Punta Espada Golf Course

 

Punta Espada Golf Course at Cap Cana presented by Guide to Golf in the Dominican Republic:

With it’s spectacular and breathtaking layout along the coastline to the Atlantic Ocean the Punta Espada Golf Course is absolutely worth a visit. 8 holes are either playing to or along the ocean giving golf players both spectacular views, unforgettable shots over water and of course quiet a few tests to the individual players ability to focus on the short cut grass rather then on the blue element when playing Punta Espada Golf Course. And not only is the water in play on many holes but the view of the ocean can be enjoyed at some point on almost all of the 18 holes. The golf course is normally kept in next to perfect condition even in the summer month which are generally considered to be the maintenance season. The Punta Espada Golf Course is therefore to be considered on of the best maintained golf courses in the Dominican Republic if not the best maintained golf course. The tee boxes gives players a choice of a course stretching from 4483 to 7090 yards which will accommodate most if not all players. But no matter what tee box you choose the Punta Espada Golf Course is to be considered on of the more difficult or challenging golf courses that will leave you with a high numbered scorecard if you do not stay focused on the game. Many build in obstacles both along the fairway and around the green makes this golf course quiet the challenge. Hole 2 must be considered the signature hole on Punta Espada Golf Course. And remember that that is a golf course where a majority of the holes could easily be signature holes on most other golf courses.

Punta Espada Golf Club at Cap Cana is designed by 18 times mayor winner Jack Nicklaus and opened in 2006.

Hole by hole description presented by Golf in the Dominican Republic:

Hole 1 at Punta Espada Golf Course:
Par 4 where 3 of the 4 tee boxes are situated approximately 30 to 40 feet above the fairway giving the player an excellent view of the hole. Waste area guards the left and a few bunkers the right. Once you are in place for you approach shot you will find that only one bunker guards the green. But don't make the mistake and think that it is an easy approach shot just because of the lag of visual obstacles.

Hole 2 at Punta Espada Golf Course:
Par 5 hole that by many is considered the signature hole of the Punta Espada Golf Course. You will find 2 of the 4 tee boxes elevated approximately 30 to 40 feet above the fairway giving both an excellent but also scary view of the hole. The hole often plays into the wind that is coming from the ocean most days of the year. The trouble on this hole can mostly be found on the right hand side. From the tee box it is a big bunker that poses trouble and from about 220 yards from the green it is a lake washed in from the ocean that guards the right hand side. And unless you play extremely safe you will have to face crossing that water at some point. The green is guarded by a couple of bunkers on the left side ensuring that players can't play to safe from the water on the other 3 side without at least risking a sand trap.

 

Hole 3 at Punta Espada Golf Course:
Par 4 playing with the ocean along the right side of the hole making it safer to play down the left side, however two bunkers guard the left side. The green is long and narrow build very close to the ocean leaving little or no room for error. One bunker is found to the left of the green.

 

Hole 4 at Punta Espada Golf Course:

Very interesting par 3 with plenty of both visual and actual obstacles along the hole. If going for the green the player will have to carry the full distance across the ocean as the green is set with little room between the edge of the green and the ocean. However there is one little bunker between the green and the ocean give a little help to those either a bit short or those that were very long from the tee box having to play back towards the ocean. A safe play on the hole is playing way left of the green and thereby avoiding the water. One positive aspect on the 4th hole at Punta Espada Golf Course is that the wind almost always blows along the length of the hole.

Hole 5 at Punta Espada Golf Course:
Long par 4 playing away from the ocean. Playing down the right hand side of this hole will give the easier approach angle to the green. However the right side is guarded by a bunker on the right hand side as well as one in the center of the fairway. Left does look more appealing from the tee box but do not hesitate to play right. The green is set beautifully up against a 30 to 40 feet high wall of rock. However that isn't really in play. Rather players should watch out for the left side where a bunker and a large waste area guards. The right does look more appealing however that will leave the player with a tough downhill chip to a fast green.

Hole 6 at Punta Espada Golf Course:
Interesting par 5 once again with plenty of obstacles along the hole. The tee shot is probably the easiest of the all with a shot to a wide fairway that is split in two by a couple of bunkers. Players will have to make the choice of either left or right. Choosing left will mean that the player will have to cross a big hole in the ground that is approximately 40 to 50 yards wide and probably at least 10 yards deep. Behind the hole in the ground players will find a waste area. In order to choose to play down the left side of the 6th hole at Punta Espada Golf Course the player must have confidence in long and solid shots in order to make gain anything. Choosing the right side does not surprisingly make the hole play longer however also much safer. The green is guarded by 3 small bunkers that doesn't seem scary at all once you are past all the other obstacles.

Hole 7 at Punta Espada Golf Course:
A visual impressive par 3 where the tee box is placed 20 to 30 feet above the green giving players full view of the hole to be played. Green is guarded by several smaller bunkers. However the real challenge lies in that the green is build in 2 plateaus with the upper one on the left side. It is therefore very important to get on the right plateau or that alone might very well cost on the scorecard.

Hole 8 at Punta Espada Golf Course:
Relative short par 4 where long hitters might find it appealing to have a go at the green from the tee box. That green is however very difficult to hit because of a big waste area to the left and a couple of bunkers to the short right side. Furthermore the green is in two plateaus making it extremely difficult to get close to the pin. A safe play is down the right side. For the long hitters a safe play is down the left or center of the fairway which will leave just a small chip or pitch to the green.

Hole 9 at Punta Espada Golf Course:
Par 4 where the two “middle” tee boxes are situated 30 to 40 feet above the fairway. Waste area down the left side and bunkers down the right side. Big slicers will also find out of bounds down the right side. The green is guarded by a bunker to the right and waste area to the left. If you over shoot the green you will be left with a tough downhill chip.

Hole 10 at Punta Espada Golf Course:
Yet another beautiful hole with plenty of visual and actual obstacles. A fairly simple drive where the safe side is left. The hole is guarded by a big lake to the right and a couple of bunkers on the left. Once you are ready for the approach shot you will find a green that has waste area on all sides and is build on a 3 to 4 feet high plateau.

Hole 11 at Punta Espada Golf Course:
Long par 4 where long hitters can shorten the distance by playing down the left side. However the player should be confident that he has enough distance to cover a large area with bunkers guarding that route. A tee shot down the right side is more safe but will leave the player with a long approach shot to a green that is difficult to hit because it is long, narrow and guarded by a big bunker in front of the green.

Hole 12 at Punta Espada Golf Course:
Yet another hole that would easily qualify as signature hole on most other golf courses. A dog leg left par 5 hole where the safe play is down the center of the fairway that is guarded to the left by a waste area and rough to the right. Second shot has to be considered a transport shot for most players. However long hitters can take a (risky) crack at this in two. The green is guarded by rocks and ocean to 3 sides leaving the right side as the safe side. The big green makes it easier to find the short cut grass.

Hole 13 at Punta Espada Golf Course:
Long and tough par 3 hole where players going for the green will have to cross the ocean that is in front and to the left of the green. A safe play on this hole will be playing down the right hand side where there is a large area of fairway not normally found on a par 3.

Hole 14 at Punta Espada Golf Course:
One of the more straight forward par 4 holes found on the Punta Espada Golf Course. A bunker guards the right side of the fairway. A green bunker is located to the short left side of the green that is almost wrapped around the rear of the bunker.

Hole 15 at Punta Espada Golf Course:
Long dog leg right par 5 that is wrapped around a lake. Long hitters do have a realistic chance of making this green in two without risking to much. The safe play is down the left or center of the fairway in order to play safely around the lake. Bunkers and especially waste area is found all along the hole.

Hole 16 at Punta Espada Golf Course:
Par 3 playing directly at the ocean without being in play. Bunkers guards the green on all side. Green is long and narrow and in different plateaus making it a difficult put once on the green.

Hole 17 at Punta Espada Golf Course:
Short, beautiful and tricky par 4 hole where players starting from one of the 2 “back” tee boxes will have to cross the ocean to find safety on the fairway that follows the cost line to the right. The green is guarded by of course ocean to the right and 3 bunkers on the other 3 sides.

Hole 18 at Punta Espada Golf Course:
Long par 4 playing along side the ocean. A safe play is either left or center fairway. Two bunkers guard the left side of the fairway. Once ready to approach players will find a green where any pin placed on the right hand side of the green will be very tough to get close to because of the proximity to the ocean. A safe approach shot is to the left side of the green which is rather large.