El Tigre's course is one of the "best of the rest" to play on a Puerto Vallarta golf vacation.

The golf courses at the Four Seasons Punta Mita and Vista Vallarta Golf Club are usually (and rightly) placed atop the “must play” lists by those planning to go to Mexico for a Puerto Vallarta golf vacation.

After these power players, however, few people know where to find the next best Puerto Vallarta golf courses. We think one of them is the El Tigre Club de Golf in the area called Nuevo Vallarta.

Designed by Robert Von Hagge, El Tigre winds its way in a loop around a number of lakes (unfortunately, beside golf course condominiums, too) and, as you might expect, the chief challenge on this otherwise wide-open golf course comes from the abundance of water hazards. No fewer than 12 holes present your golf ball with the prospect of a watery demise, and you often have to think strategically to avoid it.

For example, on the cape-style, par-four, fifth hole, you must determine how much of the lake to bite off on the tee shot to leave yourself a manageable approach. Those who chart an aggressive course confront a beach-style bunker at the water’s edge and a trio of pot bunkers in the fairway to the left. The next hole, a par-three, is pure carry to an island green. While certainly less tactical, one’s mind is still very much involved.

Elegant stonework, colorful blooms, and fine grooming give El Tigre an appealing look, though we thought it could use a few more trees. Although the golf course is bisected by a road that leads to Nuevo Vallarta’s myriad hotels, apparently few of the passing resort-goers take the time to check it out; El Tigre was nearly empty on the occasions we visited. So, if you’re looking for a high-quality and fun Puerto Vallarta golf course to play in an unhurried, crowd-less atmosphere, grab this tiger by the tail…and swing away.

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