As my portfolio of golf destinations in America grows, the options for new domestic golf adventures shrinks. Fortunately, there is a lot of good golf outside of the Untied States. One of the most convenient international destinations for the American golfer is Mexico. The coastline in Cabo San Lucas is littered with green fairways and the sand dunes are big and beautiful. With approximately 18 golf courses up and down the shoreline of Los Cabos, the options for golf are robust. Today we will be focusing on two of the area’s finest locations, Nicklaus’ Quivira Golf Club and Norman’s Rancho San Lucas.
Instead of just going on and on about how great these golf courses are, I have decided to find my favorite golf hole between these two golf courses via an ELITE 8 showdown. Below you will find the seedings for tournament play. It’s Nicklaus vs Norman in the Cabo Showdown.
#13 Quivira
#14 Rancho San Lucas
#5 Quivira
#3 Rancho San Lucas
#12 Quivira
#16 Rancho San Lucas
#9 Quivira
#5 Rancho San Lucas
Match 1: #13 Quivira vs #5 Rancho San Lucas
Quivira boasts some of the most stunning golf holes that I have encountered in my travels and the 13th is perhaps the most stunning location that I have seen for a golf hole. The 251 yard 5th hole at Rancho San Lucas is nestled next to a massive sand dune and is equal parts beautiful and challenging. The 13th at Quivira simply provides too much excitement for the 5th hole to pull off the upset. Winner: The 13th at Quivira.
The 13th hole at Quivira comes in at the #1 seed and looks to be an early favorite.
The sandy 5th at Rancho San Lucas suffers a tough first round exit.
Match 2: #9 at Quivira vs #14 at Rancho San Lucas
Rancho San Lucas has some amazing golf holes that wind through the sand dunes and the 14th might be the strongest of them all. It’s opponent is the 9th hole at Quivira and it’s a real beast of a par 3. Try as it might, the 222 yard 9th hole lacks the firepower to overcome the 14th. Winner: The 14th at Rancho San Lucas.
The 14th hole moves on to the next round.
The long par 3 9th hole at Quivira exits the showdown early
Match 3: #16 at Rancho San Lucas vs #5 at Quivira
A TRULY EPIC BATTLE between two of Mexico’s greatest short par 4’s. On the 5th you have cliff side drama with imminent peril looming. With the 16th hole, you have the same thrill of driving the green but with a much more reliable and predictable result. The beauty of the 5th makes it a shiny competitor but I prefer the traditional and sandy contours of the 16th. Winner: The 16th at Rancho San Lucas.
From behind the green on Rancho San Lucas’ 16th
The view from above the 5th hole at Quivira.
Match 4: #12 at Quivira vs #3 at Rancho San Lucas
The boldly contoured green of the oceanside 3rd hole at Rancho San Lucas looks to pull the upset over the par 5 12th at Quivira. With a large strategic advantage over the 3rd hole at Rancho, the 12th at Quivira hole makes quick work of the 3rd hole in round one. Winner: 12th hole at Quivira.
The 12th hole at Quivira is looking to make a run deep into the showdown.
The 3rd hole at Rancho San Lucas never stood a chance.
Final Four Match #1: 13th hole at Quivira vs 14th hole at Rancho San Lucas
When it comes to the Cabo Showdown Final Four, you know it’s going to be high level competition from both sides. In our first match we have the thrill of the short 13th vs the sandy beauty of the 14th. Honestly, both of these golf holes belong on magazine covers. The 14th hole does have a slight edge simply by being a par 4. Like any world class competitor, the 14th uses this edge to it’s advantage. By requiring the golfer to hit two good golf shots the 14th delivers a clutch victory in the final four. Winner: The 14th at Rancho San Lucas.
Channing Benjamin captures the magic of the 14th
From behind the green on thirteen.
Final Four Match #2: 12th hole at Quivira vs 16th hole at Rancho San Lucas
When it was announced that these two golf holes would be locking horns in the final four, the media went mad and prices to attend the duel shot through the roof. While the 16th delivers outstanding thrills with the potential to drive the green, he 12th hole presents the option for a well struck drive to reach the green in 2. Both golf holes receive high marks for how different pin positions can drastically alter the hole strategy. In the end, I gave the edge to the 12th hole with it’s ability to transform into a real a serious challenge instead of a consistent birdie opportunity. It was basically a last second three pointer for the victory. Winner: 12th hole at Quivira.
The view from atop the dune on the 16th hole at Rancho San Lucas
Sun sets over the 12th hole at Quivira.
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: 12th hole at Quivira vs 14th hole at Rancho San Lucas
I had to think about this one long and hard. In the first quarter, the edge went to the 14th at Rancho in terms of general aesthetics and beauty. Both of the tee shots are fun to play and require a decent amount of precision. Both green sites are excellent with some cool run off areas that allow for a number of different shots to be played. The match was extremely tight heading down the stretch. Options for recovery exists on both of these golf holes as well, make them fun to play and not penal. However, the risk reward options and the angles on the 12th hole at Quivira give it the edge. Most importantly, it also is one of the country’s finest spots for watermelon bowling.
CHAMPION: The 12th hole at Quivira.
The 14th hole at Ranch San Lucas shines in the championship match.
Even though we have narrowed it down to just one golf hole between Quivira and Rancho San Lucas, I would highly recommend that everyone plays all 36 holes. With the sandy expanses and coastline goodness, the golf in Cabo is seriously next level status. Adding to the excellence of Cabo as a top tier golf destination are the first class accommodations.
The Pueblo Bonito is the spot for any respectable Quivira golfer.
The Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas is highly luxurious.
As it turns out, there is more to Cabo San Lucas than just golf and I managed to sneak in a couple of extracurricular activities. We went sailing around the Arch of Cabo San Lucas and I hit up the water slides at The Grand Solmar. You can catch the full recap on my “Cabo” Instagram highlight reel.
I definitely most likely set a high speed record at the Grand Solmar waterslides.
The view from my balcony at Pueblo Bonito.
The Arch
The Arrow Loop
The 12th hole at Quivira and Grand Champion of the Cabo Showdown signs off on this blog post.