Dominican Republic FAM Trip 2024
I was fortunate enough to attend a terrific familiarization (FAM) trip to the Dominian Republic. The event was put on by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, in conjuction with the Dominican Republic Board of Tourism. There were 28 tour operators from around the world, learning as much as possible about the lodging options, transportation vendors and golf courses in the greater Punta Cana area. From what the group was exposed to over the course of a week, there is no doubt that the Dominican Republic is the top golf destination in the Carribean. If you are considering a group trip of any kind to the Carribean, please consider contacting Wisconsin Golf Trips to discuss all the tremendous options in the Punta Cana area!
Corales
Corales is a Tom Fazio design that opened to the public in 2010. Corales boasts one of golf’s most magnificent finishes. The last three holes, called the Devil’s Elbow, culminate with the dramatic, par 4 18th that plays over and around a narrow, bluff-edged bay. The course is garnering a lot of attention these days as the host of the PGA Tour’s Corales Championship every April.
I could not have had more fun at Corales. The clubhouse is simple and welcoming. The cart ride out to the driving range might be one of the longest on the planet, but it wets your appetite as you get to see multiple holes along the way. The course is so open and forgiving off of most of the tee boxes. It is a wayward, long hitter’s dream come true. When we finished, it felt like we had played 27 holes due to the amount of variety that we got see throughout the round. I loved everything about this place!
Punta Espada
The most highly-rated golf course in the Caribbean, Punta Espada now sits at #41 on Golf Digest’s list of the Top 100 courses outside of the United States. Punta Espada opened in 2006 and was Jack Nicklaus’ first signature course in the Dominican Republic. The course boasts eight holes playing either alongside or over the Caribbean Sea and a further five with ocean views.
I found Punta Espada to be very demanding. I think the average golfer will probably lose a few more balls compared to the other courses, but it is hard to argue with the beauty of the course itself. I most enjoyed the different rock formations and wildlife found at Punta Espada.
Teeth of the Dog
One of Pete Dye’s most famous courses is located inside the Casa de Campo Resort. Pretty much the course that started it all, Teeth of the Dog was opened in 1971 and the resort followed soon after. Many of Pete Dye’s design hallmarks are prevalent throughout and the oceanfront holes are some of the best seaside holes found anywhere.
I found Teeth of the Dog much more playable and fun than I was expecting. Certainly you have to bring some decent golf shots with you to survive, but there plenty of places to miss and bail out if needed. I thought the inland holes had just enough personality to them to make them fit with the stunning seaside holes. For such a famous course, it had a very local feel and “small-course” mentality towards how to treat its patrons.
Dye Fore
The Dye Fore Course is a 27 hole layout at Casa de Campo. There are three distinct 9-hole layouts to choose from: The Chavon, The Marina, and The Lakes.
I will admit to not knowing much about the Dye Fore Course before this trip. First and foremost: The Chavon Nine is easily one of the most awe-inspiring nine holes I have ever seen with my own two eyes. It was absolutely breathtaking with its views and sweeping fairways. It was like heaven on earth. The Marina 9 slowed down just a bit, but still was a terrific collection of golf holes. The Lakes 9 was more level and basic than the other nines, but was still in terrific condition.
PGA Ocean’s 4
Opened in 2017, PGA Ocean’s 4 is the latest edition to the top courses in the Dominican Republic. Players will enjoy extraordinary views from every point on the course. The four spectacular holes right on the sea (thus the course name) are as good as they get in the Carribean.
To me, PGA Ocean’s 4 was not only one of those courses that I believe any level of golfer would enjoy, but also a course that you could enjoy playing every day. It was a fair layout that offered multiple risk-reward shots throughout the round. The course still feels a little young, but it will only get better with age. This is a terrific golf facility!
La Cana
La Cana Golf Course boasts 27 holes located within the Punta Cana Resort. The Tortuga and Arrecife nines capture the stunning scenery of the Caribbean with 14 ocean-view holes and four memorable holes that play right along the beach. Not to be outdone, the Hacienda nine, which opened in 2012, takes the golfer inland through dense, colorful tropical vegetation.
We only got to play the Arrecife nine on our trip, but you could tell that La Cana would be a great add on to any package that involved the more famous courses in the area. The caddies were tremendous, and added to not only the ability to play the course well, but to also enjoy your day to the fullest.
Preferred Lodging Vendors
Not only did our group stay at four different resorts during the trip, but we made site visits and inspections at a dozen more. What I came away with is that any golf group can find the correct spot, no matter what kind of environment they are looking for. Whether it is rooms only, bed and breakfast, or all-inclusive, there are way more options for what comes with your package than I would have guessed. And whether you want a mega-resort with every activity under the sun, a super intimate hideaway from life, or a giant villa for everyone to be under one roof, I believe the Dominican Republic has the solution for your particular group. Below are two of the main resorts in the area that I am highlighting.
Casa de Campo
Casa de Campo celebrated its 50th anniversary of operation in 2024. With three acclaimed golf courses designed by Pete Dye, including Teeth of the Dog, an expansive 370-slip Marina & Yacht Club, a renowned polo & equestrian Club, a sprawling 245-acre Shooting Club, and more, the resort continues to evolve in tandem with the swiftly advancing hospitality industry, catering to every indulgence of its discerning guests.
I feel a strong connection to Casa de Campo. There are multiple representatives of Casa de Campo with strong Wisconsin ties. The Kohler family also has strong ties to Casa as Herb Kohler III began his friendship with Pete Dye while Pete was starting to build Teeth of the Dog and the resort. While being the largest resort on the island, I was shocked to see how intimate the resort felt once on property. Casa de Campo has it all for any golf traveler!
Punta Cana Resort
Punta Cana Resort is just minutes away from the Punta Cana Airport. Owned by the same company, guests of the Punta Resort who fly into PUJ are giving VIP Fast-Track service through customs and immigration. The main two properties housed within Punta Cana Resort are the Westin Punta Cana and Tortuga Bay. The Westin has 200 well-appointed rooms, while Tortuga Bay is comprised of 1-4 bedroom villas, right on the beach.
I had the pleasure of staying at the Westin Punta Cana for 2 nights and I felt right at home from the minute I stepped on property. The resort is way more focused on creating a quality environment for its guests than it is in trying to pack every room in the resort full at all times. Everything about the resort was first- class!
