It is said that golf is 25 percent skill and 75 percent mental. Nowhere is that more true than on the Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo. Featuring ocean views on 14 of the 18 holes, it’s easy to get distracted by the curious chatter of white-faced monkeys in the trees overhead and more than 100 species of birds that call Papagayo home.
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A sharp dogleg allows players to shorten the hole by hitting tee shots over the bunkers at the corners. Otherwise, a wide fairway all the way to the green sets the stage for a safe, three-shot par-5 to start the round.
This short, downhill par-3 features a rock-lined stream in front of the green and a beautiful cove behind it. A receptive approach is to roll the ball onto the right side of the green. However, with the pin tucked left, this will leave a long two-putt.
As players tee off from a cliff with spectacular 360-degree ocean views, one must successfully negotiate “Palmer’s Tree” by hitting over or around it. A true risk/reward hole, with a sharp dogleg fairway featuring deep bunkering on the inside.
This strong par-5 requires an accurate tee shot threaded between bunkers on both sides. From there, it’s all uphill along a wide fairway to a smallish green. An aggressive tee shot over the left bunkers significantly shortens the hole.
The second par-3 on the front nine is tough love, requiring a long tee shot to a green guarded by a large pond on the right and a generous bail-out fairway area on the left. With nothing but ocean as a backdrop, it’s a beautiful but potentially touchy hole.
On this iconic par-4, the tee shot plays downhill to a valley-shaped fairway 200 feet below. The bunkerless green is perched out on a cliff with the ocean behind. Struck well, the ball will fly and roll quite a distance.
Playing 50 feet downhill, this short par-3 requires a delicate tee shot to a smallish green surrounded by bunkers that have been carefully positioned to collect errant shots.
A drivable par-4 with deep penal bunkers guarding the front of the green. A tee shot over the left fairway bunkers set up an easy approach angle. The green, like many on the course, has separate pin areas that reward good iron play.
After the wide open tee shots on 1,3,6, and 8, this narrow fairway plays through the lush Nacascolo Forest. This possible two-shot par-5 features a rock-lined stream protecting the front of the most severely contoured green on the course.
The second hardest hole on the back nine, this sharp dogleg left plays around a deep, natural ravine. A tee shot struck down the left will shorten the distance needed for the second shot into a multi-tiered green. Deep bunkers guard the right of the green, with a generous safe bailout on the left.
This uphill par-3 plays into a predominant wind, with a large green that makes for a good target. The putting surface has excellent tournament pin placements, its left protected by a pot bunker, its right featuring a false front feeding weak shots down to the bottom of the slope. The middle of the green is the smart play.
On the longest par-5 on the course, the tee shot plays downhill and downwind, contrasted by an uphill second shot that must be hit far enough to have a clear view of the green. Surrounded by bunkers, the green offers ample room to lift and roll the ball onto the putting surface.
On this long par-4 and number one handicap hole, tee shots play over a large pond to a blind, sloping fairway, allowing the roll of the ball to shorten the distance. The green is bunkered on the right to catch errant shots the would otherwise go out of play. Left and long is the safe play.
Leaving the windswept plateau of 10, 11, 12, the next two holes play just above sea level among lush, natural vegetation. Tee shots on this medium-length par-4 play over a rock-lined stream to a tree-lined fairway. The elevated, yet relatively flat, green is guarded on the front by the deepest bunker on the course.
An enjoyable, short par-4. Teeing off with a long iron will keep players short of the fairway bunkers, while a well struck 3-wood should carry them, setting up a short wedge over the creek to the two-tiered green.
A long iron or 3-wood off the tee will leave players on the ideal spot, but a driver here can land one safely on the green. A severe ridge divides the narrow green in half, making 3-putting a distinct possibility if you happen to be the wrong side.
This short par-3 plays over a deep ravine to a large green, which is surrounded by bunkers designed to catch wayward shots. A very picturesque golf hole, players will be treated to spectacular views of the ocean from both the tee and green.
A great finishing hole—this short, downhill par-5 from the top of a plateau looks down on a wide open fairway to a green and pond with bunkers behind. The safe play is a long iron just short of the fairway bunkers, setting up a short chip to the green while taking the pond out of play.
The Palmer Signature Course is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Endorsed by the United States Golf Association, this program provides information and excellence to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat and protect national resources. The course has labeled important trees, turning the cart path into a veritable botanical garden. On each hole, you’ll have the chance to see a diversity of colorful plant, tree, bird and animal species, including congo (howler) and capuchin (white-faced) monkeys.
Tame Nacascolo Forest on the 18-hole, par-72 championship course—The King’s premier venture in Latin America. Hugging diverse terrain borne of an ancient lava flow, this 6,788-yard masterpiece winds its way through 125 acres of old-growth forest, valleys and seacliffs. Dramatic elevation changes and a variegated landscape stir the senses while wide fairways and large greens provide a fair and challenging test of your golf finesse.
Featuring multiple short-game practice areas, the Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo provides professional level golf instruction in a spectacular setting set alongside the Nacascolo Preserve. Whether you’re an expert, beginner or somewhere in between, our PGA professionals offer a full range of lessons and clinics to help transform or dial in any area of your game.
We were honored to have been chosen to design the first golf course at Peninsula Papagayo. We were given an excellent piece of property, a lush tropical landscape, exciting elevation changes and 360-degree ocean views on many holes. The course is not only beautiful but a fair test of golf.
Game day begins and ends at Peninsula Papagayo’s iconic golf clubhouse overlooking Culebra Bay—architect Ronald Zürcher’s soaring ode to a conch shell. Managed by Four Seasons, the recently transformed 28,000-square-foot facility includes the private members lounge, Nemare latin steakhouse, pro shop, men and women’s locker areas and administrative offices.
Situated across from the Golf Clubhouse, the Tennis Center features four har-tru clay courts and Costa Rica’s only regulation grass court.
Stop by before or after your round and check out premier merchandise from the best names in golf. The pro shop carries a variety of golf clothing, shoes, accessories and gift items to meet your every need. Open daily from 6:30am to 6:00pm.