Punta Espada Golf Club
The first of Jack Nicklaus's designs at Cap Cana opened in 2006 and instantly set the standard for the eastern Dominican Republic. A par 72 of 7,396 yards with eight holes touching the Caribbean, Punta Espada has been ranked the top course in the Caribbean and Mexico more than once.
Photo: Hernesto Gonzalo via Google.
The verdict
Punta Espada was the course that announced Cap Cana to traveling golfers. The first of three planned Jack Nicklaus designs on this stretch of the eastern coast, it opened in 2006 and went straight to the top of the regional rankings, named the number one course in the Caribbean and Mexico by more than one panel. Eight holes play along, over or beside the Caribbean, with cliffs, coves and turquoise water framing the round.
It is a big, muscular Nicklaus layout, 7,396 yards from the back tees, yet the multiple tees and the resort setting keep it playable for the visiting group. The ocean holes are the postcards, but the inland holes hold their own with water, waste areas and the firm paspalum that runs through the property. For a marquee round in Punta Cana, this is the one to build a day around.
Punta Espada Golf Club at a glance
- Opened
- 2006
- Designer
- Jack Nicklaus Signature
- Type
- Oceanside resort
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 7,396 yds
- Green fee
- Indicative, premium (2026)
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Cap Cana and leading course databases. Punta Espada is a Jack Nicklaus Signature design opened in 2006, a par 72 of 7,396 yards with eight holes on the Caribbean. Indicative 2026 green fees are premium and typically include cart, caddie service, range balls and on course water; rates change by season, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The sea is everywhere at Punta Espada. The par 3 thirteenth plays across an inlet to a green set against the surf, and the closing holes work along the coast with the water in constant view, so the wind and the carry over the rocks become the defining questions of the round. Nicklaus routes the holes so the ocean is a hazard and a backdrop in equal measure.
Away from the water, the course shows its length and its teeth. Generous landing areas give way to firm greens guarded by deep bunkering and the occasional forced carry over a coralina waste area, and the paspalum surfaces run true and fast. Choosing the right tee here matters more than ego: from the correct markers the course is a thrill rather than a slog.
Punta Espada rewards a controlled long game and a steady nerve over the cliff and inlet shots. With eight holes on the Caribbean and the polish of a Nicklaus resort design, it remains the headline round on this side of the country, and the centerpiece of a Cap Cana golf trip.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Open to visitors and Cap Cana guests by tee time; busiest December to April |
| Green fee | Premium indicative 2026 rate, typically including cart, caddie, range and water (confirm before booking) |
| Caddie | Caddie service is part of the experience; a fee and gratuity apply |
| Booking | Reserve ahead through Cap Cana or Punta Espada golf reservations, especially in winter |
| On the day | Carts with caddie; resort dress code; allow time for the coastal photo stops |
| Getting there | Cap Cana, about fifteen to twenty minutes from Punta Cana International Airport |
Access and fees verified June 2026 from Cap Cana and Punta Espada published information. Premium rates change by season and inclusions vary, so always confirm current pricing and what is included directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Cap Cana is the gated resort community that surrounds the course, home to luxury hotels, a marina and a string of beach clubs, so the easiest base is within the development itself, minutes from the first tee. Several all inclusive and boutique properties here cater specifically to golfers.
Punta Espada also pairs naturally with the wider Punta Cana golf scene a short drive away, letting you combine it with Corales, La Cana and the Hard Rock course over a longer stay. Cap Cana is the upscale, golf forward corner of the region.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Punta Espada Golf Club.
Play Punta Espada at Cap Cana
We book the Punta Espada tee times, pair them with the best of Punta Cana and Cap Cana, and arrange the hotel and transfers around them. Tell us roughly when and who is traveling and one concierge costs it to the head.
Punta Espada Golf Club questions
Who designed Punta Espada and when did it open?
Punta Espada at Cap Cana is a Jack Nicklaus Signature design that opened in 2006, the first of several Nicklaus courses planned for the Cap Cana development.
What is the par and length of Punta Espada?
Punta Espada is a par 72 of 7,396 yards from the back tees, with eight holes playing along or over the Caribbean Sea.
How is Punta Espada ranked?
Punta Espada has been ranked the number one golf course in the Caribbean and Mexico by leading panels and is consistently rated among the best resort courses in the region.
Can visitors play Punta Espada?
Yes. Punta Espada welcomes Cap Cana guests and outside visitors by advance tee time. Green fees are premium and typically include cart, caddie, range balls and water. Confirm current rates directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.