Golf Course Review - Playa Dorada Golf Course - Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Whether you are playing off the reds, whites,very makeable par.
greens or blues, this article can help you to makeHole 8 - Par 4 - 365 yards
decisions on the course, and come up with aThis hole is quite straight forward, a nice drive will
score under par. This review however is basedleave you with between 90-140 depending on the
upon playing off the green tees.dryness of the day. Not much wind here, so a
Once you've paid the green fees, warmed up onnice high approach will leave you with a birdie put,
the putting green and hit a few balls on the range,that is if you avoid the sand to the front, left and
there's only one thing to do, make a birdie on theback of the green.
first hole, a long par 5.Hole 9 - Par 4 - 350 yards
Hole 1 - Par 5 - 490 yardsBeware the lake that borders the whole left side
Perhaps the easiest hole on the course to goof this hole and the trees to the right, if your
under par, the only difficulty being that it is thedrive isn't spot on, or short then you could be in
first hole. Therefore a proper warm up is the keytrouble on the right. If you play well off the tee,
to attaining a birdie here. A straight drive downthen your approach should be simple.
the middle of the fairway, avoiding the sand trapsHole 10 - Par 4 - 364 yards
to the right is the key here. On a dry day, aTrees to the left, surrounded by fairway bunkers,
decent handicap golfer will get easily 300 yardsbe careful! This hole is somewhat frustrating as it
off the tee, leaving you with the option of layinglooks easier than it is. As long as you avoid the
up to the green or going for it with a straight 5trees, there shouldn't be any problem with making
iron towards the pin. Either way you need topar.
avoid the water to the left of the hole and behind.Hole 11 - Par 4 - 370 yards
Once on the green, a good read and you're in forThis hole screams "rip it", smack your drive
birdie or par.straight down the park and you'll be left with a
Hole 2 - Par 3 - 175 yardstantalizing approach, leaving you feeling that you
The wind can play havoc with your tee shot here,have to make a birdie here. As long as you avoid
so be sure to compensate for any breezethe sand on the fairway and at the front right of
specially in the afternoon. Mind out for the waterthe green, you'll be ok.
on the left hand side of the hole and the bunkersHole 12 - Par 3 - 150 yards
at the front right of the green.The wind is the only real issue on this hole,
Hole 3 - Par 4 - 395 yardsstraightforward, large green, not much
Depending on how hard you hit and how dry themovement. If you come up short a decent chip
day is, a long hitter should opt for a 3 wood or 3will leave you in good shape for a par.
iron off the tee here as there is a water hazardHole 13 - Par 5 - 465 yards
some 120 yards from the hole. Ideally a nice 3Another makeable birdie hole, as long as you're
wood could leave you 150 yards from the green,long enough to avoid the first fairway bunker on
given that you miss the bunker on the left of thethe left, you can either approach with a long iron
fairway and a huge tree that could block youror lay up to avoid the bunker before the green.
approach on the right.This green is actually well protected by sand, so
Hole 4 - Par 4 - 405 yardsbe careful to avoid those nasty sand traps.
If you're a straight hitter, there should be noHole 14 - Par 4 - 400 yards
problems here, those who play hook or sliceDog-leg left, try to follow the hole around or your
shots can come into trouble with the trees to thedrive could end up under a group of trees straight
left of the tee box and bunkers at the right ofahead. If you follow the hole, your 2nd shot will
the fairway. A good straight drive can leave yoube a lot easier than going straight, a few bunkers
with an approach of between 100 and 150 yards.to beware of, and depending on the flag location
Bunkers behind and in front of the green are theon the day you play, this can be one of the
challenge on this hole.trickier holes.
Hole 5 - Par 5 - 510 yardsHole 15 - Par 4 - 390 yards
This hole is probably the easiest of all to make aOnce you avoid the trees to the left, you can
birdie on. From the tee box, look for your drivepretty much open up and let loose on this hole.
to follow the hole, dog-leg right and you will leaveAs long as you don't under-club yourself, you
yourself a distance of between 200-250 yards.should be on in 2.
There is a water hazard some 70 yards from theHole 16 - Par 4 - 350 yards
green, avoid that with your 2nd shot, either layingA straight forward drive will leave you with the
up or hitting over. If your 2nd shot gets you ontobunkers on the left and right front of the green
the green, well done, if not be exact with yourto contend with, this hole usually plays as one of
approach as there is water to the left and sandthe easier holes due to a forgiving green.
to the right.Hole 17 - Par 3 - 150 yards
Hole 6 - Par 4 - 340 yardsMy favorite hole, go over the water to avoid
On a dry day, a straight drive could carry out ofembarrassment, if you go long, you'll be playing
bounds, on this dog-leg right. Also the wind plays aout of the sand. This is the hole where most
big part here, as the hole looks onto the beach.hole-in-ones have been recorded on the course.
Providing your tee shot goes well (avoid trees toHole 18 - Par 5 - 480 yards
the right of the fairway) you'll be left with anYour tee shot here needs to be controlled, on the
approach of 90-130 yards, this is where you havelast hole, as there is a water hazard between the
to pay attention as the breeze can sometimes be280-300 mark from the tee. Given you avoid
hard to judge. Look to overcompensate yourthat, then you are faced with 2 scenarios, if you
approach due to the breeze. Also fallen leaveswent over the water, then you'll be left with
from an almond tree can sometimes interfereabout 160 to the hole, go for it! If you stayed this
with the bounce of the ball.side of the water, then lay up and get on the
Hole 7 - Par 3 - 160 yardsgreen in 3.
Again the wind plays a big part depending on theAll in all an enjoyable course, I would rank it
time of day you play. Avoid the "Miami Beach"number 3 on the north coast of the Dominican
bunker to the right of the green, otherwise aRepublic, behind Playa Grande and Las Aromas.