Together with this increasing tourism, a lot of new resorts have
 been built over the last decade. It’s discussable wether these resorts 
will give you the real Mexican experience or not – either way, they tend
 to have some great golf courses. Leadingcourses.com had the opportunity
 to visit a few of them. When heading to the Rivièra Maya, you’re probably going to end up in 
either Cancún, Playa del Carmen or Tulum. Around these cities there are 
around 12 golf courses. Most of them are located on a resort. It’s not a
 problem if you are not staying on the resort – most courses are open 
for everyone. However, expect to pay the full price – which is usually 
quite a lot around here.

The first golf course we played was <a href="https://en.leadingcourses.com/north-america+mexico/playa-mujeres-golf-club/" target="_blank">Playa Mujeres Golf Club</a>.
 The 18-hole golf course is located in the northern part of Cancun, 
close to where the ferries leave for Isla Mujeres. Playa Mujeres is 
designed by famous Australian golf course architect Greg Norman and is 
partly located at the coastline, leading to three holes with 
spectaculair views. The course is not that difficult – it has wide 
fairways and large, friendly greens, as you can expect from a resort 
course. However, lots of water (watch out for the crocodiles!) and the 
jungle on both sides of the fairway (if you are struggling with a big 
slice or hook, be careful – there is no way in or out there) keeps this 
course interesting.

The course reaches its climax at the par-4 16th hole. This hole is 
straight into the wind as you are playing directly to the ocean. The 
second shot into the green is one you will probably remember for quite 
some time. With the Caribbean in the background (and also Isla Mujeres 
if the weather is good), this is the perfect time for some pictures. The
 18th hole is also worth mentioning. It plays back to the beautiful 
clubhouse, which is painted in very bright colors.

The course was in extremely good condition when we played, even with the
 considerable amount of rain the night before. The overall facilities 
are very good. A driving range with grass tees, almost new rental clubs,
 free bottled water in ice, GPS equipped buggies, and a very helpful 
staff.

When driving south from Cancun to Playa Del Carmen, numerous resorts 
can be found along the way. One of them is IBEROSTAR Playa Paraiso. This
 resort is home to <a href="https://en.leadingcourses.com/north-america+mexico/iberostar-para%C3%ADso-beach/" target="_blank">Iberostar Playa Paraíso Golf Club</a>,
 an 18 hole golf course designed by P.B. Dye, son of famous golf course 
architect Pete Dye. Even though this is a resort course, it is 
challenging to say the least. 
Dye courses are known for their large amount of well-placed and tough
 bunkers. Well, that is something you are going to see on this course on
 almost every hole. Together with a lot of sloping around the course, 
you really need to think about every shot you are going to hit. It is no
 surprise that the lowest professional round on this golf course was 
’just’ a 63. And with the Latin PGA Tour visiting Playa Paraiso each 
year, that says a lot.

Besides the difficulty, there is absolute beauty. Beauty in the 
maintenance, with perfect greens which were rolling extremely fast. Next
 to that, the course is also visually very appealing. Even though the 
course is not on the coast (it is just a couple of hundred meters 
inland), it gives you some very nice vantage points due to the 
sloping. Add up the top-notch facilities (almost brand new rentals, 
perfect driving range with grass tees, a nice club house and a huge 
resort) and you have perfect place for your Caribbean holiday.

The last coursed we visited was <a href="https://en.leadingcourses.com/north-america+mexico/el-camaleón-mayakoba/" target="_blank">El Camaleón Mayaboka Golf Course</a>.
 For some this name may sound familiar, and not without reason. El 
Camaleón, a 7,024 yards par 72 18-hole course, has been a venue on the 
American PGA TOUR for quite a few years now. Back then, it was the first
 PGA TOUR event to be contested outside the US and Canada and the course
 is one of the few courses on the PGA TOUR that is actually open to the 
public.

The course can be found on the huge resort of Mayakoba. Resort doesn’t 
really cover it, though. There are no one high hotels, just villas and 
some small appartment blocks scattered over the tremendous plot of land. The course, designed by Greg Norman (just as Playa Mujeres Golf Club), 
plays alongside various freshwater canals that connects the golf course 
to the resort.

The course is, if you play from the right set of tees, just as Norman’s 
Playa Mujeres very playable and enjoyable. Already after your first 
drive you get a smile on your face from the very unique bunker in the 
middle of the fairway at hole 1. The bunker is actually a ‘cenote’, a 
special kind of cave filled with very clear water. When Norman was first
 confronted with the cave, he was looking for ways to bypass the cenote.
 Later he decided to keep the cenote as a fairway hazard!

Hole 4 and 15 are also worth mentioning. Both of them are short par-3’s 
with a perfect view of the ocean. When looking at the ocean you can see 
the island of Cozumel. This island is famous for the great diving at the
 Mesoamerican reef. This reef is the world’s second-largest after the 
Great Barrier Reef and can be seen from the greens of both holes at 
Mayakoba!

What makes this golf course so good is the extreme high quality of 
basically everything on the golf course. The maintenance, the staff, the
 bunkers, the greens and the architecture, everything is perfect. Also 
the environment has been thought of. Camaleón is certified by Audubon 
International as a Cooperative Sanctuary for its commitment to the 
environment and eco-friendly practices, thus meeting the required 
standards for protecting and sustaining the land, water quality, 
conserving natural resources, and providing wildlife habitats. Much like
 the rest of the Mayakoba Resort, the course is full with birds, 
iguanas, coatis, spider monkeys and other wildlife that golfers can 
enjoy during their round.

How good these resorts and golf courses may be, it would be a shame to 
not see more of the Rivièra Maya. It has so much more to offer. Go 
snorkeling in one of the countless cenotes, swim with turtles in the 
town of Akumal, visit the old Mayan town and one of the seven World 
Wonders Chichén Itzá, or stroll around in the hip and vibrant city of 
Tulum.

Yes, playing golf at the Rivièra Maya is an unforgettable experience, 
but it comes at a very high price (up to 350 USD). At least that is what Europeans consider to be expensive. The question that you
 need to ask yourself is how much money are you willing to spend for a 
good round of golf. If that amount falls in the range of the prices of 
the golf courses above, than definitely hit the course here!

Beautiful courses in the Mexican Rivièra Maya (Photo credits, member mrbenjamin)

The Rivièra Maya, located on the eastern part of the Mexican peninsula Yucatán, is known for its beautiful coastline, cenotes (sinkholes) and the rich Mayan history. It’s an extremely populair destination for tourists from all over the world – especially North-Americans.

Beautiful courses in the Mexican Rivièra Maya (photo credits, member mrbenjamin)

IMG_3784

The Rivièra Maya on the eastern part of the Mexican peninsula Yucatán, is known for its beautiful coastline, cenotes and great golf courses.

Golf adventures along the Mexican Rivièra Maya

El Camaleon was designed by legendary Australian golfer Greg Norman 
and inaugurated in 2006. Like the chameleon, from which it takes its 
name, this golf course in Mexico offers constantly changing views as it 
winds through three diverse ecosystems: the tropical Mayan jungle, 
mangrove wetlands and the Mexican Caribbean Sea coastline. 
Distinctive hazards: on the <a href="https://en.leadingcourses.com/north-america+mexico/el-camale%C3%B3n-mayakoba/" target="_blank">El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Course</a>
 you will find so-called cenotes (sink holes), which really add to the 
overall experience. Cenotes are especially associated with the Yucatán 
Peninsula of Mexico and some of them were used by the ancient Maya for 
sacrificial offerings.

<a href="https://en.leadingcourses.com/north-america+united-states-of-america+colorado/fossil-trace-golf-club/" target="_blank">Fossil Trace Golf Club</a> opened
 in July of 2003 in the historic Colorado city of Golden. The course 
opened approximately 64-million years after the first dinosaurs walked 
where holes 11 through 15 now sit. Fossil Trace Golf Club is designed by
 renowned golf course architect Jim Engh. 
Distinctive hazards: Some thought Jim Engh to be 
crazy to attempt it, but as you will see it was well worth the effort. 
The sandstone pillars in the fairway were slated to come down, but Jim 
said, “leave them where they are.” A drive to the center of this fairway
 will leave players with a choice; play over or around the pillars in 
the center of the fairway and avoid the sandstone wall along the left. 
Triceratops footprints, as well as other prehistoric creatures’ fossils 
can also be viewed adjacent to the golf course’s 12th green.

<a href="https://en.leadingcourses.com/europe+belgium+flanders/golfclub-witbos/" target="_blank">Golfclub Witbos</a>
 was built on a former British military basis and all of the old 
barracks are still there. There are dozens of them, all empty but they 
used to be used for the storage of big machinery in the 1940’s. 
Distinctive hazards: As said, barracks are dotted 
all over the place. So, make sure to be straight on this course. Hole 1 
might raise some eyebrows as you do not really know were to go. Well, your first shot is a blind shot over a military barrack. Aside
 from this weird opening hole with the barrack as a hazard, you have to 
play 5 holes twice to get to 18 holes as the course only has 13 holes.

The <a href="https://en.leadingcourses.com/asia+sri-lanka/royal-colombo-golf-club/" target="_blank">Royal Colombo Golf Club</a>
 is the oldest golf club in Sri Lanka. Established in 1879, it is 
located in the capital city of Colombo. The course is also known as The Ridgeway Links or the Anderson Golf Course.&nbsp; 
Distinctive hazards: This golf course is unique in 
the fact that it has a train track running through and across it’s four 
holes. Trains in Sri Lanka are something special, they are packed with 
screaming people (in and on top of the train). Take a deep breath and 
focus on your putt when this train passes!

Located on the shores of beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene, this resort 
course is an experience not to be missed. It began with a sudden flash 
of inspiration – a man walking his dog, gazing out at a tugboat towing a
 raft of logs on the lake. In 1991, the first ball was struck onto the 
floating green on the 14th, and Duane Hagadone’s vision was on its way 
to becoming one of the best-loved icons in golf. 
 Distinctive hazard: The world famous floating island green of the 14th hole of <a href="https://en.leadingcourses.com/north-america+united-states-of-america+idaho/coeur-d-alene-golf-resort/" target="_blank">Coeur D’Alene Golf Resort</a>
 has become an icon in the world of golf. The most unique feature of the
 green is its ability to be computer controlled to a different distance 
from the tee each day. At approximately 15,000 square feet, the island, 
although intimidating, is a deceivingly large target. The back and front
 right of the green is protected by bunkers. Golfers take a maximum of 
two attempts to land safely on the island before taking a drop on the 
green if necessary.

Alister Mackenzie’s masterpiece – winds through cypress, sand dunes 
and jagged coastline. Some simply love the course, but very good players
 are not impressed. The course has several easy holes and a weak finish.
 But experts also say it is best 17 hole golf course in the world. The 
18th is nothing more than a walk back to the clubhouse. But, playing 
here is very difficult and you are lucky enough to know one of the 
members. 
Distinctive hazard: Being able to play at <a href="https://en.leadingcourses.com/north-america+united-states-of-america+california/cypress-point-club/" target="_blank">Cypress Point Club</a>
 is probably just as difficult as the 16th where you have to have a 
carry of 182 meters (200 yards) to reach the other side. The Pacific 
Ocean is probably the most daunting water hazard you will encounter, 
especially if the sea wind is blowing in your face.

Golf course <a href="https://en.leadingcourses.com/europe+netherlands+gelderland/het-rijk-van-nunspeet/" target="_blank">Het Rijk van Nunspeet</a>
 is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful golf courses on the Veluwe. 
The club is home to a 27-hole golf course, with three loops that run 
through the impressive forest. The sandy soil ensures that the course 
can be played under all weather conditions. 
Distinctive hazards:
 The North Course is a lot more tranquil than the other loops – less 
spectacular – but nice. A nice feature on this loop is the hole over the
 natural sand dunes. If your ‘carry’ is less than 175 meters then your 
ball will be left somewhere in this sandy hazard…

<a href="https://en.leadingcourses.com/north-america+united-states-of-america+pennsylvania/oakmont-country-club/" target="_blank">Oakmont Country Club</a>
 is a country club in Plum and Oakmont, in western Pennsylvania. It was 
designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987. The course, the only 
design by Henry Fownes, opened 114 years ago in 1903. With a crew of 150
 men and a little under two dozen mule teams, Henry Fownes spent a year 
building Oakmont on old farmland, which was ideal for a links-style 
course. 
 Distinctive hazards: One of Oakmont’s most famous 
hazards is the Church Pews bunker that comes into play on hole 3 and 4. 
It measures approximately 91 by 37 meters (or 100 by 40 yards) and 
features twelve grass covered traversing ridges that resemble church 
pews. For many years, Oakmont’s bunkers were groomed with a rake with 
wider than normal tines, creating deep furrows. The rakes were last used
 in U.S. Open competition in 1962 and eliminated from the club in 1964.

The Bagan Nyaung Oo Golf Club or <a href="https://en.leadingcourses.com/asia+burma/bagan-golf-resort/" target="_blank">Bagan Golf Course</a>
 is located on flat piece of land. But, to be honest – the course does 
not really matter – as the golf course is really about all the monuments
 and pagodas which dot the golf course and its surroundings. The course 
is part of the Bagan Resort which is one of the most luxurious resorts 
at Bagan in the “land with a million pagodas”. 
 Distinctive hazards: There is a pagoda on just about
 every hole at the Bagan Golf Club. If you can’t find one, you’re 
probably looking to spot one in the surroundings. The pagodas is what 
people will remember and this is what makes this golf club a must visit. 
 Do you have any additions to this list? Just let us know in the comments!

Train passing by on the 13th hole (photo credits:  Jim Bauer)

Some golf courses are special because of their location, their design or history. But some courses are special because they have some very remarkable hazards on the course. Below a selection! We hope you get inspired by these courses and if you have encountered other golf courses with a remarkable hazard, feel free to share them with us!

Train-passing-the-green

Some golf courses are special because of their location, design or history. But some are special because they have remarkable hazards.

Mexico

El Camaleón

Designed by legendary Australian golfer Greg Norman and inaugurated in 2006, El Camaleon Golf Course made golf history in 2007 when it became the home of the OHL CLASSIC at Mayakoba, the first PGA Tour event to be contested outside the US and Canada. Like the chameleon, from which it takes its name, the course offers constantly changing views as it winds through three diverse ecosystems: the tropical Mayan jungle, mangrove wetlands and the Mexican Caribbean Sea coastline. Distinctive hazards such as cenotes (sink holes), extensive bunkers and crystal-clear fresh water canals are unique features of El Camaleon, certified by Audubon International for its commitment to the environment.

El Camaleón Mayakoba

generalImpression

courseMaintenance

facilities

clubHouse

valueForMoney

hospitality

surroundings

restaurant

Der Topclub an der Rivera Maya,380 Dollar Green fee bei weitem nicht wert. Sensationelles Service beim Clubhaus, super Mastercaddy. Bälle auf der Driving Range inklusive. Der Platz in einem hervorragenden Zustand. Grün verhälznismäßig langsam. Die ersten 9 Löcher eher einfach und nicht spektakulär. Die 2. neun Löcher sind dann aber richtig schön und schwer zu spielen. Versorgung am Platz wäre da, aber für die Preise ist es besser man nimmt sich die Getränke selber mit. Wasser bei 6 Dollar, Sandwiches kosten 17 Dollar aufwärts. Alles in allem einmal spielen ist ok, aber öffers kommen wir nicht mehr.

Wonderful course but very expensive. Clubhouse could be more alive and energetic.

Wunderschöne Anlage in mitten von Mangoven und direkt am Meer gelegen. Sehr gut gepflegt und ein toles, abwechslungsreiches Layout. Für mich der beste Platz in Playa del Carmen.

El Camaleón Mayakoba

Total score

1

4

Latest reviews

Courses at El Camaleón Mayakoba

El Camaleón

Facilities

Latest photos

contact El Camaleón Mayakoba

Confirm newsletter subscription?

Find a golf region

Leading Courses