Golf holidays in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has the proud honour of being the Caribbean’s premier golf destination, thanks not only to its abundance of world-class resorts but also to the visionary architects who have transformed its landscapes into golfing masterpieces.

Nowhere is this more evident than in Punta Cana, where names like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, and P.B. Dye have crafted courses that rank among the finest in the region. From dramatic oceanfront holes to lush inland fairways, Punta Cana perfectly embodies the island’s reputation for legendary design and unforgettable golf.

Some of the best golf courses in the Dominican Republic include:

Teeth of the Dog Course Location: La Romana | Par: 72 | Architect: Pete Dye | Founded: 1971 | Type: Links Located at Casa de Campo, this is one of the island’s finest courses. Designed by Pete Dye, the course measures 6888-yards off the black tees and boasts some of the Dominican Republic’s best views and most iconic holes, with Pete Dye even going as far to say the course was ‘designed by God’.

Corales Golf Course Location: Punta Cana | Par: 72 | Architect: Tom Fazio | Founded: 2010 | Type: Links Within the Westin Puntacana Resort & Club, this is one of the Dominican Republic’s most prestigious courses. Designed by Tom Fazio, this 7,650-yard masterpiece is home to the PGA TOUR’s Corales Puntacana Championship and features six stunning oceanfront holes. With dramatic cliffs, ocean carries, and the infamous “Devil’s Elbow” finishing stretch, Corales offers a breathtaking yet challenging golf experience.

La Cana Golf Club Location: Punta Cana | Par: 72 | Architect: P.B. Dye | Founded: 2001 | Type: Links This course provides a perfect contrast to Corales, blending inland and coastal elements in a spectacular 27-hole layout designed by P.B. Dye. Featuring rolling fairways, ocean views, and challenging water hazards, La Cana is known for its sustainability efforts, with Paspalum grass allowing for pristine playing conditions year-round.

With three distinct nines - Tortuga, Arrecife, and Hacienda - golfers can enjoy a variety of challenges while soaking in the beauty of the Caribbean landscape.

We’ve sent hundreds of golfers to the Dominican Republic, and here are some travel tips we’ve learned along the way:

• Best time to go: December through April is ideal for warm, sunny days and low rainfall - perfect for golf and beach time alike.
• Top courses: Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo is the island’s superstar, regularly ranked among the best in the Caribbean. Punta Espada in Cap Cana is another must-play, offering breathtaking ocean views and immaculate conditioning.
• Summer tip: Temperatures rise and humidity increases, but afternoon showers are brief. Book morning tee times and stay hydrated for the most enjoyable rounds.
• Getting around: Most golf resorts provide convenient transfers between the airport, accommodations, and courses. If you’re staying in Punta Cana or La Romana, resort shuttles and private transfers make travel easy.

Getting there The main airports are Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) and Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) near Santo Domingo. Both have regular flights from the UK. Common routes include:

• London Heathrow (LHR) → Punta Cana (PUJ) (9h 15m)
• Manchester (MAN) → Punta Cana (PUJ) (9h 5m)
• Dublin (DUB) → Punta Cana (PUJ) (18-21h; 1 stop)