Revitalizing a Legendary Golf Course
In golf, few courses carry the impressive reputation of Teeth of the Dog®, the crown jewel of Casa de Campo Resort & Villas®. Annually ranked as one of the finest golf courses in the world, this Pete Dye-designed masterpiece has been a bucket list destination for avid golfers looking to tee it up on one of the game’s best layouts since it opened in 1971.
After more than five decades, Casa de Campo will fully restore Teeth of the Dog to preserve its legacy and elevate the playing experience for all golfers. The project will be carried out from January to November 2025, focusing on fixing areas that have been eroded by the tropical seaside weather and enhancing the overall playability of the course with modern construction techniques and materials.
One of the most important aspects of the restoration is to respect Pete Dye’s original vision in terms of layout and strategy. Dye’s signature style of tight fairways, deep bunkers, and risk-reward shots will remain intact, challenging golfers to bring their A-game to every hole.
Why Is the Restoration Necessary?
Over time, natural shifts in the landscape and constant use have taken their toll on the course’s condition. Additionally, technological advances in golf equipment and turf management have changed the way courses need to be maintained.
This restoration isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s also about preparing Teeth of the Dog for the future. These upgrades, paired with subtle enhancements to the cart paths and the course infrastructure, will create a smoother, more enjoyable experience for golfers of all levels.
Key Areas of the Restoration
1. The ‘Heaven 7’ holes: Teeth of the Dog earned its name from the jagged coral formations on the shoreline rising out of the Caribbean Sea. However, erosion from the winds and the sea has taken its toll on the famous ‘Heaven 7’ holes. Restoration efforts will include reinforcing the seawalls and shoring up the edges to keep them in pristine conditions.
2. Overall grass and turf upgrade: The restoration will switch to newer, more resilient strains of grass that will provide better playing surfaces and are more resistant to pests and tropical weather conditions.
3. Irrigation and drainage upgrades: Modernized irrigation and drainage systems will ensure the course stays in peak condition year-round and will keep it playable even after rain.
4. Fairways and greens: Restoring the original contours of the fairways and greens while retaining the course’s trademark undulations and subtle breaks will be a priority.
5. Bunkers and Hazard Areas: The bunkers, some of the course’s most notorious challenges, will be reshaped and re-edged to their original, sharp configurations. In addition, some hazard areas will be repositioned to account for technological advances and changes in the way golf is played today.
A Bright Future for Teeth of the Dog
When the restoration is complete, Teeth of the Dog will be ready to take its place among the world’s top golf courses. The future feels as thrilling as ever, as Casa de Campo promises that present and future generations of golfers will have the chance to enjoy this masterpiece exactly as Pete Dye envisioned it.
Plan and be one of the first to play the renovated course starting from December 2025.
