The Dominican Republic boasts over 25 championship golf courses, with seven courses featuring 86 coastal holes. Teddy De Lara, President of TARGET Marketing Consultants and the organizer of the DR Golf Travel Exchange, echoed, "The Dominican Republic has more championship golf courses and seaside holes than any other Caribbean destination. The D.R. should be on every traveling golfers' bucket list".
If you need inspiration for your next golf vacation, look no further than the signature golf holes at these top golf courses in the Dominican Republic.
Teeth of the Dog - Hole #5 Perennially ranked as the #1 course in the Caribbean, Pete Dye's Teeth of the Dog Golf Course at Casa de Campo features six seaside holes (hole #5, #7, #8, #15, #16, and #17). Anyone of these holes rightfully deserve the signature hole designation, however the hole most talked about by golfers is the first hole played along the seaside.The short par-3 firth hole, ranked 3rd easiest on the scorecard, requires a well struck short iron/wedge to stick the green. If you do not hit your tee ball on the green it will be by far the hardest hole you play during the round.
Yardage: Par 3 Black: 169 Yards Gold: 158 Yards Blue: 139 Yards White: 120 Yards Red: 69 Yards
Teeth of the Dog - Casa de Campo La Romana, Dominican Republic 866-860-5472 www.casadecampo.com.do
Punta Espada Golf Club - Hole #13 Punta Espada Golf Club at Capa Cana, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, is named after the bluffs backdropping the par-3 13th hole. The coastline resembles a "sword tip" jutting out into the sea, hence the name Punta Espada. Nicklaus dubbed this hole the signature hole on the property.
Yardage: Par 3 Black: 250 Yards Gold: 223 Yards Blue: 174 Yards Red: 108 Yards
Cap Cana - Punta Espada Golf Club Punta Cana Dominican Republic 809-469-7767 www.puntaespadagolf.com
IBEROSTAR Bavaro Golf Club - Hole #8 IBEROSTAR Bávaro Golf Club has been ranked by TripAdvisor.com as the second best golf course in Punta Cana. The Bavaro Golf Club is home to the Copa del Rey Tournament, the only Dominican tournament approved by the Royal Family of the Kingdom of Spain. The signature hole features a star-shaped green resembling the IBEROSTAR logo. Golfers will be grabbing their sand wedge if they fail to hit the green as the putting surface is surrounded by Caribbean sand. This hole is one of the more memorable inland holes in the D.R.
Yardage: Par 3 Black: 187 Yards Blue: 166 Yards White: 148 Yards Red: 103 Yards
IBEROSTAR Higuey, Playa Bávaro, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic http://golf.iberostar.com/en/punta-cana/golf-courses/iberostar-bavaro-golf-club
The Lakes - Barcelo Golf Course - Hole #18 In 2010, P.B Dye redesigned this championship golf course that traverses through a lush mangrove forest, with 25 inland lakes and 122 strategically positioned bunkers. Yes you read that right, you will play 18 holes around 25 inland lakes. It should come to no surprise on how they got the name of the golf course. If you have any balls left in your bag, the finishing hole has the chance to steal them all. Off the tee, a long force carry over water is required. Your second shot will be just as intimidating with a green surrounded by water and pot bunkers. If you par the hole, relive your victory in the clubhouse bar. Celebrate the feat with the local beer - El Presidente!
Yardage: Par 4 Black: 360 Yards Gold: 306 Yards Blue: 277 Yards White: 252 Yards Red: 252 Yards
Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort Carretera Bávaro KM 1 Punta Cana / Higuey Dominican Republic http://barcelobavarogolf.net
DYE Fore - Hole #12 (Chavon Nine) One of the most beautiful inland golf courses in the Dominican Republic is Pete Dye's masterpiece, Dye Fore. The property features three distinct nines - The Marina, The Lakes and The Chavon. As their name implies each course plays along a distinct part of the Casa de Campo Resort. Some argue that the Chavon 9 is the most scenic, as the the opening holes run atop the cliffs of the Chavon River. Golfers are not the only ones flocking to area with cameras in hand. Filmmakers have found the river, the cliffs and views very photogenic. The Chavon River's film credits include Jurassic Park (1993) and Apocalypse Now (1979).
The Par 3 12th Hole gives golfers the first dramatic look at Chavon River flowing into sea.
As a side note: Dye Fore is one of four golf courses in the world where you can stand on a tee box and see a major river, mountain range and ocean.
Yardage: Par 3 Black: 235 Gold: 214 Blue: 180 White: 170
