Learn, Practice, and Play: Golf Lessons in Riviera Maya at El Camaleón

At El Camaleón, home to the LPGA Mexico Riviera Maya Open, learning the game becomes part of the Mayakoba experience.

Summers at Mayakoba are full of possibilities: from mornings filled with water adventures and afternoons of absolute relaxation, to days with enough time to learn something that stays with you. At El Camaleón, the Greg Norman-designed golf course in Mayakoba, that is exactly what you will find.

The course is home to the Jim McLean Golf School, where instruction, technology, and one of the most distinctive golf settings in the Riviera Maya come together to help golfers of all levels improve their game, and where many first-time players discover that a single lesson is enough to spark a lasting interest in the game.

El Camaleón: A Golf Course Designed to Elevate Your Game

Designed by legendary golfer Greg Norman, El Camaleón is one of the most prestigious courses in the region. The 18-hole, par-72 layout winds through mangroves, tropical jungle, freshwater canals, and lagoons before reaching the Caribbean Sea. The landscape shifts at every turn, which is where the course gets its name.

The surroundings change from hole to hole. Dense greenery gives way to open water, and the course eventually opens onto the ocean on hole 15. On hole 7, a natural cenote cave known as the Devil’s Mouth cuts through the fairway. These are the kinds of details that stay with a player long after the round is over.

Five tee markers at every hole allow players of all levels to experience the course at their own pace. Recent renovations have expanded the tee boxes and adjusted bunker elevations, adding challenge and variety to each round. For those discovering the sport, El Camaleón offers a setting that makes learning the game a pleasure.

After the round, the Clubhouse welcomes guests with Koba Sports Bar and a pro shop stocked with specialized equipment and apparel for every level of player.

Where to Take Golf Lessons in Riviera Maya: Jim McLean Golf School in Mayakoba

For those looking for golf lessons in the Riviera Maya, the Jim McLean Golf School at El Camaleón offers one of the most advanced golf instruction facilities in Mexico. The academy is led by Diego Bazin, Director of Instruction, and Philippe Bazin, Certified Instructor, whose combined experience covers players of all levels and ages.

Learning here is supported by technology. Coaches use Trackman, a radar-based launch monitor that captures the full mechanics of each swing, and JC Video Motion Analysis, which allows players to see their movement in detail and compare it against professional models. The result is a precise, personalized approach that makes improvement visible from the first session.

The practice facilities match that level of detail. A 350-yard driving range allows players to work on distance and accuracy. Dedicated putting and chipping greens develop the short game. The academy’s Super Station training bays offer a focused environment where instructors evaluate each player individually and adjust the program accordingly.

From First Swing to Course Strategy: Programs for Every Golfer

The Jim McLean Golf School offers programs for every level and age, designed to combine instruction with real time on the course. Guests can structure their stay around the game, with options that include up to ten tee times, so that each round becomes an opportunity to practice what was covered in the lesson. That repetition is what turns a new experience into a lasting hobby.

Private and Playing Lessons

For guests who want focused, personalized attention, private lessons offer one-on-one instruction built around swing fundamentals and technique. Sessions run one or two hours, and one junior per adult can join.

For those ready to take their skills onto the course, playing lessons pair participants with an instructor for a full round, with real-time guidance on strategy, club selection, and course management. Green fees, rental clubs, and a golf cart are included.

Lesson, Lunch and Golf

Some days call for full immersion. This program dedicates an entire day to the game: a two-hour lesson in the morning followed by a two-hour playing lesson on the course with the same instructor. Players move directly from instruction to practice, applying each adjustment in real conditions before the day is over.

Two and Three-Day Golf Schools

For guests who want to see measurable progress during their stay, the two and three-day programs offer the most complete experience. Each participant is evaluated individually, and instructors build a plan that covers every aspect of the game: driving, short game, and course strategy. Lunch and green fees are included each day, and the rhythm of instruction followed by play allows skills to develop naturally across several sessions.

Junior Lessons and Summer Camp

Summer is an ideal time for younger players to discover the sport. Junior lessons are available for golfers ages four to sixteen, with instruction adapted to each age and skill level. The five-day Junior Summer Camp offers a more structured experience: small groups with a six-to-one student-to-instructor ratio, daily lunch included, and enough time on the course to finish the week with real confidence. For families staying in Mayakoba, it is a way to share the game across generations.

Discover Golf in Mayakoba

Some trips leave more than memories. In Mayakoba, a morning at the Jim McLean Golf School can be the first chapter of something that continues long after the return home: a new game, a reason to come back, a different way to spend free time. It all starts with a stay at one of Mayakoba’s four resorts: Alila Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Fairmont Mayakoba, and Rosewood Mayakoba. Book yours at Mayakoba.com.

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