Golf at Sandals Resorts: Everything You Need to Know (2026 Guide)
If you’re a golfer planning a Caribbean getaway, you’ve probably wondered whether Sandals Resorts actually include golf or if it’s just another up charge hiding behind the “all-inclusive” label. The short answer is: it depends on which resort you stay at, but for six specific properties, greens fees and transfers to the course are genuinely complimentary. No booking fees, no tricks.
At Twinsburg Travel, we’ve helped hundreds of couples and groups plan golf getaways at Sandals, and we know the details that matter — like which resorts are a quick 15-minute shuttle ride to the course and which require you to arrange your own transfer.
Jump to:
Which Sandals Resorts Have Golf Courses?
Jamaica: Upton Estate Golf & Country Club
St. Lucia: Cap Estate Golf & Country Club
Curacao: Old Quarry Golf Course
Barbados: Barbados Golf Club
What’s Included vs. What Costs Extra
Golf Lesson & Clinic Options
Quick Tips for Golfing at Sandals
Planning a Golf Group Trip
Why Work with Twinsburg Travel
Six Sandals Resorts currently include golf with complimentary greens fees and transfers to the course. Three are in Jamaica and three are in St. Lucia.
Jamaica (Upton Estate Golf & Country Club, Ocho Rios):
Sandals Ochi
Sandals Royal Plantation
Sandals Dunn’s River
St. Lucia (Cap Estate Golf & Country Club, Gros Islet):
Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Sandals Halcyon Beach
Sandals Regency La Toc
Sandals Royal Curacao and the Barbados properties also have golf nearby, but the structure is a bit different — more on that below.
There was previously a course at Sandals in Exuma, Bahamas, but that location is currently undergoing renovations, so that option is off the table for now.
Set 700 feet above sea level in the rolling hills of Ocho Rios, the views of the Caribbean Sea and the lush Jamaican mountains from the fairways are genuinely stunning.
The course is 18 holes, par 71, and stretches over 6,400 yards with three sets of tees — so it plays well for a range of skill levels.
The three Sandals in the Ocho Rios area — Sandals Ochi, Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Dunn’s River — offer complimentary greens fees and transfers to Upton Estate Golf & Country Club
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Greens Fees | Included for Sandals guests |
| Cart Rental | $30 per person |
| Caddy | $25 per person (tip: $30–$40 suggested) |
| Club Rental (Titleist) | $75 (includes a sleeve of Pro V1 balls) |
| FootJoy Shoe Rental | $20 |
| Golf Lesson | $100 (30 min) / $180 (60 min) / $260 (90 min) |
Carts and caddies are both mandatory for all 18-hole rounds. Sharing clubs is not permitted. You can book your tee time through ChronoGolf, or arrange directly with the club — but your transfer is handled through the resort shuttle.
This is the second Greg Norman course in the Sandals portfolio, and it’s a serious layout. The course is 18 holes, par 71, and stretches nearly 7,000 yards with a championship-caliber Norman design that plays differently than most resort courses. Dramatic elevation changes, wide fairways, beautiful tropical vegetation, and ponds scattered throughout make this one worth playing more than once.
All three Sandals St. Lucia resorts — Grande St. Lucian, Halcyon Beach, and Regency La Toc — offer complimentary greens fees and transfers to Cap Estate.
What It Costs at St. Lucia (per player, 18 holes):
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Greens Fees | Included for Sandals guests |
| Golf Cart | $50 per cart (2 people, mandatory) |
| Caddy Service | $25 per person (optional) |
| Club Rental (Titleist) | $75 (includes a sleeve of Pro V1 balls) |
| FootJoy Shoe Rental | $20 |
| Range Access | $25 |
| Golf Lesson | $100 (30 min) / $160 (60 min) / $260 (90 min) |
One note for guests at Sandals Regency La Toc: there used to be a 9-hole course right on the property, but that is no longer available. All La Toc guests will need to use Cap Estate for golf.
Sandals Royal Curacao sits right next to the Old Quarry Golf Course, an 18-hole Pete Dye-designed course in the Santa Barbara Estate. This is actually one of the more unique golf setups in the Sandals portfolio — the resort property was originally part of the golf course, and the course flows right along the Caribbean coastline. The views here are absolutely stunning.
The catch: greens fees are not included for Sandals guests at Curacao, but the course is literally a 5-minute walk from the resort. Sandals lounge makes it easy to reserve your round and take advantage of special guest rates.
If you have a few free days at Sandals Royal Curacao, this course is well worth your time. It’s one of the most scenic layouts in the Caribbean.
Curacao Golf Costs (per player):
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| 18 Holes (greens fee) | $205 |
| 9 Holes (greens fee) | $130 |
| Cart Rental | $30 (18 holes) / $20 (9 holes) |
| Club/Shoe Rental | Available at the course |
Barbados Golf Package:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| 18 Holes (greens fee + cart) | $138 |
| Club Rental | $25 for 18 holes |
Both Sandals Royal Barbados and Sandals Barbados offer access to the Barbados Golf Club, a par 72 links-style course stretching over 6,805 yards in Durants. Wide fairways, unique water features, and mature trees make it a beautiful course for multiple rounds — and if you’re feeling ambitious, they offer packages for unlimited play.
Golf is not included in the standard Sandals package at Barbados, but the package available to guests makes it very accessible.
The course is about a 10-minute drive from the resorts. You can book through the Island Routes travel desk in the main lobby, or book ahead of time through the Sandals website.
Always included at Jamaica and St. Lucia resorts:
- Greens fees for 18 holes
- Complimentary transfers between the resort and the golf club
- Access to the practice range and putting green
- Secure golf club storage at the course
- Complimentary golf clinics on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Not included anywhere (you’ll pay extra for these):
- Golf carts (mandatory at both courses — budget $30–$50 per person)
- Caddies (mandatory at Jamaica — $25 per person plus tip)
- Club rentals ($75 for 18 holes at both Jamaica and St. Lucia, includes Titleist clubs and Pro V1 balls)
- Shoe rentals ($20 at both courses)
- Private golf lessons with a PGA Pro
- Food and drinks at the clubhouse (tip: take some drinks from the resort before you head out)
The most important thing to know is that carts and caddies at Jamaica are mandatory, so even though greens fees are covered, you should plan on spending around $55–$75 per person at minimum just to get on the course.
Both courses offer complimentary group clinics on Tuesdays and Wednesdays — no booking required, just show up. These are a great way to warm up for the day or get some quick pointers if you haven’t played in a while.
If you want a dedicated lesson, both courses have PGA professionals on staff and offer private sessions. At Jamaica, private lessons run $100 for 30 minutes, $180 for 60 minutes, and $260 for 90 minutes. Pricing at St. Lucia is nearly identical. These need to be booked in advance, which we can help coordinate when you book through us.
At Curacao and Barbados, complimentary clinics are not part of the standard setup, but individual lessons can be arranged through each respective club.
Book your tee times early. At Jamaica, you can book online through ChronoGolf for whatever time you’d like. At St. Lucia, you can book directly through the Pro Shop or at the Sandals concierge. If you want a specific early morning time, get it locked in before you arrive.
Bring drinks from the resort. Food and drinks at the clubhouse are an added cost. Both resorts allow you to bring beverages from the property — pack a few before you head out and you’ll save yourself some money.
The shuttle fills up. Especially on busy mornings at Jamaica, the shuttle can get crowded. If you’re hoping to catch the first departure, get to the lobby early.
Know the dress code. At both courses, the dress code is tailored shorts or pants, a polo shirt with a collar, and golf shoes or tennis shoes. No cutoffs, no jeans, no swimwear, no sandals.
Cart sharing is allowed, club sharing is not. At Jamaica, you can split a cart with one other person, which saves on the cart cost. But sharing clubs is not permitted, so if you don’t have your own, you’ll need to rent.
Caddies accept tips. At Jamaica, caddies are Sandals employees in the sense that the resort coordinates them, but they are not salaried like other resort staff — tips are appreciated and the suggested range is $30–$40 per person.
Sandals golf trips are one of the best excuses to get a group together. Whether you’re organizing a golf buddy trip, a corporate group, or a multi-couple getaway where some people golf and others don’t, Sandals actually makes groups work really well because the non-golfers have a full all-inclusive resort to enjoy while the golfers are on the course.
Groups of 5 or more rooms at Sandals qualify for group pricing, which can include perks like rate discounts, bonus amenities, and room upgrades depending on the size of your booking. The more rooms you have, the more leverage you have — and we know exactly how to use it.
At Twinsburg Travel, coordinating Sandals group trips is something we do regularly. We handle everything from room block management to making sure tee times are lined up before anyone lands. If you’re thinking about putting a group together, visit our Sandals group travel page to learn more about how group pricing works and what’s possible.
Why Work with Twinsburg Travel
At Twinsburg Travel, we’re not just a booking agency — we’re Sandals & Beaches Chairman’s Club CRC Platinum Elite Advisors with over 32 years of experience, and we’ve personally visited the resorts and courses we recommend. We know the firsthand knowledge matters when you’re planning a golf trip.
We book directly with Sandals at the same price you’d pay on the resort website — no booking fees, no markups. But you get us in your corner, helping you choose the right resort pairing for your golf goals, making sure your tee times are set before you arrive, and staying available day and night if anything comes up. Whether you’re planning a golf trip for two or organizing a group, we’ll make sure every detail is handled. Reach out to us today and let’s start planning your perfect golf vacation.
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
We’ve been there. Let us take you there.
Twinsburg Travel
440-292-5979
Thanks,
Ashley
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Frequently Asked Questions About Golf at Sandals Resorts
Does Sandals include golf in the all-inclusive price?
At six Sandals resorts, three in Jamaica and three in St. Lucia, green fees and transfers to the course are included. Sandals Royal Curaçao and the Barbados resorts have golf nearby, but it isn’t included.
Which Sandals resort is best for golf?
It depends on what you want. Jamaica’s Upton Estate is famous for its mountain and ocean views, St. Lucia’s Cap Estate just finished a Greg Norman redesign, and Sandals Ochi is only 15 minutes from the course in Jamaica.
Do I need to book tee times in advance at Sandals?
It isn’t required, but it’s strongly recommended, especially for early tee times. In Jamaica, book through ChronoGolf; in St. Lucia, book through the Pro Shop or the Sandals concierge. We set this up for our clients before they travel.
Are caddies required at Sandals golf courses?
Yes in Jamaica, optional in St. Lucia. Caddies are $25 per person at Upton Estate, where a $30–$40 tip is customary, and $25 per person if you choose one at Cap Estate.
Can I bring my own clubs to Sandals?
Yes, and most serious golfers do. Secure storage is available at the course. Titleist rentals are $75 in Jamaica and St. Lucia and include a sleeve of Pro V1 balls.
Is there a dress code for golf at Sandals?
Yes. Wear a collared polo, tailored shorts or pants, and golf or tennis shoes. No jeans, cutoffs, sandals, or t-shirts.
Can non-golfers come to the course?
At some courses, partners can ride along in the cart. Confirm with the Pro Shop when booking. The clubhouse restaurant and patio are open to visitors.
Does Sandals offer golf lessons?
Yes. PGA pros offer private lessons in Jamaica and St. Lucia: $100 for 30 minutes, $180 for 60, or $260 for 90. Free group clinics run every Tuesday and Wednesday, with no booking needed.
