By Jordan Fuller

The Cayman Islands have an eternal sunshine kind of climate, complete with spectacular views and a relaxed island atmosphere. 

What better place to play a lazy round of golf on a sunny day? The good news is that if you’re in Cayman Island, you’ll have a choice of… Two golf courses. 

The islands aren’t exactly big, but it’s great to have a couple of courses nearby that offer a great time. And even more handily, one is a 9-hole course and the other is a full 18, so you can really cater to your available time as well. 

Let’s have a look at both in detail and rediscover the Cayman Islands’ golf courses! 

North Sound Golf Club 

The Cayman Islands’ full 18-hole golf course, the North Sound Golf Club is a challenge for golfers of all levels. It’s well worth the time, with stunning views and an island vibe. 

Quick Overview 

Holes: 18 

Par: 71 

Yardage: 6,605 yards 

Course Type: Island/Semi-Private 

Designer: Roy Case, Graham Cooke 

For who? Public 

Availability: All welcome 

Dress Code: Proper golf attire 

Driving Range? Yes 

Chipping Area? Yes 

Putting Green? Yes 

Club Rental? Yes 

Metal Spikes Allowed? No 

Caddies? Yes 

singles Allowed? No 

Events Booking? Yes 

Course Conditions & Layout 

The course at North Sound is idyllic. Located in the middle of tropical heaven, the full course stretches to 6,605 yards and has a laid-back island feeling to it, with smooth fairways lined with palm trees, views of the sea, and interested iguanas watching your swing. 

The land is fairly flat, but the course has been expertly designed to offer challenge and excitement as you move through it. 

Game Play 

This course is also known as the Links at Safehaven, which gives you a good indication of the type of gameplay you can expect to find. 

Five sets of tee boxes allow golfers of every skill level to have a great round. You’ll find water hazards on 15 of the 18 holes, adding a bit of challenge to your precision. 

What offers the most challenge, however, is the Caribbean winds that prevail and make precision much more tricky. 

It’s open to the public, with daily rates, resident rates, and twilight rates so you can take your pick of when you’d like to play. 

Signature Hole 

The signature 11th hole is known as Sound. It’s aimed towards the North Sound and Rum Point, and it also features the strongest winds on the course. 

It’s a par-3 of just 205 yards, but those winds mean that you may even have to use your driver to get to the green. Don’t let the ocean view distract you! 

Facilities 

If you want to get in some practice before your round, you can spend a bit of time between the driving range, putting green, and chipping green. The public is welcome to arrive without an appointment any time between 7am and 6pm. 

There’s also a lovely space that can be rented if you’re looking to hold a function. The open-air lounge can accommodate up to 200 people, and you’ll have a picturesque view while enjoying excellent food and drink. 

If your party would like to take part in a golf tournament, it can be arranged with the staff. 

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club 

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club—formerly known as the Blue Tip Golf Course—is the 9-hole offering on the island. 

Quick Overview 

Holes: 9 

Par: 36 

Yardage: 3,516 yards 

Course Type: Resort/Private 

Designer: Greg Norman, Tad Burnett 

For who? Public 

Availability: All welcome 

Driving Range? No 

Chipping Area? Yes 

Putting Green? Yes 

Club Rental? Yes 

Metal Spikes Allowed? No 

Caddies? No 

Course Conditions & Layout 

The Ritz-Carlton golf course is a short, 9-hole offering that has been routed around a stunning saltwater lagoon. As you can imagine, there’s a lot of water in play, but it makes for a beautiful environment. 

It has the distinction of being named the World’s Best 9-Hole Golf Course by the World Golf Awards, so you know you’ll be getting a wonderful experience here. 

Game Play 

Only one of the 9 holes is without a water hazard, so you’ll be skirting water on every hole. But it makes for an exciting play, although you’ll need to keep your shots precise in order to get a good score here. 

The Caribbean winds also make a difference to the game, so you’ll need to keep your wits about you when moving through the course. 

Palm trees, mangroves, and strategically-placed bunkers guarding the fairways make for a lovely island feeling, with just a bit of challenge as you play your round. 

Signature Hole 

There’s no specific signature hole on this short course, but some holes are known to be more exciting than others. 

The 508-yard, par-5 2nd hole will have you playing straight into the wind, making the length of this hole even more of a challenge. 

Even longer is the 570-yard 7th hole, which features a two-tiered green and a tricky bunker protecting it. 

However, many will consider the short par-3 9th to be the signature hole, as it features a large island green and a tough cross-wind. 

Facilities 

This course is home to the Bunker, a facility featuring the island’s only Trackman Golf Simulator. With 80 virtual courses and an analysis of your swing and game, this is a welcome addition to the golfing culture of the Cayman Islands. 

Golfers who are looking for an interesting, insightful golfing experience should definitely consider booking some time on the Trackman. You can reserve it by the hour through the on-site Golf Shop. 

Conclusion 

Craving a round of golf while you’re enjoying the island life on the Cayman Islands? Whether you want a quick 9-hole round or to spend a few more hours on the course, there’s something here for you. 

While you do have limited choice, it’s not a big deal. The chilled-out island lifestyle makes the gameplay exciting, and the ocean views just can’t be beaten. While you’re on the course, you can leave the kids to have their own fun at Cayman Crazy Golfing mini-golf! 

About the Author

Jordan Fuller has been golfing since he was young, and has been lucky enough to play amazing courses all around the world. When he’s not on the course, mentoring other golfers, or working on his own skills, he’s writing for his website, Golf Influence.