Tierra del Sol Golf Course: Aruba’s Desert Links Gem

The only thing better than visiting paradise is golfing in paradise. Golfing at Tierra del Sol Golf Course on the famed Caribbean Dutch Island of Aruba is exactly that.

From the moment you drive or walk up to JOIA Aruba by Iberostar Resort, you stand in awe of the scenery.

Tierra del Sol is located at the northwestern tip of the desert island of Aruba. The course is set below and around the beautiful California Lighthouse, which stands out on a promontory near the 3rd tee. Aruba’s scenic landmark (also part of the course’s logo) is visible from nearly everywhere on the property.

*A side view of the 224-yard 3rd hole at Tierra del Sol is guarded by three menacing traps.*

Tierra del Sol offers spectacular Caribbean Sea vistas on nearly every hole. On a warm October afternoon when I played this championship track, with the sun slowly setting to the west, it was a sight to behold.

Tierra del Sol Golf Course Overview

Almost every hole on Tierra del Sol’s 6,811-yard, par 71 layout features breathtaking sea views, making this a memorable experience from start to finish.

Expertly designed by globetrotting architect Robert Trent Jones II, the course is laid out in two distinctive loops, with each nine returning to the clubhouse after closing near the beach. Several holes get to within a few hundred yards of the crashing surf, with the whole course exposed to Aruba’s ever-present trade winds.

Originally built in 1995, Tierra del Sol hosted several professional events in its heyday. The famed Johnnie Walker Pro-Am (from 1996-2000), the 1996 and 1997 Aruba Aces Championship (a special event on the Champions Tour), and the 1996 Raymond Floyd Golf Tournament were just some of the championships held on one of the Caribbean’s best layouts.

Recently a year-long refurbishment revitalized Tierra del Sol, restoring some of its original glory. The course officially reopened in October 2025, just a short time before I teed up on this fabled desert links.

*Tierra del Sol’s clubhouse would look right at home at any Arizona desert course, complete with palm trees and cacti in its surroundings.*

The contrast between the lushness of the golf course and all of the hills and ridges covered in cacti is a sight to behold. Golf Digest once described playing Tierra del Sol as golfing in Scotland, Arizona and the Caribbean, all at the same time. I find that to be a very fair assessment, as the course features an open links layout, surrounded by desert landscape, and endless sea views.

*A side view of the 204-yard 17th hole at Tierra del Sol, with the green basking in the last hours of afternoon daylight.*

Even with all of its incredible scenery and history, my favorite aspect of Tierra del Sol is the course design. Trent Jones II, the architect of three of my favorite courses in the Midwest, SentryWorld, ThunderHawk, and Prairie Landing, made this place spectacular golf-wise.

Tierra del Sol is constantly buffeted by strong winds from the East, similar to the famed Kapalua Plantation Course in Hawaii. Trent Jones II built the course’s longer holes to play mainly downwind, while the shorter holes play into the breeze for the most part.

Here are two fun examples: The par 4 2nd hole at Tierra del Sol plays 477 yards, while the par 4 5th hole stretches to just 310 yards. On the second hole, I blasted a driver high over the desert-strewn corner, then got home with a 180-yard, lofted 7-iron aided by the breeze. On the fifth hole, I hit a low boring drive, and then played that same 7-iron into the green with a 120-yard, knock down shot.

*The 477-yard 2nd hole at Tierra del Sol plays much shorter downwind, with the California Lighthouse in the distance.*

Having longer holes play downwind, and shorter holes play into the wind, is a simple enough philosophy, but Tierra del Sol gets even better. Throughout the layout there are subtle angle turns and doglegs, forcing players to hit every different type of golf shot throughout their round. This isn’t the type of course where you can waltz around hitting fairways and greens by playing the same stock high fade. This makes Tierra del Sol’s golf experience truly engaging for any golfer.

*The 310-yard 5th hole at Tierra del Sol plays into the teeth of the trade winds, making the carry to the fairway a daunting task.*

Trent Jones II’s creative routing ensures players only play three consecutive holes into the wind or downwind. The opening three holes play downwind. Later holes eight through 10 play mainly into the breeze. However, none of the holes play straightaway.

*After three downwind holes to start your round, Tierra del Sol turns in the opposite direction and ups the ante with the 398-yard 4th hole, playing back straight into the wind.*

Throughout the round I was truly engaged, as I love playing different types of shots. Tierra del Sol was love at first sight, or more appropriately, love at my first wind riding shot driven off the 600-yard first tee.

The par 5 1st hole welcomes players to Tierra del Sol, downhill and downwind for all 600 of its yards. While the opening hole is lengthy, it is a much more welcoming starting hole than the 10th, which plays in the opposite direction back into the breeze.

Tierra del Sol Golf Course

Location: Caya di Solo #10, Noord, Aruba (Dutch Caribbean)

Architect: Robert Trent Jones II

Course Details: Par 71; Tees: Gold – 6811/74.2/132; Turquoise – 6453/73.9/121; White – 6011/70.7/119; Coral – 5002/70.6/121

Favorite Holes and Highlights

Built in two distinct loops going out and back from the clubhouse, Tierra del Sol has a bit of a Scottish nature in its routing, moving out by the ocean as you close each nine. The course’s best holes are located near the sea and are the most exposed to the wind. My favorite holes were a pair of smashing long par 3s on the back nine, the 15th and 17th holes.

The 15th is a gorgeous and tough challenge. There are a few different options for the teeing ground, but the tips start players on the edge of a rocky hill. The hole plays 205 yards across a desert wash (sometimes filled with salt water) to a rocky plateau where the green sits.

The 15th tee shot is truly a heroic one, as the wind is coming hard from your right side. To find the green you must play a shot out over the wash, aimed at the cactus-strewn hills. With luck, it should bend back into the green.

*The 205-yard 15th hole at Tierra del Sol features a long carry over a desert wash, with trouble everywhere around the green.*

A bunker can save an errant shot that comes up short, but a meek approach can kick back into the hazard. A rock outcropping blocks the short left side of the green, obscuring the putting surface. However, this barrier is deceptive, as there is room behind the rock.

*Looking back on the 205-yard 15th hole at Tierra del Sol, an all-carry par 3 played over a desert wash.*

The 17th hole plays gently downhill, straight at the Caribbean Sea. Similar to the 15th, you’ll want to ride the wind on the 204-yard hole to reach the putting surface.

The trade winds will work to push your ball to the left. If you miss the green on this side, there is a large mound and deep bunker that can wreak havoc. The mound will kick some shots back into the green, but if you get stuck in the rough up on the mound or end up in this menacing trap, your recovery shot played back downhill is nearly impossible.

Missing to the right isn’t much better as another deep trap protects this angle into the green. While a sand shot from this bunker is more straightforward, stopping a recovery shot played downwind is no easy task.

*The 204-yard 17th hole at Tierra del Sol plays directly at the Caribbean Sea. With the trade winds coming in from the right side, both bunkers are definitely in play.*

Between these two brute par 3s, Trent Jones II gives players a break with a short par 4. The 372-yard 16th heads straight at the Caribbean and plays wide off the tee. You can hammer away off the tee riding the wind with a power draw. This sets up a short approach to a deep green, guarded by bunkers on each side.

The 16th is a welcome breather that finishes with a stunning sea backdrop. With a lofted iron in your hand for the approach, this is a good chance to get a shot back prior to playing the difficult finish.

*Looking back at the scenic 372-yard, 16th hole at Tierra del Sol.*

Tierra del Sol plays as a par 71, with an extra par 3 on the back nine. While the 13th lacks the sea views of the upcoming 15th and 17th holes, this inland challenge is an excellent short par 3. The 153-yard hole sits in a little valley, and would feel right at home on a desert course like Quintero.

*Looking back at the 153-yard 13th hole at Tierra del Sol, with its roller coaster putting surface.*

From a low tee golfers must split cactus goal posts with their short iron shot. The putting surface is shallow, but spacious, and is as undulating as any at Tierra del Sol. For a chance at birdie, a player will want to find the quadrant where the flag is located, or face a longer, tricky putt.

*Golfers must split the uprights of four pipe cacti to reach the green on the beautiful 153-yard 13th hole at Tierra del Sol.*

The par 3s on the front nine at Tierra del Sol are also terrific. The 224-yard 3rd plays right at the California Lighthouse from the back tees. What I love about the hole is that there are tee options that fan out 90 degrees to the right, offering lots of different approach angles. The green itself is protected by bunkers right and left, but there is room to feed a ball into the green riding the wind.

*The 224-yard par 3 3rd hole at Tierra del Sol plays shorter, downhill and downwind. Aruba’s landmark California Lighthouse and the turquoise Caribbean Sea frames the background.*

Tierra del Sol’s 190-yard 7^th hole starts from a rock wall lined ledge, and plays downhill, straight at the sea. This is a beautiful, but precise shot, especially as it plays downwind. While a bunker guards the front left corner of the green, the real danger is the desert vegetation beyond, on a hole where it is easy to over club.

*The tees on the 190-yard 7th hole at Tierra del Sol offer a tremendous view of the Caribbean, and of the tiny, well-guarded target.*

Another fan of the rock walls is the wild goats, common on Aruba. While goats and donkeys aren’t native here, they’ve become part of the island’s lore. These animals enjoy the scenery and finding the limited shade available on this hot island, just as much as you do.

*Wild goats can be found on Aruba, and they relish climbing the rock walls and the cactus-strewn hills of Tierra del Sol.*

Wild iguanas, known locally as Yuwana, are also common on Aruba, and I saw a bunch off the edge of the second fairway, and in a few other places throughout the round. If you miss a shot in the native desert vegetation, keep your eyes open for these adventurous reptiles.

*If you end up in the desert vegetation at Tierra del Sol, you are likely to find an iguana or two.*

Preceding the beautiful 7th is the par 4 6^th, my favorite of the two-shot holes at Tierra del Sol. This majestic 463-yard hole plays to a wide fairway, framed by the Caribbean Sea in the distance.

*The 463-yard 6th may be the best hole at Tierra del Sol, a beautiful dogleg left playing around a rock-strewn hill and a deep bunker on the corner.*

Four bunkers carve their way into the open space, but if you can find the fairway, you are presented with a spectacular vista for your downwind approach. From there you play downhill to a green guarded by large bunkers on both sides.

*A side view of the 463-yard 6th hole at Tierra del Sol, with its breathtaking Caribbean Sea setting.*

The 10th is another breathtaking par 4, and features the toughest tee shot on the course. The 386-yard hole starts from Tierra del Sol’s highest point near the clubhouse, before plunging beautifully back down into the valley.

However, the 10th plays directly at the trade winds, requiring a skilled shot to get a ball far enough so that you can play something less than a long iron into the green. The shorter the club needed for your approach the better, as punishing bunkers guard the front side of the putting surface.

*The 386-yard 10th hole is a gorgeous par 4, playing steeply downhill from Tierra del Sol’s highest point near the clubhouse. Playing back into the wind, this is one tough tee shot.*

Speaking of difficult holes, the 18th was one of the hardest downwind holes I’ve ever played. This 463-yard finisher plays straight down breeze, but it’s also played right at the setting sun during an afternoon round. While you can let loose a big tee shot, the fairway gets pinched off in the landing zone around the 300-yard mark.

*The 463-yard finishing hole at Tierra del Sol climbs steeply uphill heading back up to the clubhouse. The hole plays much shorter, thanks to the trade winds howling at your back.*

After a good drive, you must maneuver your approach shot steeply uphill to a green guarded short and right by two bunkers. There is a severe drop off beyond these traps, therefore the bunkers might save your ball from a much worse fate.

Tierra del Sol’s closing hole on the front was also tough. The 9th hole plays nearly 100 yards shorter than the 18th, but is uphill and into the teeth of the wind. The tee shot on this 385-yard challenge must split a few cacti to reach a wider than expected fairway.

*The uphill 385-yard 9th hole at Tierra del Sol plays straight into the trade winds, making it one of the toughest holes on the course.*

The 9th hole really shows its teeth with its approach. Your uphill shot is played into a deep green, fronted by an unforgiving bank that deflects away any shot missing short and right of the putting surface.

One last hole of note at Tierra del Sol was the beautiful 14^th. The 534-yard par 5 plays as a sweeping dogleg left, moving you back out toward the sea after an inland respite to begin the back nine. A cross ravine cuts off the hole at around 300 yards, but this short par 5 is reachable in two if the wind isn’t in your face.

*The 534-yard 14th hole gets players from an area near the clubhouse, to a spectacular final stretch of holes near the Caribbean Sea.*

The 14th hole features my favorite green at Tierra del Sol. The putting surface sits up on a little shelf, with the desert wash cutting in along its left edge. A deep bunker short and left of the green helps keep you out of the hazard, but this is a brutal spot to try to recover from.

There is a depression with another bunker off to the right of the green with the desert encroaching behind that. The green itself has three distinct sections including a flattish front shelf, a swale, and then a back shelf. If you end up in the wrong area of the green, getting up and down in two putts is no sure thing.

*Looking back on the 534-yard 14th hole at Tierra del Sol, which curves around a desert wash hazard area on the inside of its dogleg left.*

The Lowlights

Tierra del Sol was starting to show its age in recent years, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic took a big chunk out of tourism revenue for places like Aruba. Thankfully Iberostar bought the resort and course, putting a major investment back into the Tierra del Sol layout starting in 2024.

Recently reopened, Tierra del Sol got its much-needed facelift, restoring much of its former glory. Thanks to the investment, the course features improved playing conditions, and amenities worthy of an island known for relaxation and fun.

*The 503-yard par 5 8th hole plays uphill and into the wind, making it almost unreachable in two shots despite its short length.*

As far as Tierra del Sol’s layout itself, the only two holes that I felt were on the weaker side were the 11th and 12th, back-to-back challenges moving in opposite directions. The 11th is a long par 4 that plays downwind. This relatively flat, 464-yard hole is flanked by a sandy waste area, with another crossing some 80 yards short of the green.

*Looking back on the 464-yard 11th hole at Tierra del Sol. Playing mainly downwind, it plays much shorter and features a spacious putting surface.*

The 12th hole is a very short par 5 played back into the wind. While typically I love reachable par 5s, this 479-yard hole lacks the charm and strategy of the rest of the course. However, the 12th features a beautiful green site, with its shallow target tucked behind a menacing front bunker.

*The 479-yard par 5 12th hole at Tierra del Sol plays back into the wind, finishing at a narrow green guarded by a deep front bunker.*

Final Thoughts

I visited Aruba as part of a Disney Cruise based out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. While Tierra del Sol isn’t located close to the cruise port, the course is pretty easy to get to. Cruise boats dock in downtown Oranjestad, the thriving capital of the Dutch overseas territory that is about 75 square miles in size. Aruba’s Queen Beatrix international airport is also not far from downtown.

*While Oranjestad caters to tourists, there is definitely a Dutch feel to Aruba’s capital city*.

The whole island fans out from the capital, making it the perfect hub to start your exploration of this island paradise. Moving north from the city, there are a series of all-world beaches with brilliant white sand pressed against the sparkling turquoise water. Moving north from the capital, you will go past Divi Beach, Eagle Beach (famous for its groves of Divi Divi trees), and Palm Beach.

*Stunning Eagle Beach and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean make for an incredible setting. Aruba is a popular destination thanks to its incredible beaches, luxury resorts, and nightlife.*

Calming Baby Beach sits at the bottom of the island, while Arashi Beach on the northwest coast marks the northernmost point of public transportation. Rental cars are readily available on Aruba, as are taxis, but clean public transportation is more of my style of transport. In Aruba, Arubus is an easy, comfortable, inexpensive, and safe way to access all of those beaches, and even Tierra del Sol.

On my port day in Aruba, I toured the capital area before traveling to Eagle Beach with my family. From there I took a bus to the Arashi Beach and then walked to the course. It was about a 20-minute walk from the Arashi Beach area to get to Tierra del Sol. After the round I made that same walk, before taking a 30-minute bus ride back to the cruise port.

*A gorgeous Aruban sunset near Arashi Beach. After the sun goes down, the nightlife picks up on the island.*

When I got to Tierra del Sol I was immediately transported back to my teenage years. I was lucky enough to grow up in the 1990s, when Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf made a comeback on ESPN. That hour-long program brought together a couple of professional golfers at a destination course for an 18-hole stroke play match.

*The entrance sign welcomes visitors to Tierra del Sol.*

I still remember watching several of those matches vividly, but for me the draw was always the courses the matches were contested on. Back in 1998, Nick Price and Payne Stewart faced off at Tierra del Sol, one of the most exotic locations chosen for the show’s reincarnation.

I remember being awestruck by the beauty of both Tierra del Sol and the island of Aruba. I couldn’t wait to watch the helicopter flyovers of the holes, and to see the tourist spots the crew explored.

I still have a tape recording with clips from that original airing, and I was happy to see that the course hasn’t evolved too much from Trent Jones II’s original vision. The only major difference was that the current nines were reversed when the course opened, which meant Price and Stewart finished their match on the current 9th hole.

*Looking back on the 385-yard 9th hole at Tierra del Sol, with the rest of the front nine unfolding beyond.*

Playing a round at Tierra del Sol, one of the most beautiful courses featured on Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf was a special experience and checked off a bucket list item for me. What made my experience even more special is that Aruba tends to be considered part of South America, even though it is a Dutch overseas territory.

Aruba is located on the South American continental shelf, 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela at its closest point. I’ve never played golf in either the Netherlands or Aruba, so golfing at Tierra del Sol marked my ninth golfing country and my fourth continent.

If Tierra del Sol isn’t enough golf when visiting Aruba, the island has nine more holes to play near Divi Beach. The Links at Divi Aruba is a nine-hole parkland golf course located at Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort (near an Arubus line stop). Hopefully I can play a round there on my next visit to Aruba, as it is just a short bus ride from the cruise port.

But until I get back, I’m going to think back fondly on my amazing day on Aruba, and my perfect afternoon round of golf at Tierra del Sol – truly a golfing paradise.