Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
The Takeaway: Tobago Plantations is the most revered course on the island, but the baked dry fairways, handy-me-down carts, amount of housing, and odd routing detracts from a setting that takes players to the ocean twice. Play it if staying at Magdalena Hotel, otherwise, don't go out of your way. Grade C-
Quick Facts
Designer: Bob Hunt & Marcus Blackburn 2001; 2013 refurbishment
Cost: $85 USD Click for current rates
Phone Number: 868.660.8500
Course Website: Official Website - Visit Tobago Plantations at Magdalena Grand Beach Resort's official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - Tobago Plantations Estate, Lowlands, Tobago 46X8+XFF – TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Photos: See additional photos of Tobago Plantations at Magdalena Grand Beach Resort
Similar Course:
What to Expect: Tobago Plantations is one of the few golf course options on the island of Tobago and enjoys an admirable setting near the Caribbean Sea. In addition, there will never be a time where you will be battling with many other golfers on the course, which is evidenced by the fact that the pro shop only stages a half dozen carts or so. Unfortunately that is where many of the positives end. The course is routed through a development which brings with it the distractions of traffic, housing, and some odd routing choices. The routing does take players to the ocean twice; once on the front and again on the back nine which is nice, but the yellow fairways are baked dry while the greens are barely holding on. Though the course is affiliated with the Magdalena Hotel and attracts those guests, the operation feels more like a small town 9 hole course with a handful of beat up, hand-me down carts, a tiny maintenance staff, and a pro shop where there are more used golf balls to purchase than new ones. There are decent architectural features but the maintenance of the course as a whole is pretty poor which takes away from the original intent of the design. In addition, virtually none of the hazards are marked which makes it difficult to know of their existence on a flat property where the lack of elevation changes prevents raised visuals that would make them apparent. The course is not worth the $85 rack rate, but discounts are available through the hotel and can provide four hours of entertainment while on the island.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 72 | 7009 | 75.3 | 140 |
| Blue | 72 | 6517 | 73.0 | 138 |
| White | 72 | 6018 | 70.1 | 137 |
| Red (Ladies) | 72 | 5345 | 72.5 | 130 |
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 14th Hole – 164 Yard Par 3 – By far the most attractive hole at Tobago Plantations, the 14th plays towards the sea with a row of palm trees sitting between the green and the beach. The wind will often be moving in from the left and will need to be accounted for on this green that moves away and to the right from the player.
Best Par 3: 5th Hole – 205 Yards – With the sea creating a portion of the backdrop, the 5th is a challenging one-shotter that plays to an undulated green that is also partially blind due to some mounding in front. When checking in, the staff member told us, "Good luck on #5, it is tough!" The stars aligned and we both walked away with pars.
Best Par 4: 3rd Hole – 416 Yards – The 3rd hole often plays into the wind as it travels towards the sea. An extra club or two will often be required on the approach shot to counter the wind before finding an undulated putting surface near the coast. Standing on the green offers one of the more impressive views on the course.
Best Par 5: 18th Hole – 535 Yards – The closing hole at Tobago Plantations plays to a fairway flanked by water on the left side. The approach shot often plays into the wind and has a large bunker on the left side of the green. One word of advice throughout the hole; stay right!
Birdie Time: 12th Hole – 348 Yard Par 4 – The shortest par four on the course yields the greatest chance to card a birdie. A decent tee shot should put a wedge in your hand for the approach shot and an opportunity to go pinseeking. The hole plays straightaway without too much to worry about other than moguls that have been shaped in the fairway, but balls should move off the hills and give you a good lie to attack from.
Bogey Beware: 15th Hole – 437 Yard Par 4 – The tightest and most penal tee shot on the course awaits at the 15th. When the wind is whipping it is hard to stand on the tee with any confidence of finding the short grass. A marsh area is on the left side and thick foliage on the right with an undulated fairway in between. Even a shot in the short grass doesn't feel like a reward before attacking the green that mimics the movement found in the fairway. If there was a "Double Bogey Beware" hole, this would be it.
