Tee Time In Paradise: The Top 15 Golf Courses in the Caribbean

Breezy and scenic, the Caribbean is the place to go if you’re looking for golf courses that are challenging and fun. It’s also quite the ideal destination for a golf-filled vacation as there’s beautiful weather, striking blue waters, rocky coastlines, and lots of golf resorts and clubs to enjoy - some of which have hosted international golfing tournaments.

Playing golf courses near the ocean can make for an even more thrilling game, but there are lots of stunning golf courses located inland as well. Many of the golf courses in the Caribbean were designed by world-renowned golf architects, and some embrace the natural environment in the most spectacular way. No matter your skill level, you’re bound to find a golf course in the Caribbean that you'll fall in love with.

If you’re planning a tropical vacation and are hoping to play as much golf as possible, check out this list of some of the best golf courses in the Caribbean:

1. Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course, Great Exuma (The Bahamas)

Best golf course in The Bahamas

Sandals Emerald Bay is an excellent golfing resort in The Bahamas. This all-inclusive resort on Great Exuma is known for many things, including its fine selection of restaurants (11 in all), luxury accommodations, night and day entertainment, and especially, the Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course.

Designed by Greg Norman, this course is one of the best in the Caribbean. It spans 7,001 yards and is a par 72 championship golf course. New and seasoned golfers alike can appreciate this amazingly scenic course that features seaside dunes, mangroves, and fairways that are both dramatic and challenging. Bunkers are also placed strategically throughout the course.

The front 9 of the Sandals Emerald Bay golf course is where you’ll find the dunes and mangroves, while the back 9 takes golfers along the rocky cliffs as their game intensifies. There are many amenities available at this golf course including a golf shop, practice range, and bunker. Golf rentals and golf carts are available as well. Green fees at the Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course are free for Sandals guests, but other patrons will be required to pay $125 USD per person. Golf carts are mandatory and not included in the green fees.

2. Punta Espada, Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)

Best golf course in the Dominican Republic

In Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, the Punta Espada Golf Club in Cap Cana was designed by Jack Nicklaus. A retired professional golfer and golf course designer, Nicklaus created this course to flow along with the natural topography of the space. As this golf course has many stunning cliffs, beautiful white sand beaches, and charming lagoons, golfers can really appreciate the scenery in the quieter moments of their game. You can also take in views of the Caribbean Sea as you play.

The Punta Espada Golf Course is ranked 35th in the world. It is a par 72 championship golf course, and green fees are $300 USD per person.

3. Teeth of the Dog (Dominican Republic)

If you’re in the Dominican Republic and looking for a good place for a round of golf, look no further than the Teeth of the Dog golf course. This is a par 72 course that measures 7, 350 yards. It was designed by renowned golf course architect Pete Dye, and it is located in La Romana, Dominican Republic in the Casa de Campo Resort.

Ranked as one of the top golf courses in the Caribbean and 45th worldwide, this golf course stands out for its convenient location and beautiful landscape. There are lots of areas along this golf course that will challenge golfers, as well as a few points where you’ll be able to make engaging shots. As you get into the game at this oceanside golf course, the trade winds will certainly add to the challenge.

Before your game, you can warm up at the driving range also located on this course. After you tee off and get into the game, you’ll find that seven of the holes on this course are along the ocean. The other eleven holes are scattered along the rolling hills. Green fees for this course are $499 USD per person. A caddie and a golf cart are mandatory and not included ($30 USD plus tip).

4. White Witch Golf Course (Jamaica)

Best golf course in Jamaica

The White Witch Golf Course is a par 71 course designed by Robert von Hagge and Rick Baril. It can be found on the same 4000-acre property as the famed Rose Hall Great House in Jamaica, a historic mansion and estate that is rumored to be haunted. If you're intrigued, you can find out more about the legend of the White Witch (Annie Palmer, a former mistress of the house) while in Jamaica.

While playing golf at the White Witch Golf Course, you won't have much time to think about the history of this space as you focus instead on the beauty of this pristine course. Measuring 6,758 yards and with very noticeable elevation variations throughout the course, playing at the White Witch Golf Course will certainly be a challenge!

Green fees for this golf course are $150 USD per person.

Expert tip: There are lots more great golf courses in Jamaica to explore! You’ll definitely want to check out the Sandals Golf & Country Club in Ocho Rios, and the Tryall Golf Club in Montego Bay while you’re there.

5. Royal Blue, Nassau (The Bahamas)

The Royal Blue golf course in Nassau is on the north coast of New Providence, right next to Cable Beach. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, golfers here can expect a game that is challenging but fair. Owned and run by a local resort, the Royal Blue golf course is 7,153 yards and par 72.

This course is kept in good condition and tee locations are dependent on daily weather conditions, which helps to keep the whole experience fresh for golfers. Resort guests pay $295 USD on weekdays and $350 USD on weekends for green fees. Other patrons will be required to pay $395 USD on weekdays and $450 USD on weekends to golf at Royal Blue.

6. Corales Golf Course (Dominican Republic)

Corales Golf Course in the Dominican Republic is located at the Puntacana Resort & Club in Punta Cana. This 18-hole course on the west coast of the Dominican Republic is at championship level and measures 7, 650 yards. Corales Golf Course has captivating ocean views and knowledgeable caddies. Plus, it is a regular PGA Tour site! Amenities at this golf course include a driving range, restaurant & bar, pro golf shop, shower, and locker rooms.

The Corales Golf Course was designed by golf course architect Tom Fazio. It is most known for its last three holes, the ‘Devil’s Elbow’. When golfers get to these holes, they have to face strong winds and sometimes even ocean mist to get their shots in. It’s surely a difficult way to end, but it will be a more than satisfying conclusion to your game.

Green fees to play at Corales Golf Course are $395 USD per person.

7. Old Quarry Golf Course (Curaçao)

Best golf course in Curaçao

Old Quarry Golf Course is in Willemstad, Curaçao. It is a 6,946, par 72 golf course designed by American golf course architect Pete Dye. Engaging, challenging, and even forgiving, Old Quarry has something to offer golfers of all skill levels. Even with that said, the diverse terrain and landscape of this course have certainly made things challenging.

The views here are consistent and beautiful. You can see the ocean, the Spanish Water Harbor views, and the Tafelberg mountain. While golfing, players can expect to enjoy amenities like helpful staff, club rentals, a pro golf shop, and a restaurant. This 18-hole golf course is next to a resort, but you don't have to be a guest to play. Green fees are $195 per person.

8. Green Monkey, Sandy Lane (Barbados)

Best golf course in Barbados

Barbados is an excellent place to golf in the Caribbean. One of the stand-out golf courses on this small island is Green Monkey, Sandy Lane. This course is in the St. James area of Barbados, and it was designed by Tom Fazio. Par 72 and 7,343 yards, this golf course is said to have been carved out of a limestone quarry. It has 18-holes that weave around rocky pastures, ponds, trees, bunkers, and other assorted greenery.

There's a lot to see on this golf course including a bunker in the shape of the country's famous green monkey. There’s also a slight chance of seeing an actual green monkey strolling around when you play. At the 9th hole, there are panoramic views of the ocean, and at the 15th hole, there is a huge limestone rock in the middle of the fairway.

Playing here can be real fun for just about anyone. The elevation varies quite a bit, which presents a challenge. Tee times are restricted, and caddies are a must. Amenities at this golf course include a pro shop, a restaurant, and more. Green fees are $400 USD per person.

9. The Abaco Club, Great Abaco (The Bahamas)

The Abaco Club golf course in Great Abaco in The Bahamas is a Scottish-style links design. It was created by world-renowned golf architects Donald Steel and Tom Mackenzie. Exciting, intricate, and a bit challenging, this course measures 7, 123 yards. It is par 72, and part of The Abaco Club, which also includes a clubhouse, beach, and restaurants. Guest green fees are about $250 USD per person.

At The Abaco Club, the holes that stand out most are the 4th and 5th. These are set on an elevated tee and beach tee, which leave you no other choice but to go against the elements and hope they’re on your side that day! The last 3 holes are quite engaging and will require lots of focus.

Expert Tip: Want more golf in The Bahamas? Tee off at the 10 best golf courses in The Bahamas during your island getaway!

10. Tryall, Montego Bay (Jamaica)

Tryall Golf Club is located in Sandy Bay, Jamaica. This is on the north coast of the island around a 30-minute drive from Montego Bay. Spanning 6,836 yards, Tryall Club was designed by former golfer and golf course architect Ralph Plummer and opened in 1958. Various updates have been made to this course over the years and it is still kept in quite a good condition.

Intuitively designed, this par 71 golf course has been the location for the Johnny Walker World Golf Championship in the past. When golfing here, you can expect lots of rolling hills that are a bit challenging but still fun. The first few holes on this course are on the flat, but from the 7th hole, you can expect things to get a lot more intense. This is the point where the elevation and landscape start to change. As you move along this golf course, it’ll be hard not to admire the ocean views.

Green fees for Tryall Golf Course are $125 USD per person.

11. Cinnamon Hill, Montego Bay (Jamaica)

The Cinnamon Hill Golf Course in Montego Bay Jamaica is a 6,637-yard, par 71 course that was re-designed in 2002. It is another golf course located on the extensive and historic Rose Hall Estate. Cinnamon Hill Golf Course is next to the White Witch Golf Course and was also designed by Robert von Hagge and Rick Baril.

As this golf course is in the same general area as the White Witch Golf Course, there are indeed some similarities in the terrain, scenery, and overall ambiance. It is a bit larger than its sister golf course though. Cinnamon Hill is unique in that it has the feel of both coastal and inland golfing. The elevation variances of this golf course contribute to its scenic and breezy atmosphere.

At the Cinnamon Hill Golf Course, there’s a waterfall near the 15th green. Interestingly, this same waterfall was once featured in the James Bond movie, ‘Live and Let Die’. Also, some of the holes on this course are near the ocean, so you might feel some sea spray as you take your best shot. Green fees to play at Cinnamon Hill are $125 USD per person.

12. The Mid Ocean Club (Bermuda)

Best golf course in Bermuda

Bermuda is a gold mine for golfing and The Mid Ocean Club is one of the best places to tee off while on the island. Located in Tucker’s Town on the north end of Bermuda, this golf course was designed by Charles Blair Macdonald and Seth Raynor. Over the years this par 71 course has been modified, most notably in the 1950s by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones. Further restoration was later undertaken by Tom Doak, and today this course is ranked in the top 50 in the world.

The Mid Ocean Club is a 6,530-yard ocean-side golf course that has played host to quite a few PGA tournaments. In fact, all the major U.S. tours have competed here. Amenities at the Mid Ocean Club include a driving range, putting green, chipping and pitching green, and a practice bunker. There's also a pro shop and lockers with lunch and drinks available in the clubhouse. Green fees to play at this course are $225 USD per person.

Good to know: One of the stand-out holes at The Mid Ocean Club is the ‘cape’ hole. This is the 5th hole, and it requires a high tee over the water to a slanting green all the way down to the hole.

13. Royal Westmoreland (Barbados)

Commonly referred to as one of the golfing world's hidden gems, there are quite a few places to tee off in Barbados. The Royal Westmoreland Golf Course is one of those places. The appeal of this golf course has a lot to do with its stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and the fact that the fairways are always kept in good condition.

Measuring 7,045 yards, this is a par 72 course that is located just about 30 minutes north of Bridgetown, in St. James parish. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., this golf course can be quite challenging because of the way that it was built around the natural environment. Some golfers say this is one of the best golf courses designed by Jones, and it requires a bit of strategy to complete.

Features of this Barbadian golf course include undulating hills, lush greenery (and lots of it!), natural rock formations, and 98 carefully-placed bunkers. Amenities at this golf course include a driving range, practice greens, a pro shop, a locker room, and a restaurant. Green fees to play at Royal Westmoreland are $250 USD per person.

14. Sandals Golf & Country Club, Ocho Rios (Jamaica)

Staying at an all-inclusive resort in Ocho Rios is a good idea if you want your vacation to revolve around golf. Sandals Ochi is one such resort in Jamaica, and it is located about a 15-minute drive from the Sandals Golf & Country Club, Ocho Rios.

One of the most popular places to golf in Jamaica, the Sandals Golf & Country Club in Ocho Rios is 6,404 yards and par 71. Golfers can find a sure challenge here with narrow fairways, drop-offs, elevation shifts, and rolling, undulating hills. This is a moderately difficult course nestled in the hills about 700ft above sea level.

Green fees at the Sandals Golf & Country Club are $105 USD per person, but guests of all Sandals resorts in Jamaica can play for free. Amenities at this golf course include a practice range, putting and chipping greens, a pro shop, a restaurant, and a snack shack. Complimentary transfers from Sandals Ochi and Sandals Royal Plantation (15 minutes) are included as part of guest vacation packages. Guests of Sandals also benefit from complimentary golf clinics hosted weekly.

15. Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club at Cap Estate

Best golf course in Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia is one of the best golf destinations in the Caribbean. One of the best places to play golf on this island is the Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club. This golf course is in the north of Saint Lucia, in Cap Estate. It was designed by Greg Norman and completely revamped in 2021. As challenging as it is scenic, you’ll find narrow fairways that are a bit tricky and lots of engaging holes. Both beginners and golfing pros will be right at home on this pristine Caribbean golf course.

The Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club course is 7,000 yards and par 71. Amenities at this golf course include a pro shop, putting green, driving range, chipping green, clubhouse, locker room, and a restaurant & bar. There are also caddies available, as well as club and electro-cart rentals. A bucket of balls will cost you $5 USD at this golf course. Green fees are $175 USD for 18 holes, and $125 USD for 9 holes. Guests of Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia don't have to worry about green fees as these are included.

Sandals Grande St. Lucian is the nearest Sandals Resort to the Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club, but guests from the other Sandals Resorts on this island (Sandals Regency La Toc and Sandals Halcyon Beach) can access the course quickly and easily as well.

Good to know: The Sandals St. Lucia Golf and Country Club is about a 5-10 minute drive from the Pigeon Island National Park.

Caribbean golf FAQs

Which Caribbean island is best for golf?

The best islands for golfing in the Caribbean include the Dominican Republic, Bermuda, Barbados, and The Bahamas. These islands are known for their golf courses and the exciting and challenging games that are possible there. The top golfing destinations in the Caribbean mentioned above are all home to one or more golf courses, many of which are highly esteemed.

How many golf courses are there in the Caribbean?

There are about 70 golf courses on various islands throughout the Caribbean. While most islands in this region have at least one golf course, some don't have any at all. A few of the islands with multiple golf courses include Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia, and The Bahamas.

How much does it cost to play golf in the Caribbean?

The price you’ll pay to golf in the Caribbean varies depending on the island and golf course. As most golf courses are run by different clubs and resorts, prices can vary widely. Costs can also depend on the available amenities and the popularity of the golf courses. At some of the best golf courses in the Caribbean, green fees can range from $105 USD to $499 USD.

The best Caribbean courses for an unforgettable golf experience

Hands down, the Caribbean is one of the best golf destinations in the world! With golf courses that have stunning views of gorgeous island greenery, mountains, and even panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea in some places, your golfing trip to any of these islands is bound to be memorable.

When taking a golf vacation in the Caribbean, where you stay makes a huge difference. Some resorts have their own golf courses which can make it easier to play golf whenever the mood strikes you. Properties like Sandals' all-inclusive resorts in The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, and Jamaica combine the typical beach vacation with golf. Not only will you be able to get lots of time lounging by the ocean, but you’ll be also able to play rounds of golf without having to worry about green fees. Less experienced golfers can participate in golf clinics and other practice activities as well.

In the midst of all your golfing, you’ll also be able to indulge in the quality inclusions that come with Sandals Resorts. This begins with luxurious accommodations and gourmet restaurants and extends to exciting entertainment night and day and an extensive listing of land and water sports.

Wherever you decide to stay during this incredible getaway, you can’t go wrong with a Caribbean golf experience!

Expert tip: Want to be in the best shape for your golf vacation? Here’s Greg Norman’s best golf tips & tricks to level up your game.