Dominican Republic Golf Course Renovations to Watch in 2026
The Caribbean's most famous golf course has been reborn. In March 2026 Casa de Campo reopened Teeth of the Dog after a fifteen million dollar restoration, the most significant work on Pete Dye's masterpiece since it opened in 1971. Here is what changed and what it means for visiting golfers.
The headline: Teeth of the Dog restored
The project that dominates Dominican golf in 2026 is the restoration of Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo in La Romana. Pete Dye's 1971 design, with its run of holes carved along the Caribbean shoreline, has long been the best course in the country and one of the finest in the western hemisphere. The resort closed it for a full scale, fifteen million dollar restoration led by Jerry Pate Design, and reopened it on March 13, 2026, the most extensive work in the course's history.
Crucially, this was a restoration, not a redesign. Jerry Pate, the former US Open champion, worked with design partner Steve Dana to reconstruct greens, bunkers, tees and fairways, upgrade the drainage and irrigation and lay new cart paths, while deliberately resisting any urge to alter Dye's architecture. The routing and the shot values that made the course legendary are untouched; what has changed is that every surface is now new, modern and built to last. For travelling golfers it means the headline round of any Dominican trip is sharper than it has been in decades.
The wider picture
The Teeth of the Dog investment is part of a broader push at Casa de Campo, which was preparing to launch the second phase of its Premier Suites project along with a new pool and an expanded spa. That matters because the resort is the country's golf engine, also home to the cliff top Dye Fore and the parkland Links course, so a flagship spending freely on its golf and its rooms lifts the whole destination.
The Dominican Republic's wider strength is depth. On the eastern Punta Cana coast, Punta Espada, a Jack Nicklaus design with several holes on the sea, anchors a separate cluster of resort courses, while Playa Grande on the north coast adds a third pole of high quality golf. The country was already a leading luxury golf destination in the Caribbean, and a restored Teeth of the Dog only reinforces that position.
What it means for your trip
For a 2026 Dominican golf trip the timing could hardly be better: Teeth of the Dog is open again and presenting at its very best, so this is the year to play it. Build the trip around La Romana, where Casa de Campo's three courses give you several days of golf without changing hotels, then decide whether to add the Punta Cana coast for the Nicklaus seaside holes at Punta Espada.
The practical notes are simple. Casa de Campo is a resort, so the best access to its courses comes with a stay, and demand for a freshly restored Teeth of the Dog will be high, so book early for peak winter dates. Green fees at this level are premium and seasonal, so always confirm current rates directly before booking. The Dominican high season runs roughly December to April, with the best weather and the busiest tee sheets.
Our take
This is exactly the kind of project we want to see. Faced with a fifty year old masterpiece, Casa de Campo spent fifteen million dollars renewing every surface and then had the discipline to leave Pete Dye's design alone. The result should be the best version of Teeth of the Dog that most living golfers have played, a true bucket list round in pristine condition. Play it this year, pair it with Dye Fore and Punta Espada for a complete Dominican trip, and confirm rates and tee times before you commit.
Plan your Dominican golf trip
From the restored Teeth of the Dog and Dye Fore at Casa de Campo to the Nicklaus seaside holes at Punta Espada, tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge builds and costs the trip, with no obligation.
Questions
What was renovated at Teeth of the Dog?
Casa de Campo invested fifteen million dollars in a Jerry Pate Design restoration that reconstructed greens, bunkers, tees and fairways, upgraded drainage and irrigation and laid new cart paths, while deliberately preserving Pete Dye's original 1971 architecture. It reopened on March 13, 2026.
Is Teeth of the Dog open in 2026?
Yes. It reopened in March 2026 after the most extensive restoration in its history and is presenting at its best, making 2026 an ideal year to play it.
When is the best time to play golf in the Dominican Republic?
The high season runs roughly December to April, with the most reliable weather and the busiest tee sheets. Book early for a freshly restored Teeth of the Dog and confirm green fees directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Renovation details verified June 2026 from resort and design sources; fees and schedules change, so always confirm directly. Last reviewed June 2026.