TOP WESTERN CARIBBEAN GOLF COURSES

Caye Chapel Golf Resort, Belize Par: 72 Yardage: 7,023 Price: $225* This is one adventure excursion you won't want to miss. After leaving the ship, you are transported by exciting sea-plane over to the island of Caye Chapel. This scenic Championship Golf Course has received international acclaim for its quality design and caliber of play. It is a long course that boasts more than 7,000 yards of extraordinary views of the Caribbean Sea and Barrier Reef. Impeccably manicured links will leave you in awe. Hazards abound with a multitude of cat-tail lined lakes, native birds and unpredictable trade winds.

Cozumel Country Club, Mexico Par: 72 Yardage: 6,847 Price: $140-$160* Cozumel Country Club is a Jack Nicklaus-designed, 18-hole championship golf course. The course totals 6,847 yards from the back tees. The Club incorporates the natural habitats of the island in its design and construction. The course is built around Cozumel’s native trees (red mangroves) and natural wetlands in order to preserve ecologically sensitive areas.

The Links at Safehaven, Georgetown, Grand Cayman Par: 72 Yardage: 6,900 Price: $110-$140* With its sun-drenched undulating greens, trade winds and natural setting, Grand Cayman’s only full-length 18-hole championship course is reminiscent of the old Scottish coastal courses commonly referred to as “links.” This world-class course is considered one of the best-conditioned courses in the Caribbean and was the site of the 1997 Caribbean Classic.

Key West Golf Course Par: 72 Yardage: 6,500 Price: $90-$140* The southernmost golf course in the continental United States, this course encompasses over 200 acres of beautiful Florida Keys foliage and wildlife. Golf legend Rees Jones masterfully designed this layout with stately palms, dense mangroves, serene lakes and rolling fairways. Their signature hole, The Mangrove Hole, plays only 143 yards over a field of thickly intertwined tropical mangroves, but can be intimidating with the swirling trade winds.

The White Witch Golf Course, Montego Bay, Jamaica Par: 71 Yardage: 6,820 Price: $160* This spectacular Ritz Carlton Resort was the site of a recent Shell's Wonderful World of Golf event. One of the finest and most scenic courses in the Caribbean, the White Witch welcomes players’ families to come enjoy their entire facility, which includes a complete tennis complex and gorgeous swimming pools.

Runaway Bay Golf Course, Ocho Rios, Jamaica Par: 71 Yardage: 6,600 Price: $112* This wonderfully arranged course nestled in the Jamaican Hills is forgiving of errant shots because many of the holes are virtually wide open without obstruction. Hole #7 is one of the most striking around. It falls down a narrow, rocky ravine, with walls so close together that you can hardly see the green. Note: There is a mandatory caddie fee of $14 per person, payable at the course only.

Sandals Golf and Country Club, Ocho Rios, Jamaica Par: 71 Yardage: 6,311 Price: $91-$110* This course is highly regarded for its beautiful scenery on rolling hills and its comfortable playing conditions 700 feet above sea level. The elevation of this course offers breathtaking views and provides a constantly refreshing breeze. The course was designed by P.K. Sanders and opened in 1951.

The Golf Club of New Orleans at Eastover Par: 72 Yardage: 7,005 (Teeth of the Gator), 6,740 (Rabbit’s Foot) Price: $125* The Golf Club of New Orleans at Eastover, located only 12 miles from the heart of downtown New Orleans, has been rated the "Best Golf Course In New Orleans" and as one of the "Top 5" golf courses in the state of Louisiana by Golf Digest Magazine's "Places To Play." Along with having hosted every major amateur championship in Louisiana at least once, the Club has also been the proud qualifying site for the PGA Tour, US Open, US Senior Open, US Amateur and the US Mid Amateur.

Playacar Club de Golf, Playa del Carmen, Mexico Par: 72 Yardage:7,202 Price: $165* A first-class resort course, this beautiful championship layout is carved out of the lush Mayan jungle. It is well bunkered with many tight holes and doglegs, and meanders between hilly and flat terrain. This course plays long with many interesting and challenging holes. The course was designed by renowned American architect, Robert Von Hagge, and uses large depressions around the golf course as a special design feature.