New Destination makes my top 3 - Casa de Campo - Dominican Republic - review

[ssf301]

I've been fortunate enough to play a lot of different places and have a group that goes a different place at least annually (for 21 years now). I just got back from Casa de Campo, and for a group trip it was really something. My new top 3 golf trip destinations are as follows:

 

Kohler, WI

Bandon Dunes, OR

Casa de Campo, DR

 

Casa is a 7,000 acre property with 3 courses on site all designed by Pete Dye. You stay in a golf villa and they give everyone their own golf cart to use around the facilities for the trip. There are a dozen high end restaurants, a marina, a shooting range, private beach, private pools, etc on the property. The Links course and Teeth of the Dog were close (within walking distance) of our villa, but the Dye Fore course was about a 25 minute (yes that is correct, 25 minute) golf cart ride away and the carts go almost 30 mph. Casa is called "The Hamptons" of the Dominican with a ton of very high end homes ranging from from $500k to $25MM........most were closer to $25MM than $500k though. Sammy Sosa's house in the DR is on the property and it is definitely not an ugly property if you know what I mean.

 

The Links - A nice design, pretty simple, great greens. A very nice start to the trip.

Dye Fore - Played this second. It is up on the mountains overlooking an inland river and the Ocean. This is a "big" Dye course reminding me a bit of Whistling Straits. The course is open and the wind howls. It has some massive elevation changes and mounding. It is the newest of the courses and is nothing like the Links course.

Teeth of the Dog - Has to be one of my all time favorites. It was built in the 1970's so it does not have the spectacular mounding you see in a lot of Dye's more recent courses, but the old school look is really cool. It has 7 or 8 holes right on the Ocean that are as pretty as any in the world. It has small greens with run off areas that will challenge you. As a 4 handicap, I chipped from one side of the green off the other side more times than I care to admit in 36 holes there.

 

The overall golf was probably a bit better at Kohler and Bandon, but when you consider the whole package, golf, amenities, lodging, food and cost, Casa de Campo is very hard to beat. All in, Casa is easily the cheapest of the 3 destinations as they offer a fully inclusive food alcohol deal with the golf. That is important to pick up as retail on the food / drink is pretty high and with the all inclusive Casa is the cheapest of the 3 destinations. Without it, probably not for most.

 

I attach a couple shots of the two par 3's on the front 9. #5 is pretty short...150 yards from the tee I played, but the green is the size of a postage stamp. #7 is over 200 yards but the green is larger and a bit more forgiving. The tide pushes errant balls back toward the shore most of the time so they can be fished out.......ask me how I know. :)

[gmies]

I've been to Casa de Campo 3 times and it is one of my favorite destinations for golf trip also. We like to fly into Punta Cana and stay our first night there. That allows us to get 2 rounds in in Punta Cana (Corales and Punta Espada are both great tracks) and then take the 45 minute ride to Casa. Once you get to Casa, you never have to leave the grounds. They provide you with golf carts to get around. The restaurants are great, the accomodations are great, and the golf ranges from good (Links) to spectacular (Teeth of the Dog).

[AppAlum]

It's my favorite destination. 18 holes in the morning, afternoon on the beach, and dinner under the stars with the waves crashing at Le Cirque. Add in some Presidentes and several Casa de Campos (house drink) and you have a perfect day.

[toddnt]

Teeth was simply amazing.. Until the caddie stole money out of wife's backpack.

[prsgtrman]

good to know. im headed down there for a wedding which i dont really want to attend. maybe ill skip the wedding and just play golf the whole time.

[nellycuz]

What was the package price if you don't mind me asking? Sounds like a blast!

[ssf301]

[color=#000000][size=1]
[color=#008080]The special 4-night package includes the following amenities:[/color][/size][/color][list]
[*][color=#008080]Accommodations at Casa de Campo Pete Dye Golf Lodge room including complimentary wireless internet[/color]
[*][color="#008080"]Full American breakfast, snacks, lunch and dinner at Resort restaurants or room service (delivery charge extra)[/color]
[*][color=#008080]Unlimited beverages in Resort restaurants, bars, lounges and Oasis golf course cart (some premium beverages not included)[/color]
[*][color=#008080]Resort touring cart per room[/color]
[*][color=#008080]Unlimited greens fee on The Links Course[/color]
[*][color=#008080]One round on Teeth of the Dog (group forecaddie required)[/color]
[*][color=#008080]One round on Dye Fore[/color]
[*][color=#008080]Shared cart for 18 holes per day[/color]
[*][color=#008080]Replay rounds on The Links can be booked morning of play (cart fee applies)[/color]
[*][color=#008080]Unlimited range balls and club storage[/color]
[*][color=#008080]Unlimited use of the Resort fitness center[/color]
[*][color=#008080]Complimentary airport transfers from the La Romana, Santo Domingo or Punta Cana Airports[/color]
[*][color=#008080]Daily Resort fee and tax[/color]
[/list]
[color=#008080]It was $1599 per person.[/color]