LA ROMANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The original golf course of the eastern part of the Dominican, it might be said that this course began the revolution of great ocean side golf courses in this burgeoning holiday destination. La Romana airport is some two hours drive from Punta Cana airport, and visitors to this wonderful golf course would be well advised to spend a night or two at the classic Casa de Campo resort (see Hotel reviews) and play the Dye Fore course as well.
This is a mature, brilliant, Pete Dye design which shows off its splendid sea views as well as its fine inland holes cut through palm, coconut and large walnut trees. Built some 30 years ago, the course has a very spacious country club feel to it. It could be the way the course has matured, but placement of the tee shot is paramount, and as usual Pete Dye has designed very challenging greens that are as fast as any in the Dominican.
New Black tees stretch the course to over 7400 yards, but don’t let your ego take you back there unless you can carry the ball 300 yards comfortably. Although there is some roll on the fairways, you will need to approach the small greens with loft to have any chance of a good score.
There are two par 3s which line the ocean and require carry over water. The 5th ranges from 122 to 176 yards. From whatever tee you choose, a bail-out to the right, which might seem a slightly safer route, is no way to play the hole. You would be left with a bunker shot running slightly downhill to more sand and ocean. The solution is to go right at it as there is plenty of room around the green.
The 9th is terrific long par 5 which plays to a very elevated green which canters severely to the left. It is almost impossible to keep a long iron or wood on the green if the golfer is going for it in two, and a lay up to a comfortable pitching distance is likely to result in a better score.