Hole 7 has beautiful vistas of the Atlantic Ocean seen from under the almond trees.

Be prepared to stop when reaching hole 9, the landmark of the Playa Dorada golf course, to gaze for a few minutes at its spectacular view of Isabel de Torres mountain. Equally beautiful is hole 15, when golfers are surprised with the sight of a small rain forest not long before the end. Ducks guard hole 17, one of the most challenging of the course, where the water trap makes the difference. The last hole, a 5 par, allows the prevailing wind to get a chance to play a part too.

Most of the holes are tucked in the backyard of the 14 Playa Dorada hotels, to which the greenery brings solace

and peace creating a truly natural environment in which to enjoy the sport.

This eye-pleaser of a golf course welcomes visitors to also enjoy Playa Dorada beach and the many other nearby beaches dotting the north coast.

But the people element is the magnet for many who return year after year to see their "friends." "Everyone is so nice," says Bill lanniello from Connecticut, a faithful golfer.

Use of a caddy is traditional and still obligatory on the Playa Dorada golf course, where about 150 caddies, many of them old-timers from the original team that started when the course first opened.