Golf Courses In Puerto Vallarta.

The first golf course in Puerto Vallarta was the Marina Vallarta Golf Club, opened in 1989.

This 18-hole course was designed by architect Joe Finger and is located within the exclusive Marina Vallarta area, near the airport and luxury hotels. Since its opening, it has been a key point for attracting high-spending tourism and consolidating Puerto Vallarta as a golf destination in Mexico.

In Puerto Vallarta, there are three internationally renowned golf courses:

• Marina Vallarta Golf Club: An 18-hole course designed by Joe Finger in 1989, located in Marina Vallarta, near renowned hotels and the international airport.
  
  
• Vista Vallarta Golf Club: This club offers two 18-hole championship courses, designed by renowned golfers. It is located about 20 minutes from Marina Vallarta and extends over 184 hectares, offering spectacular views of the city.
  
  
• In addition, nearby, in the Riviera Nayarit region, there are other outstanding courses such as the Litibú Golf Course, the Bahía Golf Course and the Pacífico Golf Course in Punta Mita; as well as the Las Huertas Golf Course in San Pancho.

The presence of these golf courses brings various economic and well-being benefits to the Puerto Vallarta community:

Tourism boost: Golf courses attract national and international tourists, especially those interested in luxury sports tourism. This increases hotel occupancy and consumption in local restaurants and businesses.

Job creation: The operation and maintenance of golf courses, as well as associated services, create job opportunities for local residents.

Investment in infrastructure: The development of golf facilities is often accompanied by improvements in urban infrastructure, such as access roads and public services, benefiting the community in general.

Green spaces and well-being: Golf courses act as “green lungs,” contributing to air quality and offering recreational areas that promote physical and mental well-being.

However, it is crucial to properly manage these developments to minimize potential environmental impacts and ensure that economic benefits are equitably distributed in the community.

Young people from low-income backgrounds face multiple barriers to becoming golf champions, even if they have talent.

Golf requires a significant investment in clubs, balls, shoes and appropriate clothing. In addition, golf courses often charge expensive entry fees or memberships, making it difficult for those without resources to access the sport. Unlike sports such as football or track and field, where training can be done in public spaces, golf is played on private or exclusive courses. Without access to proper facilities and professional coaches, young people from poor backgrounds have fewer opportunities to develop their potential.

Golf is considered an elite sport and it is often necessary to be in certain social circles to receive support, sponsorships or invitations to major tournaments. Young people without connections in the golf industry are less likely to be discovered. Unlike other sports, there are few free programs or scholarships for budding golfers. Without funding, the costs of travel, tournament registration and specialized training are unaffordable for many families.

Many low-income youth must work from an early age to support their families, preventing them from devoting enough time to training and competing in tournaments that could open doors for them.

Is there hope for these young people?

Although it is difficult, some programs in other countries have created golf academies for low-income children, funded by sports federations or benefactors. However, in Mexico and in places like Puerto Vallarta, these efforts are still limited.

If local initiatives were implemented with free access to courses, coaches and equipment, the panorama could change and allow more talented young people to excel in this sport.