St Lucia / Special Interests / Golf

There is one 18-hole championship golf course on St Lucia, the St Lucia Golf Resort & Country Club in the north of the island. There is also a nine-hole course, at Sandals La Toc Golf Resort & Spa. A Jack Nicklaus course was under construction as part of a planned Raffles St Lucia resort in the north, but the project stalled due to the recession.

St Lucia Golf and Country Club, Cap Estate - An 18-hole, par 71 course playing to 6685 yards, this very demanding course lies on the northern tip of St Lucia within rolling hills of Cap Estate and opened in 2001. The tough nature of the course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior disciple John Ponko, is underlined from the opening hole, a dogleg par-4 with a stream and trees to the right of the fairway and out of bounds to the left. Water is a theme throughout, with lakes, ponds or streams on 12 holes right up to the par-3 18th, which demands a tee shot over a lake to the green. There is a practice putting green and driving range. Private lessons are available in addition to regular junior and adult clinics. The large clubhouse, which opened in 2007, boasts banquet facilities, a restaurant and bar with a pro shop offering club and shoe rental, plus top-name golf brand goods and gift items (duty-free with proof of travel and photo ID). Green fees include mandatory buggies. Free transportation is offered from and to cruise ships and hotels north of Castries.

Sandals La Toc Golf Resort & Spa, Castries - This testing nine-hole, 3141-yard, par 33 resort course with narrow fairways is set in the lush La Toc Valley just south of Castries. Glorious views are offered on several holes, notably from the elevated 4th tee. All Sandals guests on St Lucia enjoy free green fees and transportation. Caddies are mandatory, at extra cost. Club, golf shoe and buggy rental are also available. A complimentary golf clinic operates once a week and golf lessons are available, again at extra cost.