THE Golf Course

First 18 holes 72 par in Cuba

A Great Course for masters or just beginners.

Varadero Golf Club is the first 18 holes 72 par golf course in Cuba.

The golf course was started in December 1931, and shortly after completion, in September 1933, was hit by a hurricane that swept away with greens and fairways from holes 5 to 9.Although architect Herbert Strong designed the first golf course with 18 holes, it was later built with only 9 following a design by Sim Cuthrie. The first four holes were built on natural soil, while the others required refilling. From April to December 1934, over $10 000 dollars worth of soil had to be dumped on the land and the golf course was fully operational again in 1936.

The current layout of the course was designed by architect Les Furber, President of the Canadian Golf Design Services LTD (GDS), in the style of Robert Trent (Jr.). It extends over a narrow area of 3.5 km located between the hotels “Be Live Adults Only Los Cactus”, “Be Live Experience Tuxpan”, “Iberostar Bella Costa”, Meliá Las Americas “Golf & Suites Resort”, “Meliá Varadero”, “Sol Club Palmeras”, and “Sol Club Sirenas-Coral”.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE GOLF COURSE

Our course is an 18-hole Par 72 Golf Course: 5 Holes Par 5, 5 Holes Par 3, the remaining 8 Holes are Par 4. It has 6 269 linear meters of travel between the First Tee or the Green of 18 Hole.

The tee of departures They are for all levels of players (Professionals and Amateurs). It has turf varieties: Green: Paspalum, Tee: Bermuda 328, Farway: Bermuda 41.

It combines three styles of golf architecture: Classic Design, Challenging Design and Links Design.

1. Classic design, broad roads bordered by trees, wide and scarcely protected greens.

2. Challenging or Target Golf design, modern style with narrow roads and heavily protected greens surrounded by sand traps and lakes. The Varadero Golf Course has several salt water lakes that connect directly with the sea, a feature that makes it almost unique worldwide.

3. Links design, with holes located alongside the sea following the shoreline, introducing the ocean as another obstacle in the game.

Due to its configuration, the course is divided into two distinct areas. A first round from holes one to nine, that can be considered slightly easier, and a second round, from holes 10 to 18, where holes 11, 15. 16. 17 and 18 stand out for their individual complexity. This allows golf players to combine all the technical elements of the game with the beauty, peacefulness and quiet of the surroundings. Our Golf Club continues expanding its most ambitious golf facilities projects by opening the first golf academy operated by PGA professionals and instructors from the Cuban Golf Federation.

Practice areas (300 meters for long games, 2 putting greens, 1 shipping green, 2 bunkers) are structured to allow for instruction to be imparted indoors, including the use of accessories, golf clubs and practice balls. Anyone interested in taking up this fascinating sport may learn its secrets attend one hour sessions that start at 9:00 a.m. with a maximum of four students per instructor.

The Golf Academy has designed various programs following international sports guidelines, rules and ethics, open to all professionals and students who wish to enjoy this fascinating game amidst breathtaking beaches and our wonderful culture.

The Club House of the Varadero Golf Club has a golf players´ reception at the Caddie House, also including a Pro Shop and Snack Bar.

We have facilities and experience in organizing international golf tournaments.

We have hosted two European Challenge Tour Grand Finals (1999 and 2000).

Hole 1. Punta de Agua

A relatively easy par 5, with a wide fairway and light rough. The out of bounds is located on the left, separated from the practice range by a white line. Large green protected by sand traps.

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Hole 2. Manglar

A whole mangrove delimited by its lateral water to the left and a wide sand trap makes that the first blow should be played as much as possible in the center of the street and thus access a long and narrow green but easy to reach.

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Hole 3. El Breve Espacio

The easiest hole on the course, from where the par can be easily seen by all.

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Hole 4. Iguana

The longest hole on the course. The first stroke to the left side of the fairway would offer more visibility for a second stroke, exactly in front of an elevated green well protected by sand traps.

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Hole 5. Autopista

Normally in case of crosswinds, the first stroke should be aimed at the center of the fairway, since it is well protected by a sand trap on the right and by Bermuda rough on the left. The green, as in most cases, is large but protected by sand traps.

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Hole 6. Lindo Sueño

Par 3, usually affected by crosswinds, and with a large narrow green protected by two huge sand traps on either side.

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Hole 7. El Pinar

The first Dogleg of the course is located on the left, therefore the first drive should be played towards the left side of the fairway for a better second stoke. Elevated green protected by coconut palm trees and sand traps.

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Hole 8. El Paraíso

Despite its matchless beauty, this is a frightening hole with elevated tee and green, including a constant breeze, which make it one of the most attractive holes on the course.

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Hole 9. Cocoteros

Short par 4, however the player must have a well defined strategy before attempting to play. The first stoke is aimed towards the left side of the fairway, always trying to avoid the enormous pine which could complicate the hole. The green is well protected by sand traps

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Hole 10. Oasis

Your biggest problem is that the wind is usually against the player and also the lakes begin at this hole. The second stroke is important since the fairway becomes narrow and is protected by an immense sand trap. A green with marked slopes makes it a challenging hole

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Hole 11. Los Jardines

Second Dogleg hole. The first stroke should be played towards the right of the sand traps. This will enable the player to reach an elevated green with little visibility and protected by 3 sand traps which are not visible from the 2nd stroke position.

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Hole 12. El Escarpe

Par 3 with a narrow and very large green. The large sand trap on the left makes it even more complicated.

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Hole 13. El Farallón

A short par 4. The use of irons will make it easier to play. It has elevated large green and sand traps on either side.

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Hole 14. Los Cactus

Third Dogleg hole; green with little visibility from the first tee. It is advisable to play the 150 yards mark with irons. The bottom can be reached easily from the green.

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Hole 15. Sonrisa del Diablo

Par 4, besides being the longest on the course, it has a green formed like an island. Therefore the player must make a good first stroke in order to reach a good position on the green.

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Hole 16. Tres Lagos

Most representative hole on the field, formed by 3 islands. Players must know the distances from this hole. Large narrow green, well protected by sand traps.

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Hole 17. La Colina

The longest par 3 on the fairway, with an elevated green protected by sand traps. Usually affected by crosswinds.

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Hole 18. El Vigía

One of the most beautiful holes on the course and also very challenging since the wind has a great influence. The fairway is protected by a large sand trap. The first stroke should be played exactly to the left side of the fairway. Green with marked slopes and no visibility from the second stoke.