Barbados

[jimboski93]

Trip is booked for July and looking into which courses to play.

 

First, does anyone know if there is a way to play Sandy Lane - Green Monkey if you aren't staying there?

 

I am probably playing 2 rounds, maybe 3.

 

Sandy Lane - Green Monkey - resort guests only?

Sandy Lane - Country Club - $195

Royal Westmoreland - $150

Apes Hill - $280

Barbados Golf Club - $105

Rockley Club - 9 holes

Almond Beach - Par 3 Course

 

Has anyone played any of these? Thoughts?

[jimboski93]

Back from Barbados and here is my quick write-up.

I played two rounds, one at Sandy Lane - Country Club and the other at Apes Hill. It couldn't be easier for me to recommend Apes Hill > Country Club.

Both rounds were discounted to the same greens fee ($105) and both had greens that were aerated somewhat recently. The Country Club also requires a caddy ($50 plus tip).

Sandy Lane, located on the west coast of Barbados, is best known for its Green Monkey course, but that is only available to hotel guests (a very expensive hotel) or at a cost of $4,000 per round. Yes, hard to believe, but true. Tiger Woods rented out the entire Sandy Lane resort for his wedding to Elin. My caddy told me that Tiger would either tee off from his knees or juggle a ball with an iron before sending it down the fairway. He also caddied for Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan.

The Country Club is open to the public. I forget what the standard rate is during peak season, but the mix of off-peak and the aerated greens meant it was only $105 plus $50 for the caddy.

The course is a real resort course. Wide fairways and wide "rough" which is more like fluffy lie producing grass. It has small bunkers which really don't come into play much. There are 5 sets of tees ranging all the way up to just over 7,000 yards. I played from the 2nd longest at ~6,700 yards.

Like other island golf, the prevailing winds really decide how the holes will play. So it's probably a short 7,000 yards as the course is designed to have you hitting with the wind more often than not. The layout is mostly flat and can be a bit redundant. While the resort has plenty of beach frontage, all of the course is inland.

Sandy Lane - Country Club 18th and clubhouse
[attachment=1770302:IMGP0033.JPG]

Apes Hill is located in northern Barbados and includes some of the higher elevations on the island. This was a stunning course which I'd love to play again. Unlike the Country Club, Apes Hill has varying elevations and terrain and uses it well. The back tees play to 7,150 yards. I played with another golfer from the 6,300 yard middle tees.
While Apes Hill isn't designed to punish you, the "rough" provides a narrower barrier between the fairway and real trouble. There's often heavy scrub or steep drops beyond the rough, so you won't get away with awful swings like you would at Country Club.

The prevailing winds again play a large part in the difficulty of the hole. The course isn't close to the beach by any means, but because of the high elevation, you have many holes with great views down on Barbados and the ocean.

Like the Country Club, I think whatever tees you select, the course plays shorter because of the winds. My golf partner and I agreed on 6,300 tees, but I often had driver-wedge in. I also think I hit 8 iron on most of the par threes which was perhaps a chance combination of the yardage plus wind conditions plus uphill/downhill shot leading to about the same playing distance.

Apes Hill is still building out some of its facilities, so that's one place where Country Club wins - CC had an amazing clubhouse and locker room, while Apes Hill's seemed almost temporary.

Apes Hill 13th
[attachment=1770306:IMGP0072.JPG]


There are a few other courses on the island, but the other course in the top tier would be Royal Westmoreland. It was described to me as very similar to Country Club but maybe not quite as nice, so I don't feel like I missed out.

[Guardian5]

Apes Hill definitely first choice, a good course and amazing topography looking to the Atlantic Coast and Caribbean from the same tee (the 12th).

[Socrates]

[quote name='jimboski93' timestamp='1373165307' post='7400912']
Back from Barbados and here is my quick write-up.

I played two rounds, one at Sandy Lane - Country Club and the other at Apes Hill. It couldn't be easier for me to recommend Apes Hill > Country Club.

Apes Hill is located in northern Barbados and includes some of the higher elevations on the island. This was a stunning course which I'd love to play again. Unlike the Country Club, Apes Hill has varying elevations and terrain and uses it well. The back tees play to 7,150 yards. I played with another golfer from the 6,300 yard middle tees.
While Apes Hill isn't designed to punish you, the "rough" provides a narrower barrier between the fairway and real trouble. There's often heavy scrub or steep drops beyond the rough, so you won't get away with awful swings like you would at Country Club.

The prevailing winds again play a large part in the difficulty of the hole. The course isn't close to the beach by any means, but because of the high elevation, you have many holes with great views down on Barbados and the ocean.

Like the Country Club, I think whatever tees you select, the course plays shorter because of the winds. My golf partner and I agreed on 6,300 tees, but I often had driver-wedge in. I also think I hit 8 iron on most of the par threes which was perhaps a chance combination of the yardage plus wind conditions plus uphill/downhill shot leading to about the same playing distance.

Apes Hill is still building out some of its facilities, so that's one place where Country Club wins - CC had an amazing clubhouse and locker room, while Apes Hill's seemed almost temporary.

[/quote]
Going back to Barbados mid Jan. How did you arrange to play Apes Hill? On another site, a guy said to just call the pro-shop to arrange a time. Was that the case for you or did you know a member?

I agree with your assessment of the Country Club. If I hadn't taken pictures I don't think I could remember 2 holes.