Heading to Aruba next month - any thoughts on golfing potential?

[CJ Carder]

Using the search feature, I found a few comments about Tierra del Sol in Aruba but was hoping maybe someone has played it and can provide some in depth detail or photographs on the course.  When I'm there, it's about $132 per round - is it worth it or a complete waste of money?

Also, I think there's a 9-holer somewhere on the island too? 

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

[erichunter]

I played Tierra del Sol a couple of years ago.  I was actually there when that horrible situation occurred involving the girl from Alabama. 

The golf course is good in spots and basic in others.  It is a very windy locale.  I favored the front nine as most of the back winds thru some condos and less desirable land.  Pace of play also became very slow which probably affected my opinion.  The first 3 holes are all well done.  The 2nd is a dogleg par 4 that has a out cropping of rock that challenges the aggressive line.  The 3rd is a drop shot par 3 that is seriously affected by the wind.

I didn't take any photos but there should be some on the course's website.  The patio is a neat place for lunch after the round to grab a burger and a beer while overlooking the 1st hole and the ocean.

I wouldn't go out of my way to play it but if you want to get off the beach and stay out of the casinos it can be fun.  I didn't play the 9 holer.  It is in the middle of the island which is dead flat and barren looking.  The 9 holer looked completely out of place and had all kinds of containment mounding to keep balls from reaching the adjacent roads.

[Bryan Izatt]

I played it a few times some years ago, before the condos were really in place.  The nines were reversed at that time.  I thought it was one of the better Carribean courses.  It's an RTJ II design so it is professionally done.  There is a fair amount of elevation change.  And, as Eric mentioned it's windy.  Always.  It's not for nothing that the divi-divi trees all bend in one direction.  The course is designed to accomodate the wind.  The first was reachable at 540 yds downwind, while the 12th was not at 428 yards upwind.  If you don't like the challenge of playing in the wind, don't go.  I thought it was a worthwhile experience.  Certainly not a complete waste of money by any stretch.  Whether it's worth $132 to you, only you will know.  So, maybe you need to try it once to know.  If you do, beware of the weekly tournament - the locals always win;  local knowledge is invaluable in dealing with the wind.

[Craig Van Egmond]

I also played Tierra del Sol and it was an enjoyable course.  Aruba is a desert island and is very windy, so the course is built for that. Definately worth playing.

When I was there, circa 1995, the 9 holer had sand greens and that didn't appeal to me at the time. I'd probably play it now just for kicks.

[Doug Siebert]

I visited Aruba for a week in July 2003.  Didn't bring my clubs, and don't regret it.  Driving by Tierra Del Sol, it looked nice, but not so nice I was thinking "damn, I wish I'd dragged my clubs through two flights and two cab rides, each way, just so I could play one round of resort golf"  The nine hole course did not look worth playing even if I had my clubs in the back of the jeep and my alternative was shopping all day with my girlfriend!  Its on the "industrial" side of the island and I doubt you would have much in the way of views, save the oil refinery in the distance

Second the comments made about the wind, you better enjoy playing in the wind if you plan to play there.  It was always blowing 25-30 mph the entire week we were there.  I mean 24x7, non-stop, day and night.  Definitely keeps you cool though since it was 90 high without a cloud in the sky the whole week, and never got below mid to upper 70s at night.  Sure wish we had some trade winds like that here blowing at night in the dog days of July and August!