The 10 Best Dominican Republic Golf Courses You Can Play

The Dominican Republic boasts stunning white sand beaches, lush evergreen forests, and world-class golf courses. 

From the famous Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo to the scenic Corales Golf Course in Punta Cana, these courses offer unparalleled beauty and unique playing experiences in a tropical paradise.

So, here are our top 11 courses you can play in the Dominican Republic:

1. Teeth of the Dog – Casa De Campo

Local legend says the name comes from the sharp rocks that line the shoreline of the course, but it could easily be a descriptive name for how the course treats your golf game.

Stretching along the ocean, half of the Pete Dye-designed course’s holes buttress the sea, making the jagged coast a feature of the track. Stiff breezes from the warm Caribbean waves that splash onto the course make for a dramatic scene for golf. The addition of pot bunkers is just an added treat.

Opened: 1971
Par: 72
Length: 7253 yards
Designers Include: Pete Dye (1971), Chris Lutzke (2005)
Difficulty: Slope 145 / Rating 75.9

2. Punta Espada – Punta Cana

Quite possibly the loveliest course on the island, this Jack Nicklaus design is located in Cap Cana, just outside the tourist area of Punta Cana. The varied terrain gives way to 8 holes that play along or over the sea.

Don’t let the looks deceive you, it’s a beast of a course to handle, stretching to almost 7,400 yards from the tips. Add in some strong winds from the coast and it can be almost overwhelming.

Opened: 2006
Par: 72
Length: 7396 yards
Designers Include: Jack Nicklaus (2006), Troy Vincent (2006)
Difficulty: Slope 137 / Rating 77.0

3. Corales Golf Course – Punta Cana

The PGA Tour heads down for the Corales Puntacana Championship each April and it’s easy to see why the Tom Fazio track attracts some of the best talent around. A third of the holes are bordered by the ocean, including the “Devil’s Elbow,” – 16, 17, and 18 – with a forced water carry for your final drive into as much as a 3-club wind.

Among some unique features are two holes with multiple green complexes and a dual tee box on No. 17, allowing for different routings on the same course every day.

Opened: 2010
Par: 72
Length: 7650 yards
Designers Include: Tom Fazio (2010), Tom Marzolf (2010)
Difficulty: Slope 140 / Rating 76.9

4. Dye Fore – Casa de Campo

These 27 holes (Lago, Chevon, and Marina) are the newest additions to the resort and are situated on the east end of the property. The three nines have distinct characteristics from their surroundings, making for a visually interesting round. The Marina 9 starts high and descends gradually down towards the coast, overlooking the marina and surrounding village. Chevon sits along the Chevon River valley, several hundred feet above the water. Lagos circles the new practice facility and a large lake. All three courses are equally challenging and exciting to play.

Opened: 2005
Par: 72
Length: 7667 yards
Designers Include: Pete Dye (2005)
Difficulty: Slope 134 / Rating 77.0

5. PGA Ocean’s 4 (Formerly La Romana Golf Club)

Nestled along the southwest coast, just 20 miles from La Romana, PGA Ocean’s 4 is awaiting discovery in the Dominican Republic. Boasting 27 captivating holes, it’s the ‘Professional 18-hole course’ that steals the show. The course is set amidst a stunning backdrop of the Caribbean Sea. The PGA Ocean’s 4 course seamlessly integrates coastal views and serene lakes, promising a memorable golfing experience. 

Perfect for those seeking to venture beyond the resort, PGA Ocean’s 4 offers an idyllic escape for golf enthusiasts staying at Casa de Campo, inviting them to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the island while enjoying their favorite pastime.

Opened: 2017
Par: 72
Length: 7334 yards
Designers Include: Jack Lund (2017)
Difficulty: Slope 115 / Rating 71.0

6. Arrecife/Tortuga Course/Hacienda – La Cana Golf Club – Punta Cana

Also located on the Punta Cana resort property, this 27-hole facility was designed by P.B. Dye and winds through various neighborhoods on the property. Half of the holes have a view of the ocean and the course was recently redone with paspalum, the first to do so in the Caribbean to do so.

If unfamiliar with the grass, it’s the only grass that can be watered using saltwater, making it ideal for tropical courses like La Cana and more environmentally friendly.

Opened: Arrecife & Tortuga 2001 & Hacienda 2012
Par: 36 (Arrecife), 36, (Hacienda), 36 (Tortuga)
Length: 3676 yards (Arrecife), 3768 yards (Hacienda), 3483 yards (Tortuga)
Designers include: Pete Dye
Difficulty rating: Slope 129 / Rating 75.0

7. The Links – Casa de Campo

The middle child of the three resort courses and per usual, it’s often overlooked. While the name conjures up the ideas of fescue grass and plenty of bump-and-run opportunities, it’s actually a parkland course with thick Bahia grass.

Don’t let the misnomer fool you, it’s not going to be an easy test at over 7,000 yards from the back, but it is often heralded as one of Dye’s most playable courses.

Opened: 1975
Par: 71
Length: 6739 yards
Designers Include: Pete Dye (1975), Pete Dye (2011)
Difficulty: Slope 129 / Rating 72.3

8. Playa Grande Golf Course

Playa Grande is one of the last masterpieces crafted by renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones. Its distinctive layout offers an impressive feature: 10 holes that gracefully run alongside the picturesque Caribbean Ocean. Located on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Playa Grande offers a unique golfing experience that takes more effort to access than the others.

Following a renovation in 2015, Playa Grande has rightfully earned its place among the elite, cementing its reputation as one of the premier golf destinations in the Caribbean.

Opened: 1997
Par: 72
Length: 7259 yards
Designers Include: Rees Jones (2015), Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (1997), Bryce Swanson (2015), Roger Rulewich (1997)
Difficulty: Slope 130 / Rating 75.6

9. La Estancia Golf Course

The youngest son of Pete and Alice Dye, Paul Burke, designed La Estancia in the heart of the La Estancia Resort which offers stunning views of the Chavón River and the Tanamá ravine. The compact yet striking fifth hole on the front nine stands out, featuring a downhill play towards a raised green positioned on the brink of a gorge.

Opened: 2008
Par: 72
Length: 7382 yards
Designers Include: Pete Dye (2008), P. B. Dye (2008)
Difficulty: Slope 137 / Rating 78.2

10. Iberostar Bavaro

Located a little north of Punta Cana is another P.B. design worth a quick trip to play. Dotted with 105 bunkers while it winds its way through varied terrain, the resort course is a challenging, undulating test. Kept in great condition year round, this will give you a change of pace from the other courses in the area.

Opened: 2009
Par: 72
Length: 6897 yards
Designers Include: P. B. Dye (2009)
Difficulty: Slope 122 / Rating 78.1

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