
Playa Grande Course
Playa Grande Golf Club
About this course
Playa Grande Golf Club occupies a dramatic stretch of coastline along the northern shore of the Dominican Republic, approximately midway between Puerto Plata and Samaná. Designed by Rees Jones and opened in the late 1990s, the course is known for its clifftop routing that places several holes directly along the Atlantic Ocean. The property features significant elevation changes and tropical vegetation characteristic of the region, with trade winds often influencing play. The layout incorporates both oceanside and inland holes, with the coastal stretch providing the most memorable sequences. Several holes play along or above rocky cliffs with views of the water, while others move through more sheltered terrain further from the shore. The par-3 10th hole is frequently noted for its position on the cliff edge. Jones's design takes advantage of the natural topography, with fairways that follow the contours of the land and green complexes that reflect his characteristic emphasis on strategic bunkering and approach shot demands. The course operates as part of a resort development in the Rio San Juan area, a less densely developed section of the Dominican coast compared to the major tourist zones. The region is known for its beaches and lagoons, and the course attracts both resort guests and traveling golfers seeking Caribbean golf with ocean exposure. The property has experienced periods of renovation and operational changes over its history, reflecting the evolving nature of golf development in the Dominican Republic.
Quick facts
- Location
- Rio San Juan, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, DO
- Access
- Public
- Holes
- 18
- Designer
- Rees Jones
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,483 metres
- Difficulty
- 72.3/136
Getting there
The journey to Playa Grande Golf Club begins at Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP) in Puerto Plata, roughly ninety minutes west along the Dominican Republic's northern coastline. The drive traces the Atlantic shore through fishing villages and palm-fringed stretches before turning inland briefly, then emerging onto dramatic clifftop roads where the Caribbean unfolds in shades of cobalt and jade. As you approach Rio San Juan, the landscape grows wilder and more remote, the final descent revealing Playa Grande's Robert Trent Jones Sr. masterpiece perched above one of the island's most pristine and secluded beaches - a fitting reward for those willing to venture beyond the resort corridors.

FAQ
Common questions about Playa Grande
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Playa Grande was designed by Rees Jones.
Yes. Playa Grande is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Playa Grande is 72.
Playa Grande plays 6,483 metres from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Playa Grande is 136.
Playa Grande is a 18-hole course.

