Golfing In St. Maarten: Courses And Scenery

is there golf in st maarten

Golf lovers will be pleased to know that there is a golf course in St. Maarten. The Mullet Bay Golf Course is an 18-hole, par-70 course designed by Joseph Lee and located in the Maho area. While the course has received mixed reviews, it offers a unique experience with its natural terrain, water carries, and sand-created front-bunkered forced carries. If you're looking for more options, you can take a 10-minute flight to the neighbouring islands of Anguilla, St. Kitts, or Nevis, which offer top-ranked, breathtaking golf courses.

Characteristics Values
Number of golf courses 1
Name of golf course Mullet Bay Golf Course
Number of holes 18
Par 70
Golf course designer Joseph Lee, also known as "Gentleman" Joe Lee
Location Maho area, between the Maho and Cupecoy Areas, along Mullet Bay Beach
Cost $115 for 18 holes, a cart, clubs, and a bag of balls
Amenities Pro shop with water, Gatorade, and Corona
Nearby golf destinations Anguilla, St. Kitts, Nevis

shungolf

St Maarten's Mullet Bay Golf Course

St. Maartens Mullet Bay Golf Course is an 18-hole, par-70 golf course designed by Joseph Lee. The course is located in the Maho area of St. Maarten, between the Maho and Cupecoy areas, along Mullet Bay Beach. While the once-famed Mullet Bay Beach Resort is no more, the golf course still stands and offers a great challenge to golfers.

The course has received mixed reviews, with some highlighting its potential but noting that it falls short of expectations. The pricing for 18 holes, including a cart, clubs, and a bag of balls, is around $115-$145. The pro shop offers limited amenities, including drinks, and a small selection of clothing merchandise.

Despite the negative reviews, some golfers have enjoyed their experience at Mullet Bay, appreciating the challenging holes, tough greens, and great views. The course offers a fun and casual golfing experience, particularly for those who are not concerned about their scores.

For those interested in playing a round of golf at Mullet Bay, it is recommended to contact the golf shop directly or speak to your activities desk to make arrangements, including golf club rentals.

shungolf

Course conditions and layout

St. Maarten's only golf course, Mullet Bay, is an 18-hole, par-70 course located in the Maho area, between the Maho and Cupecoy Areas, along Mullet Bay Beach. The course was designed by golf architect Joseph Lee, who used the natural terrain to shape the routing. The course is laid out around a lagoon, and all the forced carries are with the prevailing leeward wind, although the island wind can sometimes switch.

The course has a unique charm, but the conditions are rough, as there is no irrigation. The greens are bumpy, and players need to lag putt well to defend against a high score. There are several water carries off the tee, and sand bunkers create challenging shots.

Some reviewers have commented that the course has potential but falls short of expectations. The signage is very basic, making it difficult to navigate. The cost for 18 holes, a cart, clubs, and balls is around $115 to $145, and there is a limited selection of merchandise and refreshments available at the pro shop.

The course was once part of the famed Mullet Bay Beach Resort, which was wiped out by a hurricane in 1995. While the golf course remains, it could use some investment and maintenance to improve its condition and overall experience.

shungolf

Cost and amenities

St. Maarten has only one golf course, the 18-hole, par-70 Mullet Bay course, located on the Dutch side of the island. The course was originally designed by Joseph Lee and is situated around a lagoon with views of the ocean. While the course offers a challenging layout, with holes requiring strategic shots over water and sand traps, it falls short of expectations. The greens are often described as too dry and slow, with dirt patches and weeds, and there is a lack of facilities on the grounds.

For a more enjoyable golfing experience, visitors can explore the neighbouring islands of Anguilla, St. Kitts, and Nevis, which offer top-ranked, breathtaking golf courses. One notable course is the Aurora International Golf Club on Anguilla, a 10-minute flight from St. Martin. Designed by Greg Norman, the 18-hole, par-72 course boasts 7,165 yards of ocean-viewing, lagoon-rich, diverse terrain. The course offers caddies, golf carts, and rental clubs, as well as a renowned restaurant, D Richard’s. In 2023, USA Today readers voted Aurora the third-best Caribbean golf course.

Another recommended option is the Four Seasons Resort's 18-hole, par-71 golf course on Nevis, designed by Robert Trent Jones II. This course features 6,800 yards of dramatic landscapes, with changes in elevation and views of the Caribbean Sea. The course is also known for its native green vervet monkeys.

While the exact costs of these courses are not readily available, the option to travel to nearby islands for golf entails additional expenses such as flights and accommodation. Therefore, it is essential to consider the overall budget when planning a golf trip involving these destinations.

shungolf

Golfing on neighbouring islands

While there is a golf course in St. Maarten, there are also several options for those keen to explore the neighbouring islands and their golfing destinations.

Anguilla

The Aurora International Golf Club is a 10-minute flight from St. Maarten. The course offers caddies, golf carts, and rental clubs, as well as a renowned restaurant, D Richard’s.

St. Kitts

The Royal St. Kitts golf course is an 18-hole, par-71 course with 10 water hazards and 80 bunkers spread across 125 acres of seashore paspalum and hybrid turf grass. The course offers golf carts, pull carts, and clubs, a driving range, putting green, clubhouse, and a Royal Golf Academy. The back nine offers breathtaking oceanfront views, while the front nine lead under colourful homes on hillsides.

Nevis

The Four Seasons Resort features a lush 18-hole, par-71 golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones II. The course is surrounded by vibrant foliage that extends to the shores of the Caribbean, offering challenging terrain and scenic landscapes.

With a variety of options, golfers can enjoy the excitement of discovering new courses and taking in the beauty of the neighbouring islands while perfecting their swing.

Golf: A Sport That Benefits Society

You may want to see also

shungolf

The Aurora International Golf Club

Golf enthusiasts visiting St. Maarten can enjoy a game at the Mullet Bay Golf Course, the only golf course on the island. However, for those seeking a more premium golfing experience, the Aurora International Golf Club on the nearby island of St. Martin is a great option.

The club offers a range of facilities to enhance your golfing experience. You can hire caddies, golf carts, and rental clubs. After a rewarding game, you can indulge in exquisite cuisine at the club's renowned restaurant, D Richard’s.

Aurora International Golf Club has garnered acclaim from golfers worldwide. In 2023, USA Today readers voted it the third-best Caribbean golf course. The club's challenging layout, diverse landscape, and breathtaking views make it a must-visit destination for golfers vacationing in St. Maarten who are willing to make the short trip to St. Martin.

While the Mullet Bay Golf Course in St. Maarten offers a convenient option for golfers, the course has received mixed reviews. Some golfers have praised the challenging layout and the beautiful greens, while others have criticized the lack of maintenance and poor conditions of the clubs and carts. Nonetheless, with its 18-hole, par-70 design by Joseph Lee, the course still presents an enticing challenge for golfers visiting St. Maarten.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, St Maarten has an 18-hole, par-70 golf course in Mullet Bay.

The course is designed by Joseph Lee and located along the Caribbean Sea. It offers a great challenge to golfers, with water carries off the tee and sand-created front-bunkered forced carries. The greens are bumpy, and the course has very basic signage.

Yes, there are several top-ranked golf courses on the neighbouring islands of Anguilla, St. Kitts, and Nevis. The Aurora International Golf Club in Anguilla is a 10-minute flight away and was voted the third-best Caribbean golf course by USA Today readers in 2023.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment