Where to take my husband who golfs?
 

I am planning a trip with my husband in early December for 7-10 days, and he has never been to the Caribbean but is well traveled in Europe. He loves to golf, hang out on the beach, snorkel, and enjoy food- great seafood particularly and enjoys live music --all kinds. Which island and accomodations and locations would you recommend?

hi penny, welcome to fodors. the most and best golf courses are on jamaica and domincan republic - neither known for snorkeling. grand cayman has 2 courses and outstanding snorkeling.
my suggestion for you is provo in turks & caicos. only one golf course, but very good snorkeling and known for numerous excellent dining options. the main beach is 11 mile long, powder soft sand - grace bay beach. plenty of resorts directly on the beach. many of them are condo style, so if you wish to have breakfast of lunch at "home" you can. provo is a small (easy to get around) coral based island so is flat and more scrubby than lush.

if you could tell us where you'll be flying from it will help suggest which island. and some indication of your hotel budget- so we can make specific resort suggestion. some of the best are on provo are turks and caicos club, somerset and grace bay club. grace bay club has my favorite restaurant - anacoana. sample menu: http://www.gracebayclub.com/dining/dining_ana_menu.html
also no fish lover should pass up lunch at 'da conch shack' - a very low key place where they keep conch in the ocean and go fetch one after you order for immediate preparation.
hope this helps you get started planning.

You can find a great combination of nice beaches, golf, snorkeling and restaurants on St. Thomas. There's also enough nightlife on the island so you'll have access to music.

In short, the island offers everything on your wish list.

MDH is an avid golfer. After going to almost every island in the Caribbean, we found Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos (with the help of the Fodorites) last March.

It was perfect for us. MDH loved the golf and the pricing for golf(some courses in the Caribbean are extremely expensive for golf).

We stayed at Ocean Club West. They had a shuttle to the golf course. There are so many beautiful places to stay on Grace Bay, it's hard to chose.

We are returning in March, but haven't chosen our resort yet.It will be Ocean Club West again, or Grace Bay Club(beautiful place), or maybe another if a good deal comes up.

There were so many great restaurants within walking distance that we did not need a car, though we usually rent one.

When it comes to beach vacations, everybody has their own opinion. There are probably other islands with better golf and more courses. This was just the right place for us.

It was easy to get to the course, and it was easy for me to be on the beach alone while he golfed in the morning. No mad rush to the chairs early in the morning to get one (as is on many islands).

Do your research, and enjoy.

Another vote for Turks and Caicos.

My husband loves the golf course, and lately flamingos have been hanging out on hole #5-adds to the tropical feel.

The restaurants are all good-and have the most incredible settings.  Stunning!  As for seafood-try conch-T&C practacally puts it on the map.

Great snorkeling, including off the beach in some areas, you are practacally guaranteed stingrays, parrot fish, grouper, even a flounder or resident baraccuda. 

For live music, Eat at Hemmingways on a thursday night, Quinten Dean plays and is awesome.  Friday nights were made for your husband.  Start off at O'Soleil happy hour, with live singers from 7-9.  You can make it a meal with incredible tapas, presented so chic.  The singers are awesome, sorry I can't remember the name.  Follow it by the live band at Calico Jacks that kicks up at Calico Jacks.  There is live music at Horse Eyed Jacks on a sunday afternoon, with dominos, kite flying, beach volleyball.  These are consistent and always happen, check out www.TciEnews.com for other happenings.     

I'm fairly well traveled in Europe, actually around the world. It appears to me that T&C could meet all of your criteria.

My only concern with the Providenciales and St. Thomas is that each island has only one course. He might want more challenges in a 10-day trip. The DR has a lot of great courses in the Punta Cana area and along the north coast. Jamaica also has some great courses.

I'm not sure how many golf courses there are on St. Croix, but there is one at Carambola Resort there.

Barbados meets all your criteria, lots of golf options, great beaches, top restaurants, live music everywhere and adequate snorkelling (though not as good as some of the other islands). For more info on golf, look here...www.barbados.org/golf.htm

Golf? Try Bermuda. Technically its not the Caribbean but has alot of golf courses and good restaurants. :-)

Puerto Rico has scores of golf courses. Your husband can play a different course every morning and afternoon for your 10 day stay and still have plenty left over to do it again on your next trip without playing the same course twice.