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The Los Cabos golf scene is already considered the undisputed crown jewel of Latin America, boasting dozens of world-class courses carved into the desert. But the luxury development boom is far from over.
World Golf Hall of Famer and four-time major champion Ernie Els is officially throwing his hat into the Baja ring. His highly anticipated project, Oleada Golf Links, is nearing completion on the windswept Pacific coastline just 15 minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas.
As Els’s very first design in Mexico, the course is generating massive buzz among golf purists and luxury real estate investors alike. If you are looking to tee off in paradise this year, here is an exclusive look at the new Oleada property, what makes the design so unique, and how you can actually secure a tee time before the gates permanently close to the general public.
Image: Harris-Kalinka
The Design: A True Links Experience
Unlike many Cabo courses that require massive earth-moving to artificially carve green fairways into the rocky terrain, Els and his design team took a completely different approach.
Minimalist Architecture: Els opted for a minimalist philosophy, allowing the natural contours, dramatic elevation changes, and rolling sand dunes of the site to dictate the routing of the 18 holes.
The Beachfront Advantage: Instead of building high up in the desert for distant ocean views, Els successfully pushed developers to route the core of the course directly down near the water. The property sits on a massive 500-to-600-yard-wide beach, meaning players will be right up against the Pacific surf.
The Wind Factor: Because it is located on the western tip of the peninsula (sandwiched between the Diamante and Grand Solmar developments), the course will be heavily exposed to ocean breezes. Els—who has won two British Opens on notoriously windy links courses—designed Oleada to embrace these conditions, requiring strategic, creative shot-making rather than just pure distance.
Image: Harris-Kalinka
Beyond the Greens: The 860-Acre Mega-Resort
The golf course is just the anchor for a much larger, ultra-premium lifestyle community. Oleada Los Cabos is an 860-acre oceanfront development designed to be a self-sustaining luxury bubble.
The Residences: If you want to live on the course, you will need deep pockets. The luxury residences surrounding the links are currently starting at a cool $2.9 million.
The Amenities: The sprawling community will feature miles of nature trails winding through the dunes, expansive outdoor fitness areas, and world-class practice facilities.
The Hotels: The property will eventually host two massive luxury hotel brands. The Grand Hyatt Los Cabos is slated to debut alongside the golf course in late 2026, while the Conrad Los Cabos is expected to open its doors in 2027.
How to Play (Before It Goes Private)
The most important detail for traveling golfers is the access model. Oleada is not going to be a standard public course forever.
The Grand Opening: The course is officially targeting a November 2026 grand opening to perfectly align with the start of Cabo’s peak high season.
The Summer Preview: If you want to beat the crowds and get an early look, Oleada is offering preview play starting this July. While you will have to brave the intense summer heat, the preview rounds will feature a premium, all-inclusive food and beverage experience.
The Clock is Ticking: Oleada will operate as a private resort course that initially allows limited outside play. However, the long-term plan is to transition the facility into an exclusively private club reserved only for onsite hotel guests, homeowners, and their personal guests.
Final Thoughts
The addition of Ernie Els to the Cabo architectural roster further cements the destination’s status as the ultimate global hub for luxury golf. Oleada Golf Links promises to deliver a uniquely challenging, beautifully integrated, and highly exclusive experience. If you want to play it without buying a $3 million villa or booking a room at the Grand Hyatt, you need to start planning your 2026 tee times immediately.
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