11 Best Caribbean Golf Courses Open to the Public

The Caribbean provides an easy escape for Americans, offering beautiful weather, a true taste of paradise, and world-class golf. 

Among the leafy palms, and lining the azure oceans, you will find some of the finest courses in the world, all supported by opulent resorts, providing 5-star luxury to their guests.

1. Teeth of the Dog – Casa de Campo

Holding the crown as the Number 1 course in the Caribbean for many years, and listed inside the world’s top 20 on Golf Digest’s World Top 100 list, Teeth of the Dog has true allure to golfers worldwide. 

This Pete Dye Design, located at Casa De Campo Resort, utilizes the natural rocky coastline of the southern Dominican Republic to create some of the most spectacular golf holes you will find anywhere.

Opened: 1971
Par: 72
Length: 7253 yards
Designers include: Pete Dye, Chris Lutzke
Difficulty rating: Slope 140 / Rating 74.1

2. Punta Espada

Located at Cap Cana on the west coast of the Dominican Republic, Punta Espada is one of three Jack Nicklaus Signature Courses in the region and is listed on many World Top 100 rankings. 

With 8 holes playing alongside the ocean, the layout offers striking views. Players are tested throughout the round, with the 250-yard par 3, 13th hole considered the signature, playing over the Caribbean sea to an exposed green.

Opened: 2006
Par: 72
Length: 7396 yards
Designers include: Jack Nicklaus, Troy Vincent
Difficulty rating: Slope 137 / Rating 77.0

3. Corales Golf Course – Punta Cana

Host of the PGA Tour’s Corales Puntacana Championship, Corales is widely regarded as one of the best courses in the Caribbean. 

A Tom Fazio design that opened in 2010, the layout includes 6 holes running alongside the rocky shores of the Caribbean Ocean, with views over the coral reef and surrounding bay. The signature hole is the 18th, which requires a carry over the bay, an unforgettable finish to your round.

Opened: 2010
Par: 72
Length: 7650 yards
Designers include: Tom Fazio, Tom Marzolf
Difficulty rating: Slope 140 / Rating 72.0

4. Dye Fore – Casa de Campo

Dye Fore is a 27-hole layout, combining 3 contrasting 9’s; Chavon, Marina, and Lagos.

Chavon plays from the small village at the top of the hill overlooking the resort and features 5 cliffside holes. 

The Marina 9 links the Chavon, playing down the river valley, providing spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea. Lagos (Lagos) is a lower-lying 9, with extensive water hazards as the name suggests. The preferred 18 is Chavon/Marina, but we recommended including all 27 holes during your trip.

Opened: 2005
Par: 72
Length: 7667 yards
Designers include: Pete Dye
Difficulty rating: Slope 134 / Rating 77.0

5. Apes Hill

Apes Hill offers one of the greatest settings of any golf course, located at the highest point on the island nation of Barbados. Elevated views throughout the round include the wild Atlantic Ocean coastline on the east side of the Island and the sultry turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea to the West. 

A brand new clubhouse and exceptionally equipped practice facility support an exceptional newly renovated layout. A very playable and fun course for all standards, signature holes include a par 3 over water to a green backed by a dramatic rocky archway.

Opened: 2022
Par: 72
Length: 7041 yards
Designers include: Ron Kirby
Difficulty rating: Slope 132 / Rating 74.7

6. La Cana Golf Club  – Punta Cana

La Cana Golf Club neighbors Corales in Punta Cana, separated only by Playa Blanca Beach. Made up of three 9s,  Tortuga, Hacienda, and Arrecife, the most scenic combination is Tortuga and Arrecife, however, Tortuga and Hacienda are regarded as the better 18. 

14 holes line the ocean, leading to it being tagged ‘the Pebble Beach of the Caribbean’.

Opened: Arrecife & Tortuga 2001 & Hacienda 2012
Par: 36 (Arrecife), 36, (Hacienda), 36 (Tortuga)
Length: 3676 yards (Arrecife), 3768 yards (Hacienda), 3483 yards (Tortuga)
Designers include: Pete Dye
Difficulty rating: Slope 129 / Rating 75.0

7. PGA Ocean’s 4

Considered somewhat of a hidden gem in the Dominican Republic, PGA Ocean’s 4 opened in 2017, located on the southwest coast, around 20 miles from La Romana. 

There are 27 holes on the property, however, it’s the ‘Professional 18-hole course’ that takes the plaudits. Utilizing the Caribbean Sea as many courses in the area do, combining the coast, with lakes, and undulating lands to provide contrast throughout the round. PGA Ocean’s 4 is a perfect addition to a stay at Casa de Campo, for those looking to venture off-resort for golf.

Opened: 2017
Par: 72
Length: 7334 yards
Designers include: Jack Lund
Difficulty rating: Slope 138 / Rating 75.0

8. The Links – Casa de Campo

The Links course at Casa de Campo is a worthy addition to a trip including headliner Teeth of the Dog. A Pete Dye design, the 18 holes weave through the lowlands of the resort, with natural undulations of the landscape creating a feel of a true links golf. 

Lagoons and lakes add water hazards to the challenge, while the recently renovated design remains in pristine condition for golfers to enjoy year-round.

Opened: 1975
Par: 71
Length: 6739 yards
Designers include: Pete Dye
Difficulty rating: Slope 129  / Rating 72.3

9. El Camaleón, Fairmont Mayakoba

Making the list from Mexico’s Caribbean coastline is El Camaleón. Host of multiple Pro events, the Greg Norman design weaves its way through lush jungle, with features including a crystal clear lagoon and a cave located in the middle of a fairway. 

The layout touches the shoreline, opening out dramatically to the white sand beach; this is undoubtedly the best course on this stretch of shoreline.

Opened: 2007
Par: 72
Length: 7116
Designers include: Greg Norman
Difficulty rating: Slope 137  / Rating 74.2

10. Royal Blue – Baha Mar

Located on the Bahamian Island of New Providence, near the capital city of Nassau, Royal Blue is the standout design in the Bahamas. A Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, the layout immerses golfers among the tropical vegetation, the back nine is where the course truly comes to life, with limestone ‘moonscapes’, undulating terrain, and dense jungle forming the unique layout. 

An Island green, backing onto a lake on the 16th hole is one of the highlights of the round.

Opened: 2017
Par: 72
Length: 7153 yards
Designers include: Jack Nicklaus
Difficulty rating: Slope 135  / Rating 74.0

11. Playa Grande

One of famed golf architect Robert Trent Jones’ final designs, Playa Grande is a special layout with no less than 10 holes running alongside the Caribbean Ocean. 

Sitting on the Dominican Republic’s northern coast, unlike many of the other top courses, makes Playa Grande less accessible, but worth the effort to play. Renovated in 2015, Playa Grande is now rightly considered one of the top courses in the Caribbean.

Opened: 1997
Par: 72
Length: 7259 yards
Designers include: Rees Jones, Robert Trent Jones. Sr, Bryce Swanson, Roger Rulewich
Difficulty rating: Slope 132  / Rating 75.4

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