Arriving at Punta Cana International Airport on a recent Friday morning with golf, golf, and more golf on my mind, I rehearsed my strategy to get off the plane, board the tram to the terminal, and do my best Breece Hall impression to navigate through and past my fellow passengers. Nothing can derail a Caribbean golf escape quicker than slow pokes and long lines, and nothing causes me to roll my eyes like the Undertaker more than peope who don’t have their passports ready, regardless of how many times the airport staff reminded them.

End rant.

However, as I descended the plane’s stairs and conducted some deep breathing exercises to find my airport Zen, I was greeted by one of the most beautiful sights in the world: My name on a sign, held by a person waiting to whisk me away in a golf cart to the airport’s VIP customs lounge. It’s not the first time I’ve been lucky enough to experience this perk at PUJ, but I promise you it never gets old.

It’s also just the beginning of a vacation loaded with spoils, as every aspect of a stay at Westin Punta Cana feels like it’s not only intended to make your life better, but also as if it has been customized solely for you. That’s especially great if the entire point of your trip is a quick retreat that is focused on the game we love. In my case, I wanted not only an affordable resort option, but also a flight that wouldn’t kill my budget — not an easy feat in the Caribbean these days — and, perhaps most importantly, a world-class golf course that also doesn’t put a dent in the credit card with insane greens fees.

And I needed all of this within a 48-hour window. Some people would call such a trip the effort of an insane man, and perhaps they’re correct. But have you seen La Cana and Corales? I’d fly down any given day for an afternoon round if someone would just give me my own private jet already. Until then, I’ll settle for a quick commercial flight and an even quicker airport ride (literally right down the street) to the OG Punta Cana resort and its idyllic amenities.

This is More than a Place to Hang Out Between Rounds

First impressions are indeed everything when visiting a resort for the first time, because “love at first sight” goes a long way in convincing people to become return guests. So, it goes without saying, that seeing the president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, speaking to a group of (I presume) important people on the grounds of Westin Punta Cana as we arrived was pretty impressive. You know, even if he wasn’t there to personally greet me. At the very least, this confirmed this property’s reputation as the heartbeat of Punta Cana.

As for what matters to the regular traveler, it cannot be overstated how short the ride is from the airport. Those of us who have been to Punta Cana before know that a “10-minute ride” can sometimes be much longer, so it’s immensely beneficial that this airport was basically built in the resort’s backyard. To really put this point to bed, I landed at 1:15 PM and had a flexible 2:30 tee time, and I made it with plenty of time to spare. Enough, in fact, that I enjoyed a quick lunch at the on-site Arena Beach Club, which instantly became, hands-down, one of my favorite resort restaurants on this planet.

Obviously, an hour is hardly enough time to get the lay of the land and determine if this property passes my “Would my mother-in-law stay here?” test, but I have stayed at so many Caribbean resorts, and so few have made me instantly say, “Lord, I wish I was staying here longer.” This one did. Alas, I had a tee time to catch.

What You Need to Know about Golf at Westin Punta Cana

Avid golfers have more than likely, at the very least, seen Corales on TV or social media, as it is home to the PGA’s Corales Puntacana Championship, which Billy Horschel won back in April. As beautiful as this course is, this tournament takes place at the same time as the RBC Heritage, so more golf fans would rather watch Scottie Scheffler keep rolling after his Masters victory. That’s fine. However, those of us who have been to Corales know that this course is downright magnificent and deserves its own PGA weekend.

In my opinion, La Cana Golf Club is still the star here. Well-regarded by experts as one of the best (if not the best) courses in the Caribbean, this P.B. Dye design is spectacular for a variety of reasons, but perhaps the best aspect for us casual clubbers is that it boasts 27 holes spread across three equally special 9-hole experiences: Arrecife, Hacienda, and Tortuga. Why play 18 when you can tack on another nine — and then do it all again the next day?

My endeavor began on Arrecife, and I was immediately reassured by the wide-open spaces before me that I wouldn’t lose a lot of balls that day. What I didn’t expect, much to my chagrin, was that a course this curvy could be quite rewarding, as some of my better swings became awesome shots thanks to very generous rolls. Honestly, I could be playing in a parking lot in suburban Orlando, and if I’m making pars, I’ll think it’s the best day I’ve ever spent on a course. So, factor in the astonishing ocean views offered on 14 of the holes here, and it’s no surprise why I was smiling ear to ear.

Some tropical courses have built strong reputations simply based on the natural beauty that frames each hole, but what I loved the most about La Cana is how Dye managed to make some of the interior holes just as special as those running along the water. For example, Hole 3 on Arrecife is my favorite style: an oasis of a Par 3 that requires hitting over water onto a spacious green… even though there’s a potentially punishing shelf waiting on the green. All the while, you’re surrounded by local birds and lizards, which is always such a special bonus to me. Same goes for most of Hacienda and some of Tortuga as well — there’s very little that isn’t stunning here.

But the stars of the round — and the holes that everyone absolutely must play before they leave this realm for the next — are Arrecife’s 8 and 9, which both run parallel to the ocean and are narrow enough that you need to make great decisions, especially because you’re definitely recording every second of this experience. In fact, if you’re an impatient golfer, plan to take some deep breaths here, because you will likely get backed up waiting on the groups ahead of you to finish taking a zillion selfies, all before you do the exact same thing. It’s that special of a moment, so savor it.

Also, it’s worth noting that the clubhouse at La Cana is a jaw-dropper. It’s so nice that you’ll want to have your phone capturing video as soon as you roll up, because walking through the front doors and onto the massive balcony is just downright regal.

What to Do at Westin Punta Cana when You’re Not Golfing

One question I love to ask when I’m leaving a resort is, if I wasn’t an avid (albeit average) golfer, would I still come here? And, in this case, my answer was: “Yes, shut up, that’s such a dumb question.” There are several reasons why I’m being so mean to my imaginary voices.

For starters, good gosh almighty, the beach. Say what you want about Dominican resorts — I’ve stayed at some of the best and one that I’ll never visit again — but at the very least, this island has the most insanely beautiful beaches. The awesome stretch at Westin Punta Cana might be my favorite, as it’s not only just a phenomenal spot of soft, white sand with water ideal for swimming or learning some new water sports — it also has this incredible sense of seclusion that is so rare for a resort in this region. It’s just a perfect setting for anyone whose primary goal is all the beach you can handle. (Also, some people hate sand, and there’s no shortage of places to relax by this resort’s sprawling pool. It’s a win-win.)

If I’m not golfing, I am eating. That’s especially the case when it comes to Dominican cuisine, because I’d eat sancocho every day of my life if I could. What I like about the dining options at Westin Punta Cana, though, is that this resort embraces the standard practice of offering international flavors, all while incorporating the ingredients and techniques that make Dominican food so great. For example, you can grab a quick breakfast at Anani before you hit the links, but it’s not your typical resort fare. It’s an exceptional combination of local culinary influences and farm-to-table ingredients that are grown near the resort.

As for lunch and dinner, you can never go wrong with a beachside meal, which is why Arena Beach Club is such an ideal spot for either meal. But I recommend the lunch (and light cocktails) followed by a late dinner at the fantastic Brassa Grill, a steakhouse serving some of the best cuts I’ve ever tasted in the Caribbean, as well as creative cocktails that pair oh-so-well with anything on the menu. Best of all, each dining option offers enough variety, so you won’t feel like you’re eating the same thing every time over a 3-5-day visit.

One Side Excursion that Rivals Golf

Something I always recommend to friends, family, and complete strangers who ask for Caribbean vacation advice is to add one cultural activity to the itinerary. Even if you’re downright golf-obsessed and want nothing more than round-after-round followed by cocktails in front of an unbelievable sunset, you should try to make time for a quick-yet-fulfilling excursion. If not for this kind of curiosity, I’d have never tried iguana soup in Curacao, dined at Sexy Beef in St. Maarten, or made my own chocolate bars in the Guadeloupe Islands. If not for your own soul’s growth and personal fulfillment, do it for your Instagram feed.

I spent a few hours thoroughly enjoying the Grupo Puntacana Fundacion’s Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve tour, as I got to meet the resident Ridgway’s hawks, learn how the island’s best honey is made, visit the severely endangered rhinoceros iguanas, and cap it all off by performing a sloppy cannonball in the unbelievably refreshing and stunning Inriri Lagoon, where the natives once swam.

I know an educational experience is not everyone’s cup of mamajuana, but it helps you connect with the island and make the trip that much more special. At the very least, it’s the best way to cool off after a morning of playing 27 holes under that spectacular Dominican sun.