Though it has always been a popular destination for golf players, today’s golfers have more choices than ever when choosing where to tee off in the Caribbean.

For your next trip to the Caribbean, get acquainted with some of the premier courses available and you will be able to experience, firsthand, how much fun Caribbean golf under the tropical sun can be.

The Dominican Republic 

Emerging as one of the world’s best places to golf, it goes without saying that the Dominican Republic has some of the best golf courses in the Caribbean. In Cap Cana Resort is Punta Espada, Jack Nicklaus’s course, where 15 of the 18 holes overlook the sea and you get to take in landscapes of jungle, beach, and bluffs.

Playa Grande Golf Course is one of legend Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s last designs. Located on Hispaniola’s northern coast, this par-72 course provides breathtaking views, sitting atop towering cliffs that overlook the sea and beach.

Head to the Puntacana Resort to play 45 holes of championship golf. The Corales Golf Course, designed by Tom Fazio, features holes on coral reefs and rocky cliffs, and La Cana Golf Course, designed by Pete Dye, is littered with his signature pot bunkers.

Then there is Casa de Campo Resort, one of the best golf resorts in the Caribbean where Teeth of the Dog, The Links, and Dye Fore lure golfers from around the world. These diabolical Pete Dye creations quickly became legendary courses among golfers. Named for the coastline’s jagged coral construction, Teeth of the Dog is a labyrinth, so casual players beware. You may not fare better on The Links, as it is the more difficult of the two.

Barbados 

Home to Sandy Lane, where Tiger Woods was married, there’s no question that there’s high-quality golf to be played here. Designed by Tom Fazio, the Green Monkey course, named after actual green Bajan monkeys that scamper across the greens, was built on an old quarry site, with its walls towering over a few of the bunkers and fairways.

This championship golf course has 7,343 yards, is a par-72, and has 18 holes, but to play one of the best golf courses in the Caribbean, you’ll have to stay at the Sandy Lane resort.

Bahamas 

A seaside Scottish-style links course sits in the Abaco Club on Winding Bay and is truly a masterpiece. Included is a world-class practice facility with a short game practice area and double-edge range.

At the Grand Lucayan golf and beach resort, Robert Trent Jones Jr.’s 18-hole course hosts several championship tours. Named one of the world’s top 100 golf resorts, the 6,909 yards of fairways and greens are open and breezy with roughs, bunkers, and water hazards.

On New Providence Island is the ultra-exclusive Lyford Cay gated community which is built around the Lyford Cay Club. This members-only club houses an 18-hole championship course that ranks as one of the world’s best. You’ll just need an invitation to play.

Great Exuma’s Greg Norman designed 18-hole championship course was named one of the best golf courses on a Caribbean resort. Oceanfront fairways run past tall grasses and sand dunes, ending on a final hole at the tip of a stunning peninsula.

The general public can also play some world-class golf at the Royal Blue Golf Course at Baha Mar. One of the first layouts Jack Nicklaus created in the Bahamas, it is a perfect blend of difficulty and beauty. While both the front and back nines have natural obstacles, they offer two completely different golf experiences. Royal Blue encourages you to leave your clubs at home so you can use their top-notch rental service. The “Better Than You Own” service provides golfers with the latest gear from some of the biggest brands, though everyone isn’t always a fan of the latest tech.

Turks and Caicos 

Surrounded by flora and fauna and home to a variety of lovely native birds, Provo Golf Club is one of the most beautiful golf courses to play in the Caribbean. This course is not only beautiful but also difficult.

The only course located in the Turks and Caicos, it offers a challenging target-style of play and a quick pace. For the truly brave, golfers must deal with sand traps, water hazards, and various limestone outcroppings. If you’re looking for a course that may require you to set up shop in some affordable Caribbean real estate for a while, look no further than the Provo Golf Club’s rugged 18-hole course.

Plans for a golf course on South Caicos are within the Sailrock South Caicos masterplan. This 18-hole championship golf course will have native flora and fauna and natural landscaping.

Curacao

Regularly considered one of the Caribbean’s best golf courses, Old Quarry is at the Santa Barbara Beach and Golf Resort. Another Pete Dye design, it is a trying course that offers some truly spectacular views of the Spanish Water harbor, Tafelberg mountain, and the Caribbean Sea.

Anguilla 

The Cuisinart Golf Resort and Spa’s par-72, 18-hole championship golf course complements the natural beauty of Anguilla, offering views of the Caribbean and adjacent St. Maarten. The second hole highlights the Anguilla Channel and the 16th and 18th holes create challenging obstacles out of Anguilla’s native plants and trees that can frustrate the most seasoned golfer.

St. Croix

The Buccaneer Golf Course feels like you’re right at home at your local country club. The Bob Joyce design inspires beginners and rewards the more advanced. Don’t think that means it’s easy to play golf here. It may not have you throwing your clubs into the ocean, but it’s nothing to scoff at. When you require a break from the heat, the pro shop’s golf simulator has 93 international golf courses to choose from.

Bermuda 

Mid Ocean Club is a members-only club that has one of the oldest courses in the region. Only members and their guests can play this 18-hole championship golf course. The country club members can get you time on the green on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so there’s still hope you can experience this one.

Golf at Only the Best 

No words can truly do justice to the spectacular views some of the world-famous golfing resorts offer you in the Caribbean.

Lavish, fun, calming, and heart-stopping – once you experience the best golf courses in the Caribbean, it’s unlikely you’ll want to play golf anywhere else.