The Maya invented something similar to golf, when they launched a ball to a ring hanging from a wall. It was not a sport at that time, but a rite where the award given to the winner athlete was his own execution as an offer for the gods.

Things have changed a lot since the Maya. The genuine golf sport was born in Scotland, then brought to Mexico in 1895 by a group of British miners who worked at Pachuca Mines at Hidalgo, in the interior of the country. The first golf camp built in Mexico was that of Mexico city at the initiative of Mr. Will Townsend, in the spring of 1900. He had as an emblem a "magüey," a symbol of Mexican nature. It was prepared on the prairie of San Pedro de los Pinos. At present there are 43 tourist camps opened for amateurs and other 80 private camps. The Fondo Nacional de Fomento del Turismo (FONATUR) is aimed at promoting golf in Mexico. Nowadays this organization has the most frequented camps of the country: Loreto and Cabos located in Low South California, Ixtapa in the state of Guerrero, Marina Vallarta, in the state of Jalisco and Tangolunda in the state of Oaxaca.

Along the Caribbean Coast In Mérida city there are two golf clubs where the elite of Mexican society is gathered: Club de Golf de La Ceiba and Club de Golf Yucatán. Golf Pok-Ta-Pok camp is a challenge since while launching the ball the player should prevent from touching the historical obstacles and millenary ruins that form part of the play ground are also found where the presence of the Maya is still felt. At Caesar Park Cancún, players practice in the heart of the jungle, between the sound of the animals and the thick vegetation. It can be regarded as one of the most difficult camps. To reach hole 14 is a whole adventure , the camp designer, Japanese Isao Aoki take some space from Nichupé Lagoon where peaceful caymans inhabit the spot. Golfers there should be very skillful to launch the ball. There are some obstacles hidden-a water trap or nearby shallow waters where the ball usually falls-the camp measures between 6,767 and 5, 235 yards, 72 pair. Expenditures are about US$80 including golf carts. Phone: 800-228-3000. Club de Golf Playacar was built in the middle of the jungle so the practice of this sport has millenary trees and lagoons as a natural background. It has the most proper facilities, the most modern infrastructure and Cancún hotels nearby. Designed by architect Robert van Hagge, the camp has 7,200 to 5,871 yards, 72 pairs. It may cost US$99, including golf carts and bags available in Club Maya Beach (phone: 800-898-9968) o in Allegro Caribbean Village (phone: 800-858-2258).

Mexico City Surroundings Some inhabitants from the capital "capitalinos" as they are described, have houses in Bravo Valley and playing golf in the prestigious Avandaro Golf Club has been turned from a habit into a tradition. The gentle landscape of an artificial lake, surrounded by pines and oak groves and the rustic typical village incite to have a weekend in the site, surrounded by a peaceful atmosphere. This is the best excuse to play golf in one of the Mexican camps of high standard.

Along the Pacific Coast Ixtapa is also a tourism resort which offers both peace and amenities. Ixtapa Golf Club has one of the most difficult holes, the number 15, a 4 pairs of barely 350 yards with the sea in one side and a river along the other. The difficulty is found in the first shot, located at the top of a hill, toward the sea, and the wind blowing in opposite direction, the ball can go down either to the beach or to a nearby lake, marking an "out of bounds". It's a complete challenge along 18 holes, a pair of 6,898 yards. Toward the south in Oaxaca, Tangolunda Golf Club is found, built by FONATUR in one of the nine bays of Huatulco with a surface of 75 ha, this field has 72 pairs of 6,851 yards, this camp is the only one where the freeway reaches the beach. At Vallarta Port, Flamingos Golf Club of 18 holes and Vallarta Golf Club Marina are the main camps. In Colima golf can be played at La Mantarraya, described by Golf Digest as one of the best world's golf camps. In Low California peninsula, at Los Cabos, the Mexican golf elite gathers with professionals from around the world. Palmilla Golf Club is the venue for the important Senior Slam Tournament and is played under the sponsorship of PGA's Senior American Circuit. Bajamar is located near the Ensenada city. Designed by Percy Clifford, is a challenge for any golf player. And it has facilities to relax.