The sand traps here are blinding. Azure waves crash headlong into cliffs nearby as you check your grip. Palm trees keep the morning sun off you as you tee of on the first hole. These are all trademarks of a Caribbean golf vacation. Golfers are a unique breed, which is why many Caribbean nations, like Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, have begun to target them as excellent repeat business – Caribbean golf vacation packages and all-inclusive golf resorts have become one of the fastest growing niche markets in the entire region. The all-inclusive resorts offer further freedom, especially for golfers accompanied by their families. This way everyone gets a taste of the islands, and the many great Caribbean golf vacation packages mean discounted fees for the most scenic 18 holes you'll ever play.
The constant Caribbean climate makes year-round golf a possibility. Even you get caught in the rain, it passes quickly and you are already dry by the next hole. And many Caribbean courses are listed as amongst the greatest in the world. For instance, the Half Moon Resort, just west of Montego Bay in Jamaica, is one of the most popular all-inclusive golf resorts in the Caribbean; not only does it have a course listed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus as one of his favorites, the resort has direct access to Sunset Beach, not to mention luxurious accommodations in white-washed colonial rooms. The fairways mock your driving abilities while everyone else lounges by the pool.
And that's just one of the many all-inclusive golf resorts in the Caribbean. The Teeth of the Dog is located on the Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic, and was named top course on any of the Caribbean islands by Golf Magazine. Though it's fame doesn't make this the perfect spot for those who want to get in one of the more inexpensive Caribbean golf vacation packages – a day's worth of golf will run you well over a hundred dollars. But there are plenty more courses on the island that can satisfy any golfer. The Puntacana resort is another fine example, while the Barcelo Bavaro Resort combines its luscious golf course with the lure of its casino.
Another island who has recently been catering towards golfers is Puerto Rico, and all-inclusive golf resorts in the Caribbean do not get much better than the Hyatt Dorado courses found in, well, Dorado. Everything you need to know about this resort can be summed up by the fact that it was opened by John D. Rockefeller's son. Even though it spreads for acres on end, the resort attempts to achieve a balance with the area's natural beauty – therefore no building on the premises is taller than a palm tree.
But no matter what island you venture to, you can have the Caribbean golf vacation of your dreams. The Virgin Islands, Barbados and Aruba are also well-known for catering specifically to golfers.
