GOLF DESTINATIONS
Golf in Puerto Rico combines the visual cornucopia of its natural environment (lakes, rivers, rainforests, mountains, palm trees, and miles of beachfront) with the challenge of negotiating courses designed by some of the biggest names in the business. Here are the island’s best courses:
Trump International Golf Club (100 Clubhouse Drive, Rio Grand) – located in Rio Grande (a 45-minute drive east of San Juan), it has two championship 18-hole courses in a breathtaking setting that will test players at all levels of the game. Designed by PGA pro Tom Kite, it is the setting for the PGA Puerto Rico Open.
Dorado Beach Resort & Club (100 Dorado Beach East, Dorado) – Every golfer’s dream, Dorado Beach has multiple par 72 courses in a stunning coastal setting.
Bahía Beach Resort & Golf Club (State Road 187 km. 4.2, Rio Grande)– Located on Puerto Rico’s northeastern shore, Bahía Beach is the closest 18-hole course from San Juan. It also benefits from its spectacular beachfront setting. Designed by master golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr., the course is accessible to the public with advance tee times.
Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, a Wyndham Grand Resort (6000 Rio Mar Blvd., Rio Grande) — Formerly the Westin Rio Mar, the two courses at The Wyndham have quite a pedigree. One was designed by “The Shark” himself, Greg Norman, and the other was built by Tom and George Fazio. After, enjoy one of the finer clubhouses on the island.
The Arthur Hills Golf Course at the El Conquistador (1000 El Conquistador Avenue, Fajardo) — Perched on the edge of Puerto Rico’s eastern coast, the par 72 Arthur Hills Golf Course ranks among the world’s best places to play by Golf Digest (2008/2009) and The Wyndham El Conquistador has been listed as one of the world’s best golf resorts by Travel & Leisure (2008 reader survey). It is one of the few courses in the Caribbean that has various levels of elevation, as opposed to largely flat greens. It also helps that there’s an award-winning spa awaiting you after the 18th hole.
The Costa Caribe Golf & Country Club (1300 Sancho’s Avenue, Ponce) — The only major course in Ponce, Costa Caribe is a recent addition to Puerto Rico’s golf scene and part of the city’s beautiful Hilton resort. The club features Puerto Rico’s only island green, 27 holes with beautiful ocean views, and an excellent clubhouse, among other amenities.
Coamo Springs (Road 546 km. 1, Coamo) — Sandwiched (forgive the pun) between San Juan and Ponce, The Coamo Springs Golf and Tennis Club is one of the best courses in Southern Puerto Rico. It’s the only one in the south to boast an 18-hole, par 72 championship course, and the only golf course in Puerto Rico with a USGA Certified Green Mix
Palmas del Mar (170 Candelero Drive, Palmas del Mar, Humacao) — A fine resort tucked away along the southeast corner of the island (in the town of Humacao), Palmas del Mar has two championship 18-hole golf courses.