Metro Country Club (Los Marlins course)

Metro Country Club (Los Marlins course): Golf in Dominican broadly separates into two distinct categories. Many newer courses cling to the ocean's edge, offering high-octane, wind-exposed outings with unforgettable views. In contrast, there are several very good inland, resort-style, parkland courses, where the outlook is more gentile, but the golfing challenges are still all there.

Los Marlins Golf Course at Metro Country Club is an excellent ambassador for the second category. Although less than 100 metres from the sea (at its closest point), you'll not be distracted by any sea views, but you will experience a thoroughly enjoyable course, well laid out by Charles Ankrom and always well-maintained.

A wonderful variety of indigenous trees flank the holes, although the tree-line is never too tight to detract from the relatively open feel that the good-width, nicely mounded fairways often create. The housing around the course, lining one side of most holes, is also set far enough back not to be intrusive.

Expansive sandy waste areas and occasional ponds make their presence felt on several occasions, not least at the par-5 6th and par-3 7th, which both bring water and a large amount of sand into play. Both the front and back-nines contain good birdie opportunities with several short par-4s on each, while five par-3s and five par-5s, might also contribute to a good overall score.