Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
Rankings:
The Takeaway: Querencia stands as one of Cabo’s finest courses with one good hole after another paired with a club boasting notch facilities. Yet, unlike most Fazio designs, it doesn’t feature any “wow” holes beyond the par five 4th. Grade A-
Quick Facts
Designer: Tom Fazio 2000
Cost: Private
Phone Number: US: 888.236.2229 | MX: (52) 624.145.6600
Course Website: Official Website - Visit Querencia Golf Club's official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 27.5, San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur 23400 – MEXICO
Photos: See additional photos of Querencia Golf Club
What to Expect: If you like Tom Fazio designs, you are going to like Querencia. If you aren't a Fazio fan, Querencia isn't going to convert you. With this Cabo design, Tom Fazio did what Tom Fazio does; he provided great variety in hole lengths, generous fairways, challenging but playable greensites, and strong aesthetics. However, unlike Fazio fashion, there aren't many holes that will wow you, except perhaps the par five 4th hole. That being said, there is simply one good hole after another on the property which makes it consistently enjoyable from start to finish. The terrain at Querencia provides plenty of interest with ravines and undulations to contend with, while the hole shapes provide character and variety to the layout. Adding to the terrain is the wide variety of vegetation and colors that make the course pop and compliment the distant view of the Sea of Cortez that never gets old. From a facility standpoint, Querencia is nothing but pure class with high end finishes and amenities that provide a luxurious experience when off the golf course. On the golf course, the comfort stations deliver an impressive combination of freshly cooked food with a wide variety of snacks and beverages to enjoy. Of the 50+ Fazio courses I've played over the years, Querencia isn't his best, but I'd put it in his top 25%.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 72 | 7301 | 75.7 | 148 |
| Gold | 72 | 6776 | 73.3 | 141 |
| Men's Combo | 72 | 6555 | 72.3 | 136 |
| Blue | 72 | 6383 | 71.4 | 132 |
| White | 72 | 5806 | 68.9 | 123 |
| Ladies' Combo | 72 | 5365 | 72.3 | 130 |
| Red (Ladies) | 72 | 4972 | 70.1 | 124 |
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 4th Hole – 552 Yard Par 5 – Easily the strongest and most memorable hole at Querencia, the par five 4th plays along a ridgetop with unforgiving valleys on each side that will instantly devour your ball if you hit into one. The fairway travels at a slight angle from right to left with a trio of bunkers on the right side of the fairway which should encourage players to aim just left of them to set up the ideal angle for the second shot. But how you play the second shot depends on how confident you feel. Going for the green in two takes some guts with the ideal play starting down the right side and drawing back towards the green that is pinched by bunkers in the front. Players that layup need to stay short of the fairway bunker 100 yards from the front edge of the green while staying as close to that bunker on the right side as possible to maintain the ideal angle for the third shot. With a green that delves out into the desert in peninsula fashion, you'll need astute accuracy to conquer this hole.
Best Par 3: 11th Hole – 164 Yards – The 11th features a Pringles shaped green with a menacing amount of sand on the left side and the false front ready to repel shots that come up wanting. There is more room in the back right portion of the green than can be seen from the tee, but no matter where the pin is you'll want to be aiming for the dead center of the putting surface. The hole isn't long, but the creative shaping to the green makes it plenty intriguing.
Best Par 4: 6th Hole – 439 Yards – The 6th hole runs parallel to the famous 4th but is found one canyon over and keeps them isolated from each other. Although the fairway bends to the left, the turn doesn't happen until the final 100 yards which gives players all the room they want to hit straight down the fairway off the tee. The approach shot plays downhill to a green that features a false left front that is quick to kick balls to a bunker while the rest of the green is slightly domed and will only reward a quality shot. This is a quality two-shotter that drops 60 feet from tee to green and factors in with the undulated terrain to create shot making opportunities.
Best Par 5: 9th Hole – 595 Yards – As a whole, the par fives aren't as strong at Querencia as you would expect to find at other Fazio tracks; except the 4th hole. That being said, the closing hole on the front nine is a sold three-shotter that with a bunker on the left side of the driving zone and additional bunkering further up on the right. The fairway climbs slowly but steadily uphill with the bowled fairway giving players confidence to hit whatever club they feel good about to advance towards the green where there is more room on the left side than the right side due to the bunkering around the putting surface. As long as you don't do anything too foolish along the way, this should offer an opportunity for a routine par.
Birdie Time: 17th Hole – 350 Yard Par 4 – Fazio gives players a chance to pick a stroke back up late in the round with this short par four. Players that keep the ball up the left side will take the fairway bunkers out of play and set up a great angle for attacking the flag. The bunkers in front don't go very far back on the sides so there is little fear in being aggressive on the second shot. With a receptive green and a wedge in your hand, you should be able to hit your approach shot close enough to yield a good look at birdie.
Bogey Beware: 15th Hole – 498 Yard Par 4 – Six feet shy of an even 500 yards, the lengthy 15th is a brute to reach in regulation. The tee shot plays uphill over a natural desert valley that runs the right side of the hole while a collection of bunkers are found on the left to catch tee shots bailing away from the trouble. A long approach shot with the ocean as a backdrop is the scene for the swing that will determine whether you can find the green with your second. Most players will find themselves in the bunkers on the right side of the putting surface or somewhere just off it before executing their third shot in hopes of getting it tight to avoid a bogey.
