Golf has not always been a top concern in Latin America, but that is changing. As new resorts crop up all across the region, as do new courses designed by some of the best in the business. Places that never heard of golf a decade a go like Chile and Costa Rica, are now home to some of the world’s best courses. There are a few old clubs too, maintained by the wealthy and elite in several metropolises, but they are quickly being overshadowed by new ones.
- Cabo del Sol, Mexico The Jack Nicklaus designed 36 hole course is considered the Pebble Beach of Baja. Giant cacti, thundering surf, and the craggy desert hills make this one not to miss.
- The Links at Las Palomas, Mexico The Links, a Forrest Richardson designed 18-hole course, sit in Puerto Peñasco, just a few hours south of Phoenix on the Sea or Cortez.
- Four Seasons Carmelo Golf Club, Uruguay This wetland course created by Randy Thompson and Kelly Moran of the American Golf Course Design Group is loaded with water hazards, thick trees, and bunkers.
- Llao Llao Golf Club, Argentina When ski season is over, the Llao Llao in Bariloche becomes a golfing resort. Set between the snow capped peaks of the Andes, Cypress forests, and pristine mountain lakes.
- Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic Considered designer Pete Dye’s best course and perhaps the best in all the Caribbean. Don’t miss Casa de Campo’s 5th hole where you must hit directly over the thundering Caribbean surf.
- Mar del Plata Golf Club, Argentina The seaside course, built in 1900, has severely inclined fairways and a bastard rough. Host of several major Argentine championships.
- Lima Golf Club, Peru The oldest golf course in Latin America and one of the most prestigious. Set right in the middle of this vibrant metropolis, with skyscrapers completely surrounding the course.
- Ushuaia Golf Club, Argentina Considered the southernmost golf course on earth and just the hit of a pitching wedge away from Tierra del Fuego National Park.
- Parque Valle del Sol, Costa Rica Just west of the capital of San Jose, this new course is considered the best in Costa Rica. Quite a few posh resorts as well as coffee plantations sit nearby.
- Hacienda Pinilla, Costa Rica The Mike Young designed course only recently opened and is drawing loads of accolades. The 7,500 yard, Par 72 course is not far from the beaches of Tamarindo and the rest of Guanacaste.
Click here for Top 10 Golfing Vacations in Africa and the Middle East