The Grand Lido Visitors Hangout

A Guide to Golfing at Grand Lido Braco

January, 2001

First, I'd like to thank the many people on this site who posted information that helped us become familiar with Braco. Next, I'd like to thank David at allthewaytravel.com, who did a professional job obtaining a great room rate - highly recommended. Rather than to duplicate the many excellent trip reports, I'd like to just add my 2 cents' worth by describing the golf course for those who may be interested. While the executive-length (i.e., short) par-3 course may not be the main attaraction at Braco, it can be a nice diversion. This was our third trip to Braco - our other impressions are similar to the posted trip reports: great place, nice beaches, decent food (especially the French restaraunt), scary drive from/to airport, great entertainment/nightlife (lively, but not hedo), unreliable snorkel experience (wind/waves kept boats in while we were there). We are textilers (just a choice); the textilers and the a/n people blend well at meals and during the entertainment - no big deal, no radicals, not even much clue just who prefers which beach (though we suspect the diversity may add to the liveliness of the nightlife). We did miss several employees we met on our first trips; we saw many new people, most of whom are perfecting the polished presentation and should be at the typical Braco-level soon. We did get a voucher for one rainy day without asking - nice touch. Bottom line, Braco is a reliably pleasant vacation for us.

Grand Lido Braco Golf Course

This is a very pleasant little-used par-3 golf course. It is ideal for the couple having one person "embarassed" to be seen duffing the balls (i.e., hasn't learned that everyone duffs on a regular basis). You could rent clubs, pull carts, or even driving carts (though driving carts make little sense on this short course, except perhaps for people physically unable to walk the course). We rented clubs on our first trip (which are OK), but later decided to bring a stripped-down set, as it didn't take much space in our bag. Also, we aren't very serious about keeping score (can't count that high anyway), so not having all the clubs didn't bother us. Best suggestion: bring many cheap balls and tees. Balls are somewhat expensive at Braco. Most water holes are too deep for a retriever, and the vinyl lined water holes are best left alone anyway. Depending on skill and luck, about 3 dozen or so balls may serve 2 duffers for a week (one round/day), with some left over so you won't worry about loosing too many (after all, worrying is not why we go to Braco - cheap balls bother you less when they go into the water). Sneakers are fine - course is flat (didn't see any evidence of spikes or spike marks, so it seems people just leave spiked shoes home). There was golf instruction and a tournament on the schedule, though we didn't participate, and cannot be sure what actually occurred. There was also the opportunity to go to a full-length course off-site, but we were happy with puttering around on this course for this vacation (fit our schedule of breakfast - golf - snorkel/beach bumming - dinner - entertainment).

Hole # 1 Water on right


Hole # 2 Chip over water


Hole # 3 Chip over water, or play left to be safe


Hole # 4 Only par 4 on course, though note the narrow landing zone which makes this into two short iron shots (unless you are really accurate on landing zone between fence and water on right). You could try to go over tree and pond - a decent hit should work...but we just played it conservatively (well, especially after feeding a few balls to the fish). Note that ball recovery is doubtful in this lined pond - ball will roll toward center.


Hole # 5 Water on right, lined pond


Hole # 6 No water unless recent rain. be careful of long hits - there is a guard house beyond the green


Hole # 7 Some water on right


Hole # 8 Some water on right


Hole # 9 No water except beyond green on right


Minimum clubs needed: putter, pitching wedge, 6 iron, 8 iron (or something close). A 4 iron is included here, but wasn't used much (except to loose a few balls on the 4th hole). Two people can share a set. The 6 and 8 iron here were left over from a "senior men's" set (the rest were a gift to someone who preferred to carry a light bag); the "senior men's" flex is between a ladies' flex and a regular men's flex, so the clubs served both sexes adequately on this short course. The wedge is an odd ladies' club from a golf store grab bag. Alternatively, you probably could take something like a ladies' putter, wedge, 5 iron, and 8 iron, along with a men's 6 iron (didn't try this). Of course, you could just bring your full set - many people did - or rent a set. Just some thoughts - hope they help!

Irie!
dglza 1/2001