TOP EASTERN CARIBBEAN GOLF COURSES

Cedar Valley Golf Course, Antigua Par: 70 Yardage: 6,142 Price: $70-$90* Cedar Valley's fairways are composed of the native grass, Antiguan Hay. The front nine holes are a bit rocky and rough on the edges, with some frustrating uphill tee shots. The first few greens are particularly tight and narrow, and many golfers find this a good place to take a Mulligan or two!

The Links Golf Course, Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic Par: 71 Yardage: 6,461 Price: $250* The Links offers spectacular views of the Caribbean and the Casa de Campo Resort. Pete Dye, the course architect, would have preferred to have it named La Barranca--"the little hill"--for it offers an undulating layout reminiscent of traditional British and Scottish courses, featuring small greens and several lagoons. Ask any golfer who has played The Links and you will hear that this course is demanding and merciless for the unwary, with water coming into play on five holes.

Teeth of the Dog Golf Course, Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic Par: 72 Yardage: 6,888 Price: $250* The classic, Pete Dye-designed Teeth of the Dog is a work of art, both architecturally and aesthetically. The Teeth has seven holes right on the Caribbean Sea: four on the front nine and three on the back. To make your game even more interesting, you have to cross Casa de Campos’ airport runaway to get to holes #11, #12, #17 and #18. The Teeth of the Dog is ranked the #1 course in the Caribbean and is the only course in the area to be rated among the world's top 100 courses, currently ranked at #35.

El Conquistador Resort & Country Club, San Juan, Puerto Rico Par: 72 Yardage: 6,662 Price: $145* Outdoor enthusiasts will find the perfect destination at the Wyndham El Conquistador, a Puerto Rican paradise perched on top of cliffs overlooking the Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. The resort offers a majestic, 18-hole, Arthur Hill-designed course and is a golfer’s dream. Non-golfing partners may also tag along for a small fee and enjoy the amenities of this luxurious Wyndham Resort.

Hyatt Cerromar Golf Course, San Juan, Puerto Rico Par: 72 Yardage: 6,841 (North), 7,077 (South) Price: $110-$130* Both the North and South Courses, designed by Robert Trent Jones, are designed for fast play, with wide fairways and very few greens trapped in front. Plus, the roughs are not severe until you are well off the fairway. Cerromar South is used for shipboard passengers due to longer playing conditions on the North Course. The front-nine holes will put your face to the wind, while on the back nine, downwind is to your back. With 13 holes involving water, there is plenty of opportunity to hit along it, over it and around it.

Hyatt Dorado Beach Golf Course, San Juan, Puerto Rico Par: 72 Yardage: 6,858 Price: $140-$170* Built by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., the Dorado Beach is a to challenge players of every skill level. The links feature such classic Trent Jones signatures as massive greens, plenty of gleaming white traps and famed runaway tees, stretching straight out toward the fairway 100 yards or more. Man-made water hazards abound.

Carambola Golf Club, St. Croix Par: 72 Yardage: 6,843 Price: $90-$120* The Carambola Golf Club provides 18 holes of the most beautiful and challenging golf in the Caribbean. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and built by Laurence Rockefeller in 1966, the Club is the recipient of Golf Magazine's Gold Medal Award and features the Terrace Restaurant and Pro Shop.

Cap Estate Golf Club, St. Lucia Par: 71 Yardage: 6,815 Price: $80-$100* The scenic course offers dramatic changes in elevation and rolling fairways. With its narrow landing areas with plenty of water and sand traps, the front nine is designed for straight hitters. Look out for hole #4: the approach shot is a 100-yard wedge into an island below you. The back nine is much wider, but length off the tee is a factor because it is incredibly long. Pack your driver and two iron.

Sandals St. Lucia Golf Resort & Spa, St. Lucia Par: 33 Yardage: 2,414 Price: $104-$120 (18 holes)* This challenging 9-hole, par-33 course offers golfers at all skill levels, from novice to professional, more fun and relaxation than can be imagined. From many of the splendid manicured greens you can view the tropical mountains and breathtaking coastal views. You have a choice of playing 9 holes or double back for a total of 18.

Mullet Bay Resort Golf Course, St. Maarten Par: 72 Yardage: 6,200 Price: $130* This par-70, 6,200-yard course looks easy on the score card, but don't let that fool you. Ocean breezes, rolling terrain and small greens make for good shot making. Nine of the holes are designed with spectacular views of the ocean and provide a picturesque setting for golf.

Mahogany Run Golf Course, St. Thomas Par: 70 Yardage: 6,022 Price: $110-$150* Tom and George Fazio designed this outstanding course that winds along the coast, covered by the stately trees that give it its name. This is the tightest golfing layout you will find anywhere. Views of the water are startling, and holes like #13 and #14 are postcard perfect, but treacherous with slippery greens and nasty roughs.