La Barra Golf Club
Emilio Serra laid out La Barra Golf Club in 1994 in the green hills above La Barra and Manantiales, minutes from the beach scene of Punta del Este. A par 72 of about 6,594 yards, it rolls across the Maldonado countryside with the Atlantic never far away.
Photo: La Barra Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
La Barra is the golf to fold into a Punta del Este summer, an easygoing parkland set in the hills behind the resort towns of La Barra and Manantiales. Laid out by the Uruguayan architect Emilio Serra and opened in 1994, it plays to a par 72 of about 6,594 yards across rolling country a few minutes inland from the Atlantic beaches.
This is not a championship monster, and it does not pretend to be. The appeal is the setting and the rhythm: wide, gently moving fairways, mature trees, a handful of water hazards and views back toward the coast. For a traveling golfer based in Punta del Este for the South American summer, it is the natural morning round before the beach and the long Uruguayan lunch, and it pairs neatly with Cantegril a little to the south.
La Barra Golf Club at a glance
- Opened
- 1994
- Designer
- Emilio Serra
- Type
- Parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,594 yds
- Green fee
- From about 80 dollars
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from leading course databases and Uruguayan golf listings. La Barra is a par 72 of about 6,594 yards laid out by Emilio Serra in 1994. The indicative green fee from about 80 to 120 dollars reflects 2026 high summer rates and changes by season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
La Barra makes its case through variety rather than length. The early holes ease you into the round across open, tree lined fairways, and the land begins to tumble as the routing climbs into the hills, asking you to shape tee shots to the slope rather than overpower them.
Water comes into play on several of the par 4s and around the green complexes, where the smart play is below the hole on greens that run quicker than they look in the dry summer heat. The par 3s are the pictures of the round, set against the wooded hillsides with glimpses of the coast, and they reward a committed, well struck iron more than raw distance.
It is a course that gives back a good score to the player who keeps the ball in position and putts well, and the closing stretch back toward the clubhouse is a pleasant, fair finish rather than a brutal one. The reward is as much the setting as the scorecard, with the beaches of La Barra and Punta del Este a short drive away.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members and visitors; visiting golfers can book tee times, busiest in the December to February summer season |
| Green fee | From about 80 to 120 dollars for 18 holes, indicative 2026 high summer; rates vary by season and demand |
| Booking | Book through the golf shop or a Punta del Este golf specialist; reserve ahead over the busy summer holidays |
| On the day | Carts and caddies typically available; smart golf dress expected, confirm code when you reserve |
| Getting there | La Barra, Maldonado, a few minutes inland from the beaches and about 20 minutes from central Punta del Este |
| Best months | November to March for the warm, dry South American summer |
Access and fees verified June 2026; pricing changes by season and demand, so always confirm the current green fee and availability directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Most golfers base themselves in Punta del Este itself, where the high rise beachfront hotels, the marina and the restaurants of the peninsula put everything within a short drive. La Barra and Manantiales, right by the course, are the more boutique, design led end of the scene, full of small hotels, beach clubs and galleries.
From here a Uruguayan golf trip naturally pairs La Barra with Cantegril Country Club on the edge of Punta del Este, and many travelers fold in a few days across the river in Buenos Aires for the great Argentine clubs.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near La Barra Golf Club.
Build a Punta del Este golf trip
We arrange the La Barra tee times, pair them with Cantegril and the best of the Uruguayan coast, and book the beach lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
La Barra Golf Club questions
Who designed La Barra Golf Club and when did it open?
La Barra Golf Club was designed by Uruguayan architect Emilio Serra and opened in 1994 in the hills above La Barra, a short drive from Punta del Este.
What is the par and length of La Barra Golf Club?
La Barra Golf Club is a par 72 of about 6,594 yards, set across rolling countryside in the Maldonado department near the Atlantic coast.
How much does it cost to play La Barra Golf Club?
Indicative green fees run from about 80 to 120 US dollars for 18 holes in the 2026 high summer season. Rates change by season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking.
Can visitors play La Barra Golf Club?
Yes. Visiting golfers can book tee times, with the busiest window the December to February summer season when Punta del Este fills with travelers. Reserve ahead and confirm dress code in advance.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.