Mandarina Golf Club, a hidden jewel, nestled in the scenic beauty of lush tropical fauna, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Riviera Nayarit, Puerta Vallarta, Mexico
Article by John Hillesland, Sports Writer – IPA Magazine Travel
While on holiday in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, fortune smiled on me when I was asked by our editor to respond to a recent request from Rogelio Abarca, Senior Design Associate, for Greg Norman Golf Course Design. It was an invitation to meet (between hurricanes..), and discuss opportunities to see their latest project in the region, namely, Mandarina Golf Club.
Greg Norman Golf Course Design has gained global recognition by creating 140 courses in 35 countries. Greg Norman entered professional golf in 1975, and a dominate force from the 1980’s into the 1990’s, winning 91 professional tournaments including major’s, and defending his No.1 rank for an amazing 331 weeks.
Greg has translated that determined spirit of integrity, quality, and dedication beyond championship golf, and into his business acumen, of which he has gained rewarded efforts.
You can visit Greg’s online portfolio at Greg Norman, for more progress on their award winning endeavors, and additional Golf Design projects.
I met Rogelio on short notice, making a quick playdate for the 9 hole +1, Mandarina Golf Club.
What a sight!
Set on the flatlands between Mandarina, Polo and Equestrian club, and the Sierra de Vallejo Mountains, you’re immersed in rich, lush, tropical fauna, to play casual golf with friends in a picturesque setting on internationally recognizable holes.
For the creation of this “Trophy” short course, I’m told that Greg Norman himself had requested the construction to include 9 of the most significant championship holes, inspired by those in the world golf circuits.
These tributes include iconic settings from Pebble Beach, Royal Melbourne, Pine Valley, and those of the British Links circuit.
You’ll definitely feel shivers, when you look upon the Mandarina Club’s 9th hole, as they have honored tribute to the famous “Golden Bell” of the Augusta’s 12th, complete with stone bridge, and the shallow green, guarded by sand.
Following that is their island hole – The Kraken! A 170-ish yd, par 3 challenge, that every visitor will want bragging rights, by landing on that green. This is the +1, making this a 10 hole course, and a temptation you and your company will not want to pass up before heading to the clubhouse to replay the next nine
As a reminder, Mandarina is not a mild mannered executive course squeezed in by the hotel of your fair metropolis. This par three respects the holes they honor, as was intended by Greg Norman himself.
Pot-hole bunkers, terraced wall sides, hemmed-in greens, with traversing elevations, and sloping challenges.
It will take all your skill to score scratch, no matter your handicap, so draw deep from your golf bag of wits! – and you and your friends will be rewarded for your efforts.
I had read from some recent reviews that the greens are fast, but we found that for us, it was actually that the greens are very evenly rolled, and well manicured, giving the impression of a ‘fast’ green. Thankfully there is the practice green outside the Clubhouse before heading out to hole 1, which includes bunkers and fairway grass, that helped us gain the feel for friendly, competitive, play.
Hospitality is nearby at the One and Only Resort – only a buggy ride away – and can be seen cresting the ridge from the course and Polo fields below.
The One and Only is a world class resort, boasting a high quality, all inclusive, living environment, with many creative activities that we hope to visit on another stay.
You’re on the coast here at the Mandarina Golf Club and Polo Fields, located in Mexico’s state of Nayarit. So make sure to bring your pool and beach party attire along with your summer golf wear!
Many visitors take advantage of exploring the coastal surfing, and oceanfront activities which include horse riding. snorkeling, and shopping.
The vibrant markets and art scene at Sayulita, San Pancho, and Playa de los Muertos are certainly worth your visit. These feature the Huichol Art of the native peoples, which has been making a strong revival with each vacationing season.
These are easily recognizable by their beadwork and yarn paintings, which are of generational tradition, and exclusive to the peoples of the Sierra Madre region. This art is recognizably displayed during the “Dia de los Muertos” festivals in Northern Mexico, and other local festivals, making them a worldwide trademark of Mexico’s proud culture.
And though the Golf Club is nearest Sayulita, it is easily accessible from Puerto Vallarta Resorts by a 50 minute ride through these coastal communities of the scenic Banderas Bay, or by the toll road, which gently glides through the tropical highland. Transportation is readily available.
Green fees include golf cart with GPS, and USB charger and waters, or a Tempo Walk V3, autonomous caddie if you prefer to walk!
There are air-conditioned, hospitality stops along the way, filled with cool drinks and assorted munchies, and clean personal services to refresh.
The staff here is very accommodating, featuring clubs for your size and style, and a complete clubhouse, including bar, lounge, and merchandise, and of course, Shark logo apparel.
We missed the opportunity to play the nearby Vidanta Vallarta GC, another Greg Norman Golf Course Design effort, home of the 2026 PGA Mexico Open, which was closed due to the greenskeeper’s course preparation for the open. But the course is available to the public after the event this season. PGA Mexico Open is between October 29th – November 1st.
Although our visit was during the monsoon season between August and October which brings the occasional Pacific squall between sunny days, the driest time to go is between December and April, with whale migration starting around June and up to October, and surfing year round.
Please book soon to take advantage of your special time of the year, for a Mexican Riviera holiday to horseback on a secluded beach, and Golf in the off-season on a luxury course setting in shorts and skirt.
Visit Mandarina Golf Club website at Mandarina Golf Club to book your next golf stay; truly an unforgettable experience.