Jamaica
Playing by bright blue ocean, under an endless sun and alongside white beaches is an ordinary experience for the regular Caribbean golfer. However, Jamaica’s north coast offers this, then throws in a whole lot more.
Getting there
Virgin Atlantic (virgin-atlantic.com) flies to Kingston.
Where to play
Montego Bay is the golf centre of the island. Four of the 10 courses on Jamaica are to be found here, the most famous being Tryall, which has hosted the Johnnie Walker World Championship. This is a testing and distinct tournament layout that manages to take your breath away at times.
The pick of the other three tracks are the Cinnamon Hill Ocean Course. It runs along the ocean for six holes, playing rather like a warm links, hollowed fairways, thick rough and pot bunkers giving it a Scotland-with-palm-trees feel.
The course diverts into the foothills and then the mountains, each hole as memorable as the next. You play over lakes, down valleys, through jungle and between ruins, each tee box presenting a different challenge.
The White Witch course at the Ritz-Carlton Golf and Spa Resort, and it is touched with the same magic. The clubhouse perches on top of a mountain and the sea is visible from most tee-boxes. You need a buggy here and it is compulsory to take a ?golf concierge? with you who will provide advice and information as well as insights into the course?s history.
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Half Moon also has its own Robert Trent Jones Senior-designed course and David Leadbetter Golf Academy. Your enjoyment here depends on your golf ? play well and you?ll love it. Each hole does have its intrigues ? and some are brutally long ? but the lasting memory is of tall trees, wide bunkers and big greens.
Where to stay
Both the Ritz-Carlton and Half Moon resorts offer everything you need for a decent beach break. The Half Moon is full of character and has rooms dotted along the seafront, the beach a wedge away from your bedroom. The Ritz-Carlton is more businesslike but with excellent amenities.
Off course
Kingston is the capital and the largest English speaking city in the Caribbean. It has the seventh largest natural harbour in the world. Montego Bay is where most tourists stay because of the wealth of hotels along the beach. Climb to the spectacular Dunn?s River falls or float down the river by bamboo raft.
Contacts Book
The Tryall Club
www.tryallclub.com
Cinnamon Hill Ocean Course
www.rosehallresort.com
The White Witch
www.ritzcarlton.com
Half Moon
www.halfmoon.com.jm