A Caribbean Golf Holiday: Sun, Sand And Clubs

With sun kissed beaches, a glorious ocean view, coconut-tree clad mountains and a culture which gently gets you to relax, the Caribbean is as close as it gets to heaven–on–earth. In other words, perfect for a golf holiday because it is tough to not be awestruck by the beauty of the 1,000 or so volcanic islands that make up the Caribbean.

The Caribbean islands set in the Atlantic Ocean, have long been a favored holiday spot only now another dimension has been added to the activities available – world class golf. The new breed of tourists now pack in a swim suit and some clubs for an extensive golf tour of the Caribbean as every island features quality golf.

A golf travel enthusiast would be spoilt for choices on the nine major golfing islands in the Caribbean. Each one is home to some of the world’s most beautiful and challenging golf courses, and hosts many major and local tournaments. If Puerto Rico boasts of 18 Championship Courses, then Dominican Republic attracts the golf holiday maker with The Teeth of the Dog, Bahamas beckon you with The Reef Course and Jamaica offers a heady mix of its local rum and the Tryall Club in Montego.

It would be a good idea to flag off your golf vacation from Puerto Rico. Tee it off at four Robert Trent Jones Sr. courses shared by the Hyatt Regency Dorado Beach ($130 - $75) and Hyatt Regency Cerromar ($110-$75), The Tom and George Fazio designed Ocean Course at Westin Rio Mar Golf Club, Gary Player designed Palm Course at Palmas Del Mar ($65) and the Chi-Chi Rodriguez courses at Dorado Del Mar Beach & Golf Club ($85).

In the Dominican Republic, include these in your golf package: Guavaberry Golf Course designed by Gary player ($78), Punta Cana by P.B.Dye ($89 - $58) and The Teeth of the Dog at the Casa De Campo Resort ($162). Jamaica always has been the darling of golf tours with layouts like the Robert Trent Jones designed Half Moon Resort ($135- $95) and the Tryall Club ($80) considered Caribbean classics. Other courses to include in your Jamaica golf vacation are The White Witch Course ($130 -$30) and Cinnamon Hill ($115) both in Montego.

Golf holiday makers are met with a smattering of stunning golf courses on The Bahamas with its countless islands and a story of a shipwrecked Spanish Galleon on just about each one of them. For those who have more patience with a club than a shovel, these courses are perfect for a relaxing golf vacation: Nassau’s Cable beach Golf Club, Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort, Royal Oasis Golf Resort & Casino (Featuring the Ruby & Emerald Course) and the Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed Reef Course.

Finally, route your golf tour to the Cayman Islands for courses like The Links at Safehaven ($120 - $110), Britannia Golf Club ($60) at the Hyatt Britannia, the Sunrise Family Golf Center and the new Greg Norman course at Ritz Carlton.

There are more tracks in the Caribbean to be played than one golf package can possibly pack in and the unspoiled beauty of the islands will beckon you again and again. The Caribbean Islands are easy to get to though not so easy to get out from – who wants to leave paradise ever?