As Canadians, I think we can all agree that besides hockey, golf is definitely one of Canada’s favourite sports. Even though some provinces have only 2-3 months of good golfing conditions, we Canadians find a way to squeeze in as many rounds as possible and spend many warm summer days on the links.
With the popularity of golf increasing, and because our ‘golf season’ is so short, more and more people are incorporating golfing into their winter vacations. Why not mix in a couple days on the golf course to brush up for next season?
If you are interested in a winter golf getaway, here are some great Caribbean golf courses worth looking into.
Bahamas:
Grand Bahama Island is the perfect blend of international glamour and tropical ease. Sunny skies and very few days of rain make this a perfect island for many golfers from around the world.
Lucayan Course:
- Created in 1962, this course features intense foliage and fast greens. Precision is tested here, rather than distance, and tall trees offer shade in a relaxed atmosphere.
Reef Course:
- Rated one of the top 3 golf courses in the Caribbean, this course offers wide fairways, large lakes, rolling greens, and tall grasses. With 13 holes featuring water, and many unforgiving bunkers, this is a challenging course in which a good short game goes a long way.
Bermuda:
Golfers frequent Bermuda for its stunning vistas, pleasant weather, and sophisticated array of before and after-game activities.
Mid Ocean Club
- This course is consistently ranked one of the top 50 courses in the world. It is Bermuda’s best known course and is the site of the PGA Grand Slam event.
Port Royal Golf Course
- Located in Southampton Parish, this course is also consistently rated among the top public golf courses in the world (making it the most popular and most heavily played in Bermuda). At Port Royal, enjoy spectacular ocean views and if you are there at the right time you can watch the Bermuda Open Championship.
Other Bermuda courses:
- Riddell’s Bay, Belmont Hills, Tuckers Point
Dominican Republic:
Golf is one of the Dominican’s largest attractions. The courses are designed along the ocean side with tropical hills incorporated. The majority of the golf courses are associated with large resorts, making everything you need on your vacation available to you in one location. Several championship courses are waiting for you to play in this tropical paradise.
Casa de Campo – Teeth of the Dog
- Ranked the Number One course in the Caribbean and 34th in the Top 100 Courses in the World by Golf Magazine, this course has seven holes directly on the Caribbean Sea. Tricky shots and sharp dog legs make this course a challenge.
Punta Espada
- This course is the most eye-popping on the island as 13 of 18 holes lie beside the Caribbean Sea. These challenging links are highlighted by the sea, the bluffs, the beach, and the jungle foliage.
Other Caribbean courses:
- Cana Bay, La Cana, Corales, Punta Blanca, Iberostate, Guavaberry Golf & Country Club, Cocotal, The Links Course, Dye Fore, Los Marlins, Barcelo.
Puerto Rico:
Dazzling bluffs, ocean views, lush vegetation, rivers, and rolling hills are amongst the beauty you will experience while golfing one of 15 world class courses. With courses designed by Robert Trent Johns Sr., Rees Jones, Tom and George Fazio, and Greg Norman, you can golf a different course for 2 weeks on end.
Rio Mare – Ocean Course
- This is one of Puerto Rico’s most popular courses. As iguanas play the course along with you, enjoy the elevated greens and numerous bunkers.
Palmas Del Mar – Flamboyan
- This championship golf course is among the longest and most challenging in Puerto Rico. Wide fairways, elevated greens and a consistent crosswind give players their challenge.
Other Puerto Rican courses:
- Costa Caribe Golf & Country Club, Palmas Del Mar – Palm, Rio Mar – River Course.