Teeth of the Dog [Golf Course Review]

Teeth of the Dog

Located on the island of Hispaniola is the Dominican Republic.

After Cuba, it is the second-largest Caribbean nation.

Down in the southeastern part of the country is La Romana.

And just minutes away from the nation’s third largest city is a Caribbean destination unlike any other.

Heralded by many to be the finest resort complex in the entire Caribbean basin and really one of the finest resorts you’ll find anywhere across the globe.

The focal point of this property is golf, including 63 holes designed by Pete Dye.

The first 18-hole golf course was The Teeth of the Dog.

Working with the natural topography, the Teeth of the Dog was built without the use of any heavy machinery. As a crew of 300 used hand tools and sheer force of will to carve this layout out of the rugged coral rock.

Starting with hole number one here at Teeth of the Dog, Pete Dye takes the golfer on a journey that begins with four somewhat challenging inland holes.

He then gets to a point on the golf course where he turns the course westward and creates four visually stunning and challenging holes of golf.

Then as you make the turn at 10, you are in the interior once again.

This part of the Teeth of the Dog features three very good par fours and one very tough par five. And once you finish putting on number 14, you are again back along the coast, this time heading eastward.

Starting with a treacherous tee shot at number 15 and just as demanding approach into its green.

Awaiting you after the 15th is the layouts final par three. Though not very long at 167 yards the 16th is anything but a pushover.

The final 2 holes on the Teeth of the Dog really put the explanation point on what Pete Dye created here at Casa de Campo. 

Imagine 50 years after it opened in 1972, this layout is still ranked as one of the top 50 courses in the entire world. 

Every golfer who has ever played the Teeth of the Dog will say, you know, whatever I paid to play, it was worth every dollar.

This is a pretty special place.

The Course

Year built: 1971
Architect(s): Pete Dye
Type: Resort
Greens: Bermuda Grass
Fairways: Bermuda Grass
Golf Season: Year-round 

Scorecard

Par 71
Length Back Tees: 7471
Slope: 75.9
Rating: 145
Length Forward Tees: 4906
Slope: 68.7
Rating: 124

Contact

Casa de Campo 
P.O. Box 140
La Romana
Dominican Republic
P: 809-523-33330                                                                    https://casadecampo.com.do/