Palmilla’s with its outstanding views of the Sea of Cortèz, takes its golfers through centuries old cardon cacti and rugged desert mountain terrain, making each hole an unforgettable experience. The course is divided into the 3,337-yard Arroyo Nine, the 3,602-yard Mountain Nine and the 3,548-yard Ocean Nine. The Arroyo Nine, the back Mountain Nine, and the new Ocean Nine are of traditional Mexican design. Of the new Ocean course, Nicklaus said it was like “designing mountains by the sea.” Nearly every hole has its own view of the shimmering, electric blue Sea of Cortez in the distance. Gentle slopes, wide fairways, and large but challenging greens greet players on the back tees. There’s a wonderful range of holes, led by the fifth. Diverse in length and enhanced by several water and sand hazards, the mountain holes are as beautiful as they are challenging.