Playing Admist the Waters

Ixtapa is an ideal place to relax by the sea. Golfers, however, will not have time for the beach because the sand they look for is found in bunkers. And in this resort, located on Palmar Bay, right on Mexico’s legendary Pacific Gold Coast, there are two ideal golf courses: Marina Ixtapa and Palma Real. Ixtapa is an ideal vacation resort. Its climate is excellent with average temperatures of 30° C (86° F) and 210 sunny days a year, an assurance of many rounds of golf.

 

Marina Ixtapa

The Marina Ixtapa Golf Club is part of a tourism development distributed on an area of approximately 173 hectares (427.50 acres), where calm, navigable canals wind through the grounds.

Designed by Robert von Hagge on 44.8 hectares (110.7 acres), the course has his traditional “dunes” along the wide fairways. Fourteen of the holes have water hazards as well as large sand traps, which means that golfers should hit the ball straight in order to stay out of trouble.

Inaugurated in 1994 and set amidst mangroves, the Texan von Hagge designed the course with canals meandering through it. This network provides easy nautical recreation and transportation between private villas, the marina and the club house.

 

 

Because of its design, care and maintenance, Golf Digest has ranked it as one of Mexico’s best. Its “dunes-style” topography requires accurate tee and approach shots, and water and sand come into play on holes 14 to 18. Because the green is long and undulating the course is particularly challenging. There are four tees, which means that golfers of all levels will enjoy playing here. Caddies, carts, equipment rental, practice tee and refreshment cart are available.

 

How to play the course

Hole 4, par 4: You will need a very accurate drive because this hole is surrounded by water on the right and a cluster of dunes flank the left. An accurate approach shot is needed to get onto this very well protected green.

Hole 9, par 4: With water from tee to green on the left and bunkers on the right, hitting the green requires a dead on approach over a lake, home to some peaceful caimans.

Hole 12, par 4: Long, with a dogleg on the right. The out-of-bounds on the left and the jungle on the right make it difficult. The approach shot is to a raised green flanked by bunkers.

 

 

Hole 16, par 4: A long dogleg on the left with water from tee to green on the left. This hole has a 1 handicap, and is the start of the hardest close of the course.

Hole 17, par 3: This is the von Hagge signature hole. It requires a 150-yard water carryover to a smaller green completely guarded by sand, water and mounds.

Hole 18, par 5: Known as “The Devil’s Hole”, this 609 yarder is probably the course’s toughest par 5. With water from tee to green on the left and sand traps to the right, it leads to a very narrow green surrounded by even more water on the left and sand on the right. Making par is a real challenge.

For the final round, the Spanish-Mediterraneanstyle clubhouse has an al fresco restaurant and rooms with balconies with a view of the marina and golf course for relaxing.

Other services include a Pro-shop, men’s and women’s lockers, tennis courts and swimming pool. Don’t miss the 19th Hole where you can discuss the day’s play while enjoying a refreshing drink. It is the ideal way to end your round.  

 

 

 

Text: Laura Velázquez ± Photo: Héctor Méndez/Marina Ixtapa.