Travelers have had to give up a lot of their favorite activities during the pandemic. For some, golfing in Mexico was one of them. But now, new hygiene protocols are allowing golf enthusiasts to safely test their swings again in a variety of scenic courses around the country.
“It's important to recognize that Mexico remains one of the few international destinations open to Americans in the first place, yet it’s considered a premier North American golfing destination,” said Dwight Zahringer, president of Pure Cabo, an event planning and hospitality service in Los Cabos. “Agents aren't sacrificing anything by offering this as a top destination.”
Denny Putsh, chief editor at golf website Hitting the Golf Ball, says now is an ideal time to plan a golf vacation in Mexico.
“Some golf courses extended their discounted summer rates for the foreseeable future,” he said. “That can save you quite a bit for each round of golf.”
A number of hygiene protocols have become the norm at most major courses in Mexico. Golf carts are washed and disinfected multiple times per day, for example, and face masks are worn by staff (and encouraged for players). In addition, golf rakes have been removed at most courses and flags can’t be moved (to prevent human contact with high-touch items).
Zahringer notes that golf courses in Los Cabos have made great progress in creating a safe environment.
“Many have become even more intentional about staggering tee times to further support social distancing, which golf already offers by nature,” he said. “Courses such as the Greg Norman Signature Course at Rancho San Lucas and Quivira Golf Club are staggering mandatory 15-minute tee offs for golfers, for instance.”
Many have become even more intentional about staggering tee times to further support social distancing, which golf already offers by nature.
Several Los Cabos courses have partnered with other organizations to devise their hygiene strategy, including Costa Palmas Golf Club, which has teamed up with Patronus Medical; and Quivira Los Cabos, which follows Pueblo Bonito Hotels and Resorts’ company-wide safety protocol program.
Quivira Los Cabos follows health and safety protocols of parent company Pueblo Bonito Hotels and Resorts.
Credit: 2020 Quivira Los CabosAt Twin Dolphin Club, located at Montage Los Cabos, golfers will find a pink tag on each golf cart to indicate it has undergone a full disinfection, and golf holes have been blocked for easy ball removal. Aside from hygiene protocols, “the golf experience hasn’t changed all that much, due to the fact that most amenities and experiences are outdoors,” said Eric Romero, head golf professional at Twin Dolphin Club. “With the implementation of the added safety measures and protocols, members and guests are able to enjoy a very similar experience to what they did previously.”
In addition to following a strict protocol, TPC Danzante Bay Golf Resort, located in the town of Loreto, Baja California Sur, is offering a new golf package to entice golfers back to the course. The offer includes a three-night stay in a deluxe suite, a $25 spa certificate and one round of golf with a golf cart, per adult.
Further south on Mexico’s Pacific coast, the Riviera Nayarit’s Punta Mita Pacifico and Punta Mita Bahia golf courses have installed new tee boxes and completed a collar renovation; in addition, the facility’s restaurant was operating at 30% capacity as of press time, to allow for easier social distancing.
In Manzanillo, temperature checks are among the protocols at Las Hadas by Brisas, and the facility provides disinfected bags with sanitized pens, pencils, face towels and scorecards. In addition, only five people are allowed to use the driving range at the same time.
On Mexico’s Caribbean coast, up to four people can play at PGA Riviera Maya by Bahia Principe, and they should arrive dressed to play, since the clubhouse is currently closed due to hygiene protocol guidelines. Nearby, at El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Club, lessons are taught outside at the facility’s Jim McLean Golf School. To promote El Camaleon’s offerings, Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya recently launched its new 5 Star Stay and Play golf package, available as either a four-night or seven-night stay with three or five rounds of golf, respectively.
The level of service and hospitality is even greater than other years.
Putsh said that Mexico is more than ready to welcome golfers back.
“This is a great time for golf travel to Mexico, as everything is much less crowded and you can tell, from everyone involved in your travel, how thankful they are that you're coming to spend money and keep the tourism industry — and subsequently their jobs — alive,” he said. “The level of service and hospitality is even greater than other years.”
The Details
Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya
www.hyatt.com
Costa Palmas
www.costapalmas.com
El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Club
www.mayakoba.com
Hitting the Golf Ball
www.hittingthegolfball.com
Las Hadas by Brisas
www.lasbrisashotels.com.mx
Montage Los Cabos
www.montagehotels.com
PGA Riviera Maya by Bahia Principe
www.pgarivieramaya.com
Pure Cabo
www.purecabo.com
Quivira
www.quiviraloscabos.com
TPC Danzante Bay
www.tpcdanzantebay.com
