Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield

Rankings: 

 

The Takeaway:  A hodgepodge routing that begins and ends with par threes while trying to incorporate six newly designed holes on the back nine that don’t blend well with the original layout. Currently in transition.  Grade C

Quick Facts

Designer:  Tom Weiskopf 2001

Cost:  $165 - $245 Click for current rates

Phone Number:  866-231-4677

Course Website:  Official Website - Visit Cabo del Sol (Desert)'s official website by clicking on the link provided.

Directions:  Get here! - Mexico 1 km 10.3, del Sol, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur  23410 – MEXICO

Photos:  See additional photos of Cabo del Sol (Desert)

What to Expect:  Unfortunately, the Cabo del Sol development has made something very clear over the past four years; it values real estate over golf. The Cove Club removed the absolutely stunning 17th hole that played over an ocean cove and the finishing hole along the coast in favor of putting a club area in. Now at the Desert Course, they are removing holes in favor of putting in condos and are being forced to build new holes on less exciting terrain and with a design that doesn't fit the original. The new holes have much more extreme green sites and undulations that don't fit in with the rest of the course at all. The convoluted routing is currently in transition and one would hope it would improve since the current routing starts with a par three nowhere near the clubhouse and finishes on another par three beyond the clubhouse before turning around and driving back up to the clubhouse. The distances between holes are extreme at times and much longer than what typical "cart golf" would have. Early in the front nine I found the course enjoyable, though nothing special, and it just got weirder the longer into the round it got. This was a difficult course to evaluate in the current situation and I hope that in a few years when the construction dust settles that a routing and layout that makes sense is the result.

By the Numbers

Tees	Par	Yardage	Rating	Slope
Black	72	7008	73.8	140
Gold	72	6621	72.0	135
Blue	72	6017	69.4	128
White	72	5352	66.4	119
Red (Ladies)	72	4710	67.5	113

Individual Hole Analysis

Signature Hole:  18th Hole – 254 Yard Par 3 – With the clubhouse on your right, the 18th plays downhill and away from the facilities before players are asked to circle around and come back up. A mighty 254 yards are needed to find the center of the green and the view of the ocean in the back provides the best view on the golf course. Desert lines the entire left side so coming in from the right will provide the best opportunity to find success.

Best Par 3:  12th Hole – 212 Yards – The first of the new section of holes on the Desert course at Cabo del Sol, the 12th is a stunning do or die offering over a deep ravine. The forward tees and fairway wrap around the right and provide an area to bail out to, but do you really come to a hole like this to chicken out? Holding the green is difficult given how new they are but they should soften up over time. With false edging across the front, you'll need to carry your tee shot all the way to the putting surface to have a look at birdie.

Best Par 4:  8th Hole – 403 Yards – The aesthetics are strong on the 8th hole as it snakes and slithers through the desert with a variety of trees and cactus lining the hole as it ascends up the hill. The green is tucked into the hillside with a deep bunker in the back and desert off to the right. Positioning off the tee is critical to get a look at the green.

Best Par 5:  2nd Hole – 592 Yards – The 2nd plays slightly uphill with the fairway cresting and descending out of view with the landing area being blind for longer hitters. The fairway then turns a bit to the left and unveils a view of the ocean in the distance, but players need to stay up the right side to avoid the bunkering and give themselves the best chance of bounding onto the green. Missing left on the approach shot can take par out of play in a hurry.

Birdie Time:  6th Hole – 329 Yard Par 4 – In classic Weiskopf fashion, Tom is going to give players a driveable par four to roll the dice on and that offering is found here at the 6th. Tee shots should be aimed at the left edge of the green and use the natural terrain that wants to kick balls to the right towards the putting surface. If you are laying up, hitting your tee ball up the right side will allow you to hit your approach shot back into the slope of the green which will be easier to stick tight to the flag.

Bogey Beware:  3rd Hole – 480 Yard Par 4 – The 3rd hole offers an exhilarating view from the tee as the fairway plays downhill the entire way home and the ocean creates the background. But don't get lured in by the view, you'll need your 'A' game to avoid putting a bogey on the card here. The fairway is wide but the long approach shot will need to carry a desert wash that crosses in front of the green and avoid the bunkers on either side of the putting surface. The two-tiered green angles away from the players with the smaller front right tier being easier to access than the larger back left tier. Greens in regulation don't happen a lot here, so saving par will likely come from a crafty short game.