The best Trump golf course to play on Puerto Rico golf vacations is not necessarily the one that gets most of the attention for hosting a PGA Tour event.
Watching yesterday’s final round of the Puerto Rico Open reminded me of a handy tip I’d like to share with you.
The PR Open, a three-year-old PGA Tour event, is held at Trump International Golf Club, Puerto Rico, which has understandably become one of the more popular places to play on Puerto Rico golf vacations.
What many people don’t know is that there are actually two, 18-hole courses at Trump’s Puerto Rico property, and while one gets most of the attention for hosting the pros, here’s why you shouldn’t overlook the other.
The layout that hosts the Puerto Rico Open is the Championship Course.
It’s a technically fine golf course, but I think even Donald Trump would admit (off camera) that it’s not quite as “spectacular” as some of the others in his portfolio.
While the front side skirts man made lakes, and the back nine approaches nearer the ocean, too many holes play beside the main resort boulevard, and few really quicken your pulse.
The International Course, on the other hand, is more scenic and fun to play on Puerto Rico golf vacations. The front nine especially is full of surprises and “wow” moments.
Holes one and nine begin and end at the clubhouse on flat turf. In between, though, you go on a roller coaster ride of mountain golf, which is as picturesque as it is exciting.
The hilltop tee of the par-three 3rd hole, for example, offers a panorama encompassing the Atlantic Ocean and the famous El Yunque rainforest.
Although the tougher back nine returns to flatlands, it includes an appealing (although somewhat disjointed) stretch of holes carved through dense jungle palms and swamps.
Now, if the ability to say you played a PGA Tour course is going to give you the most satisfaction, by all means, play the Championship Course. Again, it’s quite good in its own right.
But if you’re looking for a more exciting, memorable round, the International is my pick for the best Trump golf course to play on Puerto Rico golf vacations.
One final tip: If you stay on site at the Gran Melia Puerto Rico or at the Ritz-Carlton in San Juan, you’ll get $20 off the standard green fees, which, through May 31, are $170-$200 for the Championship Course and $150-$180 for the International Course.
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I also enjoy the course at El Conquistador Resort.
Yes, that’s a good one, too. Had a lot of fun the last time I played the El Con.
I agree with your thoughts on this as I have experienced the same thing at the Walt Disney World courses in Lake Buena Vista, FL. The courses that have been used in the PGA Tour events (Palm, Magnolia, LBV) pale in comparison to the Osprey Ridge course, one of the nicest courses in Central Florida. Eagle Pines is also more fun than the tour courses, which I found to be ordinary.
Another reason NOT to play a “Tour” (PGA, LPGA, or other) course is that they start getting it ready way in advance. We played the Crossings Course in Mobile, AL (Robert Trent Jones Magnolia Valley) on February 3. There is an LPGA event on that course the week ending May 16 (3.5 months away). Already they had holes 13 through 18 as cart path only, and they said it would become more restrictive as the tournament got closer.
I hadn’t thought about that angle for this post, Bob, but you’re absolutely right. In fact, the editors over at Golf Odyssey make a point of informing readers about this type of critical info.
when i was last in pr, the trump courses were not yet trump courses and there was only three nines. and while the 27 holes at that time were nice, the course at bahia beach, then a public course was my favorite. i know that they have since blown it up, and rtj jr. has re-done it, but back then there were holes carved out of forest and also holes playing along the ocean. we have stayed at the el con and it is a great resort course. if you stop to think about it, they always drive you to the top of the hill and you hit your tee shot down, think far. rio mar is nice also, but for my money, bahia beach is the place to go in that part of puerto rico.
I played both courses last year when I was on a working vacation evaluating the golf courses in Puerto Rico. The International Course is the more fun to play of the two. #3, which I have a photo of is a gorgeous hole with sweeping views and it gets better as you head around to the back nine, but I can see why they play it on the Championship Course because its easier for spectators and cameras to cover. it would be tough logistically for camera crews and spectators to even watch the players hit from some of the tight spaces on the course. Both courses are a ton of fun to play.
The best course in Puerto Rico is the Flamboyan at Palmas del Mar CC. It offers a diversity of holes and elevation changes with a few bordering the Caribbean Sea. They also have a 2nd course which is called the Palm, it’s sportier and fun to play too!
@ Bob’s comment about playing the courses as they get ready for the tour events: I agree the cart path only is a little annoying, but isn’t it fun to play on a course the pros play, how they lay it. The pros play with 8 inch rough and extremely narrow fairways, don’t you like a challenge every once in a while? I have played right before a tour event, with the stands set up and everything, and it was an awesome experience.
I have played serveral tour courses and was mostly disappointed. Doral Blue Monster (nothing really special except a couple of holes). Scottsdale TPC front nine average, last 4 worth it. TPC Heron Bay former home of Honda Classic is plain old boring. Ocean Course at Kiawah and Whistling Straights are fantastic. Best bang for the buck is former tour course now on Champions stop En-Joie near Binghampton, NY former home of the BC Open. Beautiful old traditional course (public town course). Easy course to walk, tree lined and inexpensive. Only negative is bring bug spray.