RSS
Home
Golfing in Mexico's Riviera Maya
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Riviera Maya golfing, courtesy of Iberostar
Though the Mayans never used the wheel, they did have the ball, and it is believed that they took great pleasure in playing various games. Their most famous ball game was called pok-ta-pok, and it was serious business. The ball was about the size of a kickball, and the game was played on a large field about the size of a basketball court.
Similar to basketball, the game’s object was to shoot the ball through a hoop mounted above the playing surface. Considering that players weren’t allowed to use their hands, though, scoring was quite rare and was considered a tremendous feat. Large numbers of villagers turned out to watch the games, which had great religious and ceremonial importance. Fans sang songs, acted boisterously, and even bet on who would win. The winners of the game were given a hero’s welcome, and a celebration was held in their honor. As legend has it, the losers were put to death.
Today, the open fields, beachfronts, and carved-away jungles of the Riviera Maya make a perfect backdrop for the more “civilized” ball game of golf. There are a dozen places to play within a short distance of the Riviera Maya, including courses in Cancún, Cozumel, and the town of Bacalar (south of the Riviera Maya).
Some of the courses are par 3, but others are par 72 championship courses designed by some of the best golf architects in the business, including Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Jr., and Robert Von Hagge.
Continue to Part 2: Golfing in Mexico's Riviera Maya >
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
