SPORT

Punta Cana offers a choice of 5 wonderful golf courses 

1. Punta Espada

2. The Punta Cana Golf Club. 

3. The Bavaro Resort Golf Club,

4. The Cocotal Golf & Country Club,

5. The Catalonia Cabeza de Toro Golf Club

Punta Espada Golf Club, the first of three Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses to open in Cap Cana, opened for play in November 2006, and only a few months later appeared in international Top-100 lists. It is now ranked by Golfweek as the No. 1 course in the Caribbean and Mexico. The par-72 course incorporates the surrounding natural beauty of Cap Cana, stretching along a coastline where golfers on each hole look out into the blue expanse of the Caribbean Sea.

The Punta Cana Golf Club is just 10 minutes from the airport, and is the first championship-caliber layout in Punta Cana. This 18-hole, 7,152-yard layout features 7 holes on the ocean, and 14 with ocean views. This course was designed by P.B. Dye, whose father Pete Dye created the legendary Dientes del Perro, or "Teeth of the Dog," in 1971. As a teenager, Dye spent two summers helping his father build the course. Thirty years and 36 golf courses later, Dye returned to the Dominican Republic to design and build a beachfront course for Frank Rainieri, the Dominican businessman whose vision and hard work has made Punta Cana a popular vacation destination. Punta Cana Golf Club is by far the best course in Punta Cana, and the closest thing to Pebble Beach the Caribbean has to offer

The Bavaro Resort Golf Club offers an 18-hole course designed by Juan Manuel Gordillo. Located along the eastern coast, wind comes into play on this par 72, 6,557-yard course that is part of the BАvaro Resort complex. Situated alongside the Bavaro lagoon, this is a flat and very playable course with many water hazards, usually in excellent condition and built with the enjoyment of the resort tourist in mind.

The Cocotal Golf & Country Club is the first Caribbean golf course built by the Sol Melia Group. It opened in December 1999 and was designed by the renowned Spanish architect Jose "Pepe" Gancedo. This 27 hole course provides instruction classes for beginners, as well as handicap improvement courses for the more experienced players.

Surrounding the Sol Melia resort complex, the course was once a coconut plantation, built around serene lakes and swaying coconut trees. The 3,380-yard Gold tees have a rating of 75.2, with a Slope of 131. The 3,203-yard Blue tees have a rating of 73.1, with a Slope of 130. The 2,993-yard White tees have a rating of 71, with a Slope of 126. And the 2,563-yard Red tees have a rating of 73.1, with a Slope of 128. The Cocotal also offers a Club House, pro-shop, driving range and pitch & putt area.

The Catalonia Cabeza de Toro Golf Club offers Punta Cana's newest course, located at the Catalonia Bavaro Resort. Situated near the oceanfront and integrated into a wonderful tropical landscape, five lakes and many shade trees define this short but challenging course. With wide fairways that are easy to play, this course was designed for novice and experienced golfers, alike. For more information, call 809 412-0000.

Dress Description

Casual attire is appropriate throughout most of the country, and because of the extremely warm climate light clothing (preferably cotton) is best all year round. Patrons of specialty restaurants and evening establishments are often dressed elegantly, with men wearing long pants and women in dresses. Handicap Information Many of the hotels offer handicap rooms and facilities.