GOLF’S TOP 100 Course Panelists are among the most respected and experienced course evaluators in the game. They are also willing to share their opinions. In this GOLF.com series, we’ll unlock his no-frills views on all things golf-related. The goal is not only to entertain you, but also to give you a better understanding of how to understand and appreciate the architecture of a golf course. You can see the latest GOLF news Ranking of the 100 best courses in the world hereand meet all our Top 100 panelists here.
1. With the PGA Tour in the Dominican Republic this week for the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship, we set our sights on the golf-rich Caribbean. So many courses, so little time, so please help us. Which are the two best courses in the Caribbean and why.
Bill Hogan, panelist since 1998, has played 62 of the Top 100: Until it is displaced, the best dish in the Caribbean is still Teeth of the Dog in Casa de Campo. The routing is excellent, and this one certainly ranks in the late Pete Dye’s top five. A close second is an hour away, in Cap Cana, where Jack Nicklaus carved Punta Espada GC into the rocky shoreline.
Thomas Brown, panelist since 2015, has played 95 of the Top 100: I agree with Bill. Teeth and nearby Punta Espada are an exceptional double whammy. Sloping downhill, the Nicklaus-designed hole 2 at Punta Espada is an all-around risk-reward par 5, with its turquoise waters on the horizon behind the highlighted green.
Gordon Dalgleish, a panelist since 2003, has played 73 of the world’s top 100: It is extremely difficult to argue beyond Teeth of the Dog as the premier course in the Caribbean. For many years, he was far superior to any of his peers on a variety of levels, including conditioning. The Corales course is a very solid Fazio design and is generally kept in excellent condition, with easy air access and excellent on-site accommodation. He is a worthy contender.
2. Let’s imagine that we are going to the Caribbean with friends. What is the best destination for a friends golf trip and why?
Hogan: I would fly to Punta Cana and stay three nights at The Westin Punta Cana or Tortuga Bay and play Corales twice (love it!) and Punta Espada, before driving an hour to Casa de Campo to play Teeth of the Dog and Dye Fore . To me, it’s like Hawaii at half the price.
Brown: If this is an invitation to the annual Spieth/Thomas/Fowler/Kaufman spring break trip, count me in. Barbados is the place for 2021. Sandy Lane Resort will be our base of operations, and most of our day will be spent slicing units at Tom Fazio’s Green Monkey. Nearby courses are Royal Westmoreland and Apes Hill. Shaper Justin Carlton has been on site at Apes Hill throughout 2020 making dramatic renovation changes in collaboration with architect Ron Kirby. The reopening of Apes Hill is on my short anticipation list.
Luis: I think Streamsong has done a lot of damage to the Caribbean for this type of excursion. The climate is not much safer in the Caribbean, and the journey is quite a bit longer. I would say the best place for guaranteed golf weather and a friends trip in winter is Streamsong.
Dalgleish: For a men’s trip, when you consider nearby golf course options, ease of access, quality and variety of lodging options, non-golf activities, food and beverage options, it’s extremely difficult to go any further. of Casa de Campo, as it ticks the boxes.