Jack Nicklaus’s inaugural design in Latin America, Palmilla Golf Club, is renowned as the preeminent golf course in Los Cabos. It presents a challenging and exquisitely crafted layout that affords breathtaking ocean vistas from every hole. The Ocean Course, tracing the Sea of Cortez beaches, leads seamlessly to the ocean.
The course, composed of 27 holes, sits atop deep canyon arroyos, and amidst the century-old cardón cacti. The daily trade winds augment the golfing experience, demanding precision from even the most accomplished players. A Mexican-inspired clubhouse, an on-site pro shop, and a proficient staff cater to all your needs. Palmilla Golf Club is considered one of the top four courses in Mexico and is recognized globally as one of the most exceptional courses, courtesy of its skillful design, adept management, and perfect location.
Course Description
Divided into three distinctive nines named after the dominant features of their terrain, the course offers golfers an assorted experience on the front and back nines by allowing them to play three different 18-hole combinations.
The original design by Jack Nicklaus was an 18-hole course, comprising the Mountain and Arroyo nines. The Ocean Nine was subsequently added five years later, creating an additional nine holes.
Mountain Course
This nine-hole course spans over 3,602 yards. During play, the third hole will lead you uphill for 470 yards to a spacious driving area and is hailed as “one of the greatest par fours in the world.” You’ll come across an impressive water reservoir when you reach the fourth and fifth holes.
Arroyo Course
This unforgettable nine-hole course spans over 3,337 yards. The sixth, seventh, and eighth holes are dubbed “three of the best holes in all of Los Cabos Golf,” featuring challenging doglegs, long forced carries, and breathtaking vistas of the Sea of Cortez.
The Mountain and Arroyo Courses offer a classic desert golf experience, where hitting the fairway is crucial, or you risk losing your ball or damaging your spikes searching for it. The course features numerous elevation changes, and if you struggle to hit from the sand, bunkers, or waste areas, you may find yourself in for a challenging day.
Ocean Course
The first six holes of the Ocean Course involve a 600-foot elevation change, providing a thrilling start to the game. The ninth hole presents a challenging shift in direction, taking advantage of the desert and mountainous terrain. With several holes being located within close proximity to the ocean, the course offers striking views. The championship tees span 3,527 yards, with the Sea of Cortez serving as a stunning backdrop throughout the game.
Hole Highlights – Mountain, Ocean, and Arroyo Courses
Hole 1 (Mountain)
With a generous fairway, this short par four offers players the option to leave a shot of approximately 150 yards to reach a long, narrow, and angled green positioned between two bunkers. Those opting for a longer drive must navigate strategically placed bunkers scattered throughout the course but may leave a shorter and potentially better-angled shot to the undulating green.
Hole 2 (Mountain)
This uphill par four features a narrow drive that requires accuracy. Hitting left is acceptable, as long as the ball remains on the grass and rolls back to the center. However, veering too far left may result in the ball finding the hillside. Additionally, a desert wash runs along the entire right side of the landing area. The green is guarded by bunkers to the left.
Hole 4 (Mountain)
This par five winds its way around two reservoirs located at the highest point of the property. While the drive can be played to the left with ease, a well-executed play over the central bunkers can significantly shorten the approach to the putting surface. The long and narrow green is flanked by bunkers on either side and a lake that looms menacingly to the right.
Hole 5 (Mountain) 401 Yards
This headliner hole on the Mountain course plays in an easterly direction and demands two forced carries. The tee shot must clear a ravine to reach a fairway that starts wide but narrows as it approaches the green. This hole features a deep desert wash that must be crossed on the approach shot, along with two bunkers flanking the left side and a false front with a tongue that slopes towards the arroyo. Marked as the #1 handicap, this hole can result in high numbers for those who are not proficient at golfing.
Hole 6 (Mountain) 207 Yards
The 6th hole on the Mountain course resembles a par three that one might encounter on a Pete Dye-designed course. Water runs up the entire left side, leaving no margin for error in that direction, while bunkers on the right side demand a well-struck shot to reach the green in regulation. This challenging hole is not for the faint-hearted.
Hole 7 (Mountain) 550 Yards
A well-executed tee shot will follow the shape of the fairway and carry the first of three desert washes that come into play. The second wash becomes a factor on the second shot, while a third wash crosses in front of the green for the third shot. With forced carries at every turn, the more adept you are at handling them, the more successful you’ll be at Palmilla.
Hole 8 (Mountain)
Hole 8 on the Mountain course is a challenging, slightly downhill par three with stunning ocean views that perfectly encapsulate the beauty of golfing in Los Cabos. The key to success on this hole is avoiding the brown landing spots, which can make it difficult to achieve a good score.
Hole 1 (Ocean)
Hole 1 on the Ocean course is a unique golf hole due to the presence of trees. As long as you don’t hit a worm burner or a huge push, the trees shouldn’t pose too much of a problem. The hole is straight, but golfers can opt to stay to the right or try to clear the corner of the desert to leave a shorter approach without going near the OB on the right.
Hole 2 (Ocean)
This par four is both challenging and exhilarating with a long downhill drive that requires precision to hit the fairway. The approach shot is over the desert and leads to a green complex that’s guarded by bunkers on the left and breaks left to right towards the Sea of Cortez.
Hole 3 (Ocean) 458 Yard Par 4
Nicklaus creates a picturesque scene by placing the green near the ocean. The golfer completes the hole and then doubles back to reach the 4th tee, which is farther away. This long downhill dogleg right requires the player to avoid bunkers on the left and a hillside and desert on the right before reaching the green lined with palm trees and guarded by bunkers. This hole is a significant factor in why many players prefer the Ocean course.
Hole 7 (Ocean)
For Hole 7 on the Ocean course, the fairway is designed in a classic desert style, with an angled layout that poses challenges for drives that go too far to the right or not far enough to the left. The hole turns left and uphill, requiring players to clear the desert all the way and navigate a series of bunkers that guard the green’s safety.
Hole 8 (Ocean) 314 Yard Par 4
The 8th hole on the Ocean course is a short par four that Jack Nicklaus designed as a chance for players to earn a birdie or even an eagle. With a direct shot to the green of just under 300 yards, players can aim for the green and have a chance at an eagle putt. Alternatively, players can opt to carry the three cross bunkers and still have a scoring club for their second shot.
The hole has severe bunkers and slopes that players need to avoid, but there are relatively flat areas for short, medium, or long drive attempts. The green is located very close to drop-offs behind and left.
Hole 9 (Ocean)
Challenging for players teeing off from the two back sets, the uphill tee shot of this par four demands accuracy as anything to the left spells trouble. The second shot is played over the same hazard, onto a fairway that slopes from left to right. The green, elevated and well-guarded by bunkers, awaits at the end.
Hole 3 (Arroyo) Par 5
The third hole on the Arroyo nine is a par five with an uphill challenge. The drive requires avoiding the desert on the left and bunkers on the right. On the second shot, players must steer clear of central bunkers to reach the green complex, which is protected by bunkers short and left. The best approach angle is from the right side.
Hole 4 (Arroyo) Par 4
A par four with a short dogleg to the right, where the notable challenge is a water hazard that comes into play on both the drive and second shot. Additionally, there is a strategically placed sand trap on the fairway.
Hole 6 (Arroyo) Par 4
This par four with a long dogleg to the left can stand up to any hole on the property. The narrow drive makes it difficult to get an approach shot to the downhill green, which is tightly squeezed between the hillside on the left and deep bunkers on the right.
Hole 7 (Arroyo) Par 5
This par five hole is a constant downhill slope, with the right side out of bounds and the left side a desert area. The scenery is breathtaking and the green complex is effectively protected by a lengthy bunker on the left.
Hole 8 (Arroyo) 243 Yard Par 3
Golfers must carry their shot over a ravine, while a bunker hugs the left side of the green and the ocean creates a picturesque background. On the green’s right side, the mound and a bailout area encourage players to avoid the left side where a miss could mean losing the ball. Although it is a challenging and risky hole with more failures than successes, it is a thrilling experience.
Snacks and Restrooms
The Palmilla Grill operates every day from 6:30 am to 8 pm, serving breakfast sandwiches, lunch, light snacks, and beverages. Notably, the Palmilla Fish Tacos, Quesadillas, and premium Margaritas are among the must-try items. Additionally, beverage carts are conveniently accessible on the golf course from 9 am to 5 pm daily, while box lunches can be provided upon request.
Tee Time Rates and Rental Costs
Green fees can range from $175 to $245 depending on the season and time of day. All the rates, including 16% tax, cover green fees, use of practice facilities, shared golf cart, yardage book, bag tag, and bottled water, apply per person. Each starting time allows a maximum of four players, who may be paired up with other groups. The course is open for 18 holes at all times.
The course is accessible from Monday to Saturday. Rates and times are subject to change without prior notification. Visitors who are non-golfers will be required to pay a fee upon check-in. For groups comprising 17 individuals or more, please contact us regarding terms and rates.
Rates for the upcoming months:
05/01/23-06/30/23
Morning Rate – $245.00 (7:00 am – 11:50 am)
Early Twilight Rate – $215.00 (12:00 pm – 2:50 pm)
Twilight Rate – $145.00 (3:00 pm-close)
07/01/23-09/30/23
Morning Rate – $195.00 (7:00 am – 11:50 am)
Early Twilight Rate – $155.00 (12:00 pm – 2:50 pm)
Twilight Rate – $120.00 (3:00 pm-close)
10/01/23-11/30/23
Morning Rate – $245.00 (7:00 am – 11:50 am)
Early Twilight Rate – $215.00 (12:00 pm – 1:50 pm)
Twilight Rate – $145.00 (2:00 pm-close)
12/01/23-12/17/23
Morning Rate – $270.00 (7:00 am – 11:50 am)
Early Twilight Rate – $240.00 (12:00 pm – 1:50 pm)
Twilight Rate – $165.00 (2:00 pm-close)
Please note that prices and twilight hours of operation may change without prior notice.
Golf Club Rental Rates (Callaway Clubs)
In case you don’t own golf clubs, prefer not to carry them while traveling, or wish to test out the latest golfing technology, Palmilla Golf Club presents superior Callaway rentals. Being under the management of Troon Golf, Palmilla Golf Club enjoys the privilege of receiving fresh Callaway Club Rentals each year, meaning the clubs you rent will be up-to-date and brand new.
Our high-end Callaway Club rentals consist of:
- Epic Flash Woods
- Epic Flash Hybrids
- Rogue Irons, and
- Odyssey Putter
Rental rate: $65 until noon and $45 for afternoon rentals.
Course Rotation
Arroyo/Mountain: Available from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm (last bookable tee time at 1:00 pm).
Mountain/Ocean: Accessible from 7:00 am to 9:00 am and 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm (last bookable tee time at 6:00 pm).
Ocean/Arroyo: Open from 11:30 am to 6:00 pm (last bookable tee time at 6:00 pm).
Golfer Feedback
Rated Excellent on TripAdvisor, garnering 4.5 stars from 311 reviews.
View or Download Scorecard
To view scorecards, download the 18Birdies app at AppStore or Google Play. View the Palmilla Golf Club Scorecard here.
We can help you plan an incredible golf vacation in Los Cabos!
Reserve your spot with us today and experience the thrill of playing like a pro at the Palmilla Golf Club or one of our other top-tier championship courses. Our utmost priority is to ensure that you have an exceptional and stress-free trip to Cabo that you will remember for years to come.
Call us today at 1-800-975-5569 to book your golf getaway.
