With year-round warm weather, incredible views, and top-notch places to stay, Puerto Rico has tons to do. You can go to the beach, bar hopping, or dancing. But if your idea of relaxing happens to involve 18 holes, then you might be wondering…
What are the best places for golf in Puerto Rico?
1. Grand Reserve Golf & Country Club
Home to the Puerto Rico Open and formerly known as Coco Beach, this course is located in Rio Grande, just 40 minutes east of San Juan. Designed by legendary pro player Tom Kite, it provides four diverse nines to cater to golfers of different abilities. Yardage ranges from 5300 to 7587.
The clubhouse includes amenities such as men’s and women’s locker rooms, a massage room, a sauna, and a jacuzzi. It also includes practice facilities, two putting greens, a chipping area, a bunker, and a driving range. Fees vary seasonally.
2. Punta Borinquen Golf Club
Located in Aguadilla on the west side of the island, Punta Borinquen was designed by Ferdinand Garvin in 1939 and established a year later. If you want a course with some history, this is it. This course was originally built for service members stationed at the nearby Ramey base but is currently open to everyone (military personnel still get a discounted rate if playing as a non-member).
The standard non-member rate for 18 holes with a cart is $55.75 plus tax, but fees vary depending on a number of factors, which you can check on their website. Student membership ranges from $446/mo to $836.25 for full membership, with a discount for seniors available. The yardage is 6,633 (tees of varying levels are available), with the 17th hole being the challenge to beat.
3. Royal Isabela
The Links at Royal Isabela have been described as having a “Scottish feeling” about them. With the course perched on a cliffside 200 feet above crashing waves in the northwestern town of Isabela and the sod-faced bunkers, we can see why.
Yardage ranges from 4813 to 7280, accommodating players of diverse skill levels. Tee time bookings are as low as $100 for a member’s guest, so it pays to know someone (resident non-members pay $140, and non-residents pay $215).
4. The St. Regis Bahía Beach Resort & Golf Club
We’re making our way back to Río Grande for the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club. This course is notable for most of its holes bordering some kind of body of water, making things a bit more interesting.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, the yards on this one go from 3014 to 7014, with several levels in between so that there’s something here for you no matter what difficulty you can manage. Tee times are cheaper in the afternoon, going down to $155 from $199 in the morning.
5. TPC Dorado Beach Resort and Club
Rounding out our list, we have the TPC Dorado Beach Resort and Club that boasts two Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designed courses:
- East Course: This course was restored by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., who added 700 yards to his father’s original vision of 7200 yards. The East course is considered by many to be a formidable challenge and one of the best courses not just in Puerto Rico but in the world.
- Sugarcane Course: As challenging as the East Course can be, the 7119-yard Sugarcane Course is even more so with more forced carries and deeper bunkers.
Both courses feature multiple tees for players of all skill levels. If you aren’t a member, the Stay and Play package is one of the best ways to enjoy these courses. It includes a daily round of golf at your chosen course, along with many amenities (though if you have already secured lodging, you can schedule tee times separately).
Conclusion
While these courses are the ones we chose to highlight, they are by no means a comprehensive list of what the island has to offer. With courses to fit every budget and skill level, it’s safe to say that Puerto Rico is a great destination for golfing.
