Visitors to the Dominican Republic find spectacular beaches, hot weather, and the
pristine Caribbean Sea. Today a plethora of Dominican Republic golf courses rank among the premier places to
play on planet earth.
Dominican Republic golf has exploded in recent years to become one of the best golf
destinations in the world! Sophisticated Golfer was the absolute first tour operator and travel seller
to offer dynamic golf packages in the Dominican Republic.
Please review our updated golf course summary below or view our Dominican Republic main page.
Barcelo Bavaro golf course is the oldest course in Punta Cana and
was originally opened in 1991. A recently completed redesign by P. B. Dye has
transformed this course into a good addition to any Dominican Republic golf package. It's now one of the best inland golf course in Punta Cana.
The golf course is located at the Barcelo Bavaro Punta Cana Golf Resort.
La Cana golf course at the PUNTACANA Resort & Club, is one of the longest in the Caribbean. P.B. Dye.landscaped the oceanfront layout into a voluptuous course reminiscent of a Matisse sculpture.
The Caribbean Sea is visible on 14 of the 18 holes all of which take advantage of the natural splendor of the country's eastern most point.
La Cana is certainly amoung the better courses in the Punta Cana region and the Dominican Republic.
Hacienda Golf Course is new course set to open early 2012 also at
the PUNTACANA Resort & Club and located inland from the 'La Cana' golf course. Designed by P.B. Dye
Hacienda golf course will be the centerpiece of a new Punta Cana golf community.
Corales also at the PUNTACANA Resort & Club
is situated on a pristine stretch of land composed of several
rocky cliffs. The 7,555 yard Corales golf course designed by Tom Fazio features 6 ocean
front holes providing a dramatic backdrop for Fazio's world class design.
The 18th hole has a unique 'double-shot' daring players to try to drive over the rock-lined
cliffs of the Bay of Corales. Corales is one of the most talked about ocean-front
courses in the world and is definitely one of the best in the Dominican Republic.
A must play golf course with any complete Dominican Republic golf package.
Corales Golf Course ranked 4th in the Caribbean is pictured at the top of this page...
The La Cana Course at PUNTACANA Resort & Club is pictured below...
Cocotal Punta Cana golf course was designed by Spanish champion Jose "Pepe" Gancedo.
This golf course not recommended among the better regional courses although next to the Paradisus Palma Real resort.
Cana Bay Palace Golf Club hosts 18 holes of championship golf
designed by Nicklaus Golf. This Punta Cana golf course is a lengthy 7,253 yards from the back
tees with a Par of 72. The course is set inland and meanders through breathtaking Dominican landscapes
full of native flora. It's located at the HARD ROCK Punta Cana Resort & Casino . This course is an excellent and very playable option along with stay at the Hard Rock Resort.
Punta Blanca golf course in Punta Cana by Nick Price was designed through natural
wetland areas with large waste bunkers built in the tropical vegetation. Not recommended among the better regional courses.
Iberostate Bavaro golf club is an inland course located inside the
Iberostar Resort complex. Designer P.B. Dye has transformed a naturally flat landscape
into a challenging course of elevated terrain with swales and mounding,
105 of his signature sand bunkers, lakes and extensive use of rock work.
Roco Ki Faldo Legacy course is located in the Macao area just north of Punta
Cana. This course is currently closed and under development until 2012.
Jack Nicklaus has designing a gem inside the Cap Cana golf development. The first of
3 Cap Cana golf courses by Nicklaus is Punta Espada golf course.
Punta Espada is named for the coastlines resemblance of a sword's tip. The course features
8 holes directly on the stunning ocean coastline and ocean views from all 18.
Nicklaus used the most visual, interesting, and breathtaking parcels of the land inside
Cap Cana to build this great Dominican Republic golf course. The Sanctuary Golf Resort Cap Cana is a great
resort choice with preferred play on Punta Espada. Punta Espada is ranked #1 in the
Caribbean and is a must play golf course with any complete Dominican Republic golf package.
Las Iguanas golf course will be Cap Cana’s second Jack Nicklaus design.
It is currently under construction, due to open in 2012. This course is located just
north of Punta Espada Golf close to Golden Bear Lodge another fine place to stay inside Cap Cana.
Punta Espada Cap Cana Golf Course is #1 ranked in the Caribbean and is pictured below...
LA ROMANA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC GOLF COURSES
La Estancia is an example of P.B. Dye's best work. This 18-hole 72-par course is
7,600 yards from the championship tees. Every detail of its design and construction was
rigorously conceptualized and planned to give golfers of all levels a memorable experience
they'll yearn to repeat. Located just 15 min away but not part of the Casa de Campo Resort .
Teeth of the Dog is one of Pete Dye's masterpieces. Pete Dye considered by many to be the world's most renowned golf course architect
designed three of the most internationally renowned courses at the legendary Casa de
Campo Resort in La Romana Dominican Republic. The breathtakingly beautiful Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore,
and Links courses offer distinct challenges and distinguished charm and beauty.
Golf Magazine has ranked Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo as the #34 best courses in the world.
The Teeth of the Dog has also been continually recognized as one of the best Caribbean golf courses.
Links course at Casa de Campo golf resort measures 6,461-yards. One look at the small greens, pot bunkers and the tall native grass
bordering the course and you can almost hear the Scottish bagpipes in the background. Links is closed during the year 2011 for renovations and will reopen in 2012.
Dye Fore is the third 18 holes course gem of the trio at Casa de Campo resort.
The holes run parallel to the Chavon River with breathtaking views of the mountains to the
north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. Dye Fore is fantastic featuring some of
the more spectacular par three holes in the world.
Dye Fore and Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo are pictured below...
NORTHERN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC GOLF COURSES
Robert Trent Jones left his mark at Playa Dorada golf course
located on the north coast of the island. This is one of the last courses ever designed by Jones Sr. in 1976.
Also on the north coast is Playa Grande Golf Course known as the pebble beach of
Caribbean golf, opened in 1997 and located in Puerto Plata.
For a complete list of all Dominican Republic and Caribbean golf courses
please visit our Caribbean Golf Courses page.
The Dominican Republic is located near the northern edge of the tropical zone in the
Caribbean, between Cuba and Puerto Rico and enjoys a tropical maritime climate all year
round. Temperatures average 73°F in the early mornings to 90°F at noon, any time of the
year, and temperatures remain ideal, rarely falling below 60°F or rising above 90°F.
With an extension of 48,442 square kilometers, the Dominican Republic is the second largest
country in the Antilles. This strategic geographic Caribbean position has turned it into the main
tourist destination of the region and into an ideal place for business, trade
and great Dominican Republic golf. The country has a great geographic diversity,
having extensive beaches of white sand, fertile valleys with exuberant vegetation,
desert zones with dune formations, mighty mountain chains where Pico Duarte,
the highest peak and lake Enriquillo the biggest lake in the Caribbean.
The capital of the Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo. The most important regions for
Dominican republic golf are Punta Cana and La Romana.
The passport and visa requirements for entering Dominican Republic mean that
all United States, Non US, and Canadian citizens must always have a valid passport.
It is always best however to consult Sophisticated Golfer for specifics depending on country
of departure and citizenship.
Because of its tropical climate, dress is generally quite informal in the Dominican Republic.
Due to the warm climate, light-weight clothing is recommended. Natives do have a
great sence of style and great shopping certainly can be found in all the major cities and at the Casa de Campo and Punta Cana resorts.
Most of the Dominican Republic golf resorts do require proper golf attire.
Spanish is the official languages in the Dominican Republic and is without a doubt the dominant
language. Some knowledge of Spanish will be very useful, although English is widely spoken.
At some time you may find yourself surrounded by Spanish speakers only, but be sure that in
most every situation there will be one person who knows enough English to help you especially at all the resorts, hotels, and golf courses .
The Dominican Republic is an island of more the seven million people.
Racially, the population of the island is a mixture of black, white, and mestizo.
The African and African/Cuban influence is deeply present in the song and dance of
the island, with merengue the dominant beat, typically played by a three-person group.
The government of the Dominican Republic is a representative democracy.
The island of Hispaniola (La Isla Española) was the first New World colony settled
by Spain. As such, it served as the logistical base for the conquest of most of the
Western Hemisphere. Christopher Columbus first sighted the island in 1492 toward the
end of his first voyage. Columbus and his crew found the island inhabited by a large
population of friendly Indians. Spain's, and thereby the western worlds first permanent
settlement in the Americas was established on the southern coast at the present site of
Santo Domingo.
Today the passion for for baseball has become the most domininate native sports activity.
Ball players such as Alex Rodriguez Manny Ramirez and many others proudly carry the Dominican flag playing in the Major Leagues.
The Dominican Republic also has six professioanl teams of it's own and a enormous
talent pool for the future growth of the game of baseball in the Dominican Republic.
