Quick answer
Barbados has some of the Caribbean’s best golf. Royal Westmoreland (Robert Trent Jones Jr., par 72) is reserved mainly for its villa guests, Sandy Lane’s Country Club and Old Nine are open to visitors, Apes Hill is for homeowners and staying guests, and Barbados Golf Club at Durants is the public 18-hole course on the south coast. The easiest way to play Royal Westmoreland is to stay on the estate.
Golf is one of the main reasons our UK, Canadian and American guests come back to Barbados every winter. Here is how the island’s courses compare, and how to get a tee time.
Royal Westmoreland, St James
Set across a 750-acre estate in the hills above the west coast, Royal Westmoreland’s 18-hole championship course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and plays to par 72 over 7,045 yards, with views over the Caribbean Sea. The estate is private: golf is primarily for owners and villa guests, with limited tee times for approved visiting golfers. Facilities include a driving range, short-game academy, pro shop and club hire.
Many of our Royal Westmoreland homes include complimentary rounds each week when booked with the resort’s golf package: Exclusive Villas at Royal Westmoreland (up to twelve rounds a week), Townhouses at Royal Westmoreland (eight) and Golf Cottages at Royal Westmoreland (six, on the course beside the 12th green). Ask us to confirm the golf inclusion for your dates before you book.
Sandy Lane, St James
- The Green Monkey — Tom Fazio’s famous quarry course, reserved for Sandy Lane hotel guests.
- The Country Club — 18 holes open to visitors, with mandatory caddies.
- The Old Nine — a relaxed 9-hole loop, also open to visitors.
Book well ahead in high season (November to April).
Apes Hill, St James
Apes Hill’s par-71 course by Ron Kirby sits 1,000 feet above sea level in the island’s interior, with a 9-hole par-3 “Little Apes” course. Play is reserved for homeowners, members’ guests and staying guests.
Barbados Golf Club, Durants (south coast)
The island’s public 18-hole, par-72 course is about 10 minutes from Dover and St Lawrence Gap, and the easiest course to book if you are staying on the south coast. The 9-hole Rockley Golf Club is also nearby.
When to play
The dry season from December to May brings the most reliable weather and the cooling trade winds golfers love. Early tee times beat the midday heat all year round.
Getting here: non-stop flights reach Barbados (BGI) from London Heathrow and Gatwick (about 8–9 hours), Toronto (about 5–6 hours) and US gateways including Miami, New York JFK, Boston, Charlotte and Atlanta (about 3–5 hours). See our guide to flights from the UK, Canada and USA.
Where to stay
Stay on the course and the tee times take care of themselves.
- Golf Cottages at Royal Westmoreland — 2-bedroom cottages on the course with 6 rounds a week.
- Townhouses at Royal Westmoreland — 4-bedroom homes with private pools and 8 rounds a week.
- Exclusive Villas at Royal Westmoreland — 4-bedroom private-pool villas with 12 rounds a week.
- Harmony Hall Green — a south coast base 10 minutes from Barbados Golf Club.
Frequently asked questions
Can visitors play Royal Westmoreland?
Royal Westmoreland is a private estate. Golf is primarily for owners and villa guests, with limited tee times for approved visiting golfers. Staying in a Royal Westmoreland villa is the easiest way to play.
Which Barbados golf courses are open to the public?
Barbados Golf Club at Durants is the public 18-hole course. Sandy Lane’s Country Club and Old Nine also accept visitors; the Green Monkey is for Sandy Lane hotel guests only.
What is the best time of year for golf in Barbados?
December to May, the dry season, when trade winds keep temperatures comfortable.
Who designed Royal Westmoreland?
Robert Trent Jones Jr. The course is 18 holes, par 72, 7,045 yards.
Last checked by the Ocean Reserve Living team in October 2026. Opening hours, prices and event dates change, so confirm before you travel.