Casa De Campo - Teeth of the Dog

Outdoor recreation destination in La Romana, Dominican Republic

Inside: Casa de Campo

Casa De Campo - Teeth of the Dog
John Keil · by permission, via unsplash.com

About

What It Is

Teeth of the Dog is an 18-hole championship golf course located at Casa de Campo Resort in La Romana, Dominican Republic [1]. Designed by architect Pete Dye and opened in 1971, it is ranked the top golf course in the Caribbean and among the top 50 courses in the world [4]. The course was built directly into a coral coastline, with seven of its 18 holes running along the Caribbean Sea [3]. In 2025 and 2026, the course underwent a full restoration led by Jerry Pate Design, reopening for resort play on December 7, 2025, with a grand reopening ceremony on March 13, 2026 [4].

The restoration involved re-grassing the entire course with Dynasty Paspalum turf, rebuilding all greens and bunkers, improving drainage and irrigation, and adding new cart paths [4]. Golf Magazine has included Teeth of the Dog in its ranking of the top 100 courses in the world since the list began in 1983 [3].

Activities & Experiences

Visitors play 18 holes across a par-72 layout stretching to 7,263 yards from the longest tees, with multiple tee options available for different skill levels [1][4]. Seven holes — numbers 5, 6, 7, 8, 15, 16, and 17 — play directly along or over the Caribbean Sea, with coral formations rising from the surf and trade winds affecting play [3][4]. The remaining inland holes include elevated greens and strategic bunkering throughout [3].

The resort also offers a practice driving range, which is included in the round fee [2]. A mobile Oasis Bar operates on the course serving drinks and snacks, available for separate purchase [1]. Titleist rental clubs and FootJoy rental shoes are available at the pro shop [2].

Practical Access

Play at Teeth of the Dog is restricted to registered resort guests, villa owners, residents, and their accompanying guests; outside play is not accommodated [1]. Green fees as of 2026 are USD 450 per person for hotel guests and USD 550 for non-hotel registered guests, plus 18% tax; fees include green fees, cart, bag storage, and driving range use [2][4]. Tee times run from 7:30 a.m. to 9:27 a.m. and from 12:15 p.m. to 2:12 p.m., departing every nine minutes off holes 1 and 10 [2]. Tee times can be booked up to 90 days in advance by emailing golf@ccampo.com.do or calling 809.523.8115 [1][4].

Caddies are mandatory on Teeth of the Dog for all players [2]. The caddie fee is USD 50 for one or two golfers and USD 100 for three or four golfers, paid as a group total in cash, with gratuity already included [4]. Golf carts are mandatory; walking the course is not permitted [4]. The expected pace of play is 4 hours and 30 minutes [2]. The course undergoes scheduled maintenance closures between May and October each year; in 2027, Teeth of the Dog is scheduled to close July 5 to 14 and September 20 to 26 [2].

Restrictions

Play is open only to registered Casa de Campo resort guests, villa owners, residents, and their guests; the course does not accept outside visitors [1]. Caddies are required for all players; this is not optional [2]. Golf carts are mandatory and children under age 17 are not permitted to drive them [1]. Each player must have their own set of clubs [1]. No-shows and cancellations within 24 hours of a tee time are charged a 100% penalty at the hotel guest golf rate [1]. Non-golfing cart riders are charged USD 50 per person plus tax [1][2]. The mobile Oasis Bar on the course is not included in any rates unless otherwise noted [1]. A collared polo shirt, golf slacks or shorts, and soft-spike golf shoes are required; jeans are not permitted [4].

What Makes It Distinctive

Teeth of the Dog has been ranked the number one golf course in the Caribbean and has appeared in Golf Magazine's top 100 courses in the world continuously since 1983, peaking at number 20 in 1995 [3][4]. Seven of its 18 holes are built into the Caribbean coastline itself rather than simply adjacent to it, with coral outcroppings rising from the surf and trade winds that directly affect shot selection [3][4]. Pete Dye himself described the design by saying he created eleven holes and that nature made seven [4].

The 2025 to 2026 restoration, costing USD 15 million and led by Jerry Pate Design, re-grassed the entire course with Dynasty Paspalum turf engineered for coastal salt-air conditions, rebuilt all bunkers and greens to Dye's original specifications, and added new championship tees on select holes [4]. The result is described as the best playing condition the course has seen in its 54-year history [4].

Sources

  1. Teeth of the Dog® Golf Course Dominican Republic | Casa de Campo
  2. Golf Tee Times, Rates & Information | Casa de Campo

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Catalog identifier: AVIA-N4B6-CE5M9