Best in Every Country

The best golf courses in Barbados

By Stephen Hennessey, Derek Duncan, and Paul Detre

September 19, 2024

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The transformation of Apes Hill is one of the most compelling new developments in the Caribbean.

James Hogg

Barbados golf has the attention of the most plugged-in world travelers. One of the most well-respected travel writers and I had just wrapped up a boondoggle to the hottest Caribbean golf destination at the end of last year, and all he could talk about was Barbados golf.

Apes Hill is at the center of Barbados’ golf moment. New ownership has transformed a former private club into one of the most attractive resort destinations in the Caribbean, with ample luxury accommodations in addition to a newly revamped course by Ron Kirby, who transformed this course with 14 waterfront holes and a 19^th hole that’s a recreation of the island green 17^th at TPC Sawgrass. The best part is that Apes Hill now provides a perfect home base for an incredible golf trip—with the country’s best golf all accessible by less than an hour drive from the new resort, which includes the two courses at Sandy Lane, which rank highly in our new ranking of the Best Courses in Barbados (below).

A new 30-room beach resort will join luxury villas next year—providing ample room for the increasing number of world travelers who will hopefully discover the benefits of Barbados golf. We can see the light, thanks in part to that conversation with our travel writer. Our job is continue to push his message: You should absolutely consider Barbados as your next golf trip to the Caribbean.

We urge you to click through to each individual course page for bonus photography, drone footage and expanded reviews. Plus, you can now leave your own ratings on the courses you’ve played … to make your case why your favorite should be ranked higher.

Editor's Note: Our Best Courses in Barbados ranking is the first in our rollout of the Best Courses in Every Country. Check back over the next few weeks for more of our rankings of the best golf around the world.

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5. Apes Hill Club

St. James, Barbados

Best in Every Country

Apes Hill has seen a significant recent transformation. The late Ron Kirby, who passed away in 2023, finished up a renovation in 2022 with an emphasis on showcasing and protecting the natural areas around the majestic property. The golf course, built on a former sugar plantation, is positioned 1,000 feet above sea level and surrounds players with the Caribbean Sea on one side, and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. After successfully building Old Head in Ireland for famous Irish amateur player Joe Carr, his son, Roddy, tapped Kirby to work on his project in the Barbados at Apes Hill. Barbados continues to be on the up, thanks in part to the work of Kirby. While many golfers rave about the par-3 fifth hole cut into a stone cliff, the real pinnacle is the three hole, Amen Corner-esque stretch cut through high altitude jungle, which begins on the 12th tee, showing off bearded fig trees as well as the island’s famed resident green monkeys. The resort is also all-world after recent improvements—helping further put Barbados on the map for international travelers.

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Courtesy of the club

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4. Sandy Lane Resort: Country Club

St. James, Barbados

Best in Every Country

The Country Club at Sandy Lane is renowned for its manicured fairways, lush greens,and stunning ocean views. In 1997 the Sandy Lane resort was closed for three years during which they retained Tom Fazio to design the Green Monkey and the Country Club courses, with the latter opening in 2001. The Country Club is often spoken of as the easier of the two courses at Sandy Lane. The course is not without its difficulties, however, as five lakes throughout the property can attract an errant shot. Host to the 2006 World Cup of Golf, the Country Club offers challenging ends to both nines, as Nos. 9 and 18 play over water and usually back into the wind in front of the onlooking clubhouse guests.

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Courtesy of the club

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3. Barbados Golf Club

Oistins, Barbados

Best in Every Country

The original Barbados Golf Club designed by Commander John Harris opened in 1974 but closed shortly thereafter due to financial hardships. The course now known as a go-to for local golfers and tourists sat idle for a few decades before Ron Kirby redesigned and reopened it in 2000. The course is laid out in two nine-hole out-and-back loops. Aspects of the original golf course still remain, as 25-year-old native trees hug and shape many of the holes at Barbados Golf Club. The front nine is characterized by a series of challenging par 4s on holes 3, 4 and 5. A number of difficult par 3s requiring long, forced carries over water and coral outcroppings await players on the 10th and 16th holes. Located in the parish of Christ Church within 10 minutes of the international airport, Barbados Golf Club provides easy to hit fairways as well as a championship-level golf for all players.

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2. Royal Westmoreland Golf & Country Club

St. James, Barbados

Best in Every Country

Royal Westmoreland Golf and Country Club, considered among the most iconic in the region, was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and opened in 1995. Located in the parish of St. James, 45 minutes from the international airport, Royal Westmoreland balances luxury houses with large swathes of natural areas situated in the mountains of the island affording stunning ocean vistas from almost every hole. The course, known for its ideal conditions and undulating fairways, allows players in the span of just a few holes to experience the dramatic walls of a former rock quarry on holes 5 and 6 before having to navigate a forced carry over water and cliffs on the par-3 seventh. This begins a theme of spectacular and increasingly difficult par 3s as the 12th and 15th both play over 200 yards and force players to contend with elevated greens protected by ravines and gullies. By the end of their challenging round players will have to navigate 98 bunkers and multiple elevation changes.

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1. Sandy Lane Resort: Green Monkey

St. James, Barbados

Best in Every Country

The Green Monkey at Sandy Lane Resort in Barbados is located in the parish of St. James, 35 minutes from the airport. The course is one of the most exclusive golf experiences in the Caribbean if not the world, seemingly devoid from others, with tee times for hotel guests daily between 8:30 and 9:30 along with mandatory caddies. Designed by Tom Fazio and named after the famous bajan primate, the course opened in 2004 having been built into acres of a former limestone rock quarry. The result is dramatic cliff faces that accented holes lined by native bougainvillea and mahogany trees, along with panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea transporting players into another world. The course is known for its stunning clubhouse, pristine conditions, undulating fairways, snaking bunkers and glossy greens with subtle breaks. The signature hole at the Green Monkey is the downhill par-3 16th measuring in at 226 yards protected by a bunker in the shape of the course's namesake.

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