Golf in Barbados

Barbadians love golf, and golfers love Barbados. Almond Beach Village has a 9-hole, par-3 executive course open only to guests. Barbados Golf Club (Hwy. 7, Durants, Christ Church. 246/428-8463. www.barbadosgolfclub.com), the first public golf course on Barbados, is an 18-hole championship course (6,805 yards, par 72) redesigned in 2000 by golf course architect Ron Kirby. Greens fees are $130 for 18 holes, plus a $25 per-person cart fee, or $78 for 9 holes, plus a $20 per-person cart fee. Unlimited three-day and seven-day golf passes are available. Several hotels offer preferential tee-time reservations and reduced rates. Club and shoe rentals are available.

At the prestigious Country Club at Sandy Lane (Hwy. 1, Paynes Bay, St. James. 246/444-2500. www.sandylane.com/golf), golfers can play on the Old Nine or on either of two 18-hole championship courses: the Tom Fazio-designed Country Club Course or the spectacular Green Monkey Course, reserved for hotel guests and club members only. Golfers have complimentary use of the club's driving range. The Country Club Restaurant and Bar, which overlooks the 18th hole, is open to the public. Greens fees in high season are $150 for 9 holes ($130 for hotel guests) or $235 for 18 holes ($200 for hotel guests). Golf carts, caddies, or trolleys are available for hire, as are clubs and shoes. Carts are equipped with GPS, which alerts you to upcoming traps and hazards, provides tips on how to play the hole, and allows you to order refreshments!

Rockley Golf & Country Club (Golf Club Rd., Worthing, Christ Church. 246/435-7873. www.rockleygolfclub.com), on the southeast coast, has a challenging 9-hole course (2,800 yards, par 35) that can be played as 18 from varying tee positions. Club and cart rentals are available. Greens fees are $55 for 18 holes and $45 for 9 holes.

The Royal Westmoreland Golf Club (Westmoreland, St. James. 246/422-4653. www.royal-westmoreland.com) has a world-class Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed, 18-hole championship course (6,870 yards, par 72) that meanders through the 500-acre property. This challenging course is primarily for villa renters, with a few mid-morning tee times for visitors subject to availability; greens fees for villa renters are $200 for 18 holes, $100 for 9 holes, and $700 for a weekly ticket; for visitors, $250 for 18 holes. Greens fees include use of an electric cart (required); club rental is available.