Skip to Content

East Course

EXPLORE THE COURSE

Robert Trent Jones, Jr. modernized his father’s original seaside course, but its history remains. Tree trunks bear the marks of golf balls that went astray, and each hole is named for the trees that surround it. In his restoration, Jones Jr. brought back the ocean views and used native sand to contour the bunkers. The 18-hole course plays more than 7,200 yards.


HOLE 1

Uva de Playa, or Sea Grape, has a sweeping dogleg left par 5. Challenge the bunkers left of the tee for the chance to reach the green in two. A small green with a midpoint transition bisecting it requires an aerial attack. Approach shots into the green are usually played into the wind, so add a club or two depending on wind speed.

/

HOLE 2

El Mangle, or the Mangrove, is a long par 3 with water on the entire left side. Wind is from left to right, but most players won’t notice this on the tee. The wide approach allows for a run-up shot, but watch for bunkers on both sides.

/

HOLE 3

Pterocarpus, or Blood Wood, is a shorter par 4 that plays into the wind. Strategically placed fairway wood allows for a mid- to short iron approach shot. Water on the left of the green means precision is key.

/

HOLE 4

Ausubo, or Balata, is the course’s most famous hole, a double dogleg par 5 that’s reachable with two well-made shots. Reward outweighs risk on the tee shot, which travels into the wind and over water. Wind continues to impact the second shot, whether a layup or on the green, which has gentle slopes with a false front on the right edge.

/

HOLE 5

El Ceiba, or Kapok Tree, is a mid-length par 3 that’s well-bunkered with water on the right of the green. Sweeping winds aren’t felt on the tee but can impact a shot. An extra club may be needed to reach the elevated green.

/

HOLE 6

Tortuga, or Turtle Tree, has a classic runway tee to lead you on this straight-away par 4. It’s a beautiful hole that plays mostly downwind. The elevated green requires more than one club on the approach to reach the surface and avoid the deep bunkers guarding the green.

/

HOLE 7

Maria y Almecigo, or Tangled Maria, is a longer downwind par 4 that requires a precise tee shot to avoid fairway bunkers on both sides. A well-struck drive can carry the left-side bunkers, but don’t push it to the right. The second shot on this narrow, two-tiered green requires accuracy due to bunkers on both sides.

/

HOLE 8

Limoncello, or Eucalyptus Tree, is a dogleg left par 4 with water on the right side of the teeing ground. The ideal line is the right edge of the leftside fairway bunker. The second shot goes downwind into an elevated green that’s protected on the front left. Coming up short, right or long on the approach means you will have a challenging pitch or bump and run from the areas surrounding the green.

/

HOLE 9

El Mamey, or Mamey Apple Tree, is a slight dogleg right par 4. Tee shots aimed at the right fairway bunker should work towards the center. Approach shots require care as the long, narrow green is surrounded by bunkers and there is a strong ocean breeze.

/

HOLE 10

Caoba, or Mahogany, is a dogleg right par 4. Tee shots must work around the bunkers on both sides of the fairway. Approach shots into the green need to be precise as it is the course’s shallowest surface and is well-guarded by traps on the front and back left. Winds are usually helpful in avoiding water protecting the left side of the green.

/

HOLE 11

Palma Royal, or Royal Palm, is a strong par 5 that plays into the wind. A rightside fairway bunker forces players to keep their tee shots to the right. The second shot faces a “decision bunker” near the center of the landing area. The green, surrounded by bunkers, is the course’s most interesting.

/

HOLE 12

Cupey, or Clusia Tree, is a mid-range, uphill par 3. Yardage must be precise as the bunkers guarding the green’s front right and left are deep.

/

HOLE 13

Yagrumo, or Balsa, is par 4 and plays downwind. The narrow hole and fairway bunkers mean drives must be carefully executed. The second shot requires an aerial approach.

/

HOLE 14

El Corozo, or Corozo Palm, is a strong par 5 that plays into the wind. The drive must navigate the leftside fairway bunker and the out of bounds, which runs along the entire right side. Rarely reached in two, the layup shot must avoid the bunkers in the second landing area. The elevated green slopes from back to front.

/

HOLE 15

Algarrobo, or Coumaril, is a downhill par 4 that may be reached by longer hitters who can avoid the water and reflecting bunker guarding the right side. Winds, while not felt on the tee, will impact the ball.

/

HOLE 16

Ucar, or Black Olive, is a beautiful par 4 that bends slightly to the left at the turning point. The hole was designed to tie the fairway bunkers to those on the green side. A good drive should leave a mid-iron into the long, narrow green.

/

HOLE 17

Corcho, or Cork, is a par 3 with water on the left and downwinds. The elevated green is dissected lengthwise. The back right corner is the Sunday pin placement, but the hole should still be taken seriously.

/

HOLE 18

Almendro, or Almond, is a long par 4 with the Atlantic Ocean along the entire right side. A good drive will leave a mid- to long iron into a large green built to receive various approaching shots. Winds coming from behind can be used to your advantage. The angled green is bisected by a shallow trough and is the perfect ending hole.

/

GOLF AT DORADO BEACH

The resort’s two courses present players with both the joy and challenge of the sport. Designed to capture the beauty of nature, the Tournament Players Club courses offer 18 holes each and use native sand, manmade rivers and contoured bunkers to test even the most seasoned golfer.

SUGARCANE COURSE

LEARN MORE