Vidanta Golf Nayar Course Review
Golf - Resort Public Course · 18 Holes · Par 70
Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico
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Vidanta Golf Nayar Course Review
Vidanta Golf Nayar Course Review & Rating Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico
The Vidanta Golf Nayar Course is one of the amenities of the huge Vidanta Resort and it was originally designed by Jim Lipe in 2001 and remodeled by Jack Nicklaus in 2011. Nayar is a fun, par 70, 6542 yard, 18 hole course that is surrounded by jungle flora and framed by the majestic Sierra Madre mountains and home to a refreshing breeze (at times they are strong crosswinds) from the Pacific Ocean, seven lakes, 49 bunkers, beautiful landscaping, a few crocodiles, lots of birds, and plenty of huge iguanas. The course is well maintained and beautifully landscaped.
Nayar is also home to some fun and challenging holes, for example:
- #10 is a 381 yard par 4 with a good risk-reward shot to carry more of the lake and shorten the hole plus it's has a big bunker in the middle of the fairway and 5 multi-fingered bunkers, a pot bunker, and a big tree to avoid on the way to the back to front sloping green
- #12 is a beautiful and fun 478-yard par 4 with an elevated tee box and a carry over a lake followed by a slight dog right leading to a small green with 2 big back bunkers
- #13 is a great 528 par 5 with a huge multi-fingered bunker on the right side of your landing zone, then a slight left and back right past a string of 5 bunkers leading to a green with a pond on the right
When we played Nayar the fairways were in near perfect condition. They had minor contour and were very firm which resulted in lots of extra roll, if you could keep the ball in the fairway. Miss the fairway and we found the rough to be very playable and you really need to spray the ball to lose it - unless you hit the water.
The greens at Nayar were also in excellent condition, ran at a good speed of nine or so, and ranged in size and shape from relatively small to some huge putting surfaces. All of the greens have some combination of slope, contour, tiers, and ridges. Some are raised but most are perfect for a bump and run. All are well guarded putting a premium on the approach shots.
The Nayar bunkers, called La Playa by our forecaddie, range from small pot bunkers to huge multi-fingered monsters - and they seemed fairly easy to find. The faces range from shallow to steep but you're unlikely to hit in and roll out. The sand is heavy and gritty and shallow.
Forecaddies are required at Nayar and you quickly appreciate that they are there. Their first goal is to direct you on the long drive to the first hole which I know I would never be able to find on my own - it twists and turns through dense jungle and across a long one way suspension bridge over the river. Our caddie was excellent at reading the greens and telling us where to aim, offered great advice on where to place the ball off the tee box, and gave us a few swing and putting tips. Plus he was friendly, outgoing, and funny.
Nayar is also home to the Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf. with the latest training technologies and state-of-the-art facilities and expert instructors.
The Lakes 10 hole par 3 and the Greg Norman course share a common proshop and great restaurant with the Nayar Course. Read our review of the Vidanta Golf Greg Norman Course.
Course Slope & Ratings
| Tee Box | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 6,153 | 69.8 | 126 |
| White | 5,681 | 68.1 | 120 |
| Gold | 6,542 | 71.7 | 133 |
| Red | 4,715 | 69.3 | 119 |
Course Information
- Course Architect:
- Jack Nicklaus redesign
- Greens Type:
- Champion Bermuda
- Greens Condition
- 9.5
- Greens Difficulty
- 9.0
- Fairway Condition
- 9.5
- Bunker Condition
- 8.5
- GPS:
- No
- Walkable:
- No
- Scorecard
- Beware of water on 14 holes and the 49 sand traps.
Texas Outside Rating
- Overall Rating:
- 9.0 out of 10
- Beauty:
- 9.0
- Difficulty:
- 8.7
- Variety:
- 8.5
- Fun to Play:
- 10.0
- Value:
- 8.5
- Condition:
- 9.5
- Front Nine Rating:
- 8.5
- Back Nine Rating:
- 9.5
FEES & AMENITIES
Approximate Weekend
Rates: $125.00 to $195.00
Service is very good and the staff is friendly and helpful. The pro shop is well stocked. The restaurant is excellent. The practice facilities are adequate.
Here's How Texas Outside Determines the Scorecard RatingThe Texas Outside rating scale ranges from 1 to 10 – a perfect 10 course would be something like this: links along a cliff overlooking the Pacific ocean and bordered by tall trees; lush fairways on rolling hills with lots of natural hazards; water (which is crystal clear) on most of the holes; immaculate greens (but they are undulating and tough); lots of variety and character (each hole is completely different and includes blind shots, elevation changes, doglegs, and significant challenges); perfectly manicured traps with the whitest and prettiest sand you’ve ever seen; a nice club house with great food and a 19th hole; a GPS; plenty of beverage carts or your own cooler and ice; and it only costs $40 bucks! What this means is that you probably won’t find any 10s in Texas – try Cabo San Lucas, Pebble Beach, or some of the Hawaii courses!
All of the above determines the overall score for the golf course. In other words, we like courses that are pretty, fun, very challenging with a lot of variety, and fairways and greens in excellent condition – all for $40. We also tend to play the courses that are affordable for the masses, which means in the $30 to $80 range. We rate hard and we haven’t found a 10 in Texas yet – don’t worry we haven’t given up and we’re still looking.
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