Palmas Athletic Club — Palmas del Mar
Flamboyán & Palm Courses — Humacao, Puerto Rico
Palmas Athletic Club — Palmas del Mar
Southeast · Humacaocourses/palmas-del-mar-1.jpgOverview
Palmas del Mar is one of the largest resort communities in the Caribbean, and its golf is a genuine one-two punch: the newer Flamboyán Course, a wide-open, water-laced Rees Jones design that stretches past 7,100 yards, and the older Palm Course, a tighter Gary Player layout with real ocean views on the back nine — the same course that once hosted Chi Chi Rodríguez and Lee Trevino on Shell's Wonderful World of Golf. The Flamboyán's signature 12th, a downhill, into-the-wind par 3 framed by palms and the Caribbean Sea, is one of the most photographed greens on the island. The Athletic Club is technically a members' corporation, but non-members are welcomed daily.
Green Fees & Other Costs
Palmas Athletic Club: reported rates
Reviewed September 2026| Green fee | Contact the club | (787) 656-3000; not published online |
| Cart | Included | GolfPass / Where2Golf |
| Older benchmark | $75 weekdays · $85 weekends | Frommer’s guide (dated, not a current price) |
| Wyndham Palmas package | 4–5 nights with 4 rounds | All cart fees, daily breakfast and bicycle rental included (UnderPar listing) |
| Spikes | Non-metal only | Club rule |
Course Facts & History
- Flamboyán (Rees Jones, 1998) is named for Puerto Rico’s flame-red flowering tree; wide fairways, strategic bunkers and gently rolling ground.
- The Palm Course (Gary Player with Ron Kirby, 1974; later reworked by Rees Jones) hosted a Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf match: Chi Chi Rodríguez vs. Lee Trevino.
- Palmas del Mar is a ~2,500-acre gated resort community with over six miles of Caribbean shoreline, developed by Charles Fraser (of Hilton Head’s Sea Pines).
- Roughly 40 minutes to an hour from San Juan; two practice areas, double-ended range and a ~40,000 sq ft clubhouse.
Tees & Ratings
Flamboyán Course — par 72
| Tee | Yards | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | 7,117 | 76.1 | 141 |
| Tournament | 6,770 | 73.8 | 132 |
| Members | 6,415 | 70.2 | 128 |
| Resort | 5,999 | 69.5 | 127 |
| Forward | 5,434 | 72.4 | 128 |
Palm Course — par 71
| Tee | Yards | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back | 6,675 | 73.1 | 136 |
| Club | 6,126 | 70.7 | — |
| Front | 5,215 | 71.3 | — |
Ratings shown are for men’s tees unless the tee is the front/forward set. Source data from GolfPass, Golf Advisor, Where2Golf and club materials.
Pros & Cons
Why golfers love it
- Two genuinely different championship courses on one property
- Palm Course has real television and Chi Chi Rodríguez history
- Large, well-equipped clubhouse (approx. 40,000 sq ft) with Chez Daniel restaurant
- Marina, beach club and villa/condo stays give a full resort-town experience
Worth knowing before you book
- Ocean views are limited mostly to the Palm Course's back nine
- Non-owners have reported confusion around "member discount" pricing — confirm rates in advance
- A longer drive from San Juan (southeast coast, ~1 hour+)
Facilities
- ~40,000 sq ft clubhouse with pro shop & restaurant
- Double-ended driving range
- Two practice greens & short-game area
- Junior golf program
- Marina & beach club in resort
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palmas Athletic Club open to the public?
Resort guests & public (advance booking). The club is a member corporation that welcomes non-members daily — always confirm the rate you are quoted.
How much does it cost to play Palmas Athletic Club?
Contact the club for current rates (stay-and-play available). Rates change by season, day and time of day, so confirm with the club before you travel.
Who designed Palmas Athletic Club and when did it open?
Palmas Athletic Club — Palmas del Mar was designed by Rees Jones (Flamboyán) · Gary Player / Ron Kirby (Palm) and opened Palm 1974 · Flamboyán 1998.
How far is Palmas Athletic Club from San Juan airport?
About 27 miles in a straight line from San Juan airport (SJU). Allow roughly 60–80 min by car depending on traffic.
Where can I stay near Palmas Athletic Club?
Nearby options include Wyndham Palmas Beach & Golf Boutique Resort. See our golf hotels page for room counts, price tiers and stay-and-play details.
What are the tee yardages and ratings at Palmas Athletic Club?
Flamboyán Course (par 72): Championship 7,117 yd (rating 76.1 / slope 141), Tournament 6,770 yd (rating 73.8 / slope 132), Members 6,415 yd (rating 70.2 / slope 128) Palm Course (par 71): Back 6,675 yd (rating 73.1 / slope 136), Club 6,126 yd (rating 70.7), Front 5,215 yd (rating 71.3).
Photo Gallery
Palmas Athletic Club
Photo 1courses/palmas-del-mar-2.jpg
Palmas Athletic Club
Photo 2courses/palmas-del-mar-3.jpg
Palmas Athletic Club
Photo 3courses/palmas-del-mar-4.jpgOther courses nearby
Caguas Real
Centralcourses/caguas-real-1.jpgCaguas Real Golf & Country Club
18-Hole Course — Caguas
Rio Mar Country Club
North Coastcourses/rio-mar-1.jpgWyndham Grand Rio Mar — Ocean & River Courses
Ocean & River Courses — Río Grande
El Conquistador
Eastcourses/el-conquistador-1.jpgEl Conquistador Golf Course
18-Hole Arthur Hills Course — Fajardo
Sources for facts on this page include GolfPass / Golf Advisor, Where2Golf, GolfNow, Discover Puerto Rico, PGA Tour, USGA and the clubs themselves. Reported fees and access rules were last reviewed September 2026 and change often — confirm with the club before you travel. See our research methodology.