Want to know the best golf courses in the Caribbean? BOAT spotlights eleven of the best golf courses in the tropical region set against stunning ocean backdrops with many accessible by boat, starting with a challenging course in The Bahamas...
Located in the north of the Bahamas on Central Abaco, the Abaco Club is a private club community that is accessible to members and their guests. The “links” 18-hole waterfront golf course was designed by architects Donald Steel and Tom Mackenzie and is a challenging course with sloping greens, bold bunkers and beachside fairways.
Built in 2004, the 18-hole Green Monkey is considered extremely exclusive, with just 10 tee times available per day. It’s typically accomplished in seclusion, allowing players to take in its splendour against the Caribbean Sea. The par 72 course, spanning nine hectares, was designed by golf architect Tom Fazio and blown out of the rocks with dynamite. Those arriving by yacht can tender in to the beach.
Considered one of the finest golf courses on the planet, Teeth of the Dog by Casa de Campo on the Dominican Republic offers 18 holes by the ocean. Designed by American golf architect Pete Dye, seven of the holes cling to the craggy coastline while the remaining 11 weave across manicured grassland. Players arriving by superyacht can disembark at Casa de Campo marina, which can take yachts of up to 76 metres.
Set in Nassau, the Royal Blue is an 18-hole waterside course designed by Jack Nicklaus. With rocky outcrops, oceanside holes and undulating fairways, it is a challenging course set metres from the beach – with some holes even taking players through the jungle. Superyachts can send a tender directly to the resort via the Baha Mar Marina.
Although Bermuda is not technically in the Caribbean, it has the most golf courses per square mile in the world so is a popular golfing hotspot in the region. One of the most picturesque courses is Port Royal which offers 18 championship holes over 6,842 manicured yards. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1970 the course has recently undergone a $14.5 million renovation and also has a 300-yard oceanfront driving range.
With dramatic views across to the neighbouring island of St Kitts, the 18-hole course at the Four Seasons in Nevis has a reputation as one of best golf courses in the Caribbean. The par 71 course was the first designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr in the Caribbean and features dramatic changes in elevation leading to exhilarating golf with stunning views. The 15th is the standout hole at the highest point on the course while the 18th overlooks the beautiful Pinney’s Beach.
The tiny island of Canouan in the Grenadines is home to one of the best golf courses in the Caribbean. Boasting panoramic views from every hole the Grenadines Estate Golf Club has an 18-hole championship golf course. Designed by Jim Fazio, the distinctive course has incredible cliff-side views and impressive water features.
Undergoing a complete renovation in 2015, the Playa Grande Golf Course opened simultaneously with the luxury Amanera Hotel. Originally designed by the late Robert Trent Jones Sr. and refreshed by his son Rees Jones the course spreads over 370 acres. With 10 holes played along the cliffs, the course has the most ocean-front holes in the Western Hemisphere.
With the first nine holes played along seaside dunes, lakes and mangroves and the back nine along a rocky peninsula, the Emerald Reef Golf Club is considered to be one of the most scenic golf courses in the Caribbean. The championship 18-hole course was designed by Greg Norman and uses environmentally friendly seashore paspalum grass. The prevailing trade winds mean that the course offers a different experience every time.
Another Caribbean golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr, every hole of the par 72 course at Royal Westmoreland offers views of the Caribbean Sea. Considered to be one of the best par 3 courses in the world, the Royal Westmoreland course is set within an exclusive gated community.