Par
71

Men's yardage/rating/slope
5,712 / 67.2 / 118

Women's yardage/rating/slope
4,696 / 66.6 / 113

Course description
The 18 original holes at Bajamar, now Percy Clifford designed the Lagos and Vista nines, in 1976. In the early 1990s the course underwent a redesign, mostly to the tees and greens, and a new irrigation system was installed. The Oceano nine, designed by Robert Von Hagge, opened in June 1996.

Lagos nine: This is the lone par-35 layout, with three par-3 holes, two of them to greens guarded by water. Unless you're a long hitter, don't try the back gold tees; they add nearly 400 yards compared with the blues and result in a pair of par-4s that stretch 468 and 455 yards. There's no ocean to worry about here, but fairway-landing areas are well protected by bunkers, as are most of the greens.

Vista nine: A traditional par-36 configuration, these nine holes, with fairways set in the middle of scrub, give a British Isles flavor to Bajamar. Water is a concern only on the approach to the par-5 second hole. The barranca areas off the regularly clipped part of the course are considered lateral hazards, and you may play the ball as it lies as long as you don't ground your club.

Oceano nine: This nine provides the feel of surfside golf in Hawaii, with the Pacific there to catch any slices on the fifth through eighth holes. The fun really starts at the fourth, where the approach on a relatively short par-4 is over a chasm to a wide but shallow green. The fifth is the lone par-3 on the side, with a tee shot over a cove from 169 (blue tees) or 183 (gold) yards out. The eighth, this nine's only par-5 has its tees set directly above the ocean with a fairway that bends to the right. Big hitters can gamble by taking the direct route over as much water as they feel they can bite off. The green here is practically encircled by sand.

Signature hole
Although each of the four seaside holes on the Oceano nine leaves its own distinct signature, the par-4 seventh, at 405 yards from the blue tees and 438 from the golds, may be the most challenging. A small cove cuts in front of the tee areas just before the fairway begins. Grassy mounds define the edges of the fairways, with bunkers to each side in the narrow landing area. Drive your ball outside the trap on the right and you're in the ocean. The approach is to a deep but narrow green guarded all along the left side by a large bunker. The only sand on the right is on the rocky bank leading down to the pounding surf.

The 19th Hole
The golf practice facilities at Bajamar include a putting green, chipping area and stadium-style driving range. There is an 81-room hotel on site with swimming pool, spa, tennis courts, walking and bike trails, plus a restaurant and several lounges.

Getting there
From the San Ysidro border crossing, follow the signs indicating "Rosarito Beach, Ensenada Scenic Route." The route parallels the U.S.-Mexican border heading west, then turns south. As you head down the hill just south of Tijuana, take the first off ramp on the right, again following signs for the Rosarito/Ensenada scenic route. This is the Tijuana-Ensenada Toll Road. The resort is at kilometer signpost "Km 77" (49 miles south of the border), the Bajamar off ramp.

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Par
72

Men's yardage/rating/slope
5,949 / 67.8 / 122

Women's yardage/rating/slope
5,534 / 70.5 / 123

Course description
Opened in 1992, this course was carved out of three canyons along the Pacific. Twelve of the holes have ocean views to the Coronado Islands. Bermuda greens, rarely seen in the San Diego area, are used on the short layout, which measures less than 6,000 yards from the white tees. The narrow front nine circles a mountain, with water on the short par-4 second, the par-3 third and to the right of the green on the fifth, a par-4 that doglegs left. The sixth through ninth holes head down the mountain but normally play into stiff ocean breezes. The back nine is a bit longer as it heads out through a canyon, then makes a 180-degree turn back toward the clubhouse.

Signature hole
A double-dogleg to an island green means double trouble at the 17th hole. Don't even think about getting home in two. The green is 526 yards from the blue tees and 504 from the whites, with a bend to the right off the tee and another to the green, which is tucked left along a hillside. The wind usually is in your face, so make sure you have enough club on your third shot to reach the long, diagonal green, which is surrounded by a lake. A bunker in the front right and an expanded fringe to the rear allow for a slim margin of error.

The 19th Hole
A putting green and driving range are available for practice. Overlooking the course is a 76-room Residence Inn by Marriott, featuring a spa/sauna, pool, gym, tennis courts, restaurant and lounge.

Getting there
From the San Ysidro border crossing, follow the signs indicating "Rosarito Beach, Ensenada Scenic Route." As you head down the hill just south of Tijuana, take the first off ramp on the right, again following signs for the Rosarito/Ensenada scenic route. This is the Tijuana-Ensenada toll road, and Real del Mar is at kilometer signpost "Km 19.5" (12 miles south of the border).

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