Quivira: Golf at LAND’S END

Sitting on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean is a course that Jack Nicklaus calls one of his favorite designs. Quivira Golf Club offers players not only an excellent test of golf, but also an experience unmatched by other golf course.

Opened only five years ago, Quivira has established itself and been voted by Golf Digest as one of the top 100 courses in the world. In that short time, the facility - designed as an amenity for Quivira Los Cabos homeowners and Pueblo Bonito Resort guests - has undergone a series of improvements designed to improve playability.

After playing four holes through the canyon leading away from the clubhouse, golfers meander up a hill to a comfort station providing a view of the surrounding area. Bolstered by a brief snack and drink, they face two of the most daunting holes ever designed.

The left side of the par 4 fifth hole drops away to the shore and the fairway takes a hard left turn to a green that sits well below the newly expanded landing area. Renovations removed a bunker and gave players more options off the tee.

“From the first time I saw this extraordinary site, I knew this would be an amazing location for a short par 4,” said Jack Nicklaus. “The restoration maintains the character of the hole as one of most visually stunning par 4’s in the world.”

Following the dramatic par-three sixth hole, Quivira rolls up and down the end of the Baja Peninsula, providing players with uphill and downhill shots, a few blind shots, and more rocky cliffs. Finally, the 18th welcomes golfers back to the beach to finish their round with the sun sliding slowly to the Pacific. A drink on the clubhouse patio in the light afternoon breeze puts a bow on the perfect day of golf.

The first time at Quivira can be unexpected. It’s not a typical four-hour round of golf, in part because of four stops for food and beverage (included with greens fees), and in part because the course can be difficult. With that in mind, it’s best to plan a full day during your vacation for your outing to Quivira.

If you’re looking for a way to play more than once, the on-property Pueblo Bonito Pacifica (adults-only) or Sunset Beach Resorts offer great lodging, including suites, as well as nearby villas and homes. Seasonal golf packages allow you to tackle this gem a second or third time.

Quivira isn’t just about what happens on the golf course. Before you tee off, a great breakfast station waits for you next to the practice facility. With a double, ocean front driving range consisting of two simulated fairways and target greens, players can warm up before a round or work on their game following one.

In addition to the short game practice area, Quivira has an 18-hole putting course designed to mimic the speed of the greens on the course. There’s no part of their game that a golfer can’t improve at Quivira.

Finally, the clubhouse and dining options have been expanded. Players can find anything they need in the club’s pro shop that features TaylorMade products, as well as the rest of the game’s top brands.

The Quivira Steakhouse and 19th Hole Bar has become a destination all its own. Sure, golfers can enjoy fantastic meals there after a round or get a cocktail to settle their bets, but the steakhouse is a place guests can go even when they’re not playing golf that day.