Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort presented by Golf in the Dominican Republic:
Simply a magnificent golf course would be the short version of describing it. Brilliantly cut through 3 different types of landscape the Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort offers players a diversity of holes rarely seen on just one course. Still the Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort has the same basic buildup which enables the player to attack all holes in a similar way rather then having to adjust ever 3 to 5 holes. Holes 1, 2 and 16 can best be described as almost being ocean holes. From all 3 holes the ocean is viewable but not in play. Holes 3, 4, 5, 6, 13, 14 and 15 are the “mangrove” holes while 7 through 12 are inland holes set in open landscape. Equal for all holes are that you need to think twice about what you do, what club you hit and where you take your chances or this golf course will leave you behind with a terrible scorecard when playing the Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort. Play it right. Accept that every once and a while you will drop a shot for example needing and extra shot getting to the green safely rather then taking a chance that has no chance of success. If you don't accept this your encounter with this golf course could very well be the worst score you have had for quiet some time. The writer of this text finds the Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort to be one of the very best in the Dominican Republic. Especially when talking about the layout it might very well be the best. However when last played (June 2009) the course was not in as good a condition as one could expect from a course like this. Rather it was more what you would expect from an average course in the Punta Cana area. Mind you though May and June is normally considered to be the maintenance season for golf courses in the area. Despite the disappointing maintenance condition the Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort is still very much worth a visit.
The Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort is designed by
Nick Faldo and opened in 2008.
Hole by hole description:
Hole 1 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: Fairly shot par 4 hole that starts at the clubhouse and where you have the ocean in sight but not in play (if in play then stop and go back in the clubhouse!). The greatest challenge in this hole lies in the players ability to distract from all the visual challenges this hole offers. Like on all other holes on this golf course choose you club with caution. If you don't need the driver to make the green in handicap regulation then leave it in the bag and play the club that will give you a better second shot lie. The hole slopes from the tee towards the green so even a short club will give good length setting you up for a descent approach shot. The green is visible from the fairway and is “only” protected from a green bunker to the right and waste area the left and rear. The green is long so take extra caution to pick the right ion.
Hole 2 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: Another short par 4 hole sloping upwards form the tee box until about 80 to 100 yards before the green. A rather difficult tee shot as the fairway narrows where most players would like to land their golf ball. However it isn't a long hole so aim for the area just before the narrowing of the fairway. From here you will have about 110 to 130 yards to the green which this time isn't very deep but instead rather wide.
Hole 3 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: This hole leads into the mangrove section of the golf course but isn't really a “mangrove” hole. Most players will regard this as being a long par 3 hole. However the hole is played downhill making the downwards slope towards the green help players with some of the distance. However the green is well guarded by bunkers, waste area and bushes. On top of that winds on this hole will often be left to right and therefor not giving any help to the waste majority of golfers having a slicing tendency. Applaud yourself if you make this green in regulation as you have most likely hit a great tee shot.
Hole 4 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: A medium long par 4 hole. The most of the hole is guarded to both sides by either water, mangrove or both. And if that alone wasn't enough you golf might also encounter a fairway bunker along the way. Like most holes: If you stay on the short cut grass this hole plays easy. If not …!
Hole 5 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: Playing a massive 621 yards from the back tee box this par 5 hole is the longest hole on the Roco Ki Golf Course. The fairway is one of the wider fairways found on the golf course so don't be afraid to hit the big one. However consider weather you can reach the green in regulation or not. If not then calculate that extra shot in from the tee box. The obstacle from the tee box is the need to carry the golf ball a distance to get over the lake that the tee boxes are built in to. There is a tongue of mangrove sticking into the left side of the fairway approximately 300 yards before the green. Therefore be aware that the hole plays easier along the right hand side of the fairway. The fairway narrows from about 130 yards out. It is a large green so try to get you approach shot to the right section of the green or you might very well be faced with a 3 put.
Hole 6 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: A long par 4 with a rather narrow landing area. Guarded to the left by mangrove and to the right by waste area. If you don't think you can make this green in regulation play accordingly or it might very well be costly. The green is sitting up a bit which will make a lot of golf balls that aren't on target roll of. The green is however only guarded by a waste area to the left.
Hole 7 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: This medium range par 3 takes you out of the mangrove and in to the open area of the Roco Ki Golf Course. Biggest challenge here is the combined bunkers and waste area that surrounds most of the green. Besides that the undulation in the green offers quiet the challenge with amongst others a falls front.
Hole 8 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: Medium long par 4 with a fairly easy tee shot. There is a small “island” of waste area in the middle of the fairway that you of course want to avoid. When choosing which club to use for your approach shot be aware of that there are only a few feet from the back of the green to an area behind the green which is grown thick with amongst others bushes.
Hole 9 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: Fairly long par 5 where the tee shot is played from an elevated tee box. Plenty of chance to both miss left an right so if needed sacrifice a bit of length for accuracy. There is a rocky waste area along most of the right side of the fairway which is what most golfers should be aware of. When approaching the green there are combined bunkers and waste areas both to the left and right but they aren't pressed up against the green and should therefore not be a worry.
Hole 10 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: Long par 4 with a narrow drive. The wind will properly often blow from the left which means the majority of golfers should watch the slice. Waste area on both sides of the fairway to catch those stray balls. The green is situated a bit lower then the area on the fairway where most golfers will be hitting their approach shot from. Be aware of a bunker short right plus the fact that this green is divided in to smaller sections so beware where you aim or your golf ball might entirely roll of the green.
Hole 11 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: Medium long par 3 often playing into the wind. Beware of the rocks on the right hand side. If you think you haven't got the length to make the green then try to position shot and a bit to the left. Also the left side of the green is preferably to the right as there is more playable space on the left side.
Hole 12 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: Long par 4 playing into the wind. Most players will be better of playing this as a par 5 hole sacrificing a bit of length for more precision and better positioning. A lake guard the hole of the left side. The right side is also tough with unplayable waste area, high grass and a lake. You will find a tongue of waste area on the right hand side of the fairway approximately 100 to 160 yards from the green. Remember par is an excellent score on this hole and boogie more than acceptable.
Hole 13 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: This long par 4 takes you right back in the mangrove. It is a dogleg right with lakes and waste area guarding the right hand side of the hole. The hole is played safer on the left side but will also make it play longer.
Hole 14 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: A medium long par 5 with a fairly easy tee shot. Plenty of room to land you ball. A couple of bunkers guard the right hand side of the fairway but there is plenty of space on the left side. A giant bunker runs across the fairway approximately 100 yards before the green so early on the hole make the decision on how many shots you will need to make it across the bunker. Be carefully not to hit your approach shot to long as it slopes away from the green behind it.
Hole 15 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: Tough par 4 with a dogleg left and a slope going up to the green making the hole play longer. Make sure to hit the short cut grass or you will find your self in trouble in the mangrove. The green slopes quiet a bit so be carefully not to hit you approach to long or you might be faced with a very tough downhill chip.
Hole 16 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: This fairly short par 4 hole takes you out of the mangrove and back to the ocean that however is only visible but not in play. The hole slopes quiet a bit down from the tee to the center until approximately 120 yards before the green. The landing area for your tee shot is rather narrow with waste area guarding both sides of the fairway. The green is half hidden which also makes the approach shot tough even though the green isn't really guarded.
Hole 17 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: You have finally made it to the signature hole of the Roco Ki Golf Course. The 17th par 3 which looks and plays much like the much more famous par 3 hole at Pebble Beach. It really is a spectacular scenery but remember that all in all it is “just” a 100 yards par 3 hole with a fairly large green. With no or little wind most players shouldn't be afraid of this shot however the scenery changes all that. Enjoy it!
Hole 18 at Faldo Legacy Golf Course at Roco Ki Resort: This finishing par fairly shot par 5 hole is properly the toughest hole on the entire course and the one where par should make you the happiest especially if played on a windy day! Tough tee shot over a spectacular gorge where you are looking straight down into the ocean and a beautiful little beach. The landing area is big enough but depending on what tee you play you might have anything in between 100 to 180 yards to carry before your golf ball is on safe land. But that isn't enough. There is one more gorge you have to cross. This one is approximately 170 to 240 before the green. After having made the last gorge you are faced with a narrow fairway with plenty of built in slopes. The green is guarded by a couple of green bunkers before the green and waste area and cliffs to the left and rear. Birdie is makable but remember that so is a 12!
