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Playa Dorada Golf Course |
Course Information
More Reviews
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Name: Bo (DR1) Handicap: 12 Review Date: August 20th 2007 Tee Time: 14:00 |
General:
Fairways are surrounded by a 1st cut of rough from which the ball is sometimes easily played other times not. Beyond the 1st cut you could find beach, water, tropical forest or gardens in front of hotel rooms.
Driving range looks a little worn but putting green next to the first tee looks great.
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Course layout:
A Robert Trent Jones Sr. course. Not much change in elevation but that was expected from the landscape the course is set in.
The course has good variation in style of holes. On some you can really grip it and rip it while on others you have to place your tee shot carefully to make the most of it.
The vegetation varies throughout the course. Tall trees and wetland in one area, palm trees and tall grass in another and rough vegetation along the beach
It's a nice layout which should appeal to all golfers and with an added set of green tees you should be able to get the challenge you're looking for.
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Maintenance:
Bermuda grass all over. Tees and greens are in great shape although some greens
were being maintained and enlarged. They'll be fine soon. The fairway did have a few areas where the ball didn't sit well but as said before it is the season of maintenance and if you accept that you should enjoy that the course is actually open for play during this time.
Sand in bunkers was packed due to heavy rain the previous two days.
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Service:
Professional and attentive staff in pro shop, reception and caddy shack.
Nice, clean bathrooms. We didn't use the club house changing facilities.
Unfortunately the beverage cart was on lunch break when we played the first 9 and with no drinking water available any other way I don't have to explain how thirsty we were when the cart finally showed up on the 9th fairway. Too bad the snack bars on 5 and 14 have been closed.
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Price:
US$40 / 18 holes in the off season, 75 during high season, US$5 for 50 range balls. Caddie tip
US$15 /18 holes. Cart US$20 / 18 holes. It is allowed to walk the course. Lots of offers on packages and green fees if you're staying in a Playa Dorada hotel.
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19th hole:
Nice indoor restaurant with A/C. Terrace bar/restaurant in nice surroundings with a view to the 18th green. Attentive staff and a good selection on the menu.
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Value for money rating:
Playa Dorada is a well kept golf course. There were rumors that this was not the case. But it looks very nice and was a pleasant surprise. Prices are very fair.
It may be too little with only one course for the golfing tourist staying in Playa Dorada but there's an agreement with transport and green fee at Playa Grande for
US$90.
The course lacks that specific hole where you say "Wow!" but it's still great value for your money and the mountains serves as a nice backdrop on the inward holes.
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Hole Descriptions & Photos:
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to see larger images and descriptions. |
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1st hole, par 5, 490 yds:
Slight dogleg right with fairway bunkers right. The green is protected by a bunker left and right and a lake back left. Good chance to run up your approach |
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2nd hole, par 3, 175 yds:
A lake left and bunkers left and right guard this rather large green. |
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3rd hole, par 4, 395 yds:
Lots of trouble on this hole starting with a deep fairway bunker on the left
side. Play safe to the right of that and you'll have the best angle into the green. A stream runs across the fairway approximately 100 yards from the elevated green which is protected by bunkers left and right. |
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4th hole, par 4, 405 yds:
A straight drive is a must as a fade or draw could easily be caught by the tall trees surrounding the tee. Fairway bunkers right and green side bunkers also on the right. |
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5th hole, par 5, 510 yds:
Slight dog leg right. All troubles are on the right side with fairway bunkers and a stream. A long drive is needed to carry the fairway bunker hugging the corner. 60 yards short of the green the stream cuts across the fairway and runs into a lake in front of the green. Bunkers to the right and front left of the green. |
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6th hole, par 4, 340 yds:
Dogleg right. The breeze from the sea will be in your face and a good tee shot is required to clear the trees down the right side of the fairway in order to go for the green on your second shot. The beach is just to the left of the green which has a bunker front left. |
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7th hole, par 3, 160 yds:
Beach down the left side and if that's not enough sand for you, there's also a deep bunker to the right of the green. |
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8th hole, par 4, 365 yds:
Straight away hole with just an o.b. fence down the right side of the fairway.
The green is guarded by bunkers left, right and back. |
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9th hole, par 4, 350 yds:
A lake runs down the entire left side of the fairway all the way to the green. There are moguls left and sand behind the green |
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10th hole, par 4, 364 yds:
Several bunkers are spread down the left hand side inside the tall trees.
Large bunkers guard the left and right sides of the green. |
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11th hole, par 4, 370 yds:
Another tee shot into the ocean breeze as we head back towards the beach. There's a narrow landing area to the left of a school of fairway bunkers. Playing your tee shot short of these will be the best solution. More trouble on the right as all bunkers guarding the green are placed on this side. |
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12th hole, par 3, 150 yds:
Beach along the left side of this par 3. A small deep bunker looms to the right of the green. |
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13th hole, par 5, 465 yds:
Slight dogleg left. Bunkers on the corner so play down the right side if you're short off the tee. Bunkers left and right of the green but the fairway is wide so there's a good chance to run your approach onto the green. |
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14th hole, par 4, 400 yds:
Dogleg left. If you cut the corner on the tee shot be aware of the deep fairway bunker behind the corner, it is not visible from the tee. A deep bunker front and left protects the elevated green. |
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15th hole, par 4, 390 yds:
Slight dogleg left. Another tight drive from a tee placed between tall trees. An accurate draw is the choice into a wide fairway without too much trouble awaiting you. A few small bunkers guard the green but if the pin is on the right there's a good chance to run up your approach. |
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16th hole, par 4, 350 yds:
Fairway bunkers down the right side and large bunkers to the left and right of the green are the obstacles on this straight away hole. |
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17th hole, par 3, 150 yds:
Your tee shot will have to carry the water all the way to the green which has moguls and bunkers surrounding it on the other three sides. |
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18th hole, par 5, 480 yds:
Double dogleg. Bunkers on the left side of the fairway. A stream crosses the fairway in front of the lay up area. Your third shot to the green is over another lake to the green with sand behind it. |
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