cancun golf

[mickthestick]

I read the other threads but was wondering if anyone has been lately. Heading there in may and was looking for courses to play. Anyone with updates would be appreciated.

 

 

[Dex]

I was in Cancun last summer and stayed at the Iberostar Paraiso Maya resort. There is a P.B. Dye course on that property. However, I think very little about the course and the service was average. Since I was there in late-June, when the temps were above 100, there were very few players on the course. I always prefer to walk when it is practical--without 1/2 mile hoofs from green to the next tee. This course is easily walkable since it has no hills or long hoofs. Nevertheless, even with no one else on the course, I was told I must take a cart. Okay, no big deal, I took a cart. Regarding the course, it was the least memorable golf course I played while on a nice vacation. Here are the high and low points:
* Everything is manufactured and it feels and plays that way. From the artificial mounding to the green undulations, this course lacked any semblance of character
* Typical P.B. Dye, several short par 4s were tricked out and goofy with very sharp dog legs. I love short par 4s, but P.B. does not know how to challenge a skilled golfer. These are 6-iron tee ball and 6-iron from the fairway holes as opposed to introducing some intrigue by encouraging a driver off the tee to reach. Only one short par 4, on the back 9, tempted me to hit a driver.
* Some of the green undulations were absolutely ridiculous. Can't remember the hole, but it is a par 5 on the front nine. It has an elevated, 3-tiered, massive green. The pin was up front, and I was lucky to put my ball on the front. Had I over-clubbed and landed on the second tier, there would be no way to putt back down to the front tier and hold the green. I know because I tested it and was dumbstruck. The slope between the tiers is so severe that the putted ball not only rolls off the front, but has enough steam to roll all the way down another slope of about twenty feet. This is another example of tricking out the course too much.
* The par 5s are terrible. In addition to the one mentioned above, the two on the back nine still disappoint me to this day. Number 14, I think, has a severe dogleg on the second shot. It is so sharp, that you have no clue where to hit it or even where it lands after you do hit it. When I think of great par 5s, I think of risk/reward options. Your second shot here introduces no reward, just risk because you really have no clue what the line should be or even what distance puts you in a playable position. The other back nine par 5, the 18th has a green that is ridiculous. Not because of undulations, but because of its tiny size. It is almost a joke that someone would think a green that small would even make sense. It is kidney shaped, and might be twenty yards deep, but is only maybe 6-8 yards wide. While I like playing where a premium is placed on accuracy, this one is comical.
* With all that said, there were a few holes I did enjoy. Again, don't remember the hole numbers, but a few long par 4s and par 3s seemed to salvage my two rounds there. #10, I think, is a long par 4 to an elevated green. After hitting a great drive to a very generous fairway, you still have what shapes up to be a 200-yard shot to the elevated green. The elevation is equal to 2 clubs I figured.

My net opinion is that if I ever head back to the Cancun-area, I will stay away from this course. I know my overall opinion is negative, but even after nine months of "cool down", I am still very disappointed.