If you’re a golfer, there couldn’t be anything better than hitting the links on a beautiful tropical island. Swaying palm trees, sea breezes, and ocean vistas are enough to take the game you love and ratchet it up to a brand new experience. And the million-square-mile expanse known as the Caribbean features some of the best golf this side of the sun. Here are just some of the top places for golf on a Caribbean getaway:
Teeth of the Dog, Dominican Republic
No list would be complete without this Pete Dye designed course, which has been ranked #1 in the Caribbean and #39 in the world. What was once an inhospitable coastline was transformed into a stunning course stretching 7,350 yards, much of it along the dazzling shoreline of the Dominican Republic. When the course opened to accolades in 1971, Dye modestly said, “I created 11 holes and God created seven!”
Punta Espada, Dominican Republic
Some prefer this Jack Nicklaus designed course even over Teeth of the Dog. This par 72, 18-hole course was even ranked by Golfweek as the best course in the Caribbean and Mexico. Breathtaking coastal vistas highlight this challenging course, as the natural beauty of the area – including cliffs and lagoons – were incorporated into its design. The 611-yard 2nd hole is considered the most challenging, and the signature hole is the 13th; the view is spectacular, and in order to reach the green, your tee shot has to sail over the turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea.
Baker’s Bay, Bahamas
Located on Great Guana Cay, 11 of this course’s 18 holes provide beautiful ocean views. Opened in 2010, it’s been a popular resort for celebrities, athletes, and high rollers. The golf course itself is pure Sea Isle Supreme Paspalum turf grass, and the rich, dark green of the course provides a beautiful contrast to the azure sky and sparkling waters of the sea.
Green Monkey, Barbados
Designed by Tom Fazio, this par 72 course stretches for 7,343 yards through an old limestone quarry and features rolling hills and significant elevation changes, as the course winds down to the bottom of the quarry and then back up again. The landscape is simply one of a kind, with attention-grabbing things to look at and interesting things in play for the entire course. The elevated holes offer great sea views. Fazio’s signature hole is the 11th, with a grassy island in the middle of a bunker shaped like – you guessed it – a monkey.
Corales Golf Course, Dominican Republic
Returning to the DR (some of the top courses in the Caribbean are there), Corales is another Tom Fazio designed course situated on cliffs overlooking the cerulean sea. Six holes run right along the coast. The final three holes are challenging enough to be known as “Devil’s Elbow,” and the last hole – a spectacular view, and a carry over the Bay of Corales – punctuates the entire experience with an exclamation mark.
The Caribbean is world famous for beaches, swimming, snorkeling, fine dining, resorts, beach hotels, and yes, golf. Some of the top-rated courses in the world are there. A Caribbean getaway can include some of the most spectacular and memorable golf you can imagine.
Tags: Caribbean
