Best golf courses in the Caribbean

There are many reasons to go on a vacation to the Caribbean… palm trees, sweeping sandy beaches, steel pan music, and locally made rum on tap to name a few.

But did you know it is also host to some world-class golf courses? We list the very best below… so combine the Caribbean sunshine, luxury accommodation, and first-class golf for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Widely considered the #1 golf course in the Caribbean, Teeth of the Dog is one of the golfing world's great experiences and should be on every golfer's bucket list. With seven holes playing along the Caribbean shoreline, including par threes that demand a carry across the breaking ocean waves where ancient coral formations stick out sharply from the water (hence the name Teeth of the Dog), this is simply one of Pete Dye’s most stunning layouts.

A relative newcomer, Punta Espada is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design and is already making waves in the golfing world as one of the best. With many holes playing along the dramatic, rocky coastline, golfers are blessed with extraordinary views of the Caribbean, where the sea contrasts against the emerald fairways and the perfect greens.

Located at the fabulous Punta Cana Resort & Club, Corales, a Tom Fazio design is an exclusive and dramatic 18-hole course with six Caribbean oceanside holes. As with Teeth of the Dog and Punta Espada, this is a cracking test of golf with a rough and rugged feel (as golf should be).

The highlight of this par 72 championship course has to be the 18th. A nervy tee shot awaits, forcing golfers over the ocean waves and rock-lined cliffs of the Bay of Corales, for a truly memorable finish.

This Pete Dye masterpiece is a monster, measuring 7,740 yards long across its 27 holes. However, the beauty of this course is not in its length but the breath-taking 360-degree views it provides of the surrounding mountains, river, marina, and ocean. Be cautious though, as seven of the scenic cliff-side holes drop 300 feet to the Chavón River below… beautiful, but deadly!

Another Pete Dye classic, the hall of fame designer makes the very most of the beautiful Caribbean landscape, with 14 of the 18 holes stretching along the coast. La Cana has become a favorite of golfers from all over the world, but what is most interesting about this course is the grass. To be as environmentally friendly as possible, La Cana Golf Club was the first golf course in the Caribbean to use paspalum, a grass seed that can be watered using seawater.

Enjoy the Caribbean sunshine, tropical landscape, and clear blue skies when playing Royal Westmoreland. A superb par-72 championship course of unrivaled beauty, experience beautiful views of the shimmering ocean, local wildlife (including monkeys), and an old stone quarry throughout your round. However, don’t focus too much on the surrounding scenery as there is an abundance of bunkers and par 3s that will challenge even the lowest of handicaps.

Mid Ocean Golf Club is the jewel in Bermuda's golf crown and a round of golf here is an essential part of any Bermuda golf vacation. The course at Mid Ocean Club has had an incredible history since its founding in 1951, with famous visitors like Winston Churchill and former US President Eisenhower both gracing the immaculate fairways. The course makes full use of the undulating landscape, whilst the Atlantic Ocean provides a picture-perfect backdrop to this exceptional layout.