Diamante Cabo San Lucas - El Cardonal Course

We are here at Diamonte in Mexico with family. We golfed the Dunes fabulous. However El Cardonal has some very bad , damaged , not sure what has caused the horrible spots on the entire course. . It took away from the experience of golfing at Tigers designed course. It cost a lot of money to golf here . The value wasn’t there.

Played 18 on el Cardonal today with Hector as our caddie. The rains last night made the fairway soggy and slow. Hector was a great caddie and after watching us warm up, he knew what clubs to play and where to lay the ball. The fairway and the greens are in great shape. There is a lot of construction going on in the area - but keep an eye on this place. This will be the place to stay and golf in the very near future. A great vacation destination. With staff willing to help at every turn

Just finished playing the El Cardinal course. Views and layout were great. Condition of the fairways was one of the worst courses I ever played. An embarrassment to be the resort and the Tiger Woods affiliation. The Dunes Course was fantastic to play. Call before you play to make sure the course has been fixed.

Played the track 6 times in one week. Amenities are world class. Friendly, personable staff all work hard to make you feel right at home. They spoil you big time. Excellent track, lots of variety. Greens roll true. Hot in June & July - ask for the Vacation Margarita at the 15th hole cantina!

Played mostall cabo track in the past ....

This one is quite a great layout and challenging as it gets !
,, when it's windy .. And it's alway windy in cabo

But to drive a golf cart over roughest corduroy road in Mexico for 300 bucks a round (although I didn't pay that )
I would go somewhere else !!

unlike the first reviewer our group played from the 2nd set of tees-6850 yds- was enough test, especially into the wind which blows on a daily basis.
the facility:
very nice but still under construction. take advantage of the freebies on first tee.
the staff:
excellent and professional. a forecaddie is a must the first time around.
the practice area:
hitting balls towards the ocean- nice view.
decent little putting green but did not see a practice chipping or bunker area.
the course:
wide open fairways, with a variety of lies. second shots are varied to up hill or down hill greens.
the greens are still young( year old) but for most part hold chip shots well.
Tiger does need to make changes to the greens on # 12 and # 15. Neither green holds a ball especially in windy conditions- they need to be softened. Tip - putts TOWARDS the ocean are fast!
Overall-- I would play it again even with the stiff greens fee.

As a property owner I have 6 rounds of wonderful golf each week at Diamante in Cabo. My rounds this time were spent at the El Cardonal Golf Course, Tiger's first offering as a course designer and advisor.

I strongly feel that "Quality Golf" is the #1 factor when choosing vacation destinations. Diamante has the Dunes Course now ranked #39 in the world next to this course so both courses go over the top as far as "Quality Golf". You will completely enjoy both courses.

There are several things that stand out at El Cardonal. #1 is the service level. Caddies are such a great touch and very necessary the first time around. For @25 plus tip you can't beat the experience and fun having your caddie read greens and talk you thru the round. Try to clean your clubs on the driving range.. you can't do it on time because of the staff waiting next to you during your warm up. Did I mention the incredible breakfast and drinks next to range which are "required" before your round?

#2 this course must be played from the tips. I know that 7400 yards might sound like a lot but the strategy and challenges are just too much to not take in. Caddies are critical here on your shots.

#3 The views and overall weather can't be beat at this location. I really loved the greens challenges and the tee shot carries over the sand and trouble areas.

#4 Comfort stations on #5/#8 and #15 provide free drinks and food. Not something you see at most resorts. Of course you pay $18 for this privilege.. ooops! had to mention that one...

OK the only bad issues are some fairways have are not in great shape and some greens are showing some major stress. Several of my golfing partners mentioned this during our rounds.

For ocean views, sand everywhere, incredible warm up areas, challenging and interesting holes, and great weather year around you should definitely consider Diamante and the El Cordonal Golf Course.

Thanks Javier for being my caddie. I really enjoyed meeting you and your brother last week.

Play Quality Golf Everywhere.....

Woods' first design, set upon higher ground than the more celebrated Dunes course at Diamante, weaves through dune-framed fairways on the front nine and over desert arroyos on the back nine.
El Cardonal - named after the tall, slender, multi-armed cactus that thrives in this region - features panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean from nearly every hole.
Woods built a playable resort-style track with splashy-looking bunkers and interesting green surrounds where players can putt, chip or pitch their misses.
The course might be four star, but the experience is five star. Diamante serves free food and drink at the clubhouse before the round and at comfort stations on the course during the round.
With several hotels under construction inside the development, El Cardonal could become more accessible in the future. It is currently run as a private club with limited public access for people willing to sit through a time-share presentation.