Golfing in Barbados

Barbados has near perfect weather all year round, except for the occasional shower which usually lasts only a very short time and then the tropical sun returns drying out the course so quickly you would hardly know that it had rained.

Barbados is a lovely tropical destination for a golf vacation for the professional or the putter.

If you want to take lessons most of the golf clubs have golf pro's on staff.

There are several local hotels and resorts that offer Barbados golf vacation deals, they include accommodation, tee times, and transportation to and from your accommodation and the golf course.

Barbados as a golfing destination has been steadily growing and it's reputation really became known world wide when it hosted the 2006 World Golf Championships World Cup.

The four day tournament was held at the Sandy Lane Resort and golf club.

The tournament was shown all over the world on ESPN in the States, and Sky sports in England and Ireland.

There are a number of golf courses on Barbados, some are challenging others are more for the beginning golfer.

Royal Westmoreland, is a challenging course offering some of the best par three golf

anywhere, its a members only golf club but does allow guests, it also offers special arrangements with some hotels such as the The Fairmont Royal Pavilion.

It was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Royal Westmoreland is also one of the world's most exciting resort courses, complete with a spa, tennis, restaurants and golf villas.

Barbados Golf Club, was Barbados' first public golf course, the 6,805 yard par 72 golf course has magnificent trees that were strategically planted 25 years ago and give the golf course a mature ambience.

There are two lakes that make play very interesting on five holes and make holes 15 and 16 extremely challenging.

A number of coral stone bunkers carved among four holes add to a challenging golf course.

Ron Kirby was the golf course designer that designed the course, making it a challenging course to play.

Sandy Lane Resort and golf club, you can choose from three courses all with their own unique challenges, the Old Nine, the Country Club Course or the Green Monkey Course.

The 2 latter courses were both designed by Tom Fazio.

There are other facilities available at Sandy Lane including restaurant, spa, tennis and children's club and watersports.

Tiger Woods, one of the most famous golfers of all time got married in Barbados in 2004, at the Sandy Lane Golf Club making quite a stir amongst the local golfers.

The Rockley Golf Course is the oldest Golf Club in Barbados located on the beautiful South coast of Barbados, it's a 9 Hole (with alternative tees for the back nine) par 70, 5610 yard

course. Rockley is ideally set up for all ages and caliber of Golfer.

The first hole looks easy but with the pin positions laid out the way they are it takes all your ability to make it.

There are long Par 3’s and well placed trees on fairways and around greens, you have to think through every shot.

Rockleys most difficult hole is the 5th a 456 yd par 4 it has a narrow fairway and a sloping green that has strategically placed bunkers.

Some of the services the club provides are a well stocked pro-shop and a bar and restaurant

that has to be one of the friendliest club bars in Barbados.

Almond Beach Village has a 9-hole par 3 recreational golf course located on the property, it is

more for hotel guest relaxation than a challenging golf course for serious golfers.

Lessons with a golf pro can be arranged for those wishing to get into the swing of things.

The list of golf courses presented range from the most challenging to entertaining, but it will be interesting to see what the projects now in the planning stage will bring forth