Royal Isabela

This is an awesome course with Spectacular ocean views and tons of photo opportunities with gorgeous ocean views. I played the course a couple years ago and the course conditions were not too good (fire ant mounds everywhere, greens in not good condition, fairways were long and shaggy, etc.). However, the course conditions today were great today all except the greens. The fairways were great and cut nicely. The Superintendent has really done a great job in improving the overall conditions of everything. The greens were a little bumpy with small ant mounds all over the greens. The entire property tries to be chemical free as possible and tries not to use pesticides on the course.
However, the ocean views are spectacular. I have played almost every course in Puerto Rico and this course has by far the prettiest ocean views with four or five holes right along the ocean or the green is right above the ocean. It is a bit of a drive from San Juan, but in my opinion, well with the drive. It is a little price because whatever rate you get, you then have to add on another $80 because a caddie is required. The caddie I had was great and very helpful in getting around the course, especially the back nine. The holes go everywhere and I would never have known which hole to go to next because there are actually 21 holes on the course.

In my opinion, it is well worth the drive as well as the additional charge for the caddie. I will definitely be back to play again the next time I am in PR.

This was my second trip to Royal Isabella and the course layout and views are second to none. However, the course condition had really gone down hill from my last trip two years earlier. The greens are still the best in PR, however the fairways and first cut of rough looked like they had not been mowed in a month and the fire ants had mounds everywhere on the course. The bunkers also need a lot of attention with weeds growing in them and minimal sand. The back nine views are one out of a postcard and you find yourself almost more focused on the scenery than your golf, but for 2 bills I expect better conditions than this.

I played many golf courses but Royal Isabela is one of my favorites. From the moment you arrived at the resort you are overtaken by a felling of excitement and serenity.
The Golf Course is challenging specially when you ad the wind factor and the 350+ ocean cliff . The back nine holes are breath taking, you feel like you are playing in pebble beach but in 85 degree weather with t-shots over 380 ft ocean cliff walls. Par 3 / 185 yards hole 17 will test you as a golfer.
Caddies are very important as it is a difficult course with many hazards, strong cross winds and a few blind shots.
The staff is amazing and the accommodations are beyond any expectations.
Casita # 4 is the best in my book.
Luis Hidalgo is the caddy you want to have.
Royal Isabela is a Resort with many other amenities besides Golf from tennis, to yoga to paddle board in a river etc...
And to top it all the food is amazing with a farm to table menu and daily fresh sea food, Royal Isabela is "The Pebble beach of the Caribbean"

This course has ocean views, tee shots near cliffs, and holes cut out of jungle. This course is designed for Tiger Woods in his prime, but the beauty of this course allows the experience to still be fun. The courses design includes an island green par 3, tee shots of cliffs overhanging the ocean, and a par 3 cut out of bushes.

My Royal Isabela experience wasn't ideal. I had to ride a bus for three hours each way before and after the round to get to the course as part of a golf media tour. During the round, I was paired with a golf 'writer' who had never played before. Awkward, right? A newbie on a demanding links-like course with winds howling off the water? Yep, he'll never play golf again. That said, it's hard not to get swept away in the clifftop beauty of Royal Isabela. There were a few minor design elements I would question - a couple blind shots on the front nine and the terrifying 10th green that slopes away from players, but those could easily be solved by playing a couple of rounds here. Otherwise, it's an enjoyable ride filled with scenery and shot making. The true Royal Isabela experience - where you stay in the gorgeous casitas, explore the beach and savor world-class cuisine - probably ranks among the best golf stay-and-plays in the Caribbean. Anybody who gets to sample that is living life large. Is this Puerto Rico's best course? Probably, although the East course at Dorado Beach and Bahia Beach aren't far behind. Editor's note: I haven't played Trump yet.