Puerto Rico is all about sun, sea, sand, and the leisurely lifestyle of being on vacation! If you’re a golfer, chances are you’re well aware of the thriving resort scene in PR and the amazing golf that comes with it.
But there are a few hidden gem golf courses in Puerto Rico that aren’t quite the usual ones you may expect. There are the lesser-known courses we highly recommend playing a round on if you have some hours to spare!
El Legado Golf Club
Situated on the southeast coast, surrounded by mountains and looking out over the sea, El Legado Golf Club is a spectacular 18-hole, par-72, must-visit golf course!
The course features wide fairways that are sparsely lined with trees and use the land's natural contours. The greens are fast, with gentle slopes, and have strategically-placed bunkers.
Fortunately, the layout of the course is not only challenging and fun but is also very forgiving of errant shots. The holes are varied and golfers will love the 11th hole, which is a short 186-yard, par-3 and is a great opportunity for a birdie.
The big hitters will love the 9th hole, which is a long 595 yards, par-5 (bogey beware), but will find the prevailing strong winds to add to the challenge.
It’s important to note that the course may be quite dry, as some parts of the southern coast only receive about 36 inches of rain per year! However, it’s still pretty and perfectly playable.
Make use of the driving range, which also has some practice greens, to warm up before your round of golf.
After your round, pop into Guamani Restaurant & Bar and try their Mofongo con Carne Frita. It’s absolutely delicious and an excellent way to finish your day!
Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club
Don’t let the beauty of Bahia lure you into a false sense of security, as this course is more challenging than it first appears!
Golfers may feel like they’re the only ones playing on the course, as the natural routing weaves through the jungle and around saltwater lagoons. The course features fast greens, undulating fairways, strategically-placed bunkers, and a number of water hazards.
There are a number of memorable holes on the course, but golfers will love the 5th hole, which is a long 568-yard, par-5. This hole demands strategy, good club choice, and accuracy for a good score.
You can choose to walk this beautiful course, as its length is easily managed and you’ll get full views of the scenery. Alternatively, you can use a golf cart, which is GPS-enabled and will get you through the course a bit quicker if you’re short on time.
After your round of golf, stop in at Seagrapes restaurant and try their cobb salad or the red snapper. The ideal way to fuel back up after your exercise on the course!
Punta Borinquen Golf Club
Located at the northwestern tip of the country, this gem of a course plays right alongside the ocean from the top of a cliff, affording golfers magnificent views at any time of day.
You’ll find wide-open fairways which are suitable for both juniors and experienced golfers. However, it is quite undulating, rather hard, and there’s very little rough, so your ball is likely to roll a fair bit.
Sand traps are carefully-placed throughout the holes. The greens are fast and tricky to read, so you’ll need to be precise and patient. There’s also constantly a coastal wind, which may be mild or could be wild, it just depends on the day.
Holes 6, 9, 10, and 11 offer the most spectacular views, but be careful because a wayward ball will be lost forever!
Caguas Real Golf & Country Club
Caguas Real Golf and Country Club is a real hidden gem. This public course is absolutely gorgeous, and while there’s no sea view here, the course is completely surrounded by mountains, giving it a tranquil, hideaway feeling.
The course starts off a little slower, but don’t let the quiet front 9 fool you. On the signature 4th hole, you tee off of an elevated tee down to the fairway more than 30 feet below, which then goes into a dogleg.
It’s a thoughtful course that’s every bit as beautiful as it is fun to play. The green fees are also extremely reasonable so if you’re in the area, it’s well worth the visit.
About the Author
Jordan Fuller is a retired golfer who has played on golf courses across the world. When he’s not working on his game on the course or driving range, he’s researching and writing for his own website, Golf Influence.
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