Tourist Atracctions

Ixtapa's two world-class, 18-hole courses make this tropical destinationa haven for golf enthusiasts. The courses are located at opposite ends of Ixtapa's main hotel strip, just five minutes apart by taxi. Zihuatanejo is just 10 minutes away.

Palma Real Golf Course (Campo de Golf Palma Real) was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. in 1977 as a key element in the Master Plan of FONATUR (National Fund for Tourism Development) which conceived and developed Ixtapa as a modern resort destination, and created this golf course from a coconut plantation.

Marina Ixtapa Golf Club (Club de Golf Marina Ixtapa), designed by Robert von Hagge, opened in January 1994 as part of the multi-million-dollar Marina Ixtapa project. The two courses are located at opposite ends of Ixtapa's main hotel strip, just five minutes apart by taxi. (Zihuatanejo is just 10 minutes away.) Both are both known for their expert and personalized caddy service which is also traditional throughout Mexico.

Both courses are well maintained and groomed. A result of Ixtapa's ecology-oriented Master Plan, an elaborate irrigation system draws purified and oxiginated water from an advanced-technology water treatment plant. Sprinkler systems throughout the golf courses, as well Ixtapa's extensive landscaped grounds, maintain the area green and blooming while naturally recycling the water through the ground.

Palma Real Golf Course(Campo de Golf Palma Real)

A superb example of original Robert Trent Jones Jr. design, this par 72, 6,898-yard Palma Real Golf Course harmonizes with its environment which, in fact, is a former coconut plantation that retains its natural lakes, lagoons, and lush tropical vegetation alongside the scenic Pacific coastline. The Sierra Madre Sur provides a panoramic mountainous backdrop.

Players enjoy not only some of the world's best golfing, but also a feeling of closeness to Nature. Surrounding the course are coconut and other species of palms, and trees abundant with mangoes, guavas, limes, oranges and almonds. Brilliantly-colored flowers accent the verdant vegetation.

Mexican and international ecologists consider these grounds a wildlife preserve. Golfers see and hear a variety of exotic birds such as parrots,macaws, cardinals, and a rare and peculiar species of eagle called pescador ("fisherman") because it feeds exclusively on fish from the lakes. Seen but not heard are rabbits and "giant" iguanas.

Do not attempt to retrieve balls from the water hazards because crocodiles live in some of them! They usually repose submerged and out of sight, however they do stroll around at dawn.

Course Highlights and Challenges:

4th hole: par 5. The green faces a lagoon and is surrounded by sand traps, so it takes a precision drive to hit it. An overshot lands the ball in a lake that is inhabited by resident native crocodiles.

5th (par 4) and 6th (par 3) holes: Both holes are bordered on one side by a large lake and on the other by jungle; straight drives are a must.

15th hole: par 4. Relatively short (350 yards), however a 200-yard tee-off is necessary to span the lagoon that flows into the Pacific. The second shot to the green, generally with a short 9 iron, must be laser-straight to avoid the beach or ocean on your left. The view from this hole is extraordinary: a panorama of Ixtapa Bay, and the entire Hotel Zone along the broad white-sand stretch of Palmar Beach.

16th hole: par 3: Spectacular from tee to green, its full length runs along a lake. The green is bordered by water on one side and sand on the other. Optimum precision is required here.

Marina Ixtapa Golf Club

(Club de Golf Marina Ixtapa) Robert von Hagge, famed for creating some of the world's most outstanding courses, designed this par 72, 6793-yard course with meandering canals, 12 bridges, and a dunes-style topography.

The Clubhouse, in Spanish-Mediterranean architecture, features and airy restaurant and lounge areas with picture windows and balconies overlooking the yacht marina and golf course. Facilities include a full-service pro-shop, men's and women's locker rooms, tennis courts, swimming pool and, of course, the "19th hole for that extra round".

Course Highlights and Challenges:

1st hole: par 5, and probably your best chance at birdie, so give it your best shot-any birdies further on will be harder to earn.

4th hole: par 4. You need a very accurate drive because there is water all the way down the right side and mounds all the way down the left. An approach shot to a very protected green is equally challenging.

9th hole: par 4, with water from tee to green on the left and bunkers on the right to catch any errant tee shots. Hitting the green requires an approach shot over a large lake that is home to resident crocodiles. They do not eat golfers, but they do like to watch the game while they sunbathe, so bring your camera.

12th hole: par 4, fairly long with a sharp dogleg to the right. Out-of-bounds on the left and jungle to the right make this a tough driving hole. The approach shot is to a severely elevated green surrounded by sand.

16th hole: par 4, long with a sharp dogleg to the left and, causing additional difficulty, water runs from tee to green down the left side. #1 handicap hole and the beginning of a very difficult closing three holes.

17th hole: par 3. Signature Hole --150 yards of carryover water to a green completely guarded by sand, water and mounds.

18th hole: par 5, locally known as El Hoyo del Diabo (the Devil's Hole). With 609 yards, it is probably one of the toughest par 5s you will ever play. There is water from tee to green along the left side and a series of bunkers all the way down the right side, leading to a very narrow green surrounded by more water on the left and sand on the right. A par here is really something to brag about!

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