Diamante’s Dunes Course: Davis’ Love

In Caribbean, Golf Courses by Matt Ozanne

Designed by Davis Love III and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, we were greeted by the Dunes Course with wind whipping through our hair, and a golf course that feels like it was plucked straight from a dream. Welcome to the Dunes Course at Diamante in Cabo San Lucas, where design genius meets five-star luxury—and a little bit of wild coastal magic.

The Driving Range: Where Luxury Meets Practice

Before you even tee off, the driving range sets the vibe. Ocean breeze in your face, plush padded chairs to slip on your shoes (no awkward balancing acts here), and caddies ready to clean your clubs after every swing like you’re royalty. It’s not just warming up—it’s getting pampered.

The Wind: Your Unpredictable New Best Frenemy

Mother Nature likes to keep things interesting here. The wind doesn’t just whisper; it howls, gusting over 40 mph and turning every shot into a puzzle worthy of a detective. Our caddie Raul helped us immensely with our club selection, which I will touch on a little more later in the article.

But here’s the thing—these courses are built for this wild wind dance. It challenges you, teases you, and rewards your creativity. Playing in those gusts? It’s like adding a spicy twist to your favorite dish—unexpected, thrilling, and totally memorable. It will make every round of golf I will play in the future seem that much easier.

The Course

From the very first tee shot to that final, nerve-wracking putt, the Dunes Course plays like a dream wrapped in a challenge. The fairways are lush, tight, and inviting—like a perfectly manicured green carpet just daring you to take your best swing, even with the whipping wind. But don’t be fooled by their beauty; the layout is cleverly designed to keep you on your toes.

Rolling dunes, strategically placed bunkers, and natural desert vegetation create a playground that’s as fun as it is demanding. Every hole offers multiple routes, tempting you to take risks or play it safe. It’s a course that rewards creativity and punishes complacency, striking the perfect balance between excitement and challenge. Layer in howling wind, and you are in for an absolute circus.

The bunkers here are deep and demanding, but always fair—like that tough but encouraging coach who pushes you to improve. They’re strategically placed to test your accuracy without feeling like traps set to ruin your day. The sand is also extremely fine and dense, so make sure you are maintaining speed through your swing, or you will be hitting the same sand shot again.

The greens here are the real stars of the show. Quick, true, and incredibly consistent, these greens are ready to test your putting mojo at every turn. One thing we really had to get used to was wind affecting our putts. Putting is already hard enough and throwing wind into the mix was no easy task!

Comfort Stations That Are More Like Party Pit Stops

Forget boring snack shacks. Every three holes, the Dunes Course throws you a mini fiesta with comfort stations that serve up chef-crafted goodies and drinks that hit the spot. Need a chilled tequila cocktail to toast your last shot? Done. How about a local beer or a fresh-pressed juice? You got it.

And the tamales? Oh, the tamales! Soft, savory, and wrapped in corn husks like little bundles of happiness—pork, chicken, or veggie options that make you want to slow down and savor every bite. Toss in sliders, ceviche, tortilla soup, and fresh fruit, and suddenly your golf round feels like a gourmet food tour with a side of birdies (or not).

Raul: The Caddie MVP Who’s Basically a Golf Wizard

Enter Raul, the caddie who’s less “club carrier” and more “golf guru.” He’s got the green-reading skills of a psychic and the calm of a Zen master. When the wind’s swirling and the right shot isn’t obvious, Raul’s the guy pointing you to the perfect landing zone like he’s got a secret map. With the wind, 9 irons became 5 irons, and Raul had our backs through it all! Thanks to him, what could’ve been a chaotic scramble turned into a smart, strategic round. Every tip felt like a magic trick shaving strokes off the scorecard, and he definitely saved me at least 5-6 shots. Raul was not just helpful—he was essential, and extremely appreciated.

The Market: Your 24/7 Golfing Lifesaver

Need a smoothie? Coffee? Sunscreen? Protein bar? The Market inside the Dunes clubhouse has your back 24/7. It’s cozy, upscale, and lightning fast—perfect for grabbing last-minute essentials or fueling up before your round without missing a beat. Our group grabbed a few beverages here along with sunscreen, chapstick and other essentials to keep us comfortable in the tornado of wind.

Final Thoughts: Golf Meets Glam on the Coast

The Dunes Course at Diamante is what happens when you mix jaw-dropping scenery, top-notch design, and five-star hospitality into one unforgettable cocktail. Wind-whipped fairways, gourmet pit stops, flawless course conditions, and caddies like Raul make every round feel like a grand adventure.

It’s rare to find a course that challenges your game while spoiling you silly—and that’s the magic of Diamante. Whether you’re a golf pro chasing a new challenge or a resort player ticking off a bucket-list round, this place delivers on every level—with a wink and a smile, and maybe a little tequila.