Cap Cana - Punta Espada

All I can say is that if you are a true golf enthusiast then you owe it to yourself to play it. The course was in perfect shape after a heavy night time rain. The wind was blowing, the waves were crashing and my group was in golf heaven. The caddies were great and after our round we were allowed to fire up cigars inside the club house. The bartenders took great care of us and we can not wait to go back.

Not cheap. We paid $235. Worth every penny. So many beautiful holes. We teed off at 7:30am and finished in 4 hours 20 minutes. Could have played much faster but lots of places to stop and take pictures. Turf conditions were excellent, first time playing on paspalum grass. Our caddie was great and helped a lot with putting. One of the few things in life that lives up to the hype.

If you've never played golf in the D.R. there are a couple 'must' plays and this is one of them. Situated along the ocean there are hardly any calm days. This can be fun and maddening at the same time.

While many holes offer ample room off the tee there are a few approach shots that are nearly impossible in the wind. Most notoriously, is Hole 2 that plays from an elevated tee back into the prevailing wind and is 598 yards from the Gold (Black is Championship) tees. Assuming a solid tee shot it still takes two more mighty lashes to get to a fairly small green surrounded by water in regulation. Not sure how ideal it is to have the hardest hole on the course be the second hole you play.

Regardless, every hole along/near the water is stunning, if for no other reason than you rarely see water so magnificently blue. As with most island golf, scoring will mostly depend on how you play in the wind and if you can avoid being distracted by the stunning scenery.

The visually stunning surroundings can make you forget how good of a course this is. Good risk/reward options, nice variety, and a lot of fun. Amazing routing along the water and the inland holes are also terrific. The most memorable course I have ever played.

This is my favorite Jack Nicklaus course to play. If you have never played on paspalum fairways or greens, you are in for a treat. You will not believe how good your lies are all the way around this course. The greens are wonderful, they are never really really fast and that is good news with the wind you will encounter most of the time.

Take time and enjoy the wonderful views.

Pics of Punta Espada

https://flickr.com/photos/92239680@N08/sets/72157638895878966

I have played all over the world including all the great tracks in Ireland, and I can tell you the physical beauty of Punta Espada will blow you away. This is a must play golf course.

The driving range view is breathtaking, and that just gets you started. The layout is impeccable given that it is a Jack Nicklaus design. It is a course that you can get your driver out and have some fun.

Fairways are not hard to hit, and the greens are not tricked up in order to be more difficult than necessary.....if you hit greens you can make some birdies.

Breathtaking beyond description. I have played before and will play again. Two thumbs way up.

This is not only the most beautiful courses I've ever played but its also one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen! I was the only one in my group of vacationers that play so I went by myself but still had a great morning. The course is in great shape and very playable. It would be great if you could walk the course when its not busy to enjoy the scenery more. I wish we still had caddies at courses in the US. It was great to just grab a club, get some advise and hit the ball. If you are a golfer and are in the area you would be crazy to not play this course.

I played this course while on in DR for my wedding. It was either Punta Espada or Teeth of the dog. I was not disappointed from the minute we arrived.

I played with my cousin in law, who is a good golfer as well.

We were picked up at Majestic Elegance in PC, and driven to the course which took about 45 mins. We were transferred mid ride along the highway to another vehicle which was odd but none the less we got there. Tipped the last driver $10 when we got there.

Upon arrival our clubs were taken and put on the cart and we checked in and paid. We were introduced to our Caddie Esah. The course wasn't busy at all, and were given ample time to warm up and hit some balls. The guy on the range whom we tipped $5 bucks each cleaned our clubs while we hit balls.

The Course: Picturesque and Scenic to say the least. Amazing view and photo ops on every hole. You almost forget to play golf and not take photos.

Greens: Excellent
Fairways: Excellent to Good
Rough: Good to Great and not too deep.
Difficulty: Depending on what tees you play the course is set up for the challenge that you want.
Pace: Finished in 4 hours, could have been less if we took less pictures.
Value: Yes expensive, especially for Canadians, but well worth the money. Comparable to what I assume Pebble Beach would be like in some respects. How this course isn't ranked higher is baffling.
ProShop: Well stocked, clean, modern, nice options for souvenirs. Got a Titleist hat for $37 US, not bad at all.
19th Hole: Average food, typical quick snack food. The beer was cold, view and the company were Excellent.

I recommend this course be on your list to play next time in the DR. I would definitely go back for the view and to see if I can improve my score.

I had the opportunity to play Punta Espada on a recent vacation to the Dominican Republic. It is hard to believe that this course is not listed as one of the 100 top courses in the world. The scenery is unbelievable including eight holes along the sea. Not a bad hole on the entire course. Fairways are quite wide, but you still need to be accurate off the tee and on approach shots because the waste bunkers are very punishing. Played the tips so I could feel like a pro for a day. Hitting into the 12th green with nothing but blue sky and ocean behind the green was awesome.

No course of the 700-plus I've played interacts with the ocean as dramatically as Punta Espada. Of the eight holes on the Caribbean Sea, three are really special. I remember my round in 2011 like it was yesterday.
Stepping on the elevated tee of the second hole, a 611-yard par 5, introduces the ocean horizon, and a green hanging precariously into a bay inlet. The par-3 13th hole plays over crashing waves to a green perched upon a cliff. Jack Nicklaus made birdie at the grand opening, although the rest of us will be happy just to land safely on top. The par-4 at no. 17 is a cool Cape hole where players must choose how much of the sea to carry to reach the fairway. The approach heads directly into the wind. My "ocho" - at my caddie's advice - landed next to the hole for birdie. Golf doesn't get much better than this.

I was fortunate enough to play this course two days in a row, only paying once (met an investor of the property who paid for my second round, thank you to my charming wife for that!). You can rest assured that they could have charged double and I would have felt like I got a good deal.

This is simply golfing paradise. I live in CA and have walked Pebble and would like to think I have seen many gorgeous courses all over, but this is beyond magnificent. The conditions are immaculate, caddy was friendly and helpful and there was nobody on the course. The ocean views will leave you shaking your head. It is difficult to concentrate on the round of golf because it is hard to believe you are out there to begin with. There is a great video on YouTube, 8 minute flyover of the course set to music. It's even more impressive in person.

There are so many memorable shots over crystal clear water. Bring a camera, and if you have a girlfriend or wife that isn't a big golf fan but wants to enjoy some of the most beautiful landscape you will ever see; bring her. My wife loved it and has little interest in golf.

The par 5 2nd hole was my favorite, but 13 and 17 really give it a run for it's money. I will do whatever it takes to get back to this golf heaven that is Punta Espada. You would kick yourself if you made this trip and didn't play here. Enjoy.

One of the best courses in the world. Definitely one of the most beautiful. There are eight holes right on the Caribbean Sea. The course is on lime stone cliffs about 20 feet above the sea. The grass is saltwater tolerant so when the waves are up it is quite a scene. Don't be surprised if you get a little wet. Several holes require carries over the Caribbean Sea. If you are vacationing in Punta Cana and you don't play this course you will be missing the best part of your vacation.