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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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I liked playing the El Tigre course- but you don’t mention the price of green fees here. That’s why it’s crowdless.
Craig, I agree with Bob O the green fees are a bit steep … $150+ for off the street visitors… if you stay at the resort they are $100+. But hey you are on vacation so spend the $$ … also you do not have to play there everyday. There are some other local courses. As far as pace of play the course is better than you get at typical resort courses and we played in 4-1/2 hrs to 5 the days we played and that was XMAS week. Now back to the important stuff!! The course is in great shape and is simply AWESOME. Each hole sets up so on the tee box you have to think carefully about ball placement. You cannot just aim straight and hope you hit it 220+ yds. The location of your 2nd shot is key to trying to get birds & pars. NET NET it was a lot of fun to play. The staff is very friendly and competent. One other bonus is that the food at the club house is GREAT !!! Typical Mexican but also USA country club menu and well above par … I hear the Sunday BRUNCH was excellent but I was too busy fishing that day to check it out. Craig thanks for the tip on this course. After reading your article I actually changed the resort my family planned to stay at to Paradise Village Beach Resort which own Le Tigre and we are glad we did. 1 last tip on Puerta Valareta resorts … DO NOT do the all inclusive .. better food and prices if you just go it alone… Oh yea … almost forgot … they actually have a mascat tiger cub the Golf Director drives around the course…
I agree it is a solid place to play however I would also recommend the course next door at the Grand Mayan they are moving some of the holes on the back nine right now however I would rate it on the same level as El Tigre for a solid test of your abilities-lots of water.