Playa Grande Golf Course
Robert Trent Jones Sr's final design runs along the cliffs of the Dominican Republic's north coast, with ten holes hard on the Atlantic. Often called the Pebble Beach of the Caribbean, Playa Grande pairs ocean drama with the firm, strategic golf of a master architect, since revived by his son Rees Jones.
Photo: Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Club via Google.
The verdict
Playa Grande was the last course Robert Trent Jones Sr designed, opened in 1997 on a stretch of clifftop land near Rio San Juan on the Atlantic coast of the Dominican Republic. It is a par 72 of around 7,260 yards, and its calling card is the sea: by most counts ten holes play directly along the cliffs above the ocean, a run of coastal golf that has earned the course the nickname the Pebble Beach of the Caribbean. His son Rees Jones later led an extensive revival of the layout.
Where many Caribbean courses are gentle, Playa Grande is bold and exposed, with the trade winds adding teeth to the clifftop holes and the firm turf rewarding the ground game. For the travelling golfer it is one of the most spectacular rounds in the region, a genuine destination course on a coast better known for its beaches than its golf.
Playa Grande Golf Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1997
- Designer
- Robert Trent Jones Sr
- Type
- Clifftop oceanside
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- Around 7,260 yds
- Green fee
- Seasonal visitor rates
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the club and leading course databases; Playa Grande was the final design of Robert Trent Jones Sr, opened 1997, a par 72 of around 7,260 yards, later revived by Rees Jones. Roughly ten holes play along the Atlantic cliffs. Green fees are set seasonally for visitors and resort guests; figures change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The sea defines Playa Grande. Hole after hole runs along the cliff edge, the Atlantic crashing below and the wind shaping every shot, and the exposure means the round can play very differently from one day to the next.
Trent Jones Sr's strategy is everywhere: generous landing areas off the tee that narrow the closer you get to the green, bunkers placed to punish the easy line, and large, contoured greens that demand a confident approach. The clifftop par 3s, played across inlets with the ocean as a backdrop, are the holes golfers travel for.
Firm and fast underfoot, with the trade winds an ever present partner, Playa Grande rewards the player who flights the ball low and respects the cliffs. It is a thrilling, exposed examination, and one of the most photogenic rounds anywhere in the Caribbean.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Open to visitors and to guests of the Playa Grande and Amanera properties; book ahead |
| Green fee | Seasonal visitor and resort guest rates (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Book through the club or the resort; the north coast is quieter than Punta Cana, so plan ahead |
| On the day | Carts and caddies available; the wind can be strong, so pack accordingly. Smart golf dress |
| Getting there | Near Rio San Juan on the north coast, around 90 minutes from Puerto Plata airport |
| Best months | December to April for the driest, most settled north coast conditions |
Access and indicative green fees verified June 2026; they change without notice, so always confirm directly before booking with the club or your trip planner. Check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
The most luxurious base is Amanera, the Aman resort that sits above the course with the ocean and the golf at its feet. The wider Rio San Juan and Cabrera area offers smaller hotels and villas for those who want the coast without the five star price.
Playa Grande sits on the quieter north coast, away from the big all inclusive belt of Punta Cana, so a trip here is about the golf, the cliffs and the sea rather than the crowds. It pairs well with a few nights on the beach for a relaxed Caribbean golf escape.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Playa Grande and Rio San Juan.
Build a Dominican Republic golf trip
We arrange the round at Playa Grande, the stay at Amanera or a north coast villa and the transfers from Puerto Plata. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Playa Grande Golf Course questions
Who designed Playa Grande and when did it open?
Playa Grande was the final course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr, opened in 1997 on the Atlantic cliffs near Rio San Juan in the Dominican Republic, and later revived by his son Rees Jones.
What is the par and length of Playa Grande?
Playa Grande is a par 72 of around 7,260 yards, with roughly ten holes playing along the cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean.
Why is Playa Grande called the Pebble Beach of the Caribbean?
Because so many of its holes run directly along the ocean cliffs, a run of coastal golf reminiscent of California's Monterey Peninsula, set on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.
Can visitors play Playa Grande?
Yes. Playa Grande is open to visitors and to guests of the neighbouring resorts, with seasonal green fees. Book ahead, as the north coast is quieter than Punta Cana.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year and par verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.