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4.0
31 Reviews (31)
5 Stars
12
4 Stars
13
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.9
Value
3.6
Layout
4.1
Friendliness
3.8
Pace
4.2
Amenities
3.8
76.9%
Recommend this course
26 out of 31 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.5
6 Reviews (6)
5 Stars
0
4 Stars
3
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.2
Value
2.5
Layout
3.7
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.0
StaffFriendliness
3.0
66.7%
Recommend this course
4 out of 6 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
3.7
10 Reviews (10)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
3.4
Value
2.8
Layout
3.9
Pace
4.0
Amenities
3.6
StaffFriendliness
3.5
70.0%
Recommend this course
7 out of 10 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Resort/Public
Style Parkland
Par 72
Length 6655 yards
Slope 135
Rating 72.1

The Lakes at Barcelo Bavaro Golf Course is an 18-hole championship course that opened in 1991. The golf course is set in a prime location on the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic, boasting a long expanse of pristine coastline on the glittering Caribbean Sea.

The Lakes at Barcelo Bavaro Golf Course, designed by architect Juan Manuel Gordillo, borders a picturesque lake and winds through lush tropical vegetation, providing inspiring views at every hole. It is a combination of holes bordered by thick vegetation and others completely open.

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The Lakes Barcelo Golf Course
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Course Details

Year Built 1991
Fairways Sea Isle Supreme Paspalum
Greens Sea Isle Supreme Paspalum
Golf Season Year round
Architect P. B. Dye (2010) P. B. Dye (2010)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fee
Clubs Yes
Pull-carts Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker Yes
Caddies Yes
Golf School Academy Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Yes
Walking Allowed No
Dress code Collar shirts with sleeves, shorts must be walking length only. No swimming trunks, tennis shorts, cut-offs, jogging or gym attire will be allowed. Absolutely no denim (blue) jeans, zubas, warm- ups, or sweat pants.

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Showers, Lockers

Reviews

4.0
31 Reviews (31)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

Average course!

Course was included in our stay, however $65 for half a cart. Ok layout but nothing out of the ordinary!

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Wet weather
Used cart

Nice little resort course

Pace of play was pretty good, was teamed up with another husband/wife couple. After you leave the golf shop, they point you in the direction of the cart barn, where you lug your clubs with nobody there to assist you. After getting a cart, the guy points to the direction of the 1st tee/starter which you drive to and find nobody there. The course has a pretty decent layout with several challenging holes, a few like #17 at Sawgrass. the greens were not too tricked out and not particularly fast. Not much break either until it gets close to the cup. Reasonably priced for a resort course with nice bathrooms onsite and a friendly beverage girl.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Fairly Easy
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Barcelo Lakes Golf Club

Nice course and challenging. There were no range balls and no attendant to get balls. Had to go find someone to get balls.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Do Not Book unless ON PROPERTY

Despite “prepaying” $115/pp on GolfNow, the course pro shop demanded $100/pp EXTRA upon arrival, due to NOT staying on property. Golf Now ticket case # 11732451 created same day. Awaiting response.

In addition, the greens were ALL in rough shape. We had to take 2-putt maximums to make the course even playable. Not worth the original price, let alone the “extra” fees.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice layout, but experience could be better

Overall it is a lovely course, and probably a good course to start with when visiting Punta Cana. The clubhouse is large and impressive, but check in seemed overly complicated and as someone staying off resort I didn’t feel as welcome as I could have. Even getting a taxi after the round was a challenge as Ubers aren’t allowed into the resort.

Overall the course plays well and is fun. The island green is a challenge and the fairways and green were in ok shape. Course staff were nice and helpful. Water and beer are included, but an option for sandwiches or food would have been appreciated.

I’ve enjoyed other courses in Punta Cana more, but would consider playing this one again.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

La barcelo

The course was not that great for the price. Some of the greens was in rough shape. You couldn’t get any snacks or anything to eat. The staff at the clubhouse was not friendly. The starter was more friendly. I would not play this course again.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Average
Friendliness Fair
Pace Average
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Perfect weather
Used cart

This course is well designed and used to be well maintained and run by golf professional; no longer true. My entire group was very disappointed.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Greens

The Greens were in excellent condition. The fairways
had a few bare spots, but for the most part the condition was very good.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Joe

It was a decent course, traps were a little hard and gravelly.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 183
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 100 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

The Lakes is the golf course located on the property of Barcelo Bavaro Palace Hotel. Barcelo Bavaro is an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I played this course 6 days in a row from 4/10 to 4/15.

PACE: My review is going to biased as I was one of the first golfers off the tee each morning I played. As such, none of my rounds took more than 3.5 hours. That being said, I did see players out on the course in the late morning/early afternoon and the pace seemed to slow a bit. I had an excellent experience with pace of play, but understand how this course could play slow (see Layout comments).

CONDITIONS: Being mid-April I could see how the course would be in great shape during their prime season, and how the course was starting to lose some quality with the hotter days. The grounds team did a great job of laying down sand and watering areas that were degrading. That being said, the greens were great, the bunkers were maintained, and the fairways and tee boxes were in good shape.

STAFF: I found the staff at The Lakes to be very helpful and accomodating. Even out on the course, the grounds crew was very considerate and friendly. The starter and guys working in the golf cart shed are fantastic!

VALUE: If you're staying at the Barcelo Bavaro resort, a round costs $75 American. If you purchase a 4-pack, you'll get a discount down to $60 per round. Not sure this is policy (though I hope it is/it should be) but for my 5th and 6th rounds they still charged me the $60 rate (not $75) because I had purchased the 4-pack. Thank you... I appreciate this.
If you're not staying on this property the rates go up considerably. Given the conditions and layout of this course, it is absolutely a $60/round course. Not sure I would play here if I was staying somewhere other than Barcelo Bavaro.

LAYOUT: Excellent! A great combination of fun and challenging. First off, each hole sits on its own (i.e., you cannot hit your drive off one tee and onto another hole's fairway). As such, although the fairways are plenty wide, the trees and water make the course feel much tigher than it actually is (which is why I think slow play could be a "thing" here). Second, the course is designed really well. Long holes are wider and give you more room to miss... and shorter holes demand more accuracy from your shots. Enjoy the "Mountain of Bunkers" in front of the green on #5; all of the par 3s are picture-worthy; say "Hi" to the peacocks on #14; go for the green on #15; and good luck making par on #17!

AMENITIES: Barcelo Bavaro is an all-inclusive resort/hotel. So when the cart person comes around, and assuming your a hotel gues, you get all the pop and beer you care to enjoy. :)

Only negative: the driving range. During my visit they were slow to get balls out for players. It would be nice to see pyramid stacks of balls (they have the molds, I saw them) already out on the in the morning ready for golfers to warm up.

Overall, I'm going back in 2024. I'm staying for more nights and plan to up my rounds played from 6 to 8-10.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 56
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Course conditions not maintained well.
Club rentals old old sets not worth even $10.00 per set. We paid $ 480 totlle with the taxi ride and $65 for lunch. What a waste

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 22
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

They can do better !

The golf course is nice and the layout is good. The yardage markers were off by approximately 10-15 yards. The golf cart was dangerous. The brakes did not work. The steering was out of line. I told the staff and the response was “it’s ok”. Another staff member told me he is bringing a new cart on hole 4. It never happened. The staff and management have room for improvement.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 86
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 500 Contributor
First Time Playing

Quality DR course

Barcelo Lakes surpassed my expectations. Well designed and maintained course will test skill at every level. Good value at US$75 cart fee or US$ 240 prepaid four rounds for resort guests. Higher than this fee would start questioning value. Hot during late morning afternoon but nice ocean breeze and limited humidity makes it comfortable. Played three rounds enjoyed each would come back to play again.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice layout, service awfull

Inland course, very nice layout and scenery with more palm trees and lakes. Not long. Maintenance good. Average size green with no collar and easy contouring. Average speed. Some had repaired spots.
Pre-show lady very polite but rider and club rental fees outrageous. Starter staff indifferent and slow.
Minimal beverage included but no cart on course and no food anywhere.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Get down here

Amazing course! I had a blast. The rental clubs were great!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

First playing this course

It’s a nice course but it’s a little bit too hard with many hazards. You better bring your A game.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fun

Nice course , would play again, staff was great, need to do maintenance on their carts.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
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