Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana

- layout is poor

- range balls are old shag balls pulled out of the woods

- 5 times in the round grounds crew approached us to try and sell balls, one of my drives was picked up by a worker, once he realized I was looking for it, he told me it hit a tree and dropped it into the fairway. He was wearing a “security” shirt - had a bucket and a chair sitting inadvertently in the trees.

- the amount of money you pay to play here is insane. $150-300 a round - it’s worth no more than $75-120.

- I’m shocked there are not lower reviews

Arriving at the golf course all things seemed great, however that was short lived. Tee'd off at one and was on cloud 9, course conditions were great, then get to 2 and tons of construction.

Hard to focus on golf when there are jack hammers rattling off constantly. I thought no big deal I'll get past this hole and it'll be fine but nope. The whole front 9 was construction. To make matters worse I ran into grounds staff on 3, they had a tow behind leaf blowers going all around the green while I was trying to hit to that green. Once I got up to the green they asked if I wanted to buy any balls, I politely declined, they asked again as I was walking off the green; I declined again. I went to the next hole and was on the tee box when the leaf blower came around the corner. I didn't think much about it until they continued to follow me hole after hole. I asked them to please stop by they kept following me, this kept happening all the way to hole 9, constant leaf blowing while I'm trying to hit and construction noises on top of that.

It was anything but relaxing and I couldn't focus on golf.

To top it off the golf cart was in terrible shape and seemed to be the motor was going out. Anytime I went up a slight hill it would struggle and jerk repeatedly barely making it up the hill.

I've been to 3 other courses while I've been here and this has been the worst. La cana was by far the best and the Lakes Barcelo was just a couple steps below that. Those 2 I would highly recommend.

Practice facilities could be better, but overall a great experience and fun course!

I am hoping that I can get my money back. When I booked the course, I thought I was booking the course in Playa De Carmen in Cancun, Mexico. When we got to the course, they said I booked in Puerto Rico.

I clicked on the icon from a map showing Cancun, Mexico and did not know it brought up the course in Puerto Rico. I ended up paying another $140.00 x 2 for the course in Mexico.

I hope you can help me with this issue.

Great course layout. If you can get this course for under $100 it’s a great value. Drinks and food are included during and after your round. Great staff on and off the course.

Stayed at Hard Rock. Was stoked that there was a Nicklaus course on property.

The course layout is very good. It’s well-maintained. Greens were in good shape. I played 5 times in 7 days, so obviously I enjoyed it.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t include the downsides. The practice facility golf balls are literally the worst collection of shag balls I’ve ever seen. You can’t charge $225 for a round and have a range that terrible and balls that pathetic. The chipping and practice green are fine but the range itself is ghastly.

Also, for the value, you gotta book the night before or the day of. I played for about $90 each time which was what it should cost. You’ll pay a premium if you want to play early morning, and I’m sorry, that’s just not a $200+ experience.

Overall? My experience was very positive. If I came back to Hard Rock I’d play it every day like I did. Just be aware of the shortcomings and plan accordingly.

Better signage where to exit fairway

Driving range needs yardage signs and better balls

Rental clubs all need new grips

Good course with wide fairways and minimal rough. If you aren’t on the fairway you are OB. Course played longer than the scorecard with the wind. Greens were in very good shape but rolled a touch slow.

If you are renting clubs, we got are sim irons with mixed woods in poor condition. Make sure to count all the clubs before the 1st tee, one of my partners was missing a 9 iron and if we hadn’t caught it, could have been charged for a ‘missing club’

Would recommend this course, great conditions everywhere from tee to green.

Great layout, terrific staff and excellent value for the money.

Great course, very well kept. Fantastic greens.

Staff were good, refreshment cart very good.

Bad points

Hire clubs were terrible. A miss match of very old clubs, I had 2 3 woods for some reason and my sand wedge was all rusty.

Had to swap golf cart after 9 holes as battery light came on.

No gps or music playing as advertised, wasn’t to bothered with this because I had my watch.

Driving range terrible , hardly any balls and most of those were really old.

Tips

Get a deal on golf now, if you are a solo player sometimes it looks like you will be will be with someone else but if you want to play on your own get there early and if not busy will let you go.

Take plenty of balls, price in the shop in stupid. If you need extra keep an eye out for some of the people you meet on the course they will sell you some.

Conclusion.

Great course just let down by some simple things, $50 for beaten up clubs is not on.

It’s also an all inclusive deal so snacks, beer and drinks after are all included in the price.