Sun, Sand & Greens Four Seasons Punta Mita, Mexico

I recently had the pleasure of spending a weekend at Four Seasons Punta Mita, a 1,500- acre private peninsula resort situated in the Riviera Nayarit, just north of Puerto Vallarta. I was invited to experience my first Golf Kitchen event which brings together some of the top chefs from golf clubs across the Americas, invites them play a little golf, and then asks them to create incredible dishes using fresh ingredients found in this region. Chefs hailed from as far away as New Jersey and Uruguay. Over the 3-day Golf Kitchen event, we were treated to some of the most enjoyable dishes I’ve tasted - especially on a golf course! Breakfast, lunch and dinner - each meal was a feast for all the senses.

My host for this visit was famed golf instructor Tom F. Stickney II. Tom is the Director of Instruction and Business Development at Punta Mita. He is also a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, and has been honored as a Golf Digest Best Teacher and a Golf Tips Top25 Instructor.

“I’m proud to call Punta Mita my home.” – Tom F. Stickney II.

Shortly after my arrival, Tom and I met up in the stunning open-air lobby of the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. We jumped in a golf cart (as everyone seems to do here) and headed off for a quick tour of the golf facilities. Punta Mita features two immaculately kept Jack Nicklaus Signature 18- hole courses, Bahia & Pacifico. The Pacifico championship course is a favorite for residents and guests alike and home to the famed “Tail of the Whale” – the world’s only natural island green.

This mostly level course offers views across the Sierra Madre Mountains, Bahía de Banderas and the Pacific Ocean. The Bahia course, in stark contrast to Pacifico, presents more undulating fairways and greens, making putting technique an important part of the playing experience. Bring your “A” game to Bahia and if you happen to have a local in your group, heed their advice on the greens. It just might save you from a 4 or 5 putt.

In addition to the beautiful courses is the Punta Mita Golf Academy. This state-of-the-art teaching facility is serious learning center with all best instructional technologies. Programs are available for players of any level or age. Swing analysis, on course lesson, short game school and testing with Trackman, the cutting edge golf club and golf ball tracking system that gives you instant feedback on your golf shot.

The work that Tom and the Punta Mita team have put into developing this facility has caught the eye of legendary short game teachers Dave Pelz, who is bringing his Dave Pelz 3-day Short Game School to Punta Mita. These 3-day schools are the best way to sharpen your short game skills - definitely worth a trip for the golf enthusiast. Three sets of dates are available starting in November with the last school in January 2020. Check the Punta Mita Facebook page for event details.

Punta Mita - a private gated community with 9.5 miles of Pacific Coast with Two Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses, Tennis Center, Four Residents’ Beach Clubs, Home of the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita and St. Regis Punta Mita Resort. On the same latitude as the Hawaiian Islands, Punta Mita offers a near-perfect climate – boasting more than 340 days of sunshine per year.

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita - Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita is located in a picturesque fishing village nestled on the southwest point of the Riviera Nayarit region. The beachfront property is set on 400 acres and boasts incredible surf, lush jungles and endless adventure. In addition, 177 spacious, casita-style guest rooms, 31 suites and 32 residences and villas, three alfresco Richard Sandoval restaurants with ocean views, a serene spa, and world-class golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus offer guests an unrivaled Four Seasons luxury experience infused with an authentic taste of rural Mexico.

The Riviera Nayarit - Located just minutes north of Puerto Vallarta’s International Airport, Riviera Nayarit is Mexico’s newest beach destination with 200 miles of pristine pacific coastline dotted with dozens of seaside coastal towns and pueblos boasting lush rugged mountain peaks, nature sanctuaries, golden sand, palm-fringed beaches, and luxurious resorts.

Save the date GOLF KITCHEN Punta Mita 2020 Apr 30th – May 3rd

Punta Mita is set to host the third edition of Golf Kitchen Punta Mita event April 30 to May 3, 2020. Golf Kitchen Magazine and Punta Mita developer DINE co-host this special four-day, three-night event that blends the best of the region’s destination golf and gastronomic experiences with the help of a crew of visiting chefs from esteemed golf clubs in the US and Latin America.

“The second edition was a hit from start to finish with a great crowd of locals and visitors creating many memorable moments and flavors on the golf courses and off” said Carl Emberson, Director of Marketing and Operations at Punta Mita.