Are there any expat golfers out there?

Yes, and live just down the road in Moca. However, until I get a vehicle bought, which may not be until Jan, I stuck with having to borrow my wife's daughters car every do often. I know there's a course in Santiago and it lòojs to be about the only one in this region. Do you know what a round with cart costs? Most of my extra funds go to appliance purchases and costs for processing for my cedula. I am used to doing different courses but is good to have a "home" track to go to. Used to be 7 handicap but shoulder issues and very little golf for several years likely has me back to the high teens or low 20s

Robert and I both love golf. Unfortunately, it is really pricey. There are only a couple courses, at least that we have found, in the North coast area. Robert mentioned staying the night at Dorado cause it makes the greens fees more reasonable.

Too bad for us. DR has some of the finest courses in the world. I kinda like my score to be less than my fees. Lol....

What are the fees in Santiago?

Hey guys! Thanks for the responses. They certainly placed a huge smile on my face. There is hope!..... lol
2Vp Soldier? I can understand that home course idea and it sure does look like las Aromas will be the ONLY course I will play in Santiago, simply because it's probably THE ONLY course in Santiago. Green fees from what I saw in their website says SENIORS?
By the way, that's the only time I refer myself as a senior is if the greens fees drop a few bucks or pesos...... lol other than that I am no senior, mind you.
The website said SENIORS gentlemen 500 pesos. Mujeres 400 pesos.
I will get more detail tomorrow as I am heading over there to get the low down. It says a lot of things. Membership is 15,000 pesos, so roughly $300 .
Not too shabby.
ChristieE I had to laugh at your comment about shooting a score less than your green fees. I'm still rolling after that one....... lol
Maybe I'll put together an expat golf tournament one of these days. I think that would be a blast for sure. Tinker can drive the beer cart.......lol just kidding buddy !

1999-2000 "B" Flight  U.S.V.I. Match play Champion.... 18 handicap I'll have you know !!    Now, I not safe behind the wheel of a cart. A great idea, however, I must decline. They banned golf carts here in Sosua. Therefore, no practice rounds much to my dismay. I'm very good at twist-offs & popping  the tabs off beer cans.

So we've got the job for you Tinker. Official tournament beer opener and for some possibly  taste  tester in case it might be flat....... lol

I concur - might be limited to being official opener and quality control offical ensuring every beer opened is safe....sometimes dirty job but takes someone committed to a good time......was just thinking if we got a bell you  could ring to let us know the next drink was ready and safe - could stretch your name and add BELL ......HEHEHEHEHE ASFSR AS PRICE GOES, IN CANADA WHERE I GOLFED WE PAID UP TO 5000 PESOS, SO COST IS RELATIVE. 500 PESOS IS CHEAP IN MY BOOKS, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO FULL DESCRIPTION OF YOUR EXPERIENCE..

Soldier, all the glitters is not gold. I don't normally ride as I like the walk as part of the challenge of the game, but a cart is 900 pesos. Now that I'm back on the site things are taking shape. If we are not socios, which I'm going to take as MEMBERS, the green fees are 1500 pesos plus 900 for the cart if you wish to ride it is now 2400 pesos which is about what I paid for a round in the states. For my taste and the love of the game, I'd pay that gladly, though I much rather walk a course and this course looks as flat as the sky is blue. Hilly courses I don't think exist here. But one never knows. From the pics of the course it looks like a cow pasture at one time........lol
1500 pesos is not much for a round of golf here. This is not the beach or any resort, BUT! it is the only thing in town..........lol
We'll find something for Tinker to do.......... for sure!

Hey friend, you spelled it wrong,......... it ain't Bell,.......... it is Balls !!    With a capital " B."

Well EXXXXXXXXXXXXCUUUUUUUUSE ME!
Good one Tinker....roflmao

Ok guys let me tell you that Las Aromas Golf club is quite a beautiful place.  Greens fees are about 2500 pesos with rental clubs and of course a few golf balls. if you hit it straight you won't need but 2 or 3 balls. I'm saying that for balls that hit the  cart path and get dinged up. This is walking the course. NOT riding.
It is 6001 yds from the tips as per many websites but the pro told me the length was 5640 yds. That disappointed me because you won't be hitting driver much.  Course is pretty open but I was only given the pleasure of walking the front 9. I'm actually going to play the course later in the week and will take some pics. I did not play today because I left the house around 11:00 and 18 at that hour is like playing in hell. Not one bit of a breeze to cool the bones......lol You've got to get out there around 7 to 7:30 to get off by 8 and finish by noon or earlier.
I did not see many people playing the course....lol I think I counted 2 foursome and a 2some
I think we might have found a home though soldier. people were friendly. pro gave me a tour of the clubhouse, and introduced me to some at the restaurant or cafe.
All in all I think it is certainly well worth the play, and probably play it regularly.

Sounds good. As long as they rent pull carts as my retirement gift to myself was a bag made for driving carts - NEVER even thought of being here then....

I have no doubt that if they have walking rates they also have pull carts. I don't plan on carrying my bag either buddy...
They also have caddies but I did not inquire if they are mandatory. I won't play the course if I have to hire a caddy. That is a deal breaker for me.
Pics to follow later in the week. It's going to probably be Friday. maybe i'll find a group to play with or wait for someone to show up to play with. I don't like playing alone.

We ll! It's Friday and I am excited to finally get around of golf in since arriving here in June. This could be the start of something good.........lol

well my friends the news is not good.  The course did't open until 8:00 Am so I got there and had to wait for the person to show up to open up. paid my greens fees and requested my rental cubs. This is where it began to get interesting.....lol
I was told they do have rental clubs but upon arriving now to officially play my first round in Santiago I was told that I paid the person whose clubs I was using. ooooooooooook, I then proceeded to go outside and had to wait until a caddy went home to get his clubs to rent to me. I could only imagine what those clubs were going to look like when they arrived.
Then the pro approached me and guess what? he is not the pro, he is the head caddy who then introduces me to my caddy. I explain, " sir! I appreciate the fact you wish me to play with a caddy, but this is not being televised and  frankly I am walking the course, and a caddy whom I've never met nor practiced with has no idea of what my game is. So no I don't need to pay and then tip a caddy. He then said those words I certainly was not interested in hearing. "IT IS MANDATORY that you have a caddy. I asked why? he repeated his same remark with now a smile on his face.
I proceeded back into the office and retrieved the greens fee I just paid and called a taxi to bring me home.
I'm sorry to say I will not be playing golf anytime soon. Might just hang up the sport here on this island.

Sorry to hear this.  Sadly so many businesses here are short sighted!!!!!

Never had those problems at Dorado, Puerta Plata.  Don't know the fees as I was a guest of friends each time. I know the peace of mind from the daily grind that comes from time spent on the course.  I empathize with you.  Don't despair, you will find a way to play.  After all Tinker Balls wants to ride the beer cart!

The only course I know that does not make a caddy mandatory is likely in Costambar!  A small course but cute.  Great clubhouse, restaurant, spa and pool though....