Golf in the Dominican Republic
- Alexis Krausmann
- Feb 26
- 3 min read
Punta Cana and La Romana are world-class destinations when it comes to golf, with over a dozen of the best Dominican golf courses, including a PGA Tour stop each year.
We highly recommend booking your green fee for an early hour in the morning; most courses open at 7 a.m. for a reason...
1. Punta Espada Golf Club
Designed by Jack Nicklaus in 2006, it's considered Punta Cana's best course by many. Located in the exclusive gated community of Cap Cana, south of Punta Cana, you'll enjoy its breathtaking setting along the Atlantic Ocean.
2. Teeth of the Dog
Designed by Pete Dye in 1971, it was the first course to open in the Dominican Republic and put the country on the golfer's holiday map! Located in the stunning Casa de Campo gated community near La Romana, it's considered a classic right by the Caribbean Sea. It's a 1:15-hour drive from Punta Cana.
3. The Corales
Designed by Tom Fazio in 2010, it's located in the famous Punta Cana Resort in Cap Cana. You'll play along natural cliffs in what's considered an incredible golfing experience with dramatic sceneries and 6 holes directly along the Atlantic Ocean.
4. Dye Fore
Designed by Pete Dye in 2005. It's the latest addition to the Casa de Campo Golf Club, located in the exclusive gated community of La Romana. It's a hidden gem with 7 holes along an impressive 300-foot cliff overlooking el Rio Chavon ( the Chavon River), a natural wonder home to one of the country's largest mangroves. The river is also famous because of the countless movie scenes shot there, among which some from Jurassic Park and Coppola's classic Apocalypse Now. It's a 1:15-hour drive from Punta Cana. We highly recommend spending a few days in this beautiful area.
5. PGA Oceans 4
Designed in 2017 by Maverick Golf & the Robert Trent Jones team, it's located between the Caribbean Sea and a still-untouched tropical forest, within the Bahia Principe resort of Playa Nueva Romana, a 30-minute ride from La Romana and a 1:40-hour from Punta Cana.
6. La Cana
Designed by P.B. Dye in 2001, it was the first course of the famous Punta Cana Resort in Cap Cana, home to the breathtaking Corales course. It consists of three 9 holes, 14 of which are directly along the Atlantic Ocean. Golf Magazine once declared it the number-one golf course in the Caribbean.
7. Cocotal Golf & Country Club
Designed by José "Pepe" Gancedo in 2000, Cocotal, as its name suggests, was a coconut plantation turned into a beautiful gated community with a 27-hole golf course and a country club in the heart of Bavaro, our favorite area of Punta Cana, the only one where you can enjoy a "normal" beach town life outside of the resorts' enclaves. It's the only course in Punta Cana with Bermuda grass, allowing it to offer consistent greens all year, especially during the hot summer months. There you can find beautiful and affordable villas & condos to rent for your holiday, some with direct views and access to the fairway.
We own a newly renovated 3-ensuite bedroom house in a small residence of 9 units in the heart of Cocotal with a swimming pool and direct access to the golf course, from 180 USD per night, contact us for more information!
8. Iberostar Bavaro Golf Club
Designed by P.B. Dye in 2009, it's located in the massive Iberostar Bavaro resort. It was nominated the best Dominican Republic golf course in 2022 by the World Golf Awards and consists of 18 holes surrounded by lush vegetation. Its location 20 minutes from Punta Cana's airport makes it easily accessible.
9. Hard Rock at Cana Bay
Designed by Jack Nicklaus in 2010, it's part of another massive resort, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino All-Inclusive Resort. An 18-hole par 72 surrounded by breathtaking Dominican landscapes full of native flora and fauna, it's located in the same area as Iberostar, about 30 minutes from Punta Cana's airport.
10. Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Club
Nicknamed the "Pebble Beach of the Caribbean", it was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1997 and redesigned in 2018 by Rees Jones. Located in the north of the country, in Rio San Juan exactly, this iconic course is a 2h30 ride from Santo Domingo and a 5-hour one from Punta Cana... One more convenient way to enjoy it would be to spend a couple of days in beautiful Las Terrenas, from which it's a 1:30-hour drive, or ideally stay overnight in Rio San Juan.
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