Known for having the most impressive golf courses in the entire Caribbean and Latin America, the Dominican Republic is the undisputed leading golf destination in the tropics. At least seven of the Dominican Republic’s golf courses have appeared more than once in the magazine’s Top 50. Golf Week in the Caribbean and Mexico, including Punta Espada in the Top 10, Los Corales, where the 2018 PGA Tour was held, and Teeth of the Dog, in Casa de Campo. From La Romana to Punta Cana, Juan Dolio and Puerto Plata, Dominican golf courses feature 86 oceanfront and 39 shorefront holes, offering the chance to enjoy the sport by the sea or along lush inland courses designed by the most acclaimed golf course architects, including Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Gary Player, Tom Fazio, Nick Price and Greg Norman.
The Dominican Republic, a must-visit destination for the golfer who loves the best golf, is widely known for having the most spectacular courses in the Caribbean and Latin America. Tour operators who are members of the World Golf Tourism Organization (IAGTO) voted the Dominican Republic as the “2019 Golf Destination of the Year for Latin America and the Caribbean.” This is the fourth time the country has been recognized as the preferred destination for golf travel by IAGTO, making it the most famous destination in the region. The country’s 26 challenging and stunning courses have helped the Dominican Republic maintain its status as the Golf Capital of the Caribbean.
We are in the second largest country in the Caribbean and also in one of the most ecologically diverse nations in the world. Breathtaking views and landscapes, beaches of the finest sand and turquoise waters, coconut groves and mountains of gentle terrain and exotic nature set the stage for unique and extraordinarily designed golf courses. Major champions and amateur players can’t resist playing the island’s challenging courses blessed with blue skies, crystal clear seas and fabulous year-round weather.
The Dominican Republic has a wide variety of courses on the coast and inland, including 86 stunning oceanfront holes and 39 holes by the Caribbean, more than any other comparable destination, making it a perfect place for golf travelers of all levels of play. For the advanced golfer and beginner alike, playing golf here is a unique experience.
Most clubs offer clinics and lessons with some of the sport’s top players and a variety of golf vacation packages. These packages offer affordable club rentals and often include accommodation, meals and beverages, as well as green fees and cart rentals.
There are 18 IAGTO-recognized golf courses in the country, spread across the following geographical areas:
PUNTA CANA
Known as the Golf Mecca of the Caribbean, this dazzling coastline is comprised of the Punta Cana, Bavaro and Cap Cana areas and boasts 189 holes of golf, all easily accessible from a wide range of luxurious beachfront resorts. This enchanting region continues to be the premier destination for travelers seeking challenging, top-quality golf courses. With the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) just minutes from the area’s courses, visiting golfers can play shortly after landing and even on the day of their departure if they are on an afternoon flight. The spectacular Corales Golf Club, designed by Tom Fazio, and Punta Espada, designed by Jack Nicklaus, as well as the Hard Rock Golf Club, are located in this area of the country. P.B. Dye also has two designs in Punta Cana: the Iberostar Bávaro Golf Club and La Cana Golf Club. Also on this coast is Cocotal Golf, 27 holes designed by Pepe Gancedo.
LA ROMANA
The southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic combines picturesque beaches, luxury hotels and resorts with a variety of exciting attractions and some of the country’s most famous golf courses. Golfers can play world-class courses designed by the Dye family dynasty, most of which are located at the Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in La Romana. Formerly a sugar-producing region, La Romana is noted for its beautiful Caribbean waters, exotic islands, the famous Chavón River valley and palm-covered national parks. Among the great golf courses in the area are the famous Teeth of The Dog, designed by Pete Dye, who also designed The Links and the 27-hole Dye Fore in La Romana. The other great course on the southeast coast is the Ocean’s 4 at Bahia Principe.
SANTO DOMINGO
The southern coast, where the country’s capital, Santo Domingo, is located, offers golfers a wide range of world-class courses near a thriving metropolis. As a golfing hotspot, this region caters to those who appreciate modern sophistication amidst a rich historical background thanks to its Colonial City, the oldest city in the New World. If you’re looking for a golf getaway near an energetic city, this is where you’ll need to go. Cayacoa Golf Club, opened in 1989, is located 25 minutes from Santo Domingo.
JUAN DOLIO
The municipality of Juan Dolio, located less than an hour east of Santo Domingo, is an idyllic golf getaway for tranquil courses in lush, tropical settings. It is also only 40 minutes west of the golf courses and extensive leisure facilities of La Romana. Juan Dolio is well known for its restaurants and beaches. In this area is a Gary Player designed course, Guavaberry Golf, and there is another 18-hole course: Los Marlins Golf Course.
PUERTO PLATA
The north coast of the country is defined by ecotourism, active water sports beaches, plenty of sunshine and typical Caribbean flair. Two Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed courses are nestled here while enjoying the romantic scenery of the majestic region, which includes nearly 100 miles of unspoiled coastline. Puerto Plata boasts luxurious hotels and resorts, as well as many cultural and scenic highlights, including breathtaking views from Mount Isabel de Torres, America’s first settlement “La Isabela”, prehistoric amber, exotic waterfalls and more. Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Club, a Robert Trent Jones Sr. design, is located on this coast.
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PUNTA CANA
CORALES GOLF CLUB Puntacana Resort & Club, Punta Cana. Holes: 18 Par: 72; Yardage: 7,650 Designer: Tom Fazio. www.puntacana.com.
LA CANA GOLF CLUB Puntacana Resort & Club, Punta Cana. Holes: 27 Reef: Par: 36; Yardage: 3,676 Hacienda: Par: 36; Yardage: 3,768 Tortuga: Par: 36; Yardage: 3,483 Designer: P.B. Dye. www.puntacana.com.
PUNTA ESPADA GOLF CLUB Cap Cana. Holes: 18 Par: 72; Yardage: 7,396 Designer: Jack Nicklaus. www.puntaespadagolf.com.
CABEZA DE TORO GOLF CLUB Catalonia Hotels & Resorts, Cabeza de Toro Holes: 9 Par: 35; Yardage: 2,622 Designer: Alberto Sola. www.cataloniacaribbean.com
CARIBE GOLF CLUB Catalonia Hotels & Resorts, Cabeza de Toro Holes: 18 Par: 72; Yardage: 6,650 Designer: Alberto Sola & Jack Corrie. www.cataloniacaribbean.com
THE LAKES BARCELÓ GOLF COURSE Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort, Bávaro Holes: 18 Par: 72; Yardage: 6,655 Designer: Juan Manuel Gordillo & P.B. Dye. www.barcelobavarogolf.net
COCOTAL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Bávaro Holes: 27 Par: 72; Yardage: 7,585 Designer: José “Pepe” Gancedo. www.cocotalgolf.com
IBEROSTAR BÁVARO GOLF CLUB Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, Bávaro Holes: 18 Par: 72; Yardage: 6,897 Designer: P.B. Dye. www.golf.iberostar.com
PUNTA BLANCA GOLF CLUB Macau Holes: 18 Par: 72; Yardage: 7,174 Designer: Nick Price. www.punta-blanca.com
HARD ROCK GOLF CLUB AT CANA BAY Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Macau Holes: 18 Par: 72; Yardage: 7,253 Designer: Jack Nicklaus. www.hardrockhotelpuntacana.com
DYE FORE Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, La Romana Holes: 27 Par: 72; Yardage: 7,677 Designer: Pete Dye. www.casadecampo.com.do
TEETH OF THE DOG Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, La Romana Holes: 18 Pair: 72; Yardage: 7,263 Designer: Pete Dye. www.casadecampo.com.do
THE LINKS Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, La Romana Holes: 18 Par: 71; Yardage: 6,739 Designer: Pete Dye. www.casadecampo.com.do
OCEAN’S 4 Bahía Príncipe La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís – La Romana road Holes: 18 holes Championship Par 72 + 9 holes executive Par 27 Yardage: 7,263 Designer: Maverick. www.oceans4golf.com
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SANTO DOMINGO
CAYACOA GOLF CLUB Santo Domingo Holes: 18 Par: 72; Yardage: 6,737 Designer: Jack Corrie. www.cayacoagolf.com
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JOHN DOLIO
GUAVABERRY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Juan Dolio Holes: 18 Par: 72; Yardage: 7,156 Designer: Gary Player. www.guavaberrygolf.com.do
LOS MARLINS GOLF COURSE Metro Country Club, Juan Dolio Holes: 18 Par: 72; Yardage: 6,410 Designer: Charles F. Ankrom
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PUERTO PLATA
PLAYA DORADA GOLF COURSE Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata Holes: 18 Par: 72; Yardage: 6,990 Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr. www.playadoradagolf.com
PLAYA GRANDE GOLF & OCEAN CLUB Playa Grande, Rio San Juan Holes: 18 Par: 72; Yardage: 7,259 Designer: Robert Trent Jones Sr. www.playagrande.com
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