Barbados

Barbados' four noteworthy golf courses are scattered about the island, providing for a unique visual experience at each. The majority of the four are coastal courses, each home to breathtaking views of the ocean and beaches. The golf itself is top notch and the courses coming from the minds of many of the world's most acclaimed designers.

Golf Courses at a Glance

• Barbados Golf and Country Club
  This Ron Kirby design was the island's first public championship course when it reopened in September 2000.
  
  
• Rockley Golf Course
  A pleasant nine hole course located in the southeastern tip of the island among villas, tennis courts and swimming pools.
  
  
• Royal Westmoreland
  Robert Trent Jones Jr. built this challenging course on a former sugar plantation, offering golfers unmatched views of the Caribbean Sea.
  
  
• Sandy Lane Golf Club
  Recently renovated to include 44 holes of breathtaking golf, the resort property includes the Tom Fazio-designed Green Monkey, the lengthy Country Club course, and the original nine holes developed in 1961.

Barbados is located well south east of Cuba and Puerto Rico, just north of Trinidad and Tobago, which is off the northeast coast of South America. All told, the island is about 21 miles by 14 miles. The west and south coasts feature the calm Caribbean Sea and pristine beaches, while rugged cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean populate the east coast.

Temperatures in Barbados range between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, year round, with slightly cooler temperatures after dusk. The island consistently receives between eight and nine hours of daily sunlight.

English is the official language, although the native Barbados dialect can be difficult to understand at times. The Barbados Dollar is the official currency. Traditionally, the one U.S. Dollar is equivalent to about two Barbados dollars.

Besides golf, there are many other worthwhile activities to consider during a visit to Barbados. A favorite among vacationers is to explore the - Seven Wonders of Barbados - The points of interest are scattered about the island, and provide visitors with an all-encompassing tour of the land, including Harrison's Cave and the citrus paradise Grapefruit Tree in central Barbados as well as a Jewish Synagogue, a collection of 17th century cannons, and the enormous Baobab tree in the south. And, as is commonplace throughout the Caribbean, the soft, white beaches and bounty of water sports always draw constant attention.

Transportation Information

Three airlines make scheduled trips to Barbados from major American cities everyday - American, BWIA, and Air Jamaica. Travel time from New York is about 4 hours and 20 minutes and 3 hours and 40 minutes from Miami. Canadian travelers can get to Barbados via daily Air Canada flights from Toronto, as well as on weekly Air Canada flights from Montreal. BWIA flies from Toronto to Barbados on Saturdays.

From within the Caribbean, your best bet may be to board an inter-island tour, which provides the most scenic and structured trip throughout the region. For a more direct trip, several airlines including Air Jamaica and LIAT make daily trips to Barbados from other major Caribbean islands.

Obtaining a rental car in Barbados is not difficult, but it does include a little extra paperwork. All visitors must pay $10.00 Bds for a temporary driver's license, assuming they have a valid license from their home country. These licenses can be issued by any authorized car rental company.

Barbados is in the Atlantic Standard Time zone (GMT -4), one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

The above map & information was supplied by TravelGolf.com.

If you are considering a golfing holiday in the Caribbean, call (US toll-free) 888-383-3633 or visit www.caribbeangolf.com for a FREE Caribbean package quote.