golfing in Puerto Plata

[val]

We are staying at the Jack Tar resort in mid February. Does anyone know about how many pesos it will cost for a round of golf at a nearby course? Is club rental available? Do golfers there normally rent golf carts or walk? Are the courses really busy at this time of year?

 

[Mark]

The Robert Trent Jones Course is about a 5-7 minute walk from JTV in the middle of the playa dorada complex. Yes, club rentals are available (the quality of rental clubs is actually not bad, if you get there early). I'm not sure if carts are mandatory, but it seems like everybody uses them. Besides, in 30 degree weather they come in handy! The other item on the "mandatory list" is a caddy. You must pay for a caddy in the proshop, and then you must pay for him again when you finish (they live on tips, and they push for a big one!) However, I found my caddy to be quite helpful and deserving of the few extra bucks. I'm not 100% sure of all the costs, but I'll give it my best shot (in CAN$ as of May 99). Club rental:$10-12 Caddy:$10-12 Green Fees:$40-50 Cart:$20-25 Caddy Tip: at your own discretion. I think my total cost for everything was $80-90 CAN. It was a little expensive, but I enjoyed the couple of rounds that I played. It's not Torry Pines, but it's a nice course, and in nice shape. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip.

 

[DR One]

NAME: Playa Dorada Golf Course

LOCATION: Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata

TEL/FAX: Tel. (809) 320-3344/320-4262 Fax (809) 320-2773

YEAR OPENED: 1976

NUMBER OF HOLES: 18 holes

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Flat, conditioned course with exceptional greens surrounding the Playa Dorada resort complex. This par 72, 18-hole course serves the 15 resorts within Playa Dorada, where there are approximately 4,000 hotel rooms, three casinos, numerous restaurants, discotheques, bars, shopping and various other sports.

DESIGN CONSULTANT: Robert Trent Jones

GOLF DIRECTOR/Pro: Guillermo G?mez

COURSE OWNER: Central Bank of the Dominican

PLAYING HOURS: 7 am to 5:30 pm

LEAST TRAFFIC: Late afternoons

RESERVATIONS: One week in advance

MOST CHALLENGING HOLE: 5, 17, 18

LENGTH OF COURSE: Blue 6,730, White 6,302, Red 6,909 yards

COURSE PAR: 72

SLOPE RATING: White 68.6, Blue 71.6, Red 70.4

NON-PLAYA DORADA GREEN FEES: US$17/9 holes; US$30/18 holes

COST OF CADDY: US$5/9 holes; US$9/18 holes (required)

LESSONS: US$35/hr

CART FEES: US$15/9 holes; US$23/18 holes

CLUB RENTAL FEES: US$5/9 holes; US$9/18 holes

OTHER FEATURES: Clubhouse, lockers, pro shop, bar, restaurant, putting green, driving range, memberships, national and international tournaments, Playa Dorada hotels golf packages available

 

[val]

That's great. It sounds like with a Presidente or two it could be a fun afternoon! thanks for all the info.

Val.