Cayman Islands Golf
The Cayman Islands have the perfect weather for golfing holidays at any time of year and the gorgeous scenery and sea views are quite unsurpassed.
The Britannia Golf Club is the only signature Jack Nicklaus designed golf course in the Caribbean and is connected to the Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman Resort. It is a traditional seaside or links layout, likened to the challenging courses of Royal Troon, Turnberry and Royal Birkdale in England with grassy mounds, rolling dunes, oversized sand traps and water hazards.
The superbly designed course includes a tee shot which must carry across the Caribbean Sea on the fifth hole. As if that is not enough, hole 9 requires three different shots over water on the 562-yard hole. Blind tee shots, two-tiered greens and pot bunkers are just some of the tests
The Britannia actually combines two courses in one. The course actually is a 9-hole layout and can be played as a challenging 9-hole regulation course. Those wanting to play 18 holes can repeat the course from different tees. This makes it a par 70 course with a yardage of 5,829 and a slope rate of 135.
Most players use regular golf balls but there are also Cayman Gold Balls available which travel half as far as traditional golf balls. They were devised by Jack Nicklaus to give players the feel of playing a regulation course on the executive layout. It certainly gives golfers the chance to try a new experience.
The golf club has a pro shop, golf lounge and has two pro-golfers who offer clinics and individual lessons.
Close by is the Greg Norman designed 9-hole Blue Tip Golf Course at the Ritz-Carlton on Seven Mile Beach. This private course is exclusive to guests and residence owners at the Ritz-Carlton, but it could make a night's stay at the hotel worthwhile.
Image: Tropical Golfing