The Caribbean is a bowl of shallow blue waters with palm trees stuck in the mix like stir sticks in an island drink. The sun shines while exotic birds fly overhead and tropical fish swim underwater. Who couldn’t appreciate the visual change in scenery? A trip to the Caribbean makes the sweet things in life even sweeter.
Many people use a Caribbean vacation to learn how to sail, dive, water ski or even charter a yacht (learn more) across the beautiful waters for a day of rest and relaxation. But there’s another contingency of people who already know their sport of choice and have spent much time and money practicing it. I’m talking about golfers. People who don’t just like to golf, they love it. And they’re on the hunt for the perfect course.
Royal Westmoreland Golf Course, Barbados. Photo courtesy www.royalwestmoreland.com
Because of the climate and natural tendency towards greenery in the Caribbean, you’ll find many golf courses to choose from. Some top rated courses include Royal Westmoreland in Barbados, Greg Norman’s Temenos in Anguilla, and Trump International in The Grenadines. Beautiful design, spectacular views, and challenging courses are what give these high ranking.
Golf is such a draw in these parts that there are several all-inclusive golf resorts as well. The good news is when you need a break, there is always the beach, a spa, or a few restaurants on site to provide that much needed rest before the next round. Don’t spend an entire vacation looking at the water from the fairway! Have a swim to cool off and relax a bit.
Perhaps you’re vacationing with an inexperienced golfer. The Links at Divi Aruba claim among their amenities a “learning facility” where people can interactively analyze their swing and use a driving range that faces a net. The CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa in Anguilla is a good option because it’s known for its comfort and service as much as its course. After a long day on the green, a massage may be just the thing.
CuisinArt Golf Resort. Photo courtesy www.pga.com
If the golf notion doesn’t pan out at all for your companion, consider a Sandals Resort (namely the one in St. Lucia) because it has a golf course, but its focus is actually on the beach and bar scene. Golf isn’t everyone’s sport of choice, but luckily a cocktail always goes a long way in bridging the divide so that all parties are happy.
If you’ve come to the Caribbean with a group made exclusively of golf enthusiasts, you should know the Bahamas really caters to the golf crowd with a diverse group of courses. Fortune Hills Golf Club offers people the opportunity to putt around a nine hole course. The Ocean Club is, in fact, an ocean front course with sea views to distract you and your opponent equally.
Grand Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort. Photo courtesy bahamas-guide.info
Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort has two courses and a golf school. Paradise Island Golf Club lets you to see the water from every hole. And Radisson Cable Beach and Golf is located in a popular area that sees a lot of traffic, if you like a fun backdrop and relative party atmosphere. There are probably more courses in the Bahamas than your vacation time will allow!
Do you already have a favorite course? Who has the best snack bar and pro shop? Do tell!
About the Author:
Katie Bauer is an experienced travel writer and editor. Having been a stewardess on private yachts, a crew member for sail races, and a sailmaker in New England, she now specializes in yachting destinations. A frequent traveler, she has studied, worked, and volunteered abroad thus bringing a unique perspective to her content.
