Why golf groups stay in villas at Casa de Campo
Casa de Campo has three Pete Dye courses inside one gated resort in La Romana, on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic. Its best known, Teeth of the Dog, reopened in December 2025 after a full restoration. Golfers who have wanted to play it for years are now booking trips around it.
There's one rule that shapes every golf trip here. Tee times are only for registered resort guests, villa owners, residents and the friends staying with them. You can't drive in from Punta Cana for a day round. Where you sleep decides whether you play.
For groups, a private villa inside the resort is usually the better way in. Four to twelve golfers can share one house with a pool, a cook and staff, keep their clubs in one place, and still have full access to the courses. This guide explains how the courses differ, what to look for in a golf villa, and when to go.
The three courses
Teeth of the Dog
Pete Dye built Teeth of the Dog in 1971, and seven of its holes run right along the Caribbean. Dye liked to say he made 11 holes and God made the other seven. The December 2025 restoration refined the greens and fairways, rebuilt the bunkers around Dye's original design, and upgraded the practice area. Caddies are required, and a round takes about four and a half hours.
Dye Fore
Dye Fore has 27 holes set high above the Chavón River gorge, with views over the marina and the sea. It starts and finishes near Altos de Chavón, the resort's stone village on the cliff. It has the most elevation change of the three, and some of the best views on the property. Caddies are required here too.
The Links
The Links is an inland course inspired by the links of the British Isles, rebuilt in 2012. It's the most forgiving of the three and a good warm-up day or recovery round. Caddies are optional, and rounds run about four hours.
How tee times work
Book early, especially for Teeth of the Dog. The golf office takes reservations by phone and email, and cancellations or no-shows inside 24 hours are charged in full. Green fees are per person, per round, and carry an 18% tax. Teeth of the Dog also closes for maintenance for a few weeks each summer and again in late September, so check the dates before you book flights.
Choosing a golf villa
Casa de Campo covers about 7,000 acres, so the part of the resort your villa sits in matters more than it seems on a map.
Pick the location around the course you'll play most. The golf villas near the main clubhouse are a short cart ride from the first tee at Teeth of the Dog and The Links, with the hotel and spa on the same loop. Villas near the marina and Altos de Chavón put you closer to Dye Fore, restaurants and nightlife. Oceanfront villas trade a slightly longer ride for the sea at the end of the day.
Count golf carts, not bedrooms. Carts are how everyone gets around inside the resort. Some villa rates include one or more carts and some don't, so ask how many come with the house and what extra carts cost. A group of eight usually wants at least two.
Check the staff. Many larger villas come with a cook, housekeeping and sometimes a butler. Ask which staff are included, their hours, and whether groceries and drinks are billed separately. A cook who has breakfast ready before a 7:30 tee time may be worth more than a bigger pool.
Match the bedrooms to the group. Golf groups usually want equal rooms, each with its own bathroom, so nobody draws the short straw. Ask for the bed layout of every room.
Ask what the rate leaves out. Resort fees, airport transfers, carts, food and personal services are often billed on top of the villa rate.
Confirm your golf access. Make sure the villa is registered with the resort, so your group gets resort IDs at check-in. You'll need to show them at the pro shop for every round.
When to go and how to get there
Best months. December through April brings the driest weather and the most comfortable rounds, which is why it's also when villas and tee times go first. Christmas, New Year's and Presidents' Day week book out earliest. May and early June are quieter and warmer, with better villa availability. Hurricane season runs June through November, and Teeth of the Dog closes for maintenance for part of July and late September.
Flying in. La Romana International Airport (LRM) is about 10 minutes from the resort gates. It has a private aviation terminal and limited commercial service, including American Airlines. Punta Cana has many more flights and is roughly an hour's drive. Santo Domingo is about 70 to 90 minutes away. For groups flying private, LRM is the easy answer.
Getting around. Once you're inside the gates, you won't need a car. Golf carts cover the courses, the marina, Minitas Beach and Altos de Chavón. Book a driver for dinners outside the resort or a day trip to Saona Island.
How we plan a Casa de Campo golf trip
A golf trip has more moving parts than a beach week. The work is in getting the timing right.
We start with the golf. How many rounds, on which courses, and what time you like to tee off. That tells us which part of the resort to stay in and how far ahead to request tee times, especially for Teeth of the Dog.
Then we match the villa. We shortlist homes with the bedroom layout your group needs, enough carts for everyone, and staff who will have breakfast out before an early round. We confirm what's included in the rate, so the resort bill doesn't hold any surprises at checkout.
We handle arrival. Private flights into La Romana or transfers from Punta Cana, groceries and drinks stocked before you land, and clubs delivered to the villa if you're renting.
And the off-course days. A yacht day out of the Casa de Campo Marina, a boat to Saona or Catalina Island, a private dinner at the villa, or an evening up at Altos de Chavón. Non-golfers in the group get as much attention as the foursome.
Casa de Campo golf FAQ
Can I play Teeth of the Dog without staying at Casa de Campo? No. Tee times are only for registered resort guests, villa owners, residents and the friends staying with them. Staying in a villa inside the resort gives you access.
Do villa guests get the same golf access as hotel guests? Yes, as long as the villa is registered with the resort and you check in for your resort ID. Confirm your green fee rate and any golf package before you arrive.
Are caddies required? On Teeth of the Dog and Dye Fore, yes. On The Links, they're optional.
How far ahead should I book tee times? As soon as your villa and dates are set. Winter tee times on Teeth of the Dog fill first, and cancellations within 24 hours are charged in full.
Do Casa de Campo villas come with golf carts? Many do, but not all. Ask how many carts come with the villa and what extra carts cost before you book.
What's the closest airport? La Romana International (LRM), about 10 minutes from the resort. Punta Cana has more flights and is about an hour away.
When is the best time for a golf trip? December through April, for the driest and most comfortable weather. Book early for the holidays and Presidents' Day week.
Plan your Casa de Campo golf trip with Aspect
Send us your dates, the number of golfers and non-golfers, and the courses you want to play. We'll come back with villas inside the resort that suit your group, what each rate includes, and a plan for tee times and transfers. If Teeth of the Dog is on your list, the sooner we start, the better your choice of mornings. Start your golf trip inquiry: www.travelwithaspect.com.
