Vidanta Golf Nayar Course

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.