In April 2024 Glen Wilkes, one of our golf travel team took one for said team and spent some time in sunny Barbados to delve deeper into the Bajan way, its hotels and, by chance, play some of the top golf courses on the island!

Read on for details of his trip and some personal tips. If this whets your appetite for a Bajan golf holiday then please reach out any time to Glen to discuss his first hand experience further.

Several airlines, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, offer direct flights from the UK (London or Manchester). It’s a journey that clocks in at around 8 and a half hours and you arrive at Grantley Adams International Airport, located in Christ Church, the island hub for international flights.

We travelled with Virgin on this occasion. I didn’t take my clubs but it was interesting to see that some fellow travellers actually used their 22kg allowance to take their golf bags and packed their clothes into those! As it was a short trip it worked, and Virgin were happy for them to do it. You can take separate golf bags on both BA and Virgin in addition to the 22kg allowance at an additional cost.

We arrived at Grantley Adams airport and breezed through the airport, it was a very quick experience (it’s not a huge airport but it is fairly modern). From there we took a private transfer to our host accommodation for the trip, Apes Hill, this is a journey of around 30 mins along comfortable roads up the West Coast. Apes Hill sits about 10 mins up from the coast.

My accommodation was one of their 3 bedroom villas. It was stunning!  Very modern and well presented with everything I needed including a super comfy bed which was much appreciated after a long flight. The living areas, bedrooms, ensuite bathrooms and the kitchen area were impressive and the air con kept the rooms at a temperature we could relax in. Best of all was its outdoor space, a large patio with BBQ area and plunge pool all with views over the Apes Hill Golf Course (this one overlooked the 18^th hole).

Every villa at Apes Hill gets its own golf buggy for the stay and this is the perfect way to get around the resort. So after unpacking and settling in, we drove up to the main Apes Hill building where the food in The Noisy Cricket Bar & Restaurant, overlooking an Island Green with the sun setting over the Caribbean Sea, was awesome!

Apes Hill Tour

The first full day in Barbados started with a tour of Apes Hill. The newest addition to the islands golfing retreats, it  offers villa accommodation, superb golfing facilities and two resort restaurants and bars. It’s perched at 1,000 feet, boasting breathtaking ocean views and lush fairways carved through tropical landscapes. From one tee you can see the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Caribbean Sea on the other!

Whilst staying at Apes Hill, if you are a beach lover, you can still relax and enjoy the surf, the soft white sands and clear waters of Barbados’ famous beaches. Apes Hill guests benefit from superb beach access via our partnership with the luxurious Fairmont Royal Pavilion, located on the idyllic Platinum West Coast just 10 minutes away.

We toured the golf facilities, including the Par 3 course, practice area, range and academy performance centre. All very new and very impressive. There’s a lot of space at Apes Hill and as the course is only open to residents and some local members you genuinely don’t see too many people and it’s not at all crowded.

We then moved on to the other facilities of the resort, this included the two main restaurants – The Noisy Cricket Bar and The 20^th Hole Bar. They are open all day with one in the main building and one offering a more alfresco dining experience which was welcome in the very warm evenings.

A Round of Golf at Apes Hill

We played the 18 Hole course at Apes Hill, this is a championship course, which hosted the recent round of the Legends Tour with Ian Woosnam as its host. It’s a beautiful course in immaculate condition, every hole provided a different challenge. The greens were quick and true, and the level of elevation offered spectacular views. It isn’t a course you can walk – you need a buggy…so they include one in the green fee!

A variety of tee positions make the course suitable for all levels of ability – some holes allow you to open your shoulders from the tee and some require more precision.  Apes Hill is now considered one of the best courses in Barbados, and I can assure you it is for a very good reason.

It’s worth noting also that as a guest of Apes Hill you can book and play other courses on the island (more on those in Day 2 and 3) but Apes Hill is only for residents (and some local members) – so this really is a huge advantage. Stay for 7 nights or even 10 and take in the best golf Barbados has to offer, alongside some superb leisure and non-golf activities.

Meals at Apes Hill

Food is served during the day and evening at either The 20th Hole or The Noisy Cricket and breakfast is always at the 20th Hole overlooking the Island Green. Every meal I had at the resort was astonishing! Fantastic service and incredible food, much of it served with a Bajan twist (nicely spicy!) and the presentation was 5 star.

Sunset Cruising!

We spent the evening on a two hour Sunset Cruise along the East coast of the Island (also known as The Platinum Coast – mainly due to the incredible properties you see sitting on the shoreline!). The cruise was organised by a local business, Seaduced Barbados, and was honestly the perfect way to spend the evening – we swam, saw turtles and drank all inclusively! Then dinner was prepared on board. If you’re taking a trip to Barbados, I would highly recommend it and different sized boats can be arranged for different party sizes.

Day three took us to the iconic Sandy Lane Hotel, probably the Caribbean’s most exclusive address I was really looking forward to experiencing it firsthand. Sandy Lane is around 15 minutes from Apes Hill and sits on its own private beach on the coast.

Golf at Sandy Lane Country Club

We started the day at Sandy Lane Country Club, home to its 18 hole course (which can be booked for you as a guest of Apes Hill). All I can say is ..’wow!’ I felt so privileged to be sitting having drinks on the patio where Tiger Woods wedding reception was held! An amazing club house and golf course, overall, so pristine and colourful. The course was immaculate and testing but again with tees that would allow all golfing abilities to enjoy their golf. Greens again were fast and true and caddies were useful giving you lines for putts and saving you a few shots!

The World Renowned Green Monkey Course

After 18 holes and lunch I was offered the opportunity to have a drive round the legendary Green Monkey course (which I jumped at!). This is a course so exclusive that it’s difficult to get on, it is only for guests of Sandy Lane Resort with a few slots for non-residents (at 3 times the resident’s cost). But this means the course is in absolutely pristine condition without a divot or pitch mark in sight. As a golfer I have always heard talk of the course, but to see it first hand was something else entirely! Despite not playing the course and only driving around the 18 holes, it is one of a number of memorable moments from the trip.

Sandy Lane Hotel

Before we left, we had a tour of Sandy Lane Hotel and managed to see some of the bedrooms, all the facilities and the beach area of this world renowned resort. It lives up to its reputation and I wasn’t disappointed! Very special.

Dinner on the Beach

Dinner on our second night was in a local beach restaurant, La Cabane, one of the many hidden gems on the Barbados coastline. Like every experience on this trip, it was fabulous! Eating right on the beach with our feet in the sand and then taking a walk (or a post dinner dip in the ocean). This really is the ethos and pleasure of holidaying in Barbados, getting out and about and meeting the very friendly locals and sampling the wonderful food! If you do take a holiday here I would highly recommend doing this and any hotel concierge can help with recommendations and travel on where to visit during your stay.

Royal Westmoreland is about 10 minutes from Apes Hill. This is a collection/estate of privately owned villas, some of which are rented out, sitting on the 18 hole course, which can be played by visitors and residents.

I felt blessed to be able to play this stunning and immaculately presented course, with unique and varied holes. It was a great round, with holes that were forgiving off the tee but approach shots that required full attention. Again as a guest of Apes Hill we can book you onto Royal Westmoreland during your stay.

Island Adventures

In the afternoon we left the greens to explore more of Barbados with a Footprints Adventures tour where Ronnie Carrington (an island legend!) took us on a tour around the island. This was a fascinating few hours – if you are at all interested in seeing some hidden gems on Barbados and learning more about its colourful history, then I definitely recommend an afternoon with Ronnie! We ended the tour at Little Bay where the ocean crashing into the cliffs below while the sun set provided dramatic views and pictures

Meeting a Golf Legend!

Back at Apes Hill, the evening was a themed dinner at The Noisy Cricket at Apes Hill. The Tacos & Tequila and rum tasting were all outstanding, but I had a personal highlight with the appearance of former US Masters Champion and winning Ryder Cup Captain, Ian Woosnam at the dinner. Ian was hosting the upcoming Legends event and he is also an ambassador for the Apes Hill resort. What a great evening I spent sitting with him and talking all things golf and his experiences! Really great fun and there’s lots I can’t tell you about! (including how many bottles of wines we drank!).

Day five was spent exploring more at Apes Hill, whilst golf is the primary activity here, there are other things to do, this includes the Padel Tenis courts, I had my first lesson and loved it! The courts are brand new, and the coach was a quality player working us to a standstill….whereas other just took it at a leisurely pace!

 We couldn’t resist a final game of golf on Apes Hill’s 18 before leaving and exploring the golf academy a little more. This really is an outstanding facility for any one of any level. The Director of Golf , Jody, offers great coaching, so much so that if you travel with a non-golfer looking to try the sport then this could be great place to start.

I was blown away by my first trip to Barbados! The pictures in this blog are my own, they really don’t do the courses and views justice, infact I think the only way to fully appreciate them is to experience them! Please let me know if you would like to at any time in the future.

• Consider the “shoulder seasons” (May & June, September & October) for potentially better prices on flights and accommodations compared to peak winter months (December to April). These months are the sweet spot for golfers, you’ll find the island less busy, but the weather remains sunny with slightly lower temperatures, perfect for extended rounds on the course.

• Many resorts offer golf packages that bundle your stay, green fees, and even equipment rentals, saving you time and money. The Elegant Golf Resorts team will happily talk you through the options available to you.

• Popular courses, especially during peak season, can fill up quickly. Reserve your tee times in advance to secure your spot on the fairway. This is done for you as standard on an Elegant Golf Resorts holiday.

• While some resorts offer club rentals, avid golfers might prefer the comfort and familiarity of their own clubs. Let us know when you enquire if you would like to take your own equipment and we can advise on costs and baggage allowance policies from the airlines.

• The Barbadian dollar (BBD) is the official currency. Consider exchanging some cash before your trip or using ATMs upon arrival. Many places accept credit cards, but it’s always good to have some cash on hand.

• Pack lightweight, breathable clothing for golfing, with comfortable walking shoes. Don’t forget a hat and sunscreen!  For evenings, pack versatile resort clothing that transitions from the course to dinner.

• Schedule some off-course adventures. Explore the vibrant capital, Bridgetown, snorkel vibrant coral reefs, or soak up the sun on pristine beaches.

• Don’t be afraid to indulge in Barbados’ culinary scene. From fresh seafood to flavourful Bajan cuisine, your taste buds will thank you!

• And finally … Barbadians are known for their friendly and welcoming nature. Embrace the “island time” mentality and relax into the laid-back Caribbean atmosphere.