Makeover pushes Cabo del Sol's Ocean Course even closer to the shore of Mexico's Baja Peninsula

While the rest of Los Cabos seems determined to purge its seaside holes at the tip of Mexico's Baja Peninsula, the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol continues to reinvest in its seven coastal treasures, maintaining its lofty perch among the best golf courses in the world.

During the past two years, Cabo del Sol has pushed the fifth green closer to the shore and tinkered with its famous back-to-back par 3s at nos. 6-7. These changes have enhanced this dramatic trio of holes almost to the point that you could argue they're better than the revered seaside beauties at nos. 16-18, a stretch designer Jack Nicklaus calls the best finish in golf.

The new seventh looks particularly grand, with tees that virtually float in the water, playing to a green carved from a sand dune.

The inland holes are hardly afterthoughts. The elevated greens at no. 10 and no. 12 are well protected by desert. The split fairway of the short par-4 11th is sheer fun. The 13th hole, the only par 3 not on the water, is just as good as any other. From start to finish -- including the free fish tacos at the turn -- spending the day at Cabo del Sol is nothing short of spectacular.

Ocean golf course at Cabo del Sol - hole 7

The seventh green on the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol is built into a sand dune near the beach.

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Ocean golf course at Cabo del Sol - hole 5

The fifth green was moved closer to the water in a recent renovation on the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol.

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Ocean golf course at Cabo del Sol - hole 6

The sixth is the first of seaside back-to-back par-3s on the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol in Mexico.

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Cabo del Sol golf course - fish tacos

The fish tacos -- free at the turn while playing the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol -- are legendary.

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Ocean golf course at Cabo del Sol - hole 10

There's a green somewhere above that granite rock outcropping on the par-4 10th hole on the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol in Mexico.

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Ocean golf course at Cabo del Sol - hole 11

The par-4 11th on the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol requires a choice: Which fairway should I hit?

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Ocean golf course at Cabo del Sol - hole 13

The 13th hole of the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol is the layout's only par 3 not on the water, but it's still gorgeous.

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Ocean golf course at Cabo del Sol - hole 16

The Sea of Cortez meets the blue horizon from the views of the 16th tee on the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol in Mexico.

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Ocean golf course at Cabo del Sol - hole 17

The par-3 17th hole on the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol plays over the Sea of Cortez and the beach from the tips.

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Ocean golf course at Cabo del Sol - hole 18

The treacherous 18th hole on the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol completes what designer Jack Nicklaus calls the best finish in golf.

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Ocean golf course at Cabo del Sol

Seaside views are the hallmark of the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol.

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Ocean golf course at Cabo del Sol - 18th

Those who can hit this approach shot to the 18th green on the Ocean Course at Cabo del Sol will end the round with a smile.

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