Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Golf Vacations

Situated on a pristine stretch of land composed of rocky cliffs and rolling terrain, the Corales Golf Course near Punta Cana Resort was designed by Tom Fazio and features six ocean-front holes providing a dramatic backdrop for Fazio's world class design. Playing more than 7,500 yards from the championship tees, one aspect of the course that becomes apparent from the beginning hole is there is a lot of room out there. The course was grassed wall-to-wall with technologically advanced Paspalum Turf and is perfectly conditioned with no blade of grass out of sync. The 8th hole plays entirely along the sea, while the 18th is easily the most spectacular hole on the course. A long par-4, dogleg right around the cliffs and crashing waves will challenge even the most accomplished golfers, daring players to try a drive over the sea and rocky cliffs of the Bay of Corales to the fairway on the other side. This hole will position Corales as one of the most challenging and talked about sea-front courses in the world. The 18th is the finale for the spectacular three-hole finishing stretch starting at No. 16 known as "El Codo Del Diablo" - The Devil's Elbow. Corales is annually ranked in the Top 10 courses of the Caribbean and Mexico. Forecaddie is required at Corales Club ($30.00/cart + gratuity).

In early 2001, after creating numerous courses around the world, P.B. Dye returned to the Dominican Republic invited by the owners of the PuntaCana Resort & Club to design a world-class beachfront golf course. The result of P. B. Dye's first solo effort in the Dominican Republic - La Cana Golf Course at PuntaCana Resort & Club definitely belongs on your "must play " list. This course is innovative, challenging, beautiful and fun. It's long playing to 7,152 yards from the tournament tees but the rewards include spectacular holes playing along the waters edge of the Caribbean Sea and 12 holes with magnificent sea views. The 4th and 16th greens flirt with the sea, while the par-3 5th, par-4 17th and par-5 18th play along the shore. Island greens on the par-4 7th (surrounded by sand), and the par-3 12th (surrounded by water) add to the challenge and potential reward for players. For Mr. Dye, the land on which La Cana sits was a perfect combination of scenic features with some natural elevations. Adding to the natural characteristics of the course layout, the Dye pot bunker is ever present around the course (Hole #7 boasts a cluster of 21 bunkers). P.B. jokingly refers to this area as "Hecklebirnie", a type of golfer's purgatory according to Scottish lore! Forecaddie is required at La Cana Club ($20/twosome and $30.00/foursome + gratuity).

Punta Espada Golf Club at Capa Cana...there are few places in the world where you can experience golf and scenery like this. The Par 72, Jack Nicklaus Signature Course was designed to incorporate the natural features of the raw landscape into its topography - the dramatic coastline and bluffs, the beach, the waterways and the tropical foliage. Punta Espada features 18 spectacular signature holes - eight of them hugging or playing at the craggy edges of the Caribbean's blue waters, and others rolling across and around natural island stone and coral bluffs. You may experience fine sea spray while on several tee boxes and greens that are close to crashing waves against the shore. Punta Espada is an absolute must-play while enjoying a golf vacation in Punta Cana. The golf course has challenged the best players on the PGA Champions Tour and Golf Zoo guests can now experience why this course is recognized as one of the top courses in the Caribbean and Mexico by Golfweek Magazine. A Forecaddie is required at Punta Espada Club and included in Golf Zoo rounds (gratuity additional).

The Barcelo Golf Club - The Lakes is a P.B. Dye gem adjacent to the beautiful Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe Resort. The Par-72 Championship golf course traverses a lush mangrove forest with scenery that includes over 20 inland lakes, tropical marshes, and the Dye design calling card - 122 strategically-placed bunkers. The course capitalizes on the natural beauty of the Bavaro area of Punta Cana, incorporating native plant species around its meticulously manicured greens.