Panama doesn't have a long history with the game of golf, but interest in the sport is increasing. Several courses have opened near Panama City in the past few years, and many offer discounts to retirees via the country's Pensionado program. The following six courses offer great golf at affordable prices and welcome newcomers.
1. The Summit Golf Club. This is a convenient 18-hole course near Panama City that's ideal for golfers looking for a physical challenge. This unique jungle course is about 25 minutes outside the capital and surrounded by thick trees and foliage. Leave your expensive balls at home, as you are almost certain to lose more than a handful here.
There is a new Radisson hotel on the property that sometimes offers golf and hotel packages if you'd like to make a weekend of it. Because of Panama's heat and humidity, it could be a good idea to stay at the hotel and get an early start on the fairway.
Summit was built in 1999 and is a 6,880-yard, par-72 course designed by American Jeffrey Myers. It's set on rolling hills overlooking the famous Gaillard Cut of the Panama Canal and the Camino de Cruces National Park. A number of holes have good vertical drops and unique challenges.
The fairways are pristine, but the greens are always rough and slow, which probably has more to do with the weather conditions than the efforts of the club. White-uniformed groundskeepers are on the course every day working to keep the ever-advancing jungle at bay.
Green fees: weekdays, $74.90; weekends, $90.95 (plus 7 percent tax). Pensionado retirees get a 20 percent discount on weekdays.
2. Mantaraya Golf Club. This 18-hole course near Playa Blanca on Panama's Pacific coast is part of the Royal DeCameron resort and was designed by architect Randall Thompson. The front nine holes on this par-72 course are said to be largely for beginners and not terribly challenging, but the back nine can be more interesting with a lot of risk-and-reward shots. The facility has hosted the U.S. Senior Amateur Golf Championship and features a pro shop, a driving range and a clubhouse.
Green fees: weekdays, $63 for 18 holes and $53 for nine; weekends, $89 for 18 holes and $66 for nine (plus 7 percent tax). Hotel guests get a $5 discount, and Pensionado retirees get 25 percent off.
3. Tucan Country Club and Resort. This 18-hole course just west of Panama City near the Panama Pacifico development is a favorite among Panama's in-the-know golfers for the novelty of its wildlife. It's not uncommon to see sloths and monkeys hanging around in the trees alongside the fairways.
The course is kept in great shape and features a number of subtle challenges and rolling greens. The staff is well trained, and service is a strong suit. Because of the afternoon heat and humidity, morning tee times are recommended here.
Green fees: weekdays, $48 in the morning and $37 in the afternoon; Fridays, $53 in the morning and $43 in the afternoon; weekends and holidays, $70 in the morning and $59 in the afternoon. Non-Panama residents pay slightly higher rates, and there are no discounts for Pensionado retirees.
4. Coronado Golf and Beach Resort. This stunning 18-hole course in Panama's City Beaches area is in the town of Coronado and popular among foreign retirees. The course was designed by George and Tom Fazio and is a par-72 at 7,092 yards.
Green fees: $95 on weekdays; $115 on weekends. Hotels guests pay $65 on weekdays and $75 on weekends. No discounts for Pensionado retirees.
5. VistaMar Golf and Beach Resort. This 18-hole course is smack dab on the Pacific shoreline and has a flat, open and easy layout. It's a resort-style course that opened the back nine in late 2012. It has great views of the mountains and the Pacific Ocean and claims to be the only course in the world with ocean views from every hole. At just over 7,200 yards from the back tees and a manageable 5,400 yards from the forward tees, Vista Mar is challenging on distance and forgiving for those who haven't seen a straight tee shot in years.
Green fees: Regular rates are $110 during the week and $120 on the weekends, plus tax. Tuesday to Thursday, you can take advantage of special twilight rates of $50 from 1 p.m. onward and $40 from 2 p.m. onward. No discounts for Pensionado retirees.
6. Buenaventura Golf Club. This world-class 18-hole course, designed by Jack Nicklaus and managed by Troon, measures 7,324 yards from the back tees at par 72. A unique aspect of this golf course is the choice of paspalum platinum grass, a warm season turf-grass known for salt and shade tolerance, quick recovery and a brilliant dark green color. This alone makes Buenaventura superior to many other courses in Panama because of the sometimes harsh weather and poor course conditions found elsewhere.
The Buenaventura golf course and resort development and the associated hotel, a JW Marriott, are top of the line, and the prices reflect this. However, you often can find discounted golf packages offered on the JW Marriot site. Because of its steep rates (for the hotel and the course), it is rare to find the Buenaventura course crowded, and morning tee times are usually available.
Green fees: Hotel guests pay $115 during the week (Monday to Thursday) and $135 on weekends (Friday to Sunday); non-guests pay $200 during the week and $250 on weekends. No Pensionado discounts.
