El Tamarindo Beach & Golf Resort

El Tamarindo occupies a distinctive stretch of Pacific coastline in Jalisco, roughly midway between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo. Dave Fleming routed the course across varied terrain that includes beachfront holes, elevated jungle ridges, and natural arroyos. The property's topography creates significant elevation changes throughout the round, with several holes playing from clifftop tees down toward the ocean or transitioning between dense tropical vegetation and open coastal views. The routing takes advantage of the dramatic setting, with multiple holes running along or near the beach. The layout moves through different landscape zones—players encounter holes framed by palms and native vegetation, then shift to more exposed seaside terrain where wind becomes a factor. The natural contours and tropical environment give the course a rugged, less manicured character compared to many resort designs. Fleming's design incorporates the site's natural features rather than extensive earthmoving, resulting in fairways that follow the land's existing movement. Approach shots often play to greens set against ocean backdrops or elevated positions that require accurate distance control. The course serves as the centerpiece of a resort community that remains relatively low-key compared to larger Mexican golf destinations. El Tamarindo's remote location on Jalisco's Costalegre keeps it off the main tourist circuit. The combination of Fleming's routing and the property's natural drama creates a round that emphasizes the coastal Mexican landscape, though the course's conditioning and maintenance can vary with seasonal conditions and the challenges of managing turf in a tropical beachfront environment.