Punta Cana golf suggestions

[Forged5]

Golf can be crazy $$$$$ in the Dominican. For us Canadians it’s 30% more 🙁

See, within a 20 minute Uber or golf course pick up from my hotel are 5 "affordable" decent looking courses. Four have caught my attention.

Not a 300 yard bomber but am a single handicap 63 year old with a lousy back LOL, looking for a fun relaxing course in good shape to play 3 times on vacation next month.

 

Iberostar 

Cana Bay (Hard Rock)

Barcelo Lakes

La Cana (most expensive)

 

(Cocotal have not heard good things about)

 

Also, see there is a Caribbean tee time service that you can book and arrange pick up. Anyone deal with them?

Or any service for best deals?

 

Thanks and FORE!!!

[sabram]

Of the ones you listed I've only played  La Cana. (twice). It's good, but not great. I know how you feel about the cost of golf in DR. The best courses there (and in most resort locations) has gotten really expensive in recent years. I played Punta Espada and Corales in Punta Cana and Teeth of the Dog in La Romana which is about 45 minutes from Punta Cana, on my first visits to DR. Teeth of the Dog and Punta Espada are memorable,  world class courses,  and I'm very  glad I played them, but at current rates I'm unfortunately not likely to play them again. La Cana (and reputationaly the others on your list), are not in the same league as teeth or PE. If you are looking for a round that you will always remember, bite the bullet and play Punta Espada. If you are simply looking for a nice round of vacation golf, you'll be fine with La Cana (and probably with the others on your list).

Link to photos of La Cana  La Cana photos

 

Link to photos of Punta Espada: Punta Espada photos

[MattSTL88]

3 hours ago, sabram said:

Of the ones you listed I've only played  La Cana. (twice). It's good, but not great. I know how you feel about the cost of golf in DR. The best courses there (and in most resort locations) has gotten really expensive in recent years. I played Punta Espada and Corales in Punta Cana and Teeth of the Dog in La Romana which is about 45 minutes from Punta Cana, on my first visits to DR. Teeth of the Dog and Punta Espada are memorable,  world class courses,  and I'm very  glad I played them, but at current rates I'm unfortunately not likely to play them again. La Cana (and reputationaly the others on your list), are not in the same league as teeth or PE. If you are looking for a round that you will always remember, bite the bullet and play Punta Espada. If you are simply looking for a nice round of vacation golf, you'll be fine with La Cana (and probably with the others on your list).

Link to photos of La Cana  La Cana photos

 

Link to photos of Punta Espada: Punta Espada photos

absolutely agree with this. Punta Espada is a once in a lifetime type course and I don’t think you would regret it, even at that price. I also played Corales and it is also great, but since cost is a concern, I would definitely play Punta Espada over it. 
 

I have not played the others but I would skip Cocotol. I used the driving range there since it was included with where I stayed, but it didn’t look great. 
 

 not the advice you’re looking for probably on those others, but I would play Punta Espada once over playing 3x if it was me.  It’s that good

[crcraig]

I played Hard Rock 10 years ago. At the time, it was just 18 holes cut through the jungle, no residential anywhere near it. Looking at Google Earth, that is not the case anymore on the front nine -- there's a lot going on there.

 

It was a decent course, nothing spectacular. It has no views of anything but jungle (and construction, nowadays). Some of the holes felt narrow, but looking at the satellite image, they really aren't. It's just that there's junk just off the fairway on both sides of most holes. I can't speak to current conditions, obviously. I'd say that as long as you don't go in expecting too much, it's worth a play for the right price.

[Ripper212]

Agree with above posters. Played Punta Espada in Dec and found it well worth the $$, even shelling out for 2! Mrs. Ripper loved it as well.

[hammergolf]

On 2/26/2024 at 6:40 PM, Forged5 said:

Golf can be crazy $$$$$ in the Dominican. For us Canadians it’s 30% more 🙁

See, within a 20 minute Uber or golf course pick up from my hotel are 5 "affordable" decent looking courses. Four have caught my attention.

Not a 300 yard bomber but am a single handicap 63 year old with a lousy back LOL, looking for a fun relaxing course in good shape to play 3 times on vacation next month.

 

Iberostar 

Cana Bay (Hard Rock)

Barcelo Lakes

La Cana (most expensive)

 

(Cocotal have not heard good things about)

 

Also, see there is a Caribbean tee time service that you can book and arrange pick up. Anyone deal with them?

Or any service for best deals?

 

Thanks and FORE!!!

If you’re wanting a cheaper trip with good weather go to Mexico.

[Forged5]

Appreciate the input.

Punta Espada, Afraid at $495 U.S. thats a $700+ $CDN round. 

Don't need an ocean view on the course. Have one from my boutique hotel right on the water. 🙂

Was just looking for some decent rounds of relaxing golf.

 

FORE!

Edited February 28 by Forged5

[sabram]

2 hours ago, Forged5 said:

Appreciate the input.

Punta Espada, Afraid at $495 U.S. thats a $700+ $CDN round. 

Don't need an ocean view on the course. Have one from my boutique hotel right on the water. 🙂

Was just looking for some decent rounds of relaxing golf.

 

FORE!

I understand. La Cana would not be a bad choice if it's in your budget.

[wrigley]

Was in the DR in November, stayed at the Barcelo Bavaro.  The Lakes course was extremely busy, minimum 4.5-5 hour rounds, it was also extremely wet.  Ended up playing three rounds at the Hard Rock, the conditions were excellent and the pace of play was under four hours.  

[golfingron]

I was in Punta in January and played both Hard Rock and Punta Espada.  The Hard Rock course was fine but the greens were terrible.  We paid $60 as part of a promotion and honestly it isn't worth a penny more.  Punta Espada was excellent and for the $495 rate it includes your transportation to and from the course which would easily be $50-$70 each way in a cab.    

[Forged5]

OP here.

 

As of now you guys,have had an influence on me.

My plan is to try and play a couple of rounds at La Cana and then a third at Espada.

Hey you only live once 🙂

 

FORE!!!

[MattSTL88]

2 hours ago, Forged5 said:

OP here.

 

As of now you guys,have had an influence on me.

My plan is to try and play a couple of rounds at La Cana and then a third at Espada.

Hey you only live once 🙂

 

FORE!!!

I don't think you'll regret it. Sure, you may look back and think, "Wow I paid that amount to hit the same ball I could elsewhere for much less," but I definitely don't think you will full-on regret playing it.

[LaneL]

I played Punta Espada a few years ago and loved it. It was a bit of a splurge for the tee time, but it was an absolutely amazing course with great views.

[Ripper212]

Agree with above poster. Excellent decision. Enjoy with no regrets. Although IIRC they charged for refills on ice tea at lunch at Punta Espada!. I do regret that $5 spent haha

[Forged5]

Back from the DR.

 

You bastards talked me into Punta Espada. lol

Certainly was phenomenal looking and in great shape!

Truly some spectacular holes.

Really felt like being on a PGA course.

 

My warm up rounds were at La Cana. Played the same two 9s back to back.

Enjoyed that course! But youre right, not in the same category as Espada. 

 

Had Santo as my caddie on round one and he was by far the best of the bunch.

Haven't played since November but played surprisingly well.

Shot 78, 77 and then blew up on 17, 18 at Espada and shot 82. 

 

Definitely lifetime memories!

 

Thanks all and FORE!!!! 🙂

 

 

 

Edited March 30 by Forged5

[MattSTL88]

22 hours ago, Forged5 said:

Back from the DR.

 

You bastards talked me into Punta Espada. lol

Certainly was phenomenal looking and in great shape!

Truly some spectacular holes.

Really felt like being on a PGA course.

 

My warm up rounds were at La Cana. Played the same two 9s back to back.

Enjoyed that course! But youre right, not in the same category as Espada. 

 

Had Santo as my caddie on round one and he was by far the best of the bunch.

Haven't played since November but played surprisingly well.

Shot 78, 77 and then blew up on 17, 18 at Espada and shot 82. 

 

Definitely lifetime memories!

 

Thanks all and FORE!!!! 🙂

 

 

 

Great to hear, and nice playing! Punta Espada can be tough when the wind gets going

[eddie_max]

I played Punta Espada and Hard Rock in April 2023.

 

Punta Espada is still talked about within the group we had.  It is truly an unbelievable course and experience.  The views are incredible.  It's safe to say PE is one of the best golf course experiences in the world and it is 100% worth the price.  If you have a chance to play it in DR, do not miss the opportunity.  Even better is the shuttle service they offer to all properties in DR.  It picked us up and dropped us off at Hard Rock, no issues whatsoever.

 

The Hard Rock course we played the second day and that was a mistake.  It was not in good shape and can't be compared to PE.  I'd rather pay $400 for PE than the $75 for Hard Rock.

Edited April 12 by eddie_max

[Golferpaul]

On 2/26/2024 at 6:40 PM, Forged5 said:

 

 

Iberostar 

Cana Bay (Hard Rock)

Barcelo Lakes

La Cana (most expensive)

 

(Cocotal have not heard good things about)

 

Also, see there is a Caribbean tee time service that you can book and arrange pick up. Anyone deal with them?

Or any service for best deals?

 

Thanks and FORE!!!

Punta Espada and  Corales are an order of magnitude better than any of the others.  Regardless of the cost, you should play both.

 

We rented a house and made our own tee times.