The old man and the sea: Pete Dye's Teeth of the Dog at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic

LA ROMANA, Dominican Republic -- Pete Dye has never been shy about calling Casa de Campo's Teeth of the Dog Course his best design. That's a bold statement when the PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass and the Straits Course at Whistling Straits -- among countless others -- are on his resume.

The Caribbean Sea swims adjacent to seven holes at Teeth of the Dog, the iconic centerpiece of the luxurious golf retreat, an hour's drive west of Punta Cana and an hour and a half east of the capitol city of Santo Domingo. Dye's 7,471-yard masterpiece, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2011, is surprisingly forgiving off the tee until golfers face off with the sea.

Coastal breezes might feel good at the beach, but they torment the ocean holes, nos. 5-8 and nos. 15-17. Bring a camera and an extra sleeve of balls for the three par 3s -- the 176-yard fifth, the signature 229-yard seventh and the 204-yard 16th holes. When the Teeth of the Dog bites, it's the scorecard that feels the pain.