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Island hopping: Hole 3B at the Four Seasons Punta Mita
Golf Club sits offshore amid the crashing surf.
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The Four Seasons Punta Mita Golf Club, about 25 miles from Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s west coast, not only envelops you in a realm of sheer beauty on your Mexico golf vacation, it sports the world’s only natural island green.
After finishing the third hole of this player-friendly, Jack Nicklaus design, you pass by the beach and arrive at one of the most fascinating tests in the world of golf. Hole 3B, also known as Tail of the Whale, sits offshore, completely separated from land at high tide.
When the tide is in, the only way to reach this volcanic outcropping that rises from the sea is by amphibious cart. During low tide, you can walk or drive on a rocky pathway to the green.
The Tail of the Whale is obviously all carry, but it plays much longer than its 156 to 194 scorecard yardage. Even on relatively calm days, the winds typically add the equivalent of 20 yards to the shot. Given these gusts, the crashing waves and distracting beauty of this hole, its nice to know that whatever you make here doesn’t have to count toward your score.
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