The first golf in Puerto Rico was played in the 1930’s in Río Piedras. The large sugar cane plantations of the time brought down many managers who were into golfing and quickly arranged to build more courses in Aguirre, Guánica and Humacao next to the sugar mills.
In the 1940’s the Borinquen Golf Course (still open!) was built at the Air Force base in Aguadilla. The first courses all had sand greens since there was no grass available that could resist the high temperatures of the tropics and the short trimming necessary for a putting surface. The hole was oversize and cut exactly in the middle of the concave, round green. Needless to say everyone had a great short game.
The legendary designers arrive
During the 1950s and 1960s Puerto Rico’s courses began to be designed by international designers. Robert Trent Jones designed the Cerromar- Dorado courses and George and Tom Fazio designed the Rio Mar Ocean course. Gary Player did the same for the Palmas del Mar course in Humacao and Even Gregg Norman came down to work on the River Course in Rio Mar.
Today Puerto Rico offers some of the best and most picturesque golf courses in the Caribbean. The Island even hosts a PGA Tour event, the Puerto Rico Open usually around March on the Championship Course in Coco Beach, Rio Mar.
Currently there are about 2 dozen golf courses on the Island spanning from luxurious Championship quality to Public links. Here’s a few:
Great golf in Puerto Rico by region
East
Rio Mar Country Club-Río Grande
Located 40 minutes from San Juan you’ll find the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort. Its two 18-hole golf designs – River Course by Greg Norman (6,945 yards) cocoand Ocean Course by Tom and George Fazio (6,716 yards) – are as ingenious as they are complementary. Views of El Yunque (the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest system) and the Atlantic Ocean await.
Grand Reserve Golf Club-Río Grande
The Championship and International courses are as impressive as they are immaculate. This is one of two championship courses on the Island and hosts the PGA Tour Puerto Rico Open is played. Roughly 40 minutes from San Juan, both courses were designed by Tom Kite. You’ll experience ample seashore, white silica sand bunkers, and an abundance of water features and palm trees. Four diverse nines offer challenging play for golfers of all abilities and four different tee boxes ranging from 5,300 to 7,587 yards.
St. Regis Bahía Beach Resort & Golf Club-Rio Grande
Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed this picturesque golf course. Fifteen of the 18 holes (6,890 yards) border some form of water, as the course runs around lakes before emerging along the Atlantic coast for the final holes. Bahia Beach has been designed with the resort golfer in mind but provides players of all skill levels with a strategic and thrilling golf experience. Bahia Beach is certified as a Silver Signature Sanctuary by Audubon International.
El Conquistador Golf Club-Fajardo
Lined with palm trees and featuring dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean and El Yunque Rain Forest, The Arthur Hills designed Golf Course at El Conquistador provides a challenging golf experience. The El Conquistador Course offers 18 holes (6,746 yards) with elevation changes of more than 200 vertical feet that follow the contours of the natural landscape. The 18th hole features a shot over a fountain-fed waterfall for a dramatic finish.
Palmas del Mar Golf Club- Humacao
This sprawling resort community features two well maintained courses. The Flamboyán Course, an 18-hole (7,117 yards) championship caliber course designed by Reese Jones. The course offers picturesque views of the ocean that will keep you coming back for more.
The Palm Course, an 18-hole (6,675 yard) championship caliber course designed by Gary Player, offers a tournament-grade challenge for any avid golfer. This resort style course with tropical landscapes and Caribbean views features water hazards, strategic bunkers and undulating greens.
North/West
Rio Bayamón- Bayamón
The only golf course in the metro area, the course provides a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere in an 18-hole, 5,020 hole riverside course. A driving range with 58 spaces and a putting green are available to hone your swing.
TPC Dorado Beach Resort and Club- Dorado
Located in Dorado, around 25 minutes from San Juan, on the north coast of the island, TPC Dorado Beach is home to two 18-hole courses authored by Robert Trent Jones Sr.
The East Course ranks as one of the best courses in the Caribbean, and anywhere in the world. Scenery begins on the first hole, which stretches alongside turquoise ocean waves, sandy beach, and coconut palms.
Sugarcane Course, a 7,119-yard jewel, includes water, grand bunkers, and a tropical vibe accented by breathtaking native flora and fauna. The tradition of golf at Dorado Beach is as rich as this magnificent estate’s history. The spectacular courses have played host to celebrities, world leaders, golf legends, and professional tournaments.
Royal Isabela- Isabela
One of the Islands few links courses. An interesting feature is that it was designed and built following the natural features and existing vegetation of the land to preserve the natural beauty. A few of the holes play along 200 foot high cliffs with amazing views of the Atlantic waves. Sod faced bunkers give a Scottish feel and the trade winds are ever present.
Punta Borinquen Golf Club- Aguadilla
The Island’s oldest golf club built in 1940 when the area was an Air Force base. President Eisenhower played here a couple of times. Great Atlantic views to the west. A public golf club.
South
El Legado-Coamo
Affordable 7,200 yard par 72 (7,200 yards) designed by ChiChi Rodriguez. The Caribbean Sea provides a fresh challenging breezes and the mountains, a great backdrop.
Costa Caribe-Ponce
A 27-hole links-style championship golf course features several oceanfront holes offering breathtaking Caribbean views, 14 beautiful lakes, Puerto Rico’s first island green and manicured course conditions year round. You get to choose one of three different 9 hole configurations.
