Casa de Campo

Seven holes on the Caribbean and the best course in the Western Hemisphere south of Florida. Pete Dye carved it out of coral rock in 1971 — the par-3 5th over the water and the run home from 15 are why you booked the flight. Resort guests pay a premium, but you're playing a legitimate top-50 in the world.

27 holes (Chavón, Marina, Lagos) on a different kind of property — high above the Chavón River with cliffside drops that don't exist anywhere else in the Caribbean. The four cliff holes on the Chavón nine are the photos your buddies actually ask about. Most groups blow it off as the warm-up round. Don't.

Pete Dye's inland routing — Scottish-style mounding, no ocean, no cliffs. It's a perfectly good golf course that would be the headline anywhere else, but here it's clearly third on the depth chart. Good play if you want a third round without the premium price tag of the other two.

Pete Dye original kept mostly for members and resort guests in the know. Quieter than the headliners, easier to get on, and a fair test that won't beat you up after Teeth has already done that. Worth a call if you want a fourth round at a fraction of the price.

About an hour east in Cap Cana — a Jack Nicklaus design with eight holes on the Caribbean that gives Teeth of the Dog a real fight on visuals. The drive is annoying but if you've got five rounds in the trip and want a non-Dye comparison, this is the one. Greens fees are stiff.

The standard play for foursomes who don't need a villa. Recently renovated Elite rooms, golf cart included with every booking (you'll need it — the property is enormous), and you're on-site for tee times. The Minitas Beach access alone justifies staying inside the gate.

The right move for groups of six or more. Private villas range from 3-bedroom standard to 10-bedroom estates with staff, private pool, and a chef option. Per-head cost beats the hotel rooms once you've got a real group, and you actually get to hang out together at night.

The upgraded room tier — bigger, newer, and with extras like dedicated concierge and premium minibar. Worth the bump if you're booking for a milestone trip and don't want to commit to a full villa.

Adults-only all-inclusive about an hour east, useful if you're playing Punta Espada and don't want to commute. Big beach, multiple restaurants, drinks included. Pick this only if you're trading off Casa de Campo golf for Cap Cana golf — don't try to do both from here.

Plenty of owner-listed villas inside the Casa de Campo gates show up on VRBO at a discount versus booking the same villa through the resort. Same access to the courses and clubs, same property, often 20-30% cheaper. Just confirm golf cart and staff are included before you book.

The big-deal dinner at the resort — Italian by the Le Cirque family, set inside the main hotel. Get the truffle pasta and a bottle of something serious. Reserve before you arrive, especially for groups of four or more.

Lunch by the ocean — ceviche, grilled fish, a frozen drink, toes in the sand. The right call on a layover day between rounds, or anytime you want lunch to take two hours.

Down at the Marina, this is the dressed-up dinner spot for the trip — Mediterranean and Caribbean seafood with the boats lit up behind you. Order the whole grilled fish for the table. Walkable from the Marina villas.

Pan-Asian at the Marina — sushi, dim sum, wok stuff — and the best break from steak and seafood you'll get on this trip. Solid for a group that needs a change of pace mid-week.

Miami import at the Marina serving creative rolls and Asian small plates. Loud, lively, late — the closest thing the resort has to actual nightlife once dinner is done.

The breakfast spot — big buffet inside the main hotel, fast, and gets you out the door for an early tee time. Skip the carb plates and stick with eggs and fruit; you've got golf in the heat.

Steakhouse at Altos de Chavón — meat, wine, dark wood, the works. The right move for the big night out, paired with a walk around the artists' village before or after. Reserve.

Old-school Italian inside Altos de Chavón — stone walls, candles, hand-rolled pasta. Quieter than the Marina spots and the right call if your group wants a dinner that doesn't feel like a resort dinner.

The post-round pub at the Teeth of the Dog clubhouse. Cold Presidente, a sandwich, and the view back over the course while you settle the bets. Not fancy and not trying to be.