Teeing off in paradise: Discovering the best of Dominican Republic golf

We arrived at Punta Cana airport, ready for an epic golf adventure. Our itinerary included four days at the renowned Casa de Campo, followed by a journey north to the newly renamed JOIA Bavaro by Iberostar, where we would finish off an unforgettable vacation.

Join us as we review these incredible golf resorts on the trip of a lifetime.

My first destination was the famous Casa de Campo Resort & Villas. An easy 45-minute drive from PUJ airport to La Romana brought us to the front door of the resort, where I was greeted by the professional Casa de Campo staff. I checked into the premier suite via the premier check-in location and spent the rest of my first afternoon taking in the sunset on the putting green with a drink in hand.

For the next three days, I enjoyed world-class golf, quality dining experiences, and sociable company from other tour operators on this 7,000-acre property. The weather was formidable but tolerable for mid-day golf. However, we were turning the corner on summer and when I was sitting on the beach with an all-inclusive iced beverage, I welcomed the bright sun and its tropical warmth.

On day one, I played Teeth of the Dog and was pleasantly surprised at its playability. I didn’t find myself overly challenged and was able to enjoy the round and its world-class views.

Dye Fore on day two took my breath away. The day prior, La Romana had experienced a downpour of rain, turning the traditionally blue Chavon River to an earthy brown. We played the “Marina” on the front nine, and its views of the murky Chavon River meeting the blue Caribbean Sea just have to be experienced in person to truly appreciate its beauty! Teeing off on 10, we played the “Chavon” for our back nine where wildlife, including iguanas and tarantulas, can be spotted along this awe-inspiring course riddled with elevation change throughout.

Rounding out our time at Casa de Campo, we played the Links Course on day three. This challenging and often overlooked third course is still a great track and has the most “resort-y” feel to it. With glimpses of celebrity homes and, of course, all-inclusive drink stands throughout, I really enjoyed this final day of golf at Casa.

After our round, we checked out and turned our attention towards Punta Cana and the Iberostar properties in the city. We were transported to the front gates of the JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar and greeted with refreshing drinks at check-in. The rest of the day we were able to enjoy this more intimate property as it is a more traditional resort with restaurants, bars, pool, beach, and more all within walking distance.

For the next few days on the back-half of our trip, I enjoyed endless food and drink with new acquaintances. As I walked along the south end of the property, restaurants were buzzing in the evening with guests enjoying fine dining options including a steakhouse, Italian, Sushi, traditional American, and more. Or, if I was in the mood for something quick or less formal, the buffet had a little bit of everything and was open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The buffet really put to bed the preconceived notion I had that buffets are a substitute for quality. This was not the case. The food was fresh and the staff were attentive and inviting.

Our first morning at the property we played a round at the Iberostar Bavaro Golf Club. The value for money at this course is outstanding. It is a true resort course; however, it is well-maintained and could be played multiple times with a stay at the Iberostar property.

Take the trip, drink the rum, play the golf, and tell your friends what they’re missing!