Puerto Rico is well known in the Caribbean for its pristine golf courses

Not only does Puerto Rico boast some of the most beautiful island scenery and fascinating historic architecture, but it is also the golf capital of the Caribbean. With an assortment of top-notch emerald courses located in various cities around the island, travelers who want to head for the greens during a Puerto Rican vacation will be in paradise.

Puerto Rico's perfect tropical climate is ideal for a game of golf almost any time of year. Warmth from the sun's sultry rays combined with cool breezes from the moderating trade winds create the perfect atmosphere for an afternoon tee time, and whether it's your first time on the course or you're a seasoned golf veteran, Puerto Rico has world-class courses designed to meet the golfing needs of all types of course patrons.

Puerto Rico's Golf Courses

Several famous golfers come from the gorgeous island of Puerto Rico, including golf legend Chi Chi Rodriguez. In addition to the numerous celebrity golfers who call the island home, Puerto Rico attracts more than 10,000 active golfers, including thousands of tourists who visit the island throughout the year as well as the island's locals who make up a large percentage of the golfing population. You don't have to be a golf professional to enjoy the spectacular greens in Puerto Rico.

To accommodate all of the island's golf fanatics, Puerto Rico has approximately 23 golf courses, and six more are currently under construction, so travelers have a variety of courses to choose from. Many of the island's greens were designed by renowned course designers such as Robert Trent Jones, Jack Nicklaus, and Arthur Hills. These championship courses offer challenging golf for both experienced golfers as well as novice players.

Travelers can visit golf courses all over Puerto Rico's countryside in cities such as Aguirre, Aquadilla, Cabo Rojo, Ceiba, Coamo, Dorado, Fajardo, Fort Buchanan, Humacao, Palmer, and Rio Grande. So depending on where you stay and what type of course you want to visit, you will be able to choose from many great courses, including the Aguirre Golf Course, Coamo Springs Golf and Tennis Club, or the Dorado del Mar. Other fantastic golf courses that can be found throughout the island are the Fort Buchanan Golf Club, Coco Beach Golf & Country Club, the Plantation Clubs North and South courses, Berwind Country Club, and many, many more.

Several of Puerto Rico's golf courses are located at top-notch hotels and resorts, so when making your hotel reservations, find out whether your hotel has its own golf course, such as the Hyatt Regency Cerromar Beach Golf Club in Dorado or The Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort, Country Club and Ocean Villas, which offer oceanfront and riverside courses in Rio Grande. With the convenience of on-location golf, you can spend an invigorating afternoon on the greens and return to your luxurious accommodations for a relaxing dip in the pool, or just relax with a refreshing fruity cocktail at the hotel bar.

Golfing Information

The hours of Puerto Rico's golf courses vary by establishment. Check with each course on your itinerary in advance so you won't miss out on any great green time. Usually, you don't need a reservation at the island's courses, and you should be able to get in an impromptu game of golf, but it is always best to check ahead of time just in case the greens are very crowded.

The cost to play at Puerto Rico's golf courses starts at approximately $30(USD) and can reach as high as $150(USD). There are a number of annual golf tournaments held on Puerto Rico, such as the World Amateur Team Championships. To find out about golf tournaments that may be going on during your vacation to Puerto Rico, contact the Puerto Rican Golf Association, which can be reached via Internet at www.prga.org or by calling 787-721-PRGA (7742) in Puerto Rico. The PRGA has been around since 1954, developing and promoting amateur golf throughout the island of Puerto Rico.

Golfing can be a relaxing experience, as well as exciting competition, so why not practice your swing while visiting the multi-faceted vacation destination of Puerto Rico.