Damha - Brazil

This is probably the best golf facility in the country, with a nice driving range, a nine holes pitch and putt course, a large putting green and a good golf course. Another differential is the constant presence of its manager Carlão (Big Charles), a former GO at Club Med who will move mountains to make your round of golf as pleasant as possible. In my reviews that would not normally be a factor but Carlão is the exception to this rule. With only 9 years, Damha is still a young course with trees still growing and probably this is why the course is a Bombers paradise; you can spray your drives almost everywhere and come out with a view to the green. Ricardo Rossi a great golfer but with very little experience as an architect designed the course and built a very classic par 72. Everything is there, long par 3s, drivable par 4s and the 2 par 5s in each round. However, the lack of experience may have limited the options used what makes the course play a little dull under pressure. A more seasoned architect probably would have taken more chances what is interesting because the best holes on this course are exactly the ones where Mr. Rossi fights his normal tendency of order and proportions. The signature hole is number 6 a 174 yards par 3 with a big island green that depending on the tee placement can become a big challenge, after that you chill out in a lovely short par 4 with bunkers on both sides and a lot of palm trees that adds a lot to the visual experience. My favorite hole is the par 5 number 9 where a great tee shot will make this water protect green reachable for big hitters. The mortals can lay up and enjoy a nice approach over water to crescent moon green. The second round starts with the hardest hole of the course, a long par 4 with OB on the left, followed by a long par 3 that will test your accuracy and strength. A few holes later, on 16, you will find four island tees that are super nice and a great place to take some pictures and register the experience. The next hole is a great par four with a severely sloped green heavily guarded by water. If you could get one long straight drive to use, here is the place. Number 18 runs next to 9 but lacks the same presence, I always wonder why the architect opted to finish with this hole not the great par 5 but maybe he preferred a less dramatic hole to finish his course. All in all Damha resembles a resort style course where everybody will have a good time and more experienced golfers will need to play the back tees to get from the length the challenge that they seek.