Golf Course Review – Playa Dorada Golf Course – Puerto
Plata, Dominican Republic
Whether you are playing off the reds, whites, greens or
blues, this article can help you to make decisions on the
course, and come up with a score under par. This review
however is based upon playing off the green tees.
Once you've paid the green fees, warmed up on the putting
green and hit a few balls on the range, there's only one
thing to do, make a birdie on the first hole, a long par 5.
Hole 1 - Par 5 - 490 yards Perhaps the easiest hole on the
course to go under par, the only difficulty being that it is
the first hole. Therefore a proper warm up is the key to
attaining a birdie here. A straight drive down the middle of
the fairway, avoiding the sand traps to the right is the key
here. On a dry day, a decent handicap golfer will get easily
300 yards off the tee, leaving you with the option of laying
up to the green or going for it with a straight 5 iron
towards the pin. Either way you need to avoid the water to
the left of the hole and behind. Once on the green, a good
read and you're in for birdie or par.
Hole 2 - Par 3 - 175 yards The wind can play havoc with your
tee shot here, so be sure to compensate for any breeze
specially in the afternoon. Mind out for the water on the
left hand side of the hole and the bunkers at the front
right of the green.
Hole 3 - Par 4 - 395 yards Depending on how hard you hit and
how dry the day is, a long hitter should opt for a 3 wood or
3 iron off the tee here as there is a water hazard some 120
yards from the hole. Ideally a nice 3 wood could leave you
150 yards from the green, given that you miss the bunker on
the left of the fairway and a huge tree that could block
your approach on the right.
Hole 4 - Par 4 - 405 yards If you're a straight hitter,
there should be no problems here, those who play hook or
slice shots can come into trouble with the trees to the left
of the tee box and bunkers at the right of the fairway. A
good straight drive can leave you with an approach of
between 100 and 150 yards. Bunkers behind and in front of
the green are the challenge on this hole.
Hole 5 - Par 5 - 510 yards This hole is probably the easiest
of all to make a birdie on. From the tee box, look for your
drive to follow the hole, dog-leg right and you will leave
yourself a distance of between 200-250 yards. There is a
water hazard some 70 yards from the green, avoid that with
your 2nd shot, either laying up or hitting over. If your 2nd
shot gets you onto the green, well done, if not be exact
with your approach as there is water to the left and sand to
the right.
Hole 6 - Par 4 - 340 yards On a dry day, a straight drive
could carry out of bounds, on this dog-leg right. Also the
wind plays a big part here, as the hole looks onto the
beach. Providing your tee shot goes well (avoid trees to the
right of the fairway) you'll be left with an approach of
90-130 yards, this is where you have to pay attention as the
breeze can sometimes be hard to judge. Look to
overcompensate your approach due to the breeze. Also fallen
leaves from an almond tree can sometimes interfere with the
bounce of the ball.
Hole 7 - Par 3 - 160 yards Again the wind plays a big part
depending on the time of day you play. Avoid the "Miami
Beach" bunker to the right of the green, otherwise a very
makeable par.
Hole 8 - Par 4 - 365 yards This hole is quite straight
forward, a nice drive will leave you with between 90-140
depending on the dryness of the day. Not much wind here, so
a nice high approach will leave you with a birdie put, that
is if you avoid the sand to the front, left and back of the
green.
Hole 9 - Par 4 - 350 yards Beware the lake that borders the
whole left side of this hole and the trees to the right, if
your drive isn't spot on, or short then you could be in
trouble on the right. If you play well off the tee, then
your approach should be simple.
Hole 10 - Par 4 - 364 yards Trees to the left, surrounded by
fairway bunkers, be careful! This hole is somewhat
frustrating as it looks easier than it is. As long as you
avoid the trees, there shouldn't be any problem with making
par.
Hole 11 - Par 4 - 370 yards This hole screams "rip it",
smack your drive straight down the park and you'll be left
with a tantalizing approach, leaving you feeling that you
have to make a birdie here. As long as you avoid the sand on
the fairway and at the front right of the green, you'll be
ok.
Hole 12 - Par 3 - 150 yards The wind is the only real issue
on this hole, straightforward, large green, not much
movement. If you come up short a decent chip will leave you
in good shape for a par.
Hole 13 - Par 5 - 465 yards Another makeable birdie hole, as
long as you're long enough to avoid the first fairway bunker
on the left, you can either approach with a long iron or lay
up to avoid the bunker before the green. This green is
actually well protected by sand, so be careful to avoid
those nasty sand traps.
Hole 14 - Par 4 - 400 yards Dog-leg left, try to follow the
hole around or your drive could end up under a group of
trees straight ahead. If you follow the hole, your 2nd shot
will be a lot easier than going straight, a few bunkers to
beware of, and depending on the flag location on the day you
play, this can be one of the trickier holes.
Hole 15 - Par 4 - 390 yards Once you avoid the trees to the
left, you can pretty much open up and let loose on this
hole. As long as you don't under-club yourself, you should
be on in 2.
Hole 16 - Par 4 - 350 yards A straight forward drive will
leave you with the bunkers on the left and right front of
the green to contend with, this hole usually plays as one of
the easier holes due to a forgiving green.
Hole 17 - Par 3 - 150 yards My favorite hole, go over the
water to avoid embarrassment, if you go long, you'll be
playing out of the sand. This is the hole where most
hole-in-ones have been recorded on the course.
Hole 18 - Par 5 - 480 yards Your tee shot here needs to be
controlled, on the last hole, as there is a water hazard
between the 280-300 mark from the tee. Given you avoid that,
then you are faced with 2 scenarios, if you went over the
water, then you'll be left with about 160 to the hole, go
for it! If you stayed this side of the water, then lay up
and get on the green in 3.
All in all an enjoyable course, I would rank it number 3 on
the north coast of the Dominican Republic, behind Playa
Grande and Las Aromas.
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