CANCUN, Quintana Roo, Mexico -- Playa Mujeres Golf Club is the "Uptown Girl" of the golf scene in the Cancun and Riviera Maya.
The course is somewhat isolated on its own several miles north of the Cancun hotel zone. That makes it convenient to the Cancun International Airport and guests staying in those resorts, but somewhat of an outlier from the more golfer-friendly resorts along the Riviera Maya south of Cancun: the Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort, Mayakoba and the Iberostar Playa Paraiso.
Greg Norman designed Playa Mujeres in 2006 through the jungle between the Caribbean Sea and the Chachmuchuc Lagoon. The thick natural vegetation tends to squeeze the narrow fairways.
Norman's creativity blossoms on his par 3s, evident at the outstanding 15th hole, home to a table-top green and deep bunker. The 16th tee reveals the views of the sea, a distraction on a tricky short par 4 that plays much tougher when the wind kicks up. The intimidating par-4 finishing hole skirts water before ending at the large colorful clubhouse. It's a golf course as easy on the eyes as Christie Brinkley.
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![Playa Mujeres Hole 13 Aerial (1).jpg]()
View of the 13th hole at Playa Mujeres Courtesy Playa Mujeres -
The shortest par 3 at the Playa Mujeres Golf Club is no easy birdie. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass
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The tricky par-5 second hole at the Playa Mujeres Golf Club requires a jump over a jungle hazard for a shot at the green. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfAdvisor
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Greg Norman designed a large green on the par-3 sixth hole at Playa Mujeres Golf Club near Cancun. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfAdvisor
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No. 7, the longest par 4 at the Playa Mujeres Golf Club, plays even longer with this sandy waste area guarding the green. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfAdvisor
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Water and sand mix to make the ninth hole treacherous at the Playa Mujeres Golf Club near Cancun. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfAdvisor
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The 11th green is one of the largest at the Playa Mujeres Golf Club near Cancun, Mexico. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfAdvisor
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Although the 12th hole at the Playa Mujeres Golf Club bends right, it's best to stay left to avoid the beach and the water. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfAdvisor
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Greg Norman used sandy waste areas -- like this one on the 13th hole -- to toughen up the Playa Mujeres G.C. near Cancun. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfAdvisor
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The dramatic par-3 15th hole at the Playa Mujeres Golf Club plays to a table-top green. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfAdvisor
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The 16th hole at the Playa Mujeres Golf Club reveals the sea. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfAdvisor
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The 18th hole at Playa Mujeres Golf Club ends at the colorful clubhouse. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfAdvisor
