The Estrella del Mar golf course, designed by world renowned architect Rober Trent Jones Jr, is a beautiful 6200, par 72, nesttled between the Dreams Estrella and the Pacific Ocean with crashing waves on 6 of the holes. Challenging winds from the Pacific Ocean, multiple lakes, steep bunkers, yet wide open fairways, make Estrella del Mar one of my favorite courses that I have had the opportunity to golf in Mexico.
Pricing as of August 2024, the course fees are $220 US, and if you play multiple days, the replay is discounted for $110 US for round 2 or more.
They do sell PROV1’s with logo for $19 a sleeve, or PGX for the same.
Hat was $30
Clubs - Taylor Made Stealth (Regular or Stiff shaft) for $69
Carts do have GPS on board, and my app Golf Now Complete has the course loaded as well
Flags are red for front, white for middle, and blue for back locations
Grab drinks before heading out, as they said they have beverage carts out, but I did not see one.
Hole #1 - par 5 / 508 yards
This dogleg left opening Par 5 gives the player the opportunity to start with a good score. Generous tee shot with bunkers guarding the right side of the fairway, the initial tee shot should be aimed at the left side of the fairway to allow the golfer to play a shorter hole, and to give longer hitters the opportunity to reach the green which is protected by bunkers on both sides. The green slopes severely from back to front, making it important to aim your approach shot towards the appropriate side of the green in order to have confidence in your putting stroke.
Hole #2 - par 4 / 366 yards
Another slight dogleg left Par 4 with a challenging tee shot, with a water hazard on the left side of the fairway and a huge bunker protecting the right side of the fairway. The tee shot should be aimed in the middle of the fairway as the approach plays straight ahead and slightly up the hill to a small, well protected green with bunkers on both sides of the green. Play with an extra club on the second shot as it is usually into the wind.
Hole #3 - par 4 / 361 yards
The opening tee shot on this short Par 4 that is usually played into the wind is to head to the left side of the fairway. A large lake shelters the right side of the fairway all the way to the green. The second shot presents a challenge and you should always favour the centre of the green to avoid the bunkers on either side. Again, this green slopes back to front so be careful with your speed going down the hill.
Hole #4 - par 4 / 355 yards
This dogleg left Par 4 is usually played into the wind, a player should favor the right side of the fairway to avoid the cluster of palm trees on the left side with a large bunker. The right side is fair play with a small deep bunker at the 220 yard range that is critical to avoid if the player wishes to reach this hole in two shots. The approach is played uphill and usually into the wind as the Pacific Ocean breeze swirls behind the large green surrounded by bunkers on both sides. Middle of the green to any pin is a safe bet on this challenging Par 4.
enging final hole that runs to the sea.
Hole #5 - par 4 / 421 yards
This dogleg right Par 4 is longer than its actual yardage. A full set of palm trees protect the right side of the fairway with a bunker on the left. Aim your tee shot to the left side of the fairway to avoid being blocked by the palm trees; longer range players can try to cut the corner and have a short approach for their second. This green is protected by bunkers and the center of the green is a great spot to play your next shot. The No. 1 handicap hole for men and women.
Hole #6 - par 3 / 115 yards
This short par 3, the shortest hole on the course, is deceptively difficult. There is a false front securing the front of the green with bunkers on either side. A long shot has room to spare and is the safe play. This hole with its small green can make or break the momentum of the round.
Hole #7 - par 5 / 525 yards
This reachable Par 5 for long hitters is guarded off the tee by deep bunkers on both sides of the fairway. In order to reach this green in two, the player must avoid these bunkers. The lay-up shot is rather simple and one only needs to avoid the bunker on the right side of the fairway 100 yards from the green. The slope on this green runs from front to back to make it difficult to stop the approach shot unless the player can put substantial spin on the golf ball or play the bounce off the front of the green. This green is guarded by two side-by-side bunkers in front of the green.
Hole #8 - par 3 / 159 yards
Moving down the front nine, this challenging Par 3 has the largest green on the golf course. This two-tiered green gives the course the opportunity to choose different pin positions to make the hole difficult or easy to play. Being in the proper position is crucial as we have seen many 3-putts or worse from players out of position. The shot plays in actual yardage depending on where the pin is set up.
Hole #9 - par 4 / 375 yards
This final hole of the front nine is a dogleg right Par 4 with a large bunker along the right side of the fairway, safe play is to favor the left side of the fairway as the second shot is played uphill to a small green that is difficult to hold, making hitting into the fairway crucial to achieving proper distance control on the second shot. This small shaped green is guarded by a bunker on the left side and a false front on the right side.
Hole #10 - par 4 / 328 yards
Opening up the next nine we find the shortest Par 4 on the golf course and the easiest to classify on the course. The tee shot should be directed in the middle of the fairway to avoid a pair of bunkers, one on the right side and the other on the left side at different distances. The second shot is played straight ahead to the medium green with a slight slope. It is a good hole to start with the right mindset for the back nine.
Hole #11 - par 5 / 508 yards - Most challenging hole… water, water, water
This Par 5 presents a challenge from the tee as the water runs along the left side of the fairway, rough, heavy and palm trees waiting on the right side. The second shot should be aimed towards the left side of the fairway as the water hazard runs along the right side of the fairway all the way up to the green. Long shot players have the option of going to this green in two with the water present across the front of the green. This hole can be as risky as it is rewarding, either way it is a challenge.
Hole #12 - par 4 / 383 yards
This tricky Par 4 presents challenges off the tee. The player must avoid a severe deep bunker on the right side of the fairway. On the left side, a set of bunkers line the fairway and once the player clears these obstacles the second shot must be very accurate towards the green protected by water on the left side and bunkers on the right side and behind the green. Any shot missed on the left side of the green going downhill with a draw can end up in the water. The safe shot should be played towards the centre of the green favouring the right side.
Hole #13 - par 3 / 162 yards
This first Par 3 of the back nine borders the Presidio River and the course layout has players heading towards the ocean holes. At just 162 yards, this hole is usually played longer as the ocean breeze hits the player head on. The green is protected by bunkers on both sides and the left OB demands the player hit into the center of the green to either pin position. This shot is usually played with 1 or 2 longer clubs. Par is a great score on this hole.
Hole #14 - par 5 / 503 yards
This is the first hole on the back nine that is hit towards the sea. This challenging Par 5 demands accuracy off the tee, a large bunker protects the right side of the fairway and OB, along the entire left side. Once the player successfully hits into the fairway, the second shot must be hit straight into the wind to a generous landing area. Longer hitters can hit a shot to reach this green in two, but the player will be faced with a tight landing area protected in front by a bunker and OB, on the left. The green is quite small so accuracy will be a factor on the approach shot.
Hole #15 - par 4 / 372 yards
The signature hole on the golf course presents many challenges especially from the tee. With OB on the right side and the water hazard on the left, the player needs to commit to the correct line; favouring the right side of the fairway is a smart play on this Par 4 which is normally played into the wind. The second shot is played into the wind to a double sloped green protected by a water hazard in front and a bunker behind. Par is a good score on this hole, tournaments have been won or lost on this signature hole.
Hole #16 - par 3 / 178 yards - My favorite Hole
This beautiful and picturesque Par 3 runs along the Pacific Ocean and is usually played with 3 longer clubs depending on wind conditions. It plays directly into the sea breeze and the player must be careful not to miss the shot to the left as the OB runs along the entire left side. The small green shape demands precision, with tee shot play favoring the center/center right side as a relatively easy putt or chip awaits the player on that side of the hole.
Hole #17 - par 4 / 427 yards
This long Par 4 slightly dogleg left is the second most difficult hole on the course. It is usually played into the wind and players must avoid the bunkers on both sides of the fairway. The second shot is played into the wind to a well-protected green with bunkers on both sides, the green slopes from right to left and the second shot is usually played with a pair of longer clubs. Players should try to putt up the hill on this tricky green.
Hole #18 - par 4 / 383 yards
Moving down the stretch, this final hole plays slightly uphill and into the wind. Bunkers protect both sides of the fairway and beyond the bunkers is OB on both sides. On the second shot players need to pay close attention to the wind as it could be played up to 2 clubs longer depending on how strong the wind is at the time of the shot. The small green is protected with a bunker in front and OB behind it so distance control is crucial on this challenging final hole that runs to the sea.
In summary, the Estrella del Mar course was really a treat to play. Any group that is heading to Dreams Estrella in Mazatlan would enjoy the round of golf.