Playing a round of golf in Aruba has many interesting qualities, which can provide players of all abilities with unique and challenging experiences.  The pristine weather, typically dry conditions, the ever-present trade winds, and the unique desert landscape all combine to make for some very interesting holes, each with their particular tests and hazards.

Aruba, being a rather small Caribbean island has only three course to choose from, one 18-hole track and two with 9-holes.  We had the opportunity to play two of the three while we visited the island.

The Links at Divi Aruba

The Divi resort provides a stay and play experience for golfers and their families with The Links at Divi course on the resort property.  This relatively short, links-style course, designed by Litten/Viola JV of Boyton Beach, Florida, provides a 9-hole layout with two sets of alternate tee box locations, intended to provide a different look and playing strategy for the 2^nd nine, should you choose to play 18.  The links-style holes feature plenty of water hazards and a liberal dose of bunkers.  Total yardage is 2,952 from the tips and a very manageable 2,273 from the forward tees.

The Links at Divi course was easy to locate and conveniently within reach from the airport or the Palm Beach resort district.  The trip of less than 5 miles takes approximately 12 minutes by car.

We really enjoyed our experience at Divi.  Playing later in the day, the course was relatively quiet and allowed for us to enjoy a leisurely round unlike our traditional North American home clubs.  The clubhouse was well appointed and provided a full service experience, including club rentals, sale of various merchandise, and professional lessons should you be so inclined.  The use of a cart is required and included in the green fees.  Two restaurants are available on the premises as well, making for a nice golf and dinner experience.

The course conditions were good while we visited, with neat fairways, well maintained traps and nicely groomed greens.  The fairways were groomed low an often provided some tight lies.  There were a few small spots on the fairways that needed a bit of maintenance, and the greens were somewhat slower than we expected but played consistently.  Overall we found the course to be in good condition and enjoyable to play.

While many of the holes were fairly open, some presented difficulty with narrow fairways and six that played either along or over water hazards.  Par is 36 for the nine hole round, or 72 should you decide to take a second trip around, using the alternate tee locations.  The nine hole track includes two par 5 holes and 2 playing at par 3.

Our round at Divi included one unique feature that we had not previously experienced – Iguanas.  Iguanas were common on nearly every fairway and could be spotted sunning themselves on some of the tee boxes and greens.  They are harmless, scatter quickly when approached, and really added to the uniqueness of the overall experience.  A fun distraction.

Be prepared to play in windy conditions.  Aruba is known for its arid climate and ever-present trade winds that can have a sustained velocity of 20-25 miles per hour or higher.  Many approach shots required 2-3 additional clubs, playing into the wind and a significant amount of compensation both on approach and off the tee for lateral winds.  Having a knock-down shot in your arsenal, which we do not, would be a significant advantage.

If you’re on the island and inclined to play a round, the Links at Divi would be a good choice.  While the green fees were somewhat expensive by traditional standards, they were what consistent with what we have experienced in other tourist locations.  Fees vary by season and time of day, but were in the $120-140 range for 18 holes or $80-$96 for nine.  Playing 9-holes would also be a good option, allowing you to experience the entire 9-hole layout at a lower cost and in less time.  There is also a twilight option that offers all you can play for $79 USD in peak season.

Tierra del Sol Resort & Golf

Also a play and stay resort, located near the northern tip of Aruba, Tierra del Sol provides a PGA tour quality golf experience for players.  This ocean-side links-style course is the only 18-hole track on Aruba.  The course was designed by the renowned Robert Trent Jones II specifically to take advantage of the views, trade winds, and desert conditions to create a challenging and first-tier player experience.  Tierra del Sol has been the site for several PGA and Senior PGA tour events.  The yardage from the back tees measures at 6,827, which actually plays every bit of that distance.  The forward tees measure in at 5,252, which is substantial as well.

The course is accompanied by a very nice clubhouse that provides a small selection of merchandise, primarily clothing and accessories, with some equipment offerings.   Top-tier club rentals are available as well for those that didn’t travel with their own gear.  There is also a premium but casual restaurant and two grill lounges for those with an appetite.  The carts, which are fully GPS-enabled, are required and included in the green fee rates.  One tip – If you happen to venture too far off of the fairway or too close to a green the GPS in the cart will disable forward motion and you will have to slowly back out to return to full operation.  While this can be a bit annoying at times, it is not uncommon with GPS-enabled carts and is intended to protect the course and carts.

The course was in good condition when we played, which was somewhat surprising for us given the limited amount of rainfall on the island and the windy conditions along the sea.  The fairways were tightly trimmed providing for some challenging lies.  The traps were very well maintained and groomed on a daily basis.  The greens were relatively flat, smooth, predictable, and a bit slower than we are accustomed to, but quickened after exposure to the mid-day sun.  A few fairways had small spots that were dried out and in need of repair, but these were few and did not interfere with our play.  Some of the greens appears to have sandy or dry areas, however this is a result of the very dry climate and they played very well. At times the tee boxes needed a bit of regrowth but this didn’t interfere with our game in any way.  Overall the weather conditions had been relatively dry in Aruba throughout the winter season when we visited, which resulted in a few of the water hazards also being either dry or marshy.

Several holes on the course offered some changes in elevation and challenging rough conditions which results in overall slope rating of 132.  Given that Aruba is generally flat, the elevation changes were a pleasant surprise that enhanced the views of the sea and the California Lighthouse at the northern tip of the island.  The layout definitely rewards a straight shot off the tee, as the desert rough can often create significant difficulties if you stray too far right or left.

Beyond the great views we found that the course had some other interesting and unique features.  First and foremost was the wind.  The trade winds were blowing vigorously (see the picture below), presenting the need for a 2-3 club adjustment when up or downwind.  Significant compensation was needed for any cross-wind shots, which created an attention-grabbing challenge given the swirling nature of the winds.  The course layout was designed specifically to use the winds and terrain to increase its beauty and difficulty.

Click the image above to experience the Arubian trade winds on Tierra del Sol

Iguanas and wild goats, that’s right goats, were abundant on the course.  While we’ve often seen wildlife on golf courses, these were both new for us.  Both presented no danger whatsoever and added to the uniqueness of the entire experience.  Also, it’s wise to bring a few extra balls given the wind and the fact that a good portion of the rough is covered with thick bramble with long thorns.  There is no recovering a ball that gets hit or blown into these bushes!

The course plays every bit of its par 72, including four par fives and correspondingly four par three holes, split evenly across the front and back nines.  The longest par five weighs in at a robust 527 yards from the back tees with par three holes ranging from 150 to a challenging 193 yards.  Considering the wind, some of these holes can play substantially longer than the scorecard yardage, whereas those that play downwind can make you feel like a super long hitter.

While relatively expensive with green fees ranging from $169 USD for 18 at peak season to $129 USD during the summer off-season months.  Nine hole rates range from $79 – $89 USD depending on season and tee time.  There is a sunset rate available that offers unlimited play after 3:00 pm for the price of 9-holes.

Overall, our experience at Tierra del Sol was first rate.  The clubhouse and staff were excellent and, without a doubt, this was our favorite course on the island.  The uniqueness of the landscape, the beautiful ocean views, and the challenging layout and conditions all combined to provide a very memorable experience.  The course was not too busy and played quickly, completing our round in under 4 hours.  Definitely a recommended experience for golfers traveling to Aruba and one that we intend to repeat when we return.

Aruba Golf Club

Located near the town of San Nicolas in the southeastern section of the island, the Aruba Golf Club is best described as a true desert golf experience.  This course, which was the original on the island, can be described as a non-traditional, lower quality 9-hole layout with sandy fairways and greens that have recently suffered from maintenance issues.  Often described as a “true Arubian golf experience”, this track is a favorite of many locals.

The Aruba Golf Club is located near the southern end of Aruba, just beyond the southern limit of the Arikok National Park.  The drive from the Queen Beatrix International Airport takes about 25 minutes, including some travel on roads that are in a state of some disrepair.

We did not have time to play at the Aruba Golf Club during our visit to the island.  However, if you’re looking for an interesting and non-traditional golf experience, based on our research and on our discussions with locals and other travelers, it would be worth considering.  It’s important to note that the hours of operation and course conditions are somewhat unpredictable, so it’s best to do some research before you play.

While Aruba is probably not the first choice for those looking for a golfing vacation, the courses that we visited on the island provided an enjoyable golf experience, with many unique qualities.  The climate is ideal for year-round golfing and is particularly well suited for a round or two while you’re on your mid-winter getaway.  There is something on the island for golfers of every skill level from a beginner playing the forward tees at Divi to the very low handicapper on the tips at Tierra del Sol.  These courses provided some of the most scenic views we’ve experienced, including ocean-side holes and unique flora and fauna, including goats and iguanas.  The service at both courses that we visited was great.  The clubhouse and course staff were always friendly and accommodating and the facilities were very comfortable.   If you’re a golfer looking to squeeze in a round or two between your tips to the beach or the pool or any of the other plentiful activities on the island, the Arubian golf experience is well worth the time and money.

The Finishing Hole at Tierra Del Sol Golf Club & Resort