Teeth of the Dog, Dye’s first Casa de Campo creation in 1971, was the course that initially put the DR on the world’s golf stage. Nearly 40 years later, Teeth of the Dog still consistently ranks among the world’s best courses. In fact, it’s No. 33 in Golf Digest’s 100 Best Outside the U.S. 2009-2010 ranking and is the DR’s top-rated course, according to the publication’s Planet Golf 2009-2010 ranking. This typical Dye creation’s Dye-abolical obstacles force even the best players to grind. There are seven ocean-front holes — four on the front nine and three on the back — that play extra tough thanks to the capricious trade winds. While the course has stood the test of time, Dye sharpened its teeth by lengthening some holes, and upgrading greens and bunkers, for a November 2005 re-opening, but clearly defined bailout areas where there’s trouble also make Teeth of the Dog player friendly for all golfers.

The course’s firm, raised greens are heavily bunkered. The sea first comes into play on the par-3 fifth hole, and the 225-yard seventh requires a tee-shot carry over the ocean to a green surrounded by sand.  The unforgettable 384-yard 15th curves around sea cliffs; the sea runs along the right side of the par-3 16th while four bunkers wait along the left; the sea parallels the long par-4 17th all the way to a miniscule putting surface; and the par-4, 484-yard final hole heads inward toward the clubhouse.