Los Cabos, at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, is known today as one of the most celebrated golf destinations in the world. Its rugged desert landscapes, dramatic mountains, and sparkling ocean views make it a natural canvas for championship courses. But the story of how this region grew into the “Golf Capital of Latin America” is just as fascinating as the experience of playing here.
Long before Los Cabos became synonymous with luxury resorts, PGA tournaments, and courses designed by legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, it was a quiet region with untapped potential. The transformation of this once-hidden gem into a global golf powerhouse is the result of vision, determination, and a love for the game.
Let’s take a deep dive into the history of golf in Los Cabos—from its humble beginnings to becoming a paradise for players from around the globe.
The Visionary Spark: Don Koll’s Dream
The history of golf in Cabo traces back to the mid-1980s. At the time, Los Cabos was known for its natural beauty, fishing villages, and stunning beaches, but it lacked the infrastructure to attract luxury tourism on a large scale.
Enter Don Koll, a Southern California real estate developer with a keen eye for opportunity. Koll fell in love with the dramatic landscapes of Cabo—where desert meets sea—and saw potential that few others recognized. Along with his partner, Robert Day, he purchased land for what would later become the Cabo del Sol development in 1985. A year later, they also acquired the historic Hotel Palmilla, which was already popular among Hollywood stars.
But it wasn’t just luxury resorts that Koll envisioned. He believed golf could put Los Cabos on the international map. To make that dream a reality, he reached out to none other than Jack Nicklaus, one of the greatest golfers in history. Koll’s bold idea was to commission Nicklaus to design courses that would be unlike anything the world had seen before.
Jack Nicklaus: Bringing Cabo into the Global Spotlight
Nicklaus had long admired Cabo, often vacationing in the region. The diverse terrain—sandy dunes, rocky cliffs, and sweeping oceanfront views—was unlike any other golfing destination. He agreed to take on Koll’s project, and with that, golf in Los Cabos entered a new era.
The Palmilla Golf Club opened in 1993 as Nicklaus’ first signature course in Latin America. It quickly gained fame for its breathtaking views and strategic design that challenged players while highlighting the natural beauty of Baja. A year later, in 1994, Nicklaus unveiled his masterpiece: the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol.
Golf Digest hailed the Ocean Course as one of the best in the world, cementing Cabo’s status as a top-tier golf destination. Players were mesmerized by holes set against crashing waves, desert cacti, and panoramic sunsets. These two courses became the cornerstone of Cabo’s golfing identity and inspired other developers to follow suit.
Building Momentum: More Designers Join the Legacy
Once Nicklaus showcased Cabo’s potential, other renowned architects followed. Names like Robert Trent Jones Jr., Greg Norman, and Tom Weiskopf began leaving their mark on the region.
In 1993, Cabo Real Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., opened and soon hosted two Senior Slam tournaments in the 1990s. Television coverage of these events introduced Cabo’s beauty to millions worldwide—especially iconic moments like golfers playing against a backdrop of breaching whales in the Sea of Cortés.
By the late 1990s, the golfing landscape in Cabo expanded rapidly. Exclusive private clubs such as El Dorado Golf & Beach Club (1999) and Querencia Golf Club (2000) attracted golf enthusiasts seeking both luxury and challenge. Querencia later earned recognition in Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest Courses list in 2016, solidifying Cabo’s reputation as more than just a tourist stop—it was a global golfing hub.
The 2000s: A Golden Era of Expansion
The new millennium ushered in a golden era for golf in Los Cabos. Developers brought in fresh ideas, ambitious projects, and even more legendary names.
One of the most celebrated was Davis Love III’s Dunes Course at Diamante, which opened in 2009. Built along sweeping sand dunes and oceanfront terrain, it was ranked as one of the top new courses in the world.
But perhaps the biggest milestone of this era was the entry of Tiger Woods into course design. His first-ever course, El Cardonal at Diamante, opened in 2014. Unlike Nicklaus’ focus on challenging professional-level play, Woods designed El Cardonal with accessibility in mind, creating a course that welcomed golfers of varying skill levels. His success led to the creation of the Oasis Short Course in 2017, offering a fun, casual playing experience.
By hosting the World Wide Technology Championship, Diamante further elevated Cabo’s reputation, bringing PGA pros and international attention directly to the region.
The Next Frontier: Golf Expands to the East Cape
As Los Cabos’ main tourist corridor filled with world-class golf experiences, attention shifted eastward. The East Cape became the new frontier for developers eager to expand Cabo’s offerings.
In 2020, Robert Trent Jones Jr. returned to the region with a stunning design at Costa Palmas, located on the East Cape. Soon after, projects like the Baja Bay Club began development, signaling a new chapter for golf in the area.
Other iconic architects such as Fred Couples and Tom Fazio have also contributed to this expansion, ensuring that the East Cape offers diversity and variety for golfers. This steady growth means Cabo isn’t just maintaining its reputation—it’s actively building on it for future generations of players.
A Global Golf Capital
Fast forward to today, and Los Cabos proudly boasts 18 world-class golf courses, with more in development. Many of these courses are tied to luxury resorts and residential communities, making the region equally attractive for tourists and investors.
Beyond the courses themselves, Cabo’s appeal lies in the complete experience—perfect weather, breathtaking scenery, luxury accommodations, and a vibrant lifestyle. It’s no wonder the region continues to host PGA tournaments, drawing both professional players and passionate amateurs year after year.
Why Golfers Choose Los Cabos
What makes Los Cabos truly special isn’t just the quality of its courses but the unique atmosphere it offers. Here, golf isn’t merely a sport—it’s an immersion in nature and luxury. You could be teeing off with desert mountains behind you, waves crashing beside you, and whales breaching offshore, all in the same round.
From historic courses like Palmilla and Cabo del Sol to modern icons like Diamante’s Dunes and El Cardonal, every round is a chance to experience something unforgettable.
And if you’d like to dive deeper into the origins of this journey, don’t miss our full feature:
👉 A Brief History of Golf in Los Cabos: The Making of a Golfer’s Paradise.
Final Thoughts
The rise of golf in Los Cabos is more than just a story of beautiful courses—it’s a story of vision, passion, and transformation. What began with Don Koll’s foresight and Jack Nicklaus’ legendary designs has blossomed into a destination that attracts golfers from every corner of the globe.
With its balance of luxury, nature, and world-class play, Los Cabos continues to grow as both a vacation hotspot and a golfer’s dream. And whether you’re planning a short visit or considering investing in property here, one thing is certain: Cabo’s golfing legacy is only getting stronger.
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