Dean Ellis, an 8-handicap golfer who has been on numerous Dan Hendriksen Golf trips and received coaching over the years, shares his experience of playing Corales Golf Club in the Dominican Republic right after the 2019 Corales Puntacana Championship.
Perfect Timing
I had the incredible opportunity to play at Corales Golf Club right after the 2019 Corales Puntacana Championship, and it was an unforgettable experience. The course was in phenomenal shape, thanks to the tournament, and the conditions were top-notch.
Playing a course immediately after it has hosted a professional tournament offers a unique experience—everything from the greens to the fairways receives championship-level preparation and attention. The conditioning at Corales reflected this premium standard throughout.
The Caddy Connection
One of the highlights was definitely the caddy experience. My caddy and I didn’t speak the same language, but we managed to communicate through gestures and laughs, making the experience even more memorable. This is one of those wonderful reminders that golf transcends language barriers—the universal understanding of the game creates connections that don’t require words.
The weather was perfect, and the views along the coastline were simply breathtaking. Caribbean golf at its finest, combining championship challenge with stunning natural beauty.
The Course Challenge
Being a resort course, the fairways were quite wide, which was a nice relief. However, the rough was definitely unforgiving. Even though it had been cut after the tournament, it was still pretty challenging to navigate. This balance between generous landing areas and punishing rough creates the perfect strategic framework—you have room to play, but wayward shots still receive appropriate punishment.
The greens were also quite grainy and tough to read, but my caddy’s guidance was invaluable. This is where that caddy experience truly pays dividends—local knowledge about grain direction and green speeds can save multiple shots per round, particularly on surfaces this challenging.
The Devil’s Elbow
And of course, the last three holes, known as the Devil’s Elbow, were a real treat. These spectacular finishing holes provide exactly the kind of dramatic conclusion that championship courses should deliver.
The 16th hole featured tricky bunkers that demanded precise approach play. The 17th par-3 tested us with the wind, requiring careful club selection and commitment to the shot. And the 18th, with that stunning water carry, was the perfect grand finale—a hole that looks as spectacular as it plays, providing both beauty and challenge in equal measure.
Millionaire’s Golf
All in all, it was like playing millionaire’s golf with hardly anyone else around, and it’s definitely a round I’ll never forget. The entire experience combined the beauty of the Caribbean landscape with the challenge of a top-tier golf course, making it a truly special round.
This is the essence of destination golf—playing a championship venue in pristine condition with stunning scenery and having the course virtually to yourself. The combination of post-tournament conditioning, perfect weather, Caribbean views, and those memorable final three holes creates an experience that stays with you long after the last putt drops.
The Verdict
Corales Puntacana represents championship golf at its most spectacular. The Tom Fazio design showcases his trademark wide fairways balanced with strategic challenges, whilst the coastal setting provides drama and beauty throughout. The Devil’s Elbow finishing stretch ranks among the most memorable three-hole stretches in resort golf.
For golfers planning a Caribbean golf trip, Corales deserves to be at the top of the list. The combination of championship pedigree (hosting an annual PGA Tour event), world-class conditioning, the invaluable caddy experience, and those breathtaking coastal views creates something genuinely special.
The experience feels exclusive without being pretentious—millionaire’s golf that’s accessible to travelling golfers seeking a premium experience in paradise. Just be prepared for grainy greens that demand respect and rough that punishes errant shots, even on a resort course. But with your caddy’s help and those wide fairways, you’ll navigate the challenge whilst savouring every moment of this Caribbean gem.
Dean Ellis, 8 Handicap