Barbados is home to several hidden golf gems, with the iconic Sandy Lane Resort representing the ‘crown jewels’ thanks to its two Tom Fazio courses. The exclusive Green Monkey, carved out of an old coral-stone quarry, is quite spectacular and qualifies as one of the few ‘trophy’ golf courses in the Caribbean. While the Country Club, which hosted the 2007 World Cup of Golf, offers a pure five-star experience.

The nearby Royal Westmoreland is the most successful high-end real estate golf development on the island. It’s a Robert Trent Jones Jnr. designed course and probably the best he has done. The challenging course is surrounded by impressive villas that are home to the rich and famous, many of whom call Barbados their second home.

Just 10 minutes away, close to the island’s highest point, lies the hidden gem of Apes Hill, nestled among hillsides and deep winding gullies that are populated by families of monkeys, birds and an abundance of tropical foliage. This beautiful natural environment, together with the dramatic vistas over the wild east coast and Atlantic Ocean, make it arguably the most spectacular golf experience in the Caribbean. Several holes on the course are bordered by open pastures, home to some of the horses that belong to the Sir Charles ‘Cow’ Williams polo dynasty. Polo Matches are played regularly on the Apes Hill Polo field, adjacent to the golf course.

The Apes Hill Golf Course is currently being renovated by its new owner and will re-open in January 2021. A new short course, with state of the art practice, training and wellness facilities, along with other new outdoor pursuits such as cycling, hiking, gully walking and tennis, will make Apes Hill one of the most sought after places to live on the island.

Located between the airport and Oistins, the Barbados Golf Club is the only 18-hole championship golf course on the south coast. Fully open to the public, with a links style layout, Barbados Golf Club is now proudly the Home of Golf in Barbados for the majority of the 1,000 or so local golfers. It is also the most popular and affordable course in Barbados for tourists and long-stay visitors. Golf for All is the slogan of the club, which is completely inclusive and the main teaching centre for the growing number of young Barbadians learning the game. It is also by far the most social golf club on the island.

There are many other beautiful islands in the Caribbean, but none of them can deliver the same quality of life as Barbados. As I say to many of my international friends, there is a life in Barbados, with lots going on and plenty to do. And its biggest asset of all is the friendliness of its well-educated people.

And if you are golfer, you will surely enjoy our hidden gems.