Beoordeling door SlicingMyWayThroughLife over El Camaleón Mayakoba

El Camaleon Golf Club is a part of excellent luxury Mayakoba Resort and it is located in the heart of the Riviera Maya, next to Playa del Carmen and about 30 minutes south of Cancun Airport.  The course was designed by Greg Norman and just one year after its opening in 2007 El Camaleón made golf history when it became the first PGA Tour venue outside USA and Canada and a home to Mayakoba Golf Classic tournament.  Typical sink holes or cenotes and crystal-clear fresh water canals are unique features of El Camaleón but the course got its name for its changing views and conditions as it is laid out through three different landscapes and ecosystems: the typical Mayan jungle,  mangrove wetlands with its limestone canals and the oceanfront stretches of sand along the Caribbean Sea.  The course was just rerouted a few months ago to the same routing which is used for Mayakoba Golf Classic event so one of the most famous bunkers on the PGA Tour comes in play on the Par-5 seventh hole.  My favourite holes: 3rd hole Par-4 which is a slight dogleg right with water canal crossing the fairway in front of the green. All approach shots missed to the right will either end up in one of the large bunkers or in the water canal.  4th is short but sweet Par-3 straight into the wind towards the Caribbean sea so it is all about the club selection here.  5th hole is great Par-5, long dogleg left along the water canal on the left - stay in the middle of the fairway here.  6th is also nice hole, pretty much straight and slightly uphill Par-4 with huge green and deep cenote right of it.  The famous 7th hole with cave bunker in the middle of the fairway - this great Par-5 is not really reachable in two for an average golfer, even the famous "Devil's Mouth" bunker is out of reach off the tee so unless you mess up your second shot it really doesn't come in play. But it sure does come handful for a photo session. :) 11th is lovely, short and straight Par-4 over the large waste bunker - take your hybrid and aim for the pin. Par-5 13th is not bed either... unless you are going for the dance floor in two don't mind the bunker in the middle as it is well short of the green.  Hole 14 Par-4 is both a monster and a beauty - slight dogleg left with water canal crossing the fairway which should not affect even the best drives. Quite tough second shot awaits to an elevated green which is protected by large bunker on the left. Same as on previous hole - don't get fooled by the bunker on the right which is short of the green.  Short Par-3 15th hole which is set along the Caribbean sea is their signature hole. As on the Par-3 4th hole the wind and club selection will define your score.  17th is one of my favourite holes here - this short but very tricky Par-4 is rolled between a water canal on the left and Fairmont Mayakoba resort on the right.  No need for a driver here so take your long iron or a hybrid and split the fairway. Don't mind the pin on your second shot and aim for the middle of the green or right of the middle as there is only the fringe between the green and deep water canal on the left so this is no hole to miss it left.   If you are playing early in the morning make sure you have mosquito protection spray with you... you can thank me later! The course was in very good condition. Great changing rooms and nice pro-shop which is well stocked, the staff was also really helpful and friendly.  If your game is a bit rusty the renowned Jim McLean Golf School is also located at the resort. Unless you are staying in one of the Mayakoba resort hotels I think the green fee price is a bit too steep and I think that PGA Tour event should not be a reason for that as it is just too expensive for an average golfer - budget wise that is. Mayakoba resort with stay at Fairmont hotel was great experience in general and is highly recommended to all golfers. El Cameleon is definitely one of the must play courses if you are in the area.