Written by Raj Singh
Barbados is often called the ‘Gem of the Caribbean’. It is a place best known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, easy Caribbean charm and year-round tropical warmth.
But for golfers, the island offers world-class golf played alongside some of the most striking coastal scenery in the world.
The island punches far above its weight with ultra-exclusive championship tracks and accessible, community-focused courses.
There are five championship courses and two nine-hole courses, including The Old Nine at Sandy Lane and Rockley Golf Club.
Trying to fit all the golf on offer on the island in a weeks’ holiday proved quite a challenge, but we gave it a good go!
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THE GOLF COURSES
Our first stop was Sandy Lane!
Boasting 3 golf courses – The Old Nine, Country Club and the exclusive Green Monkey – Sandy Lane is an experience not to be missed!
We started the tour with a gentle ‘opener’ on the Old Nine course.
This was the original course built at Sandy Lane in 1961. It is a lovely golf course, quite playable at 3,345 yard, par 36 with superb greens. The green monkeys are ever-present spectators throughout the course and thankfully not interested in golf balls!
The short par 3, 7th is the signature hole played from a very elevated tee box. It has an almost vertical drop to a small green below and a stunning view of the ocean in the distance.
Next up was The Country Club at Sandy Lane.
This course is quite popular with visitors but getting a tee time is easy.
Caddies are mandatory and are quite helpful in negotiating the world class greens.
The course is very picturesque with wide and immaculate fairways. The caddies immediately fill any divots which helps to maintain the course is such pristine state.
The par 3’s on the course are all very good golf holes, but the signature 18th is the most special. The tee sits on an elevation with a view of the green and lake below the clubhouse in the background. The tee shot is often into a stiff Trade wind, making it quite a challenge.
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Onto Apes Hill. It is a place that is sometimes referred to as the crown jewel of Barbadian golf and is set high in the island’s lush interior.
Recently redesigned, the course is now much more playable and goes through tropical gullies and elevated ridges, offering panoramic views across both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
The opening hole takes you up into the hills and the 18th back down again.
The signature hole is the par 3, 15th where the green sits between a huge rock formation at the back and a lake at the front. The shot requires a carry of 160 yards usually with the prevailing wind making it difficult to keep your ball on the green.
We were invited to play in the members Saturday morning roll-up at Durants Barbados Golf Club.
The course is located in the south part of the island and has a homely feel. It is where most Bajans play their golf and is sensibly priced for visitors. At only 6,649 yards at its longest, the course is also very walkable.
It is a very pleasant experience and the greens are surprisingly good.
The fairways and tee box are perfectly acceptable but not as well manicured. It would be unfair to compare this course to the more exclusive, and more expensive, courses on the island. It is both enjoyable and a good test of golf on an interesting layout.
The signature hole is arguably the par 3, 16th hole. It is 150 yards from the back tees and often plays across the prevailing wind and a small lake to a slightly elevated green with deep surrounds. A par is an excellent score on this hole!
PRACTICE FACILITIES
The practice facilities at Sandy Lane are exceptional! The driving range is more than 400m long and allows practicing from both ends.
The putting green gives you some idea of the speed and quality of the greens to come.
The facilities at Apes Hill are also truly impressive, with all the amenities that you would expect at an exclusive members club.
Drive past the courts and gym and you get to the par three course. The driving range is long enough for the biggest hitters and has a covered area for lessons when the weather takes a turn.
CLUB FACILITIES
The clubhouse at Sandy Lane is a small colonial building with a bar area and a very relaxed atmosphere. It looks out over the putting green, as well as the 1st tee and the 9th green.
The clubhouse is imposing. Through the grand entrance lies a large open area for food and drinks with a magnificent view of the 18th green of the country club course.
It also houses a large and a well stocked pro shop. The entire venue has the air of luxury and exclusivity. The staff are very attentive and welcoming.
The clubhouse at Apes Hill sits on top of a small hill overlooking a grassed amphitheatre. The patio at the rear looks over the lake and 19th island green with the par three course and range in the distance.
The rebuilt clubhouse is very modern.
Although it is smaller than the one at Sandy Lane, Apes Hill is a private members club rather than a resort facility. Visitors are still always welcome here.
At Durants Barbados Golf Club, the clubhouse is perfectly functional with modest changing rooms, a small pro-shop, and an ample bar.
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The bar has seating that overlooks the practice green, 9thand 18th greens.
In fact, it is somewhat uncomfortably close to the 18th green. One of my golfing buddies found the bar on his approach to that green.
MY SUMMARY
Golfing in Barbados is certainly not cheap but as a bucket list trip, it is certainly worth the experience.
What truly sets golf in Barbados apart is not just the courses but the atmosphere. Tee times are unhurried, dress codes are sensible rather than stuffy, and post-round conversations flow easily over rum punches or fresh fish lunches.
It is entirely possible to play a morning round, swim in the sea by early afternoon, and watch the sun set over the fairways with a glass of Mount Gay rum in hand.
With year-round sunshine, consistent playing conditions, and a culture that values hospitality as much as excellence, Barbados has quietly established itself as one of the Caribbean’s finest golfing destinations.
HAVE YOUR SAY ON GOLF IN BARBADOS
Have played golf in Barbados? If so, which golf courses did you play? How did you find it? Would you recommend it as a place for a golf trip? Let us know by leaving a comment or a post on X!
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