jscales9

I play regularly and practice regularly on this course. It is clear that Thunder Valley, the owner, does NOT put enough money into this course to make it the topnotch course that it can be. The practice range has very poor quality balls, the ball machine is below par, the machine's hook to hold the basket has been broken for years. The club cleaning buckets are worn out and usually don't have enough water. The practice mats are not level.
One of the bridges to walk from the practice area to the putting green has been closed for years. At the top of the steps leading from the chipping area to the parking lot, an exposed hole from past repairs is still open after a year creating a severely dangerous safety concern.
The course is in average shape.
THE STAFF WORKS REALLY HARD AND DO THEIR BEST TO STAY UP WITH THE WORK, BUT THUNDER VALLEY DOES NOT PROVIDE THE SUPPORT NECESSARY TO MAKE THIS A VERY GOOD COURSE. NO EXCUSES THAT STAFF CAN'T BE HIRED. JUST PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE COURSE AND WATCH IT BECOME A REAL GEM FOR THE ENTIRE AREA.

Layout okay. Several holes about same shape. Good use of water throughout. Tees level. Greens worse part. Lots of spots with grass loss and lots of edges bare. Trying to find another course in better shape.

Besides slow pace of play, no marshal seen working to increase the pace, no beverage cart on course and many tees in poor shape.
Fairways in good shape as well as greens and traps.
Will play there again.

After playing the Weiskoff course on three days earlier, which I liked very much, I was looking forward to the other Vista Vallarata course. The Jack Nicklaus course was even better! I played both courses in the early afternoon with the same, low wind weather. What I really enjoyed, was the course design. A number of holes required a placement shoot off the tee, which I enjoyed. It was challenging and fair. The greens were also challenging, with some having severe slopes and some requiring good distance control to hold. My good shots were highly rewarded. I am an 18 handicapper and shot a 92 from the white tees and a poor short game. I have one more chance to play VV and will make the Nicklaus course.

What a nice change from the flat courses in Puerto Vallarta. I played the white tees and enjoyed the variety of challenges from the tees. Although some fairways were forgiving, many required a straight drive. The bunker placements were difficult and fair. Sand was of good quality. I really enjoyed the greens. Unlike El Tigre slow greens, these were a joy to play. They putted true. All I had to do was read hem correctly. I recommend learning the pace on the practice greens prior to playing.

I like the layout of this course. A number of tee shots need to be placed in order to have a decent second shot. Water on many holes that require accurate distance control. Fairways in good shape. Although the greens looked fast, they putted true but really slow. Our group probably left 20+ downhill putts short even after we experienced the speed from the first green.

Big problem is the sand traps. Water in most. One was totally full. Even when dropped out of the casual water, hitting off wet sand. Took away from the good aspects of the course.

Lastly, GPS in my golf cart did not work.

Perfect weather on a very good course. Greens were consistent.
Very poor timing for tee time right after a tournament that had not finished by our tee time and we had to wait until they finished the 18th hole and tee off from the first tee before we could follow. THEN it took us 2:40 to finish the first nine holes. Luckily the tournament was over after that and we finished the back in under two hours.

Always enjoy playing here with spectacular views and lack of city noise.
Course has good driving range and putting green. Tiny elevated practice green is not cut short and the practice sand trap is not in good shape. Also most sand traps on the course do not have enough sand. Varied layout of holes is a definite plus with good risk reward ratio.
Some inconsistency in green speeds.
Played in ideal weather making the views even better.

Always enjoy playing this course. Design plus views plus great personnel and, yes, wind make this a fun time.

GolfNow needs to make amends with course right away. This course needs reasonable support from GolfNow if GolfNow wants my support.

Course in excellent condition but unable to rate greens since covered in sand.

Course in excellent condition. Fairways great. Requires good course management. Highly recommend.

Liked the condition of the course, the time to play was good, a fivesome in front of us held us up on the front nine, and the greens were consistant but not very fast. Recommend having the practice putting green the same speed as the course. After putting on the practice green, which had a great fairly fast surface, I had to adjust to the course greens, which were slower.