Golf in Grenada: What to Expect at the Island's Only Course

If you come to Grenada for golf, set expectations first: the island has one regular course, the Grenada Golf and Country Club at Belmont in St George, a short drive from Grand Anse. It is not a championship resort layout, and there is no golf cart fleet or driving range to speak of. What it offers is a hilly, character-filled course with sea views, built in the 1930s, where you are as likely to play alongside a local doctor as a visiting yachtie.

This guide covers how the course plays, what it costs, what to bring and how golf fits into a Grenada trip. Fees and hours are those published by the club recently; confirm before you go.

The course at a glance

The club was built in the 1930s as a nine-hole course and still has nine greens. Eighteen tee boxes allow a full round of 18 holes by going round twice from different tees, giving a par-67 round of about 5,159 yards. It is short by modern standards, but the hills, slopes, wind and tropical rough make it play longer and trickier than the yardage suggests.

The course sits on high ground just inland of Grand Anse, with views over the south coast and the Caribbean Sea. Fairways can be firm and fast in the dry season, roughly January to May, and lusher, slower and softer in the rainy season. Greens are smaller than many visitors expect, so precise approach shots matter more than length.

Playing the same nine greens twice is less repetitive than it sounds. The second-loop tees change the angles and distances enough that several holes feel new, and the views shift with the light as the round goes on.

Because there are no motorised carts, you walk. The climbs between some holes are steep, so a round in the midday heat is a genuine workout.

Fees, rentals and caddies

Green fees. The club has recently listed visitor green fees of about EC$135 (US$50) for 18 holes and EC$105 (US$40) for nine. These are reasonable compared with many Caribbean resort courses, but they change, so check the current rate.

Club hire. Rental clubs have been available for about EC$50 (US$19), with push carts for around EC$25. If you are serious about your game, bring your own clubs; airline sports equipment charges may still work out cheaper over a long stay.

Caddies. Caddies are available for nine or 18 holes at a modest fee, and a good local caddie is worth having on a first round: they know the slopes, the breaks and where balls disappear.

Membership. Residents and long-stay visitors can ask about membership options, which can make regular golf much cheaper than paying green fees each time.

Dress code and course etiquette

The club expects proper golf attire and traditional etiquette. Visitors who arrive dressed for the beach may be turned away.

• Collared shirts for men; appropriate golf tops for women.
• Golf trousers or tailored shorts. Denim, swimwear and casual beach wear are not allowed.
• Golf shoes or suitable soft-spiked footwear.
• Repair pitch marks, rake bunkers and replace divots; the course is maintained by a small team.
• Let faster groups through. Locals playing after work often move quickly to finish before dark.
• Keep noise down near other players, and carry rubbish off the course.
• Respect caddies and staff, and tip caddies for good service.
• Check in at the clubhouse before teeing off, even if the course looks empty, and pay your green fee first.
• Keep up with the group ahead rather than searching for lost balls for long in the rough; the tropical vegetation rarely gives them back.

Best times to play

Play early in the morning or late afternoon. From late morning until mid-afternoon, the sun is fierce, shade is limited and the climbs feel steeper. The cooler trade winds between December and April make this the most comfortable season, though breezes also affect the ball, especially on exposed tees.

The rainy season, roughly June to December, brings heavy but often brief showers. Courses in the tropics can recover quickly, but low-lying areas may stay wet, and lightning means immediate return to the clubhouse. Hurricane season, from June to November, can close the course after a storm.

Weekends and weekday evenings are busiest with local members. Weekday mornings are often the quietest time for visitors. The club has published opening hours, including earlier closing on Sundays; check the current schedule before you go.

Combining golf with a Grenada trip

Golf is easy to fit into a stay on the south coast. The course is close to Grand Anse, Morne Rouge and the hotels around the airport, so a morning round can be followed by an afternoon on the beach. Taxis can take you there and back; agree the fare before you set off, and book the return pick-up time.

Serious golfers sometimes combine Grenada with other Caribbean destinations that have larger resort courses, such as Barbados or St Lucia. For most visitors, though, the Grenada Golf and Country Club is part of a varied holiday rather than the main reason for coming.

The club also has a restaurant and bar used by members and visitors, a good place to meet residents and hear local recommendations. Its opening times vary, so check before planning lunch or dinner around it.

Bring the basics with you from home if you can: golf balls, gloves and tees are sold locally only in limited range and at higher prices than in North America or Europe, because almost everything is imported. A few sleeves of balls take up little room in a suitcase and save a frustrating search for replacements.

Golf for residents, juniors and groups

For people living in Grenada, the club is as much a social hub as a sports facility. Members play regular competitions, and newcomers who join quickly meet a cross-section of residents, from professionals and business owners to retirees and medical staff from St George's University. Ask the club about membership categories and any joining fees; annual membership often makes sense if you plan to play more than a few times a month.

Junior golf is small but present. The club has historically encouraged young players, and parents can ask about lessons and junior programmes. Equipment is the main barrier for children, so families sometimes bring junior clubs from abroad.

Groups, such as corporate outings, wedding parties or sailing crews, can sometimes arrange tournaments or tee times with the club. Contact the club well in advance, especially in the busy winter season, to agree tee times, caddies and food.

Common mistakes golfers make in Grenada

The course looks short on the scorecard, which leads many visitors to underestimate it. Avoid these errors.

• Not carrying enough water. Walking a hilly course in tropical heat dehydrates you quickly.
• Forgetting sunscreen and a hat. There is little shade on many holes.
• Expecting a golf cart. Carts are not available, so be prepared to walk the whole round.
• Playing at noon. Early and late tee times are much more comfortable.
• Arriving without proper attire. The dress code is enforced.
• Over-clubbing on downhill holes and under-clubbing uphill. Elevation changes are significant, so adjust club selection and ask your caddie for advice.
• Believing rumours of new courses. Development projects over the years have proposed golf courses elsewhere in Grenada, but check that any course is actually open before planning around it.

Frequently asked questions