Spoiled For Choice
Of all the 700-odd islands of the Bahamas, three spring readily to mind when our thoughts turn to winter golf vacations:
New Providence Island - Nassau
Grand Bahama Island
Of the three choices, I believe Freeport has the most to offer with its two spectacular courses: the Reef, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., and the Lucayan, designed by Dick Wilson.
Both of these courses are owned and opperated by the The Westin and Sheraton at Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort, and this would be the obvious place to stay if you're considering a golf vacation.
But to stay at Our Lucaya can be a little on the expensive side. That being so, I would recommend a small resort located just across the road from Our Lucaya, right in center of the action in Port Lucaya itself:
Pelican Bay offers a central location with plenty to see, eat and do, all within walking distance of the Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort, and at a rate that's affordable - they offer every level of accommodation from the standard double room to a "grand suite." You can even get a three-night golf package for less than $1600 that includes three rounds on Lucaya/Reef golf courses, shared use of golf cart for each round, and pre-booked tee times. It also includes three nights accommodations in a luxury one-bedroom suite at the Pelican Bay Hotel, a complimentary welcome drink, a coupon for complimentary poolside tropical drink and daily continental breakfast and round trip transportation between hotel and golf course.
The Reef Course - Our Lucaya
The Reef Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., is rated one of the Top 3 courses in the Caribbean.
The course features deceptively open fairways, rolling greens, and an assortment of tall grasses, treacherous bunkers and enormous lakes. A strong short game goes a long way here. The wide fairways often may be forgiving but the huge bunkers that protect the greens are not. The greens are large and level, and they certainly please the eye, but they are fast, deceptive and three-putts are par for this course (no pun intended - you think?) and will quickly destroy an otherwise respectable score. Add to that the everpresent and unpredictable ocean wind and you find yourself facing a formidable opponent.
But Jones did not finish there. To top things off he brought water into play on 13 of 18 holes. The inevitable sounds of the ball splashing into lake or ocean make for an interesting, often tortuous, but always enjoyable outing. And of course, as the course is laid out on an island in the Bahamas, you wouldn't expect to avoid the odd water hazard, now would you? Want to see some photographs of The Reef? Check out The Reef Photo Gallery
The Lucayan Course - Our Lucaya
The Lucayan Course, designed by Dick Wilson, features intense foliage, lush dogleg fairways, and fast greens guarded by cavernous bunkers.
The Lucayan, created in 1962, is an Audubon-affiliated member of the USGA and The Metropolitan New York Golf Association. The Lucayan is a real test of your golf skills as you play against a combination of Dick Wilson's almost devious mind and the natural wonders of Grand Bahama Island. The Lucayan is a test of precision rather than distance. It's a grand links experience of doglegs, elevated greens and thick stands of tropical foliage. The tall trees give shade from the sun and hide other players on the course.
Golf in Freeport is a sometime thing. Rarely is the Lucayan packed to capacity, so there's no tight schedule and no need to rush your round: you can take it easy. With wide target areas off the tee and well-protected elevated greens, it's a great place to enjoy the great game. You can view the course here in the Lucayan Golf Course at Our Lucaya Photo Gallery.
