Pure Caribbean: golf trips to the Dominican Republic

For me, the Dominican Republic is an absolute dream destination with turquoise blue sea and always cheerful people.

Most of the golf courses are in the east of the island, and the convenient direct flight from Edelweiss to Punta Cana is ideal for Swiss guests. Many resorts operate as “all inclusive” and that makes sense in the Dominican Republic. The range of local restaurants is still manageable. The service in the resorts is “rather cozy”, but for me that suits the Caribbean, where everything is taken a little more casually than here.

The many top courses attract not least American golf tourists. This also means prices that are determined by the US market. A green fee can cost 300 dollars or more, for example on the “Teeth of the Dog”. Pete Dye’s masterpiece was opened in 1971, after which two more courses were added at the Casa de Campo resort.

The rounds are slightly cheaper if you stay at the hotel. Since October 2022, caddies have had to be used on all courses, and at 50 dollars per cart, this seems downright cheap.

Thanks to its kilometers of beaches, the Dominican Republic is also the perfect destination for golf and beach vacations. The island is home to the highest mountain in the Caribbean. Wide streets lined with palm trees alternate with imposing cliffs, endless sugar cane, pineapple and coconut plantations with lush tropical hills, small shacks without electricity or water and expensive colonial-style villas.

One of the absolute top addresses for me is the “Campo de Golf Punta Espada”. The golf course planned by Jack Nicklaus was opened at the end of 2006. With eight holes right by the sea and super-fast greens, it quickly made a name for itself.

Among other things, the PGA Tour was a guest there for several years and thanks to the fantastic pictures, this attracted even more golf tourists from the USA to the Caribbean.