La Cana Golf Course

 

La Cana Golf Course presented by Guide to Golf in the Dominican Republic:

La Cana Golf Course at Punta Cana Spa and Resort is both a tough and beautiful golf course set along the ocean with 4 holes playing along the ocean. On especially hole 5, 17 and 18 the player will experience that the ocean is very much in play and a big threat to a good score. Luckily you will find red sticks along the edge to the ocean. Otherwise the nearest point of relief would have been the Cap Verde islands of the shores of the African continent. Tee boxes on all 3 holes are built halfway out in the ocean leaving no room for error on these 3 holes. The rest of the La Cana Golf Course is a park like golf course with huge villas along most holes. However do not be troubled by this fact as there is plenty of space between the villas and the golf course meaning that the owners as well as the players don't have to be to worried about hitting a stray golf ball into a private garden or villa. Fairways are generally wide leaving plenty of room for a drive. However most greens have an easier approach from one side rather then the other. And that fact is what is the real challenge of this La Cana Golf Course as the pin is often hard to get to if approaching from the wrong side which might very well cost an extra stroke around the green if not hitting the golf ball in to the right areas. Also greens are in often in different levels which probably will leave some nasty puts if the golf ball is not hit to the right area of the green. All in all a nice and challenging golf course where any player will do wise not to choose a tee box that plays to long.

 

La Cana Golf Club at Punta Cana Resort and Spa is designed by P B Dye and opened in 2000.

Hole by hole description:

Hole 1 at La Cana Golf Course: Fairly straight forward par 4 that does not play to long. Try to position the drive a bit to the right as this gives an easier approach to the green. Bunkers guarding the far right of the hole of the tee. However these are only in play with a big slice. When approaching the green any shot lost to the right will cost extra strokes. A ridge on the green divides the green so take extra care getting the right length on the approach shot.

Hole 2 at La Cana Golf Course: Another fairly straight forward par 4 that does not play to long. Fairway is a bit narrower then on hole 1 but again try to position the ball a bit to the right for an easier approach to the green. Rather long but narrow green with waste area to the left and bunker to the right makes this a tough green to approach.

Hole 3 at La Cana Golf Course: Tough par 3 with lake in front, to the right and back of the green. Don't spend to much energy planing to play safe to the right either as this area is packed with small bunkers in between small ridges. Any shot out of that area will have the lake as possible destination for your golf ball. Only way to play (a bit) safe on this par 3 is to shot short and to the right. Once on the green your trouble is far from over as this is a very undulated green where most 2 puts will be a success. If you walk from this hole with a par pad yourself on the back – you have deserved it!

Hole 4 at La Cana Golf Course: Long par 5 playing in to the wind and towards the ocean. However the ocean is not in play other that the visual beauty of it. Fairway is wide most of the way. However the second shot does visually look narrow but there is plenty on space on the right hand side. The tricky part is however that the left side makes for an easier approach to the green. Rather big green so in doubt of are aim for the center.

Hole 5 at La Cana Golf Course: Short par 3 set along the ocean. Any ball short to the right will be in the ocean. A safe play will be a bit short to the left. If pin is not on the far right side of the green the ocean should not be a problem.

Hole 6 at La Cana Golf Course: Straight par 4 with room down the center and right hand side. Green is guarded by a lake on the right, left and back side. However there is a narrow horse shoe bunker between the green and the lake ensuring that golf balls rolling of the green will be caught in the bunker rather then go in the lake. Any pin position to the back is a tough one to get close to. Center and front pin positions makes this a very easy par 4.

Hole 7 at La Cana Golf Course: Short risk and reward par 4 that some players can reach in 1. However be careful that the risk isn't higher then the reward as this green is set on a 3 to 4 foot high plateau making it very difficult actually getting the golf ball to stay on the green in one. However if you are a long hitter aiming at the right hand side of the green (which is blind from the tee box) will leave you with a small chip shot. If playing this hole as a par far simply play an ion down the left side of the fairway. This will leave you with a short approach shot. Once on the green you will find this green to be one of the easier at La Cana Golf Course as it is rather flat.

Hole 8 at La Cana Golf Course: Par 5 hole that is makable in 2 shots. A rather wide fairway but try to keep the ball on the right hand side of the fairway as this will make the hole play shorter. The green is situated to the right of the fairway and is guarded by rough, bunkers and ridges making it a tough approach. Furthermore the green is rather narrow but wide making it a tough one to hit. Once on the green most of your trouble are over!

Hole 9 at La Cana Golf Course: Long par 4 hole where the player drives to a wide fairway guarded by a large waste area to the left and bunkers to the right. Green is set on a high plateau and is guarded by 3 bunkers. Also the green is undulated making any long put a very tough 2 put. Walk away with par on this hole and you have done well.

Hole 10 at La Cana Golf Course: Par 4 with plenty of room for the drive. However an approach from the right hand side makes for an easier approach. The trouble on the hole lies around and on the green with grass bunkers guarding the green that is made up by to plateaus. Any golf ball landed on the wrong plateau is a 3 put waiting to happen.

Hole 11 at La Cana Golf Course: Dog leg right par 4 that can play either very long or rather short depending of how much the player is able to “shave of” with the tee shot. A waste area guards the first par of the right side of the hole. The green is a long and narrow green guarded by rough on the right hand side and a lake on the left side.

Hole 12 at La Cana Golf Course: Short par 3 hole with an island green. However do not be to fearful of the tee shot as the green is rather big and has a waste area all the way around the green which will catch any golf ball rolling of the green. If you want to play safe aim for the center for the easiest shot.

Hole 13 at La Cana Golf Course: Dog leg right par 4 hole with a rather wide fairway. The trouble lies in the approach shot as any shot the short, right or long will find a big bunker. If missing this green short left is to be preferred. Once on the green you will find yourself on one of the easier greens at La Cana Golf Course.

Hole 14 at La Cana Golf Course: Long and difficult par 3 hole with a small and narrow green that is guarded by bunkers and a big ridge to the short right side making only half of the green visible from the tee box. Short and left plays a bit easier if you “have” to lose the green. Any par on this hole is a good effort.

Hole 15 at La Cana Golf Course: Short dog leg right par 5 hole which is makable in 2 shot. The player can cut a bit of the length of the hole by driving down the right hand side but be aware of that the second half of the hole is guarded by palm trees and bushes so do not be to optimistic with the tee shot or you might very well find yourself hitting the third shot from the tee box. The green is a small well guarded green. If going to miss this green right or long is favorable. Left you will find your golf ball in a deep run off area and short you will have a difficult chip. The green is one of the easier at La Cana Golf Course.

Hole 16 at La Cana Golf Course: Long par 4 hole often playing in to the wind while heading towards the ocean. A wide fairway leaves room for an attempt at a “big one”. Green is set up a a 3 to 4 foot high plateau so any shot not settling on the green will role away. When approaching this green choose a safe line towards the center of the green. If missing this green on the short side to the pin you might very well be faced with a very difficult chip with little green to work with.

Hole 17 at La Cana Golf Course: Short par 4 where the tee box is built halfway in to the ocean. When hitting your drive aim down the left or center of the fairway. If choosing the right side you might have a long approach shot left. Green is set right up against the ocean so any golf ball played long or to the right might very well be in the water. A waste area guards short left while a bunker can be found to the right. As always a shot to the center of the green is not a bad shot.

Hole 18 at La Cana Golf Course: Par 5 hole set along the ocean. The hole can be reached in 2. However it might not be a very wise choice going for it. The most sensible way to play this hole for most players will be a drive down the center fairway. Then a shot trying to make it a bit to the left and past the obstacles in fairway leaving between 100 and 135 yards to the green which will be open if staying to the left. Green is fairly big. However any miss to the left will go in the ocean.