When you seek tropical weather with the warmth of the sun and spectacular view of nature with ocean vistas, Dominican Republic has undoubtedly the best golf destination in the Caribbean.
Located opposite Haiti on the eastern side of the island of Hispaniola, not only does the Dominican Republic offer some of the most breathtaking golf courses in the Caribbean, it also offers resorts and other amenities to match.
So, if you want to know the list of golf courses, then quickly check the list of courses on golfscape.com and choose anyone you like the most. Let’s know the 6 important things when thinking about a golf trip to the Dominican republic.
What makes the D.R. the best golf destination?
Wherever will you find a better range of ocean holes? It’s just one spectacular ocean hole after another from the Casa de Campo to Punta Cana on the East Coast to Playa Grande to the north. The Dominican Republic has to offer around 30 courses, many of which were designed by industry leaders like Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, and Rees Jones.
Where are the golf hotspots?
Casa de Campo and Punta Cana undoubtedly take the leading choice for the golfers. The two notable resort courses at Casa de Campo, which is on the south coast, were both created by Dye. The first is Teeth of the Dog, a masterpiece by Pete Dye (more on that later) Dye Fore, the second course, is 27 holes and may even be a little undervalued. Despite not having holes directly on the water, it has breathtaking viewpoints of the river, mountains, and ocean. The area surrounding the Cap Cana and Punta Cana resorts is just an hour away from the east coast and features the highly acclaimed Punta Espada (Nicklaus), Corales golf courses (Fazio), and La Cana Golf Course (P.B. Dye).
Which golf course is the best in the Dominican Republic?
Although this is debatable, most people believe that either Cap Cana’s Punta Espada or Casa de Campo’s Teeth of the Dog is the best course in the Caribbean, not just in the Dominican Republic. Eight of the holes on the 2006-opened Punta Espada golf course follow the coast, and there are Caribbean Sea views from virtually everywhere on the course. Even better, the holes are among Nicklaus’ best designs ever, and the condition is fantastic.
Teeth, one of Dye’s first solo designs, is obviously named after the angular pebbles that line the ocean, and he absolutely crushed it. It’s not only that these holes are in the ocean; it’s also how unique they are, especially the par 3s. With almost no leeway to miss short, left, or even right, the fifth is one of the most challenging, dramatic short holes you’ll ever play. The majority of the 235 yards in the eighth can be played over water. The 16th hole is also straight over a portion of the water, measuring close to 200 yards from the back tees. However, the teeth of the Dog are ranked no. 56 and Punta Espada is ranked no. 76 in Golf Digest’s list of the top 100 golf courses in the world, but all of them can be justified.
What are hotels and resorts like?
If you stay at one of the Dominican Republic’s resorts or hotels, you’re pretty much traveling first class all the way. You might choose Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, one of the best resorts in the Caribbean, which offers first-rate lodgings other than hotels, such as rental homes with private pools, multiple bedrooms, luxury bathrooms, and separate air conditioning, for a big sum of dollars per night. The resort also provides a wide range of other activities, such as horseback riding and trap shooting, as well as a fantastic beach club and fantastic dining.
Some like to stay at the Westin Puntacana Resort during the trip to Punta Cana, but there are so many other upscale resort choices available as well, many of which include access to private beaches, upscale golf courses, and their own fine-dining choices. The ultra-luxurious Amanera Resort, one of just 30 Aman hotels worldwide, is located at Playa Grande.
What’s the food like in the D.R.?
Simply said, despite being rather expensive, you can very much get anything you want and it will all be ideal. Naturally, some of it has a distinctly local flair, and the tropical fruit alone is worth trying with almost every meal. For instance, at Casa de Campo, the resort’s Lago Restaurant offers a breakfast and lunch buffet that features almost everything imaginable, from omelets in the morning to steak, fresh seafood, chicken, and salads, and never miss out the dessert.
But the fantastic meal at Casa de Campo doesn’t get stuck there. Many of you may also head to La Cana Beach & Golf Club for a lunch of regional appetizers, a really entertaining P.B. Dye design with several breathtaking ocean holes in and of itself and if you opt for the Westin, you could be served up an incredible breakfast and seafood buffet by the beach.
What else can you do in the D.R. besides golf?
In addition to golf, the Dominican Republic has to offer you a range of activities such as fishing, hiking, surfing, off-roading, skeet shooting and horseback riding. There are plenty of good horses because the DR is one of the best polo regions in the world. It’s easy to plan a fishing trip through the concierges at most resorts. Also, don’t overlook the spas with a special massage experience at the spas at Puntacana Resort.
Golfers who plan a trip to Punta Cana will have access to some of the world’s top golf courses. Visitors will experience warm weather and tropical breezes no matter which course they choose for an amazing experience that is suitable for golfers of all skill levels.
