[BCULAW]

The wife and I are going on a long-awaited vacation at the Sandals resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. It is an all-inclusive destination that apparently has several golf courses connected to the property. The look to be pretty nice, but I was wondering if anyone had played any of these courses? If so, let me know if there is anything I should be aware of, any preferences, and any other words of wisdom to a first-time island traveler.

Also, my understanding is that the golf is inluded, but caddies are required and cost $15.00 or so. I am obviously going to tip my looper, but was curious as to the going rate for a loop? Any help would be appreciated.

[kwpendle]

Went there a few years ago, you will enjoy it. The food and the beverages are outstanding and unending. As for the courses I didn't play, honeymoon wife would've killed me, but some of the guys i meet there did and said they were pretty nice tracks. I thought they said it was $30 for the caddie, but I could be wrong.

Oh yeah, on the ride from the airport to the resort grab some beers they drive like crazy people down there.

[Skaffa77]

I stayed at Ochos Rios and played golf at one of the courses...think it was their "country club".

The golf course was...okay...nothing amazing or spectacular. I've seen better and I've seen worse. Be honest...if I went back to the resort, I wouldn't play golf again...it kills a good portion of your day (5+ hours of your limited time) at a resort and really on a vacation in a tropical place...I'd rather be on the beach with a nice drink (unless the course was world class). That goes for all the other excursions they offer...it was fun, but considering the cost and time spent to do them...I'd rather be at the beach or the resort. But then again, I live in the Midwest and you live in FL...so I don't get a beach.

My recommendation is if you only plan to play once or twice...leave the clubs at home. The hassle (and potential cost) to take them isn't worth it. It'll be a pain to lug them around the Jamacian airport and to your resort. Plus, you run the risk that they get lost or broke during transport...not really a head-ache you want in a vacation destination. Club rental will run you about $45.00 for a set of Callaway X-18 or X-20's. Not a perfect set-up, but they'll do the job. If you plan to play more than once...then it might be worth it to bring your own.

BE SURE TO BRING YOUR OWN TEES and BALLS even if you rent clubs. THAT IS WHERE THEY GET YOU...the prices for those items are a bit high. Collared shirt is required...bring one...or you'll be buying one.

The drive to the course is an adventure...roughly about 30-40 minutes. The drive out to the resort is LONG (I fell asleep, but think it was at least 1 hour...if not 2)...and they drive pretty "Crazy". Bring lots of dollar bills for tipping...as you can imagine...they aren't quick to break bigger bills when giving a tip and they aren't shy to ask ("treat me well, mon").

The only things about the course that was REALLY different than what I'm used to...the greens were a little more "shaggy" and the grain is more apparent (affects the break). Also, the sand-traps are more like concrete-traps. The caddy kept telling me to hit down on the ball in the trap which I did only to have the club bounce right off it and skull the ball. I took a quad on one hole where I kept going back and forth between bunkers. The SW in the rental set had a lot of bounce which didn't help.

The caddy tip is based on how you feel they performed. You can ask at the resort (not the golf course) what a good tip would be (range)...they'll tell you. I think I tipped $10-$20 on top of the caddy fee...can't remember the actual amount. My caddy's name was "Big Bird"...quiet guy, but used to play "semi-pro" for Jamaica in his youth.

Hopefully you bought travel insurance if you are going during hurricane season...our departure date from Jamaica was on the exact day a hurricane was coming. We got out okay, but everyone was trying to leave that day so Northwest decided to delay our departure for a couple hours to let people get through customs. This of course caused us to arrive in Memphis late missing our connecting flight. A storm blew into Memphis as we were arriving late which allowed NorthWest to use it as a nice excuse not to comp us for their business decision to leave Jamaica with a delay. We would have arrived in Memphis before the storm hit...and would have made our connecting flight. We had to stay overnight in the airport...where amazingly they don't have cots or anything that can really be used to sleep on. Needless to say...the Memphis airport was not a good experience ...and Northwest Airlines is the DEVIL.

Have a great vacation...enjoy the free drinks and the nice weather.

[ParkviewSounds]

I was at the Riu which is right next to about a month ago. There arent any courses attached to it (other then a pretty sad looking chip and putt course) but I was told at Sandals they would bus you to the courses. I didnt play because I couldnt get a cheap ride to the courses plus the girlfriend would have killed me. Some of them looked really nice on the drive to Ocho Rios from the airport.

I second the beer notion, they are insane and you will be passing more then you will be braking down there!

[Naffiliate]

Honeymooned at Sandals Ocho Rios.. Red Stripe on tap (and RS Light) food was great, resort was nice, drink menu- gotta try everyone of them- if you don't like it- pour it in the sand and try another.

DON'T GO TO THE FALLS - they offer a trip to Dunn's River Falls- never got so many ganga offers in my life - they make you walk through this shanty-town flea market-- thought I was going to get malaria or TB -- nasty place...

Ditto on the beers-- if you fly in to Montigo Bay- it's a couple of hours on a crazy road to the resort.. wrong side of the road, people and animals jumping out of the way...

[CLA225]

I been to Jamacia twice over the past 5 years and played the sandels course. It was OK nothing that will knock your socks off been it's a good time never the less! If possible I would make a point to play White witch in Montego bay, It is one of the best courses in the whole South. The views you get from this course will make your trip worth every penny!

Anyway hope it helps

[slbpsi63]

Bring me back some of the jerk pork, I miss it!! Make sure you visit all of the other Sandals/Beaches resorts in the area. It will break the daily routine up and give you more eating choices.... OH yeah the course is like everyone said, ok. The greens are in good shape and the course is a nice track, but nothing you can't find here. I miss my Appleton Rum and coconut milk with my pancakes in the morning!!!

[LR Hog]

Went last December with my wife and another couple. We stayed at the Couples Sans Souci resort and it was top notch. No kids allowed so it was very peaceful and relaxing. We probably wouldn't have been able to afford it any other time of the year, but December is considered the off season there. Not really sure why, as it seems it is always nice there. The Couples resorts have a deal with the Sandals Golf Club, so we were able to play there for "free". You have to be shuttled to the golf course and we had to get up really early to meet the driver. The driver expected to be tipped so we spent $15 or $20 for that. The course is not on the ocean and I don't recall any ocean views. You go through some pretty "shady" areas to get to the course. Jamaica is a really poor country and the only place you really want to be after dark is at your resort. Once at the course you pay for your caddie in the pro shop. You also have the option to pay a fee for a cart or pay nothing to walk. We figured since we have a caddie we would walk and get the full experience. We were out there early so it wasn't real hot except for the last 5 or 6 holes. The caddies expect an additional tip at the end, which they are well worth. I made more putts during that round than any other round before. The greens are bermuda and very slow and there were only about 3 or 4 holes that I played that I actually played a break on. The greens are built up and very small. The course reminded me of a decent municipal around Arkansas. I asked the caddies what was the worst round of golf they've had out there and one said that a guy shanked one and hit him in the temple and the guy only tipped him $3. I found that very funny, since the guy was okay and was laughing about it with me and my friend. After the round a kid offered to shine my shoes for and he did a great job so I tipped him, and I think when it was all said and done the "free" round of golf turned into a $40-$50 round. Like I mentioned earlier I wasn't overly impressed with the course but it was a good mix up from sitting on the beach and drinking all day. My only regret is that we lugged our clubs all the way there for 1 round of golf. If you aren't going to play at least 2 then it is not worth it. We also went snorkeling, which I highly reccomend. Skip the Dunn's River Falls, as it is overrated and you have vendors hassling you to buy their junk the whole time. If I ever go back I would play the White Witch, which is the Ritz-Carlton's golf course. It costs $125 for guest of the hotel and $139 for non-hotel guests. We drove by it on the way from the airport and it looked amazing.

[Masse1369]

Me and the wife honeymooned in Montego Bay at the Ritz and it rained the entire time we were there. I actually hated Jamaica except for on the last day, it was nice out. I told her I was going to play golf because I was tired of having sex and being couped up in the hotel. Played the White Witch. Great course! Here are some pics I took. I didn't take as many pics as I should've but, these aren't too bad.

[Big Poppa]

I played down there when we went on our honeymoon. The courses are not the best you have seen but better than a lot of others I have played. You do have to use caddies, but I think it makes it a lot of fun. Listen to the caddy, I still remember putting on a hole and the ball breaking up hill. I dont remember the exact numbers but I had around 200 in on a hole (hole was flat, not really too much wind) and I wanted to hit a 5 iron, the caddy watned me to hit a 8 iron. I couldnt believe and he told me to hit one with my pick and then hit the 8 iron he suggested. I was 600 miles over and the 8 iron was on!! I never questioned what club he gave me again. If it is flat, just putt out of the bunker. That it was what my caddy had me doing. I played a couple of times, and be sure to ask for the same caddy if you liked him the first time. The drink carts would come by and it seemed customary to buy your caddy a water, coke, etc. My caddy would say he was not thirsty and just put it towards his tip. On 18, my caddy was trying to hustle a bit and said double or nothing if he could beat me in on 18. I'm a 0 handicap and played better back then, but I was struggling a bit using rented clubs and I was just going thru the motions of playing since nothing was on the line. I birded and he had a par. He was sweating a bit thinking he wasnt going to get paid, of course I did.
I rented clubs and they were not real good but this was 10 yrs ago. There is a tournament for the resort guest and my caddy was trying to get me to play in it. The day they had it, we were flying out or something. I'm guessing there is some good betting on the tournament day and that is a chance and making more money.