The Teeth of the Dog Course
#1 Caribbean Pete Dye Course
Teeth of the Dog at a Glance
Forget every other bucket-list course — Teeth of the Dog® at Casa de Campo® is the one course every serious golfer must play. Ranked #1 in the Caribbean by Golf Digest and carved from the jagged Dominican coral coastline, this is where Pete Dye produced his life’s masterpiece: 18 holes where the trade winds, the sea, and the razor-sharp coral “teeth” punish anything less than your very best. Seven of those holes — the legendary “Holes Created by God” — play directly along the Caribbean shore, making a round here impossible to replicate anywhere else on earth. Caribbean Paradise Homes places you inside Casa de Campo® Resort, steps from the first tee, so your 2026 experience begins the moment you arrive.
| Designer | Pete Dye |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1971 |
| Course | 18 holes, par 72 |
| On the sea | Seven holes along the Caribbean |
| Restoration | Full $15 million rebuild by Jerry Pate Design; reopened 13 March 2026 |
| Carts | Shared carts are included in the green fee |
| Caddies | Required on Teeth of the Dog®, paid in cash to the caddie |
| Dress code | Collared shirt with golf shorts or slacks; no T-shirts, jeans, swimwear or tank tops |
| Tee times | Booked directly with the resort golf office, online, by phone or by email |
In 1971, Pete Dye and his wife Alice arrived at a raw stretch of Dominican coastline with 300 local workers and hand tools — no bulldozers. Dye later said, “I created 11 holes and God created 7,” crediting the seven oceanfront holes to the natural coral shelf that rises from the sea. The course was originally named Diente del Perro — “tooth of the dog” — for the razor coral that juts from the Caribbean below. It opened in 1971 and has appeared in Golf Digest’s World Top 100 every year since. A comprehensive 2025–2026 restoration returned the course to Dye’s original punishing aesthetic — a gift for purists, a warning to the unprepared.
Planning your trip around a tournament? Our Casa de Campo® golf tournament calendar for 2027 lists the Pro-Am dates and the villas that suit a tournament week.
2026 course profile & Player specs
- Architect – Pete Dye (Signature Design)
- Course Type – Oceanfront / Championship
- Par / Slope – Par 72 / Slope 145 (Black Tees)
- Signature Holes – 5, 7, 8, 15, 16, 17 (Oceanfront)
- Green Fees 2026 – $450 hotel guests / $550 villa guests, plus 18% tax
- Grass Type – Paspalum (Seaside Optimized)
Luxury accommodations near Teeth of the Dog
The “First Tee” Collection (Punta Aguila)
For those who want to be on the practice range in under three minutes. These villas are located in the Punta Aguila and Golf Villa sectors, offering the closest proximity to the Teeth of the Dog® pro shop.
Oceanfront Elite Estates
Stay where the action is. These ultra-luxury estates overlook the very fairways of the 5th and 16th holes. Features include infinity pools mirroring the Caribbean Sea and staff (housekeeper and cook or chef, with a butler at most villas) for post-round recovery.
Corporate & “Buddy Trip” Hubs
Designed for groups of 8–16 players, these 6+ bedroom villas feature expansive outdoor “19th Hole” lounge areas and multiple golf carts for easy resort navigation.
Golf Villa vs. Resort Hotel: What’s the Real Difference?
The Casa de Campo® hotel options are excellent — but for a dedicated Teeth of the Dog golf trip, a private villa changes everything. Here’s the honest comparison:
| Resort hotel | Private villa | |
|---|---|---|
| Your group’s space | Separate rooms, shared with other guests | The whole villa, for your group only |
| After the round | The hotel bar, shared with everyone | Your own pool and terrace, on your schedule |
| Cost for 4 or more | Every room is paid separately | One villa rate, split across the group |
| Meals | Hotel restaurants and shared service | A private chef can be arranged on request |
For a golf group of 4–8, a private villa is almost always the right answer — for both experience and cost.
Golf at the resort: more than one championship course
While Teeth of the Dog® is the crown jewel, Casa de Campo® is also home to two additional Pete Dye courses that create one of the finest golf destinations in the Americas.
The Links
Inspired by traditional British and Scottish courses, The Links winds through lush inland landscapes and rolling fairways. It provides a strategic contrast to the oceanfront drama of The Dog.
Three world-class Pete Dye courses (compared side-by-side in our three-course golf guide) make this one of the finest golf destinations in the Americas.
What Does a Golf Trip to Teeth of the Dog® Cost? (2026)
A 4-night golf trip here for 8 players runs roughly $2,800–$5,500 per person, all-in — covering green fees, caddy service, resort access, and villa rental. The spread is wide because villa size, number of rounds, and course selection move the needle significantly. Here’s exactly how the numbers break down.
Golf Fees & On-Course Costs
- Teeth of the Dog® green fees (2026): $550 per person, per round for villa guests (registered guests staying outside the hotel) and $450 for hotel guests, plus 18% tax. The resort offers discounted rates during its May–October maintenance period.
- Dye Fore green fees: $450 per person, per round for villa guests and $350 for hotel guests, plus 18% tax. Three distinct nines above the Chavón River canyon — the natural partner to the flagship.
- Caddie fee: $50 for one or two players and $100 for three or four, a group total paid in cash with the tip already included; a walking caddie carrying your bag is $100 per bag. Caddies are mandatory at both courses.
- Golf cart: Included in the green fee at both courses.
- Club rental: Available through the Casa de Campo® pro shop at $100 per set per day or $595 per week, plus tax. Worth reserving in advance if you’d rather not travel with your bag.
- Club storage at the villa: Complimentary for all guests.
- Casa de Campo® resort access fee: $30 per adult, per night. Mandatory for all villa guests; covers full resort amenity access for the duration of your stay.
Insider Expert Guide: Playing “The Dog” in 2026
- The Wind Factor: Trade winds typically intensify after 1:00 PM. For lower scores, book a morning tee time. For the “True Teeth” challenge, play the afternoon loop when the 16th hole requires two extra clubs.
- Caddy Mastery: A caddy is mandatory. Trust their “read” on the greens—the grain consistently pulls toward the Caribbean Sea, even when the slope suggests otherwise.
- 2026 Restoration: The course recently underwent a bunker restoration to maintain Pete Dye’s original “rugged” aesthetic. Expect deep hazards and precision-heavy approach shots.
- Hole 7 — The Caribbean Par 3: The most-photographed hole in the Caribbean. A short par 3 that plays over a cove of jagged coral to a green perched at the sea’s edge. On a calm morning it feels achievable; when the trade winds arrive after noon, par feels like a birdie.
- Hole 16 — The Coastal Dogleg: A demanding par 4 where the fairway hugs the coastline and the prevailing wind pushes every shot right toward the coral. The approach must carry the “teeth” — miss right or long and the Caribbean takes your ball.
- Hole 17 — The Oceanfront Par 3: Pete Dye’s most uncompromising hole. The green is flanked by coral on three sides with the Caribbean Sea directly behind it. There is no safe miss. The 2025–2026 restoration deepened the rear bunkers, making even a short miss equally punishing.
Experiences beyond the fairways
Although golf — covered in detail in our Teeth of the Dog visitor guide — is a central draw, the resort offers a wide range of experiences that complement a luxury villa stay.
Minitas Beach Club
An elegant beach club where guests enjoy pristine Caribbean waters, beachside dining, and sunset cocktails.
Altos de Chavón
This stunning Mediterranean-style village overlooking the Chavón River features art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and a world-famous amphitheater.
Marina Dining and Yachts
The marina area offers waterfront dining, fishing charters, and yacht excursions to nearby islands.
Tennis & Spa
The Racquet Center and luxury spa provide additional wellness and recreation options between golf rounds. See our complete Casa de Campo® tennis guide for courts, rates and lessons.
Personalized concierge for the perfect golf escape
A truly exceptional golf trip is defined by the details.
Our concierge team assists guests before arrival and throughout their stay to ensure every aspect of the journey runs smoothly.
Services include:
• airport transfers and private transportation
• restaurant reservations across the resort
• in-villa chefs and private dining experiences
• yacht charters and fishing trips
• spa appointments and wellness experiences
For many returning guests, this level of personalized attention is what transforms a vacation into an effortless luxury retreat.
Our villa specialists have personally stayed in and vetted every property we recommend. We’ve coordinated hundreds of golf villa stays at Casa de Campo® and know the insider details — which villas put you on the practice range in under 3 minutes, which properties offer dedicated bag storage at the pro shop, and when to book your tee times with the resort golf office, even in the peak winter season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Teeth of the Dog golf course?
Teeth of the Dog is the signature golf course at Casa de Campo® Resort in the Dominican Republic. Designed by Pete Dye, it is ranked the #1 golf course in the Dominican Republic by Golf Digest.
How many oceanfront holes are at Teeth of the Dog?
Seven holes play directly along the Caribbean Sea, making it one of the most scenic oceanfront courses in the world.
Can guests staying in villas play Teeth of the Dog?
Yes. Guests staying in Casa de Campo® villas have access to the resort’s golf courses and can reserve tee times directly with the Casa de Campo® golf office.
How far are villas from the golf course?
Many luxury villas are located within a short golf cart ride from the Teeth of the Dog pro shop, providing convenient access to the course.
Is a caddy mandatory at Teeth of the Dog?
Yes, caddies are mandatory at Teeth of the Dog®. They are paid separately in cash — $50 for one or two players, $100 for three or four — and the tip is already included. A good caddy is invaluable — they read the coastal winds and the grain of the Paspalum greens better than any yardage book.
What is the best time of year to play Teeth of the Dog?
December through April is peak season — dry, breezy, and with the most consistent conditions. For lower green fees and quieter tee sheets, May and June offer excellent value, with very similar weather before the rainy season picks up in late summer.
Can non-resort guests play Teeth of the Dog?
Access to Teeth of the Dog® is restricted to registered guests of Casa de Campo® Resort. Villa guests are registered with the resort as Casa de Campo® guests, which is what allows you to reserve tee times. Green fees, caddies and cart fees are not included in any villa rental — they are paid separately to the resort. Villa guests pay the registered-guest rate ($550 per round on Teeth of the Dog®); the lower $450 rate applies to hotel guests.
What hours does the villa staff work?
General staff working hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm, unless a staff member sleeps at the villa. If you would like the cook or another staff member to stay later, for example for a late dinner, you cover a transport allowance of US$60 per staff member for their ride home.
Plan your golf villa stay in Casa de Campo®
For golfers seeking the finest Caribbean golf experience, Teeth of the Dog® at Casa de Campo® remains unmatched.
Combining dramatic oceanfront golf with refined hospitality and private luxury villas, the destination offers a rare balance of sport, relaxation, and exclusivity.
Caribbean Paradise Homes specializes in curating exceptional villas within Casa de Campo®, ensuring guests enjoy both proximity to the resort’s iconic golf courses and the privacy of a luxury residence.
Whether you are planning a dedicated golf trip or a sophisticated Caribbean getaway that includes time on the fairways, our team will help you find the perfect villa for your stay.
Tip: Tee times for Teeth of the Dog fill up 6 months in advance during peak season; we recommend booking your villa and golf simultaneously.
Related Caribbean Paradise Homes Curated Pages
Browse the curated rental shortlists most relevant to golfers playing Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo®.
- Golf tournaments 2027 — Pro-Am dates at Casa de Campo® and where to stay
- Golf Villas pocket — CPH villas on or near the Phase I/III/IV fairways
- Punta Aguila villas — clifftop estates adjacent to TotD’s 16th and 17th holes
- Corporate Retreat villas — estate-scale stays for golf-trip leadership offsites
Begin Your
villa rental experience
Tell us a bit about your plans, and one of our villa specialists will personally curate a selection of homes tailored to your group, preferences, and budget—typically within a few hours. There’s no commitment at this stage, just a conversation to help you explore the right fit. Our villa specialists have personally stayed in and vetted every property in our portfolio. Availability can shift quickly, especially during peak travel periods.