Golf Dominican Republic

Introduction

Golf Dominican Republic. Quite simply, probably the most enjoyable golf that I have ever experienced. I make that bold statement having played golf for since the age of 14yrs and having once reached the dizzy heights [at 17yrs] of a 4 handicap ! I think it is a combination of the variety and quality of courses that you find in the DR that set it apart from eg some of the other Caribbean islands.

In the years since then I have played for enjoyment and have played in England, France, Portugal, Zimbabwe, Wales, the Bahamas, St Lucia and latterly in the Dominican Republic. I have played enough tournament golf to know a good course when I play one, and in the DR there are several that come into my personal “Top 10” list [photo right Punta Espada, Punta Cana].

The Dominican Republic is probably the premier golf destination in the Caribbean. The tropical climate offers golfers the ability to play all year round. Whether you are a single figure player or fairly new to the game, there is something for you. The majority of courses are found along the coast, in fairly close proximity to the resort areas.

But there are also some hidden gems, for example the rustic 9-hole course set in the mountains at Jarabacoa, about 2 hours’ drive north of Santo Domingo.

Some of the absolute cream of golf course designers have been tempted to the Dominican Republic to ply their trade. There courses designed by Pete Dye, in Casa de Campo, Robert Trent Jones, in Playa Dorada, and Playa Grande and Jack Nicklaus, in Cap Cana.

North Coast-Dominican Republic Golf

• Puerto Plata,
• Cofresi,
• Playa Dorada,
• Cabarete,
• Playa Grande [see photo of course right]

NB:Ex-British Ambassador Andy Ashcroft has supplied his comments in parentesis.

Golf Dominican Republic [cont]

In the Northern area we find the following:

Playa Dorada Golf Course

Want to fall out of bed in your Playa Dorada all-inclusive and be on the first tee in 5 minutes? Look no further than the Playa Dorada course.

Par 72, 18-hole course serves the 14 resorts within Playa Dorada. A decent course and handy if you are staying in Playa Dorada.

Andy`s comment: "It is certainly better than the average resort course and a good test off the back tees".

Playa Grande Golf Course [see photo above right]

The "Pebble Beach" of the Caribbean, with 10 holes interacting with the Atlantic Ocean. Pros and occasional golfers alike praise this course for its breath-taking Atlantic views. Quite simply one of my favourite ever courses.

Andy`s comment: “So you thought you’d played some spectacular cliff-top courses in your time? Wait ‘til you play this one.....”

Golf Dominican Republic [cont]

Los Mangos Golf Course, Costambar

9 hole course, play among tropical fruit trees. Only five minutes from Puerto Plata city.

Andy`s comment: “Another one of those rustic 9-holers with lots of local (mainly mango!) flavour”

Costa Azul Golf

Located between Cabarete beach and lagoon, next door to Punta Goleta Resort. About a 40-minute drive east of Puerto Plata city.

East Coast-Dominican Republic Golf

• Punta Cana
• Bavaro
• Cap Cana

Golf Dominican Republic [cont]

Golf de Bávaro

18 hole course which is part of the Barceló Bávaro Resort complex. Surrounded by vegetation and lakes, this course is flat and usually in excellent condition.

Catalonia Cabeza de Toro Golf Club

Cocotal Golf and Country Club [photo above right]

This 27 hole course is just over the road from the Sol Meliá Caribe and Sol Meliá Tropical resorts. You can either get a lift with the resort minibus or walk it.

Strategically-placed trees, bunkers, mounds and gently rolling terrain with well-defined and generous fairways without forgetting an unrelenting wind. Suited to all standards.

I enjoyed playing this course, my first taste of golf in the Dominican Republic.

Andy`s comment: “Do not make the mistake of thinking that this is a resort course so it should be a little easier! It is tough off the back tees, the wind is often blowing, and you need to be hitting the ball very well indeed to play below handicap here”.

La Cana Golf Club[photo below right]

A Pete Dye designed 18 hole sea-fronting golf course. 14 holes interacting with the Caribbean Sea and panoramic views from all the other holes.

Andy`s comment: "A course that really sums up the joy of playing top drawre golf alongside the clear Caribbean sea"

Golf Dominican Republic [cont]

Punta Espada Golf Course

First Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course in the Caribbean. Punta Espada has 8 holes directly on the ocean and views of the Caribbean Sea from every hole.

Golf Dominican Republic [cont]

South-East Coast-Dominican Republic Golf

• Boca Chica
• Juan Dolio
• La Romana
• Casa de Campo

Guavaberry Golf and Country Club[photo right]

Golf residential community located 45 minutes from Santo Domingo and 15 minutes from Las Americas International Airport. Championship Golf course designed by legendary Gary Player.

I was introduced to this place by my good friend the British Ambassador and it was in exquisite condition. Both a caddy and a golf cart were mandatory. In British parlance, this place was very posh!

Andy`s comment: “One of those well designed Player courses that, while a stern test for the low-handicapper off the back tees, give a fair chance to the high handicapper playing well”

Golf Dominican Republic [cont]

San Andrés Caribe Golf Club

Nine hole course located near the beach of Boca Chica with four tee positions.

Los Marlins Golf Course

18 hole par 72, located near Juan Dolio beach.

Andy`s comments: “I have an abiding affection for this excellent residential resort course, having played 165 holes (9 rounds) on foot in one day there in February 2004 in a one-man charity golf marathon, and I never tired of its layout!”

The Teeth of the Dog[photo right]

18-hole challenging and stunning world renoun championship course. Dubbed Teeth of the Dog after the razor-sharp rocks lining its seven oceanfront holes. Designed by Pete Dye and located in Casa de Campo, La Romana.

Fronting the Caribbean on seven holes, this Course is extra challenging because of sea breezes and airstrip.

Andy`s comments: “Definitely in my top 5 courses in the world, up there with Carnoustie and Leopard Rock in Zimbabwe. It is not difficult to see why people come from all over the world to play “The Teeth””.

Golf Dominican Republic [cont]

The Links

Championship inland alternative course in Casa de Campo, La Romana.

Dye Fore [photo above right]

Casa de Campo Resort, La Romana.

Dye Fore, the new addition to the Casa de Campo golf triad, has spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea, the mountains, the Chavón River below and the Altos de Chavón artists' village. Having played both courses it is fair to say that it rivals the "Teeth of the Dog" course.

18-hole picturesque and daunting combined cliff-top course, with one nine looking out at the Caribbean sea, the other looking down at the Chavon river valley. Two of the greatest par three holes in the world can be found on the back nine, at the 12th and 15th. This is another unforgettable course.

Andy`s comments: "It says everything about this course that the locals dub it `to Dye for`. Tough in normal conditions it is devilishly difficult in a strong wind an another ultimate golfing experience".

Golf Dominican Republic [cont]

South Coast-Dominican Republic Golf

• Santa Domingo

18-hole course with sloping hills, scenic views and very well looked-after greens.

Andy`s comments: “A very good layout and surprisingly expansive for a course virtually in the middle of the city”

Las Lagunas Country Club

The Las Lagunas Country Club, a 15-minute drive outside the city. The course was originally designed by Pete Dye, but somewhat modified during its construction. The Las Lagunas course is widely spread over hilly terrain and offers scenic views, with exhuberant vegetation reflected in small lakes throughout. Lovely club house with pool and restaurant facilities and rarely crowded.

Andy`s comments: “One of my favourite courses in the country, and one just outside Santo Domingo that I used to escape to for a quick 9 holes here and there. But the full 18 is quite a test, and nor recommended of your are not teeing off straight! What I like above all is that all 18 holes have a totally different character”

Golf Dominican Republic [cont]

Isabel Villas Country Club

Located in the northern Santo Domingo neighborhood. 9-hole, flood-lit course between 7-11 p.m.

If you were interested in Golf Dominican Republic, you may be inteersted in Punta Cana where there are some great courses

Or Cabarete

Or the Dominican capital Santo Domingo

Or our prison gigs in front of the Presidents wife, the First Lady of the DR!

Or Samana for the whale watching

Or the holiday destination of Puerto Plata

Or Dominican republic travel tips

Golf Dominican Republic [end]