10 Best Golf Courses in Punta Cana

Designed by eminent architect and ex-professional golfer Jack Nicklaus, Punta Espada is an 18-hole masterpiece that’s located in the upscale tourist enclave of Cap Cana. With its sweeping coastal topography and range of strategic challenges, this isn’t just one of the Dominican Republic’s best golf courses, it’s also one of the world’s.

During your game, you’ll take in breath-taking views of the Caribbean Sea (but be prepared to battle the winds). The Bella Vista bar and restaurant serves mojitos, pastries and international dishes while delivering gorgeous views of the 18th green.

Corales Golf Club is a dramatic 18-hole championship course that’s situated in the ritzy Puntacana Resort. Here, exhilarating coastal challenges will test even the most seasoned of golfers – including the infamous Devil’s Elbow.

Designed by award-winning architect Tom Fazio, the club is famed for its inaugural Corales Puntacana Championship golf tournament that’s part of the legendary PGA Tour. After you’ve played a game, grab a table at the Snack Bar clubhouse for chicken quesadillas, Dominican Chicharron and juicy skirt steak served with fried plantain.

La Cana Golf Course (at the Puntacana Resort & Club) boasts 27 holes that are split across 3 loops of 9: Tortuga, Hacienda and Arrecife. Envisioned by international golf architect P.B. Dye, this picturesque course has been voted ‘number 1 in the Caribbean’ by leading publication Golf Magazine.

12 of La Cana’s holes deliver unforgettable views of the turquoise sea which contrasts beautifully against the eco-friendly paspalum fairways and challenging gold sand bunkers. Its clubhouse grill serves hearty mains and decadent desserts throughout the day and was designed by Dominican fashion designer Oscar de la Renta.

Featuring tantalising tropical landscapes and sultry sea views, Punta Cana’s Hard Rock Golf Club was designed by ‘Golden Bear’ Jack Nicklaus – widely considered one of the world’s greatest golfers. Peppered with strategic bunkers, water hazards and an almighty set of challenges, this 18-hole championship course has been expertly carved out of the dense Dominican jungle.

In a very on-brand twist, every hole at the Hard Rock Golf Club is named for a famous rock song which pipes from a state-of-the-art GPS system that’s installed in every cart. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino boasts an exciting range of after-game eateries including Bistro Med, Los Gallos, Toro, Zen and Ciao.

Winner of the Dominican Republic’s Best Golf Course in the World award, Iberostar Bávaro is an 18-hole, 72-par stunner that’s enhanced by exotic vegetation and horizon-skimming views. The course’s undulating fairways are interrupted by arid desert stretches, cobalt blue lakes, white sand bunkers and a cascading waterfall.

Designed by renowned golf architect P.B. Dye, Iberostar Bávaro boasts an unusual starfish-shaped island green, surrounded by sand, that rears up at the par 3 8th. Only 20 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport, this epic course makes a perfect pre-flight pit stop (or an incredible place to spend the day).

Another P.B. Dye classic, Lake Barceló Golf Course features 25 inland lakes and 122 strategically placed sand traps that’ll really have you upping your game. Set in the swanky surrounds of the Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort, this championship course traverses magical mangrove forests that are teeming with bird life (keep your eyes peeled for the family of peacocks).

5-star Barceló offers a range of Stay and Play packages for those who want to swing their clubs from sunup to sundown. On-site, you’ll find 11 speciality restaurants serving delectable international cuisine (which makes a change from the traditional clubhouse).

Conveniently situated near a number of high-class resorts, Punta Blanca Golf Club delivers 18 holes of sporting perfection in lush vegetative surroundings. Designed by retired Zimbabwean golfer and PGA champion Nick Price, this exquisite stretch of emerald is sprinkled with plenty of hazards including sandy bunkers, meandering streams, boggy wetlands and little ponds.

Punta Blanca’s full-service clubhouse boasts a well-stocked pro shop while the Hoyo 19 restaurant and bar features an enticing a la carte menu and stunning views of the putting green. Enjoy a refreshing beverage in the terraced garden before hitting the fairways to practice your swing.

Catalonia Caribe Golf Club is situated in Punta Cana’s upscale Catalonia Bavaro Resort, near some of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic. Showcasing a sparkling lake and an eye-popping island green, the course is revered for its sleek narrow design and array of technical challenges.

Lush tropical jungle surrounds the club including plenty of woozy palm trees. You’ll also enjoy luxurious perks like a state-of-the-art locker room, a world-class driving range, and a restaurant that features ritzy lunch and dinner menus.

Conceived by the Maverick Golf Design team, PGA Ocean's 4 is one of the Dominican Republic’s most compelling courses. This 18-hole spectacle is located an hour and a half west of Punta Cana, close to the town of El Soco.

Set on the shores of the Playa Nueva Romana resort, this visionary course is suitable for all skill levels and negotiates varying landscapes including tropical jungles, lakes and waterfalls, rocky deserts and pristine beaches. Four of the course’s holes hug the turquoise Caribbean waters so expect your ball to blow about – things can get breezy!

Cocotal Golf Course can be found in the Cocotal Golf and Country Club: an upscale gated community that was once a working coconut plantation. Designed by 6-time Spanish champion Pepe Gancedo (affectionately called the ‘Picasso’ of golf architecture), this trio of 9-hole courses delivers numerous perks including mid-game drinks and sandwiches.

Featuring strategically placed bunkers, mounds, trees and wide fairways that are often made challenging by unrelenting winds, the club offers respite at its driving range and putting green. The on-site Hazard Sports Bar serves a range of tasty meals including chickpea sliders, baby back ribs, macho nachos and New York cheesecake.