Golf & Tourism in the Dominican Republic.

With 26 golf courses spread over 48,000 km2, the Dominican Republic is just an eleven-hour flight from Paris (tickets from €900) and offers a complete change of scenery in a country of 10 million people, whose economy is essentially based on tourism (65% of GDP).

Compared with Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic is not yet totally golf-oriented.
That said, unless you're a Stakhanovist or run a golf marathon, you won't have time in a week to play every course on the island, especially as there are plenty of other things to discover, including cigar-making...

The great thing about golf in this part of the world is that the architects have taken full advantage of the natural surroundings. All the courses are by the sea, and it's perhaps one of the few places in the world where you'll want to hit your iron to get to the green, and take a dip in the turquoise waters before puttingt!

That said, the luxury of golf in the Dominican Republic contrasts with the poverty that also characterizes this island split in two with Haiti. The Haitian community is, of course, the country's largest immigrant population (500,000 to 700,000), and often lives close to the sugarcane fields.

Prestigious architects have lent their names to the construction of the various courses, built mainly to attract American customers.

Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio and even Nick Price have all designed courses on the island, and the tourist board has no hesitation in calling itself the golf capital of this part of the world!

It's worth noting, however, that the offer was designed for the American customer who wants to pay in advance for a room, his or her own rounds, as well as beer and the mini-bar, in a single all-inclusive package. In short, with this type of golf vacation, everything is included, so you don't have to count too much when you're there... which is undoubtedly the aim, and only the golf cart can be an extra!

There's an interesting package on offer at the Hard Rock Hôte l et Casino, which includes a golf cart, access to the driving range, unlimited food and drink in the clubhouse and on the course... all for the modest sum of $200 a day!

Indeed, green fee prices are at the "American rate", and indexed to the standard of living of US golfers, and green fee prices can easily rise to $325 (Playa Grande) without counting the cart! At these prices, you can really claim your drinks on the course!

**The Punta Cana experience

If you're planning to try the Punta Cana experience, you can really form two opinions about Punta Cana, the easternmost tip of the island.

To the north-east of the airport, which is the world's largest private international airport, you'll find mainly all-inclusive resorts built to cater for the tourist masses. Every year, over two million holidaymakers arrive in the Dominican Republic, representing 20% of the total population.

In this part of the island, you'll naturally find casinos, great beaches and a few golf courses.

Now, if you can afford it, head in the opposite direction, south of the airport, and you'll find golf courses that manage to combine scenic beauty and tourism, without distorting the original character of the area too much.

[*Of the26 courses on the island, Teeth of the Dog is the one most often mentioned by golf-trotters!]

Forty years ago, American architect Pete Dye introduced golf to the Dominican Republic in spectacular fashion, with his famous "Teeth of the Dog" at Casa de Campo, a name as memorable as the course itself. It was such a success that Dye and his son landed numerous other contracts in the country.

Four years ago, the Casa de Campo hotel underwent a $40 million renovation. At the same time, Pete Dye added a third loop called Lakes to the Dye Fore course, on unoccupied land between the other two, bringing the game closer to the clubhouse. With 27 holes, the course has almost doubled its capacity. Finally, the Casa de Campo links course, created just five years after Teeth of the Dog but always overshadowed by it, has just been completely renovated.

It was with this "Dents du Chien" course that the Dominican Republic first appeared on the world golfing map. Two nine-hole courses stretch out on either side of the clubhouse. There are few trees or rough, but the wind blowing in from the ocean - seven holes run directly along the Atlantic Ocean - adds to the difficulty, especially when it comes to catching the elevated greens. The signature hole is 16, a 194-yard par 3 played over a creek shaped like a jawbone, with the foam of the waves resembling the drool on a dog's lips! The views are fantastic, and even if the wind makes things difficult, it's still a golf course that's not to be missed,

In terms of good deals, the best period is from October to May, when some resorts, such as the Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort, offer two green fees per day for one night's accommodation, whereas in high season, it's one green fee per night.