El Cardonal at Diamante
Opened in 2014 at the Diamante resort above the Pacific near Cabo San Lucas, El Cardonal was the first course Tiger Woods designed, an homage to the strategic golden age courses he grew up on. A par 72 of 7,363 yards routed through cactus, arroyos and rolling dunes, it now hosts the PGA Tour and anchors one of the best golf resorts in Mexico.
Photo: El Cardonal Golf Course via Google.
The verdict
El Cardonal carries real significance as the debut design from Tiger Woods and his TGR Design studio, and it wears that history well. Set on high ground at Diamante with long views to the Pacific, the course was shaped to play firm and fast, with wide fairways, short grass around the greens and a clear emphasis on angles and ground options rather than forced carries. It is generous off the tee and demanding around the greens, exactly as Woods intended.
Cut through native desert of cardon cactus, granite and sandy washes, it feels at one with the Baja landscape, and the variety of recovery shots keeps better players engaged while remaining playable for the resort guest. Since 2023 it has hosted the PGA Tour's World Wide Technology Championship, confirming its tournament pedigree, and it pairs with the resort's other courses to make Diamante a marquee Cabo golf destination.
El Cardonal at a glance
- Opened
- 2014
- Designer
- Tiger Woods
- Type
- Desert
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 7,363 yds
- Access
- Resort and members
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from TGR Design and leading course databases. El Cardonal was the first course designed by Tiger Woods through his TGR Design studio and opened in 2014, a par 72 of 7,363 yards. Diamante is a private residential resort, so play is generally for members and resort guests; green fees and access change, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
El Cardonal plays across elevated desert terrain, the fairways broad and inviting from the tee but the strategy hidden in the angles and the firmness. Woods routed wide corridors with short grass spilling away from the greens, so the interest comes in choosing the right line in and judging how the ball will run, a style that rewards imagination over raw power.
The desert framing of cactus, granite and sandy arroyos gives the holes a striking sense of place, and the breeze off the Pacific adds a further layer to club selection. The greens are bold and well contoured, and the short game tests are constant, with bump and run, putt and lob shots all in play from the closely mown surrounds.
As a PGA Tour venue the course can be stretched into a genuine championship test, yet from the forward tees it remains fun for the travelling golfer. It is the thinking player's course at Diamante, a fine complement to the resort's celebrated Dunes Course and an essential round on any serious Cabo golf trip.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A private residential resort; play is generally for members and resort guests, arranged through Diamante or a trip planner |
| Green fee | Resort guest and member rates apply and are not publicly fixed; confirm current charges when you book |
| Booking | Arrange tee times through your Diamante stay or a golf travel specialist, well ahead in the busy winter season |
| On the day | Cart golf with forecaddies is the norm; smart golf attire expected |
| Getting there | Above the Pacific west of Cabo San Lucas, about 40 minutes from Los Cabos International Airport |
| Best months | November to May for warm, dry weather, which is also the peak season, so book early |
Access and rates verified indicatively June 2026 from resort and operator listings; Diamante is private and charges are not publicly fixed, so always confirm current access and green fees directly before booking through the resort or your trip planner. Enquire about access.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is Diamante itself, with its residences and resort lodging set above the Pacific, putting El Cardonal and the Dunes Course on your doorstep. Staying on site is the simplest way to secure golf and to enjoy the beach and clubhouses between rounds.
Cabo San Lucas and the corridor toward San Jose del Cabo offer a wide range of resorts and hotels a short drive away, with superb dining, marinas and beaches, and a deep roster of other Cabo courses to round out a multi day golf trip.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts at Diamante and around Cabo San Lucas.
Build a Cabo golf trip
We arrange the El Cardonal and Dunes Course tee times at Diamante, pair them with the best of the Cabo corridor and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
El Cardonal questions
Who designed El Cardonal at Diamante?
El Cardonal was designed by Tiger Woods through his TGR Design studio and opened in 2014, making it the first golf course Woods designed. It sits at the Diamante resort above the Pacific near Cabo San Lucas.
What is the par and length of El Cardonal?
El Cardonal is a par 72 of 7,363 yards from the championship tees, a wide, strategic desert course with multiple tees that make it playable for resort guests and stern enough to host the PGA Tour.
Does El Cardonal host a PGA Tour event?
Yes. Since 2023 El Cardonal has hosted the PGA Tour's World Wide Technology Championship, the first PGA Tour event played at a Tiger Woods design, which confirms the course's tournament credentials.
Can visitors play El Cardonal?
Diamante is a private residential resort, so play is generally for members and resort guests rather than the casual public. Arrange access through a Diamante stay or a golf travel specialist, and confirm current rates and tee times before traveling.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and length verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.