Puerta Cortés - desert golf meets multi-purpose practice area

La Paz in Mexico's Baja California is known for its whale watching and snorkeling tours to whale sharks, among other things. But the region's golf scene also has a lot to offer. The city also has a lot to offer in terms of golf, especially the Puerta Cortés championship course designed by Gary Players. Although it is part of a community course, it is also open to guest players. Players has positioned the course wonderfully between the desert and the sea, and the course also has numerous differences in elevation. In addition to the distinctive bunkers typical of Players, the numerous cacti and the frequently encountered turkey vultures catch the eye. Adapted to the desert landscape, there are also numerous barren zones with soil and stones, some in front of the tees, some next to the Fairways and around the greens. At just under 6,400 meters, the total length is rather moderate for Players courses.

Puerta Cortés - A typical Players design

You can tell from the very first holes that Players likes pronounced bunkers - and knows how to position them in places that are important for the game. The final holes of the front nine are particularly successful. The 90-degree dogleg in particular, the second part of which lies well below the tees and is played towards the sea, is a visual and playing treat. The two following Par-3s - the last of which is over a large pond - are also a great challenge.

Height differences and desert pot bunkers

On the back nine, you initially come close to the houses of the community. The double dogleg on hole 13, whose Fairway is around 30 meters below the tees, is particularly exciting. Sand-covered waste areas also come into play. Overall, the significant differences in altitude are noticeable on the back nine; you play virtually the entire terrain between sea level and the mountains. As a result, the choice of club requires special attention and there are some blind shots. The greens also often cover several levels and are also clearly undulating. Anyone familiar with Gary Players' Saadiyat Beach in Abu Dhabi, for example, is likely to come across familiar designs in many cases. The last Par-3 is great, perfectly combining the themes of "desert" and "stones": the rear green bunkers have been provided with a high stone wall as a boundary at the back, creating a kind of "desert pot bunker". At the end, the course climbs again between many pronounced bunkers before you can reward yourself for the round with a margarita and excellent Mexican food in the very stylish restaurant in the clubhouse.

Multi-purpose golf course design with sea views

One of the special features of Puerta Cortés is the practice area. From the driving range, you have a wonderful view of the sea. Mexican golf course architect Agustín Pizá, known for his multi-purpose golf course design and also designer of the virtual golf course for the 2025 TGL season, uses the area in two ways: firstly, it serves as a classic range, and secondly, Pizá has integrated a nine-hole Putter and Putt course into the range, which also serves as a Target Green for the range. The club can therefore choose between the different uses on a daily or half-day basis - and families in particular are delighted with the wonderful short course.