| Costa Rica's beautiful scenery and spring-like weather
provide a perfect setting for playing golf. It is no surprise
the sport has really taken-off over the last couple of years
and is on the verge of a boom.
The country promises to become a premier golf travel destination
in the future with the opening of public courses. Golf La
Ribera, the country's first public driving range, recently
opened (381-4433) in La Ribera de Belén near a famous
water park called Ojo de Agua, about 15-20 minutes
from downtown. It is a good place to begin your golf experience
in Costa Rica. The Marriott Hotel has its own range which
for now is reserved for the guests. Parque Valle del Sol (2829222)
is a nine-hole public course near San José. It is very
popular with local expatriates.
Most of Costa
Rica's golf courses have rental clubs and provide caddies.
There is sometimes a staggering difference in green fees if
you are with a member as opposed to showing up at the course
as a walkon. Below is a description of some of the country's
courses.
In the Central Valley, the Cariari Country Club is one of
Costa Rica's two 18-hole course. The Cariari, long considered
to be the best course in Central America, has hosted such
world-famous golfers as Tom Weiskoff, Ray Floyd and many more.
The Cariari is significantly more expensive than Valle de
Sol or Los Reyes.
Costa Rica Country Club is a nine-hole course and boasts
Central America's most lush clubhouse. You have to be with
a member to play but a personal chat with the pro might get
you through the gate and on the course. Incidentally, almost
all the Costa Rican pros speak English, so a hint at perhaps
taking some lessons could help open some doors.
Los Reyes Country Club is just nine-holes for now but designed
to be a full 18 eventually. It is about 45 minutes from downtown
San José.
Currently there are several places to play golf on Costa
Rica's west coast. Over the next few years, more will open.
A word of advice: schedule your tee-off for early in the morning
or wait for a leisurely, twilight round, because the sun and
humidity can be brutal during the day.
Los
Sueños Marriott Ocean and Golf Resort is the
jewel of the Central
Pacific. This beautiful resort is bordered by the Pacific
Ocean on one side and rain forest on the other.
Tango Mar Resort and Country Club is a 10-hole course at
Playa Tambor on the bottom of the Nicoya Peninsula. You do
not have to be accompanied by a member and chances are you
will have the course all to yourself.
Garra de León Golf Course at Playa Conchal is one
of the best golf courses in Central America. No expense was
spared to create a course on a par with the spectacular resort
that surrounds it.
Rancho Las Colinas Golf and Country Club, near Flamingo,
overlooking Playa Grande in mid-Guanacaste, is one of the
newest courses in Costa Rica. This course is the jewel of
a quickly developing community.
The Four Seasons Hotel at the Papagayo Peninsula opened its
new 18-hole golf course in February of 2004. This course is
only opened to guests. Friends who have played there are raving
about it.
Golfers may now keep up-to-date on Costa Rica's growing golf
scene by subscribing to Central America's Golf Magazine,
Tel: 231-6931, Fax: 232-1930, E-mail: golftennis@hotmail.com,
http://www.golfmagazine.net.
For Golf's Tours see: Costa
Rica Golf Real Estate
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