Kukulcan Golf Course
Hilton Golf and Spa
Resort
By Bob Enzel
This is a flat course
non-similar to other flat courses generally
offered as "public" courses.
 For
instance, I have never played a course--flat
or hilly-- with any hole designated with
this caveat. "Crocodiles (sic) are
considered immovable objects. A drop with no
penalty is allowed; please avoid dangerous
confrontations or disturbing these animals."
I’d say that’s a good rule to follow.
It is also unique in its
location. Bordered on the west by Nichupte
Lagoon and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean
and a string of hotels--one of which
serenades beach goers and golfers with "pop"
music on occasion.
Flat with charitable
fairways it is nonetheless challenging.
Several of the 18 holes require accurate
shots over water. The 376 yard (blue)/356
yard (white) on hole #18 collects more than
its share of erratic shots even though the
“hardship” is only an eight.
 There are enough
positioned sand traps on every hole to keep
the game interesting, and there is the
rough... Golfers are cautioned several times
to stay away from "nesting alligators."
Needless to say, it is
very wise not to take more than a cursory
look in the rough or in the water for an
errant ball.
An accurate golfer with less than an 18
handicap can probably play his/her average,
but don't rely on the flatness to help other
than to get a decent faraway roll when hit
straight. If not hit straight it will roll
into the rough keeping play honest. The
greens were in good condition and fairly
easy to read.
However, a ball stroked
too firmly that misses the hole will roll on
and on making the comeback shot just as
difficult. A delicately hit ball that
doesn't quite reach the hole has a tendency
to break several feet away.
A variety of birds and
water fowl line the course chirping away. A
howl you may hear that sounds like a cat in
heat is the voice of a peacock. Many Iguanas
are in abundance on several holes and the
16th hole overlooks the ancient Mayan Ruin,
"El Rey" making it an interesting course to
play.
The flat course between
the waters humbled us as we all shot above
our average. I look forward to playing it
again.
Par 72, 6374 blue 71.1/121; 6261 white
68.2/115; 5810 yellow 69.3/188; and 5029 red
70.4/114
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