Punta Cana & La Romana. Two Dominican provinces where the golf is outstanding.
Most of the best courses, and there are at least eight which fit that category, are located in the eastern region of Punta Cana, and the southern region of La Romana, where you find Teeth of the Dog. The original golf course of the Dominican, the 7000 acre Casa de Campo resort began the revolution of great ocean side golf courses in this burgeoning holiday destination. Visitors to this wonderful golf course would be well advised to spend a night or two at the classic (and newly renovated) resort itself and play the new Dye Fore and Links courses as well. Teeth of the Dog 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.
The Punta Cana region features one of the best seaside golf courses in the world; Punta Espada, an absolutely magical course with eight ocean holes and views of the ocean from all the rest. For 3 miles, the white sand and turquoise ocean meet a green oasis of supreme golf designed by Jack Nicklaus at his very, very best. One of my favourite courses, it is destined to make the world Top 25 if the judges have any sense. There are simply no disappointments here and the few holes not directly adjacent to the ocean are unique to the Punta Cana region, built beside a limestone bluff which was once scoured by the ocean surf. The remnants of caves and shoreline populated by Iguanas make for an undulating series of holes with glorious elevated views over the course. The course has no weak holes, has great variety and is a stern test of golf indeed, better enjoyed by very careful selection from a range of tees to suit all abilities.
At the original Punta Cana resort, you will find two very good golf courses at La Cana and Corales and a third, Hacienda, due to open in early 2011. La Cana is a classic P.B. Dye design, and the course has a number of moguls and hazards which obscure your view of many greens and calls for very accurate shot-making. In keeping with design for a windy golf course, the fairways are by and large very generous. However, many of the greens are slightly elevated, and run off areas abound. Practice your chipping and pitching before the round as it will pay dividends.
The 18th is a masterpiece, a par 5 which is reachable for many players, driving downwind to a generous fairway almost insisting that you “have a go”. The green is 72 yards long and narrow, protected by 5 nasty bunkers lined up like sentries, and the entire left side of the green is the Caribbean sea.
Possibly the best thing about the Dominican Republic are its cheerful, industrious and proud people. This makes your golf holiday a great experience, particularly at the many all-inclusive hotels. Don’t expect “servicio rapido”, but everything is delivered with a smile and a sense of humour. You will also be pleasantly surprised at the excellent food in the all inclusive resorts.
Your best holiday value is to select an all inclusive week in the country, with direct flights from many large cities in North America. Including flights, a week at a good 4 star resort like the Majestic Elegance will cost around $1750 per person, plus golf which costs anywhere from $150 to $350 per round for the top golf courses. However, some of the resorts own their own golf courses, which are quite good, such as Cocotal and the Catalonia Caribe and often your packages will include complimentary golf at the resort course.
To plan a Dominican golf holiday, or enjoy a tour or holiday arranged by Athlone Golf Tours, just give us a call or e-mail us today.