When the Casa de Campo resort in the Dominican Republic is raised, images of the Teeth of the Dog and the Dye Fore come to mind in an flash. But those who truly know the Casa de Campo know that there are not two but three masterpieces in the famous Caribbean golf vacation destination. The Links Course may not have all the stunning water views of the Teeth and the Dye Fore, but knowing that it is a Dye creation too is enough a promise that it isn’t going to be any different in beauty and play with the other too.

The Links Course completes the triad of 18-hole championship courses at the Casa de Campo. Unlike the Teeth and the Dye Fore, this inland course is created to be a parkland style layout, weaving through the residences, dotted and lined with a variety of tropical vegetation. And, again, unlike its famous, really difficult brothers, this course is the right place to get a most needed breather. Golf vacations are exactly how they should be, where playable and enjoyable are contending to be its middle name. But that does not mean it is too easy to not bite at all.

With an array of mounds and bunkers fashioned in a signature Pete Dye way, golfers should expect some teeth on here. And the levels of elevation vary after every two holes – or it feels that way at least – thereby giving golfers something to think about. But in general this is the happy carousel ride to the roller coasters that are the Teeth and the Dye Fore. After a golf trip to the Casa de Campo and a game at the Links Course, there is something more to look forward to on the return.

The Caribbean is perhaps the closest thing the Earth has to Paradise. The question of whether it is beautiful or not will prove to be totally useless, if not stupid. But to clearly define and single out which part of the Caribbean is most beautiful is an impossible task. Even more so, finding such a place would be like looking for water in hell. But if there is such a place, the Casa de Campo resort in the Dominican Republic is a good place to start. And its Teeth of the Dog course could well be a contender – it already is a winner in the golf vacations category.

A Pete Dye creation, the Teeth of the Dog course is dubbed the Number 1 course in the Caribbean and ranks in the upper 50 in the world’s top 100. And it has been that way since its opening back in 1971. This golf vacation destination has some of the most picturesque views – with some holes playing directly over the sapphire blue waters surrounding. But it is not just another pretty face; as its name implies, this course is biting. And biting on most every hole that is – from every possible angle: the cliff, around the greens, by the water.

True there are longer courses than the Teeth of the Dog at 6,888 yards, par 71. But because there is so much to take in on this course – getting a good shot, basking in the scenery – it feels a whole lot longer. It’s as if it gives something back for every penny spent on a golf trip here. If this were the only thing on a Caribbean trip itinerary, it would be the most beautiful place on earth hands down!

Tests by time, war and even the worst of nature’s outrages have only toughened up the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club. Though it is a far cry from what it originally looked like, there is so much of its glamor and layout excellence that it enjoyed back when it first opened in the 1920s. That is thanks to the work done by designer Ron Garl for the past twenty years, since redoing the whole course in 1980. He is as much involved in the maintenance as he was in the design and construction And the result could never be less than gratifying. The many golf trip stories are enough a proof.

The Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club stands right next to the Gulf of Mexico with some of the oldest trees anyone would ever find in the golf courses of Florida. Generous, tree lines fairways, undulating greens, lakes and a good helping of bunkers bring out the best in this classic course of traditional layout design. This golf vacation destination measures close to 6,500 yards from the longest tees for a par of 72.

As it is, the course has tested and proven several of the world’s best pros in the many qualifiers and major tournaments hosted here. And it has also been the site of many memorable golf vacations, being one of the southwest end’s most loved classic course. The Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club has been part of Naples for the longest time, and though it has seen its worst of times, it has always given local and visiting golfers the best time.

Countless girls of all ages felt with Jamie Sullivan when Landon Carter took her to “two places at one time”. Countless golfers of all ages and handicaps, too, blushed at the thought of the Primm Valley Golf Club. It is located right in the patch of desert land dividing the states of Nevada and California, in Primm, where the best desert views are. Add Tom Fazio in the picture to create course layouts beyond compare, no golfer would be too tough to not be reduced to tears. The Lakes Course, for example, is a magnanimous oasis in the middle of this golden barrenness, both in its literal and figurative sense. The name implies what it denotes, a golfer’s dream golf vacation destination is its connotation.

Measuring 6,945 yards from the longest tees, par 71, Tom Fazio created the Lakes Course as a traditional layout. But anything that has this much water and so much as a lush foliage is a welcome and refreshing retreat in the middle of the desert. The course features a good amount of sand bunkers too to complement the water hazards and the greens. With generous fairways and quick greens, this course is rather forgiving and playable, especially with five sets of tees to choose from. And to make golf vacations here even more scenic than it already is, the views of the surrounding mountains will make a sweeping appearance from almost every hole.

The course’s name is rather accurate; the lakes and water presence define mostly what makes this course stand out. A golf trip to the Lakes Course is indeed twice its worth, taking guests in a lush paradise in the middle of the desert.

The rest of the world know Las Vegas for the casinos and the parties that happen here and “stay” here. But the avid golfers know that there is more to Vegas than that. The Rio Secco Golf Club in Henderson is known to give the best golf experience this side of the country. And this is one of those Sin City activities that they more than gladly share to friends. Well, not that it needed more advertising. Its name itself is synonymous to epic golf vacations.

The Rio Secco Golf Club opened in 1997 and was designed by no less than the legendary Rees Jones. It measures over 7,400 yards from the longest and most difficult tees; its four sets of tees, however, give it a different flavor and make it more enjoyable for more golfers of lower handicaps. The whole golf course is spread on three different grounds, making it as versatile as it is interesting. Golfers are treated to six holes served on steep canyons, another six on a plateau with an overlooking view of Las Vegas, and another six sit on a desert wash. What makes it all the more unique is that, this golf vacation destination has all the classical elements present in any Las Vegas desert golf course, but it offers quite an experience like no other.

It is this unequaled quality of golfing that merited the Rio Secco Golf Club all its colorful accolades throughout the years. It has been named among “America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses” by Golf Digest and voted No. 1 Public Access Course in Nevada (Las Vegas PGA). And that is just among the many reasons why this place is popular. This is the golf trip counterpart of the city’s best casino.