Some golf courses are memorable because of the layout.
Vista Vallarta is memorable because your brain can’t decide whether to focus on golf…or the views.
Designed by both Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf, Vista Vallarta offers two dramatically different championship courses carved through jungle, mountains, ravines, and panoramic views overlooking Banderas Bay.
And honestly?
The scenery borders on unfair.
There were multiple moments where John stood over the ball and got distracted by the surrounding mountains and coastline.
That’s not an excuse for bad shots by the way.
Probably.
The Nicklaus course delivers elevated views and dramatic holes overlooking Puerto Vallarta and the marina.
The Weiskopf course feels more rugged and jungle-like with ravines, dense vegetation, and a completely different personality.
Both are spectacular.
And both remind you very quickly that tropical golf is not the same as Florida golf.
The combination of elevation changes, humidity, scenery, and wildlife creates an experience that feels uniquely Mexico.
### Inspired Traveler Tip:
Even non-golfers should ride along for the scenery and clubhouse views alone.
Recently, both golf courses at the Vista Vallarta Club de Golf were ranked in the top ten for resort golf courses in Mexico by a panel of experts and published in Best Golf Guide to the Mexican Rivera Magazine.
Also, in recognition for outstanding design, the editors of Golf Digest Magazine, and its national panel of course raters, named the Nicklaus Course number 79 among the 100 Best Golf Courses Outside the United States.
The Nicklaus Course was the host to the 2002 World Cup of Golf where Team Japan held off the USA Team of Phil Mickelson and David Toms to win by 2 shots.
