up. In almost every instance, this advice left the golfer with a safer and easier shot to the green.
Looking Back at the Beauty
Throughout the round, Cueva turned and said, “Look back.” The view from the elevated green delivered an amazing vista.
The Par 5, third hole, the Par 4, sixth hole, and the Par 5, 12th hole are all start to finish, real life paintings of nature. The Sierra Madre Mountains and huge Parota trees watch over golfers like magnificent friends. There is an ambiance of serenity with the quiet that accompanies your Vista Vallarta round.
The only time the quiet was interrupted was on the Par 4, 440-yard 14th hole. As you near the green, the sound of roosters vocalizing is prevalent. It’s like they are auditioning for an upcoming Puerto Vallarta talent show. You’re reminded that not so long ago, this beautiful golf course was raw jungle and farmland.
18th Hole Reflection
After draining your putt on the Par 4, 445-yard 18th hole, you look back one final time. It feels good to reflect on your Vista Vallarta Nicklaus Course experience.
As you think about your two Puerto Vallarta rounds, it’s amazing how different the courses feel, look and play. One was boldly shaped by the city, marina, ocean, and eclectic neighborhood. The other was born from the jungle, nature and mountains.
As your ride returns to the Casa Velas front entrance, you thank the driver and walk back to your suite. From your private terrace you catch a glimpse of a golfer playing the Marina Vallarta Golf Course back nine. You crack open a cold Dos Equis beer and think about the two magnificent courses you’ve played over the past 48 hours. Like Batman and Robin, Thunder and Lightning, and Thelma and Louise, The Marina Vallarta and Vista Vallarta Golf Courses are one dynamic duo.
https://www.invitedclubs.com/clubs/marina-vallarta-club-de-golf
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