Thinking about trading your usual lush fairways for a round where Caribbean Sea views and cactus-lined holes are the norm? You’ve come to the right place. Not only can you golf in Aruba, but it offers some of the most unique and breathtaking golfing experiences you'll find anywhere. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the championship layouts to the quirky local tracks, and give you some pro tips on how to manage the island’s signature conditions.
Golf in Aruba isn't like your typical Saturday morning round back home. It's an adventure defined by two major elements: the wind and the sun. As a coach, I tell players not to fear these conditions, but to understand and use them. Think of it as a new, exciting puzzle to solve on the course.
Aruba is consistently windy. The constant tradewinds from the east are what make the island's climate so pleasant, but they can wreak havoc on your golf game if you’re not prepared. A calm day in Aruba might still have a 15-20 mph wind that would send golfers at home running for cover. Here's how to manage it:
It's a desert island, after all. The sun is intense, and hydration is non-negotiable. Plan your rounds for the early morning or later afternoon to avoid the peak heat. Wear light, breathable clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and reapply high-SPF sunscreen every few hours. Drink water constantly, even when you don't feel thirsty. Most courses have water stations - use them.
Aruba offers a fantastic variety of courses, from a world-renowned championship design to a relaxed 9-hole track and even a truly one-of-a-kind local experience. Let's break them down.
If you're a serious golfer looking for a world-class challenge, Tierra del Sol is your destination. This is Aruba's only 18-hole championship course, and it is a masterpiece designed by the famed Robert Trent Jones II. The course is a stunning blend of desert and links-style golf, weaving through cacti, rock formations, and offering jaw-dropping views of the Caribbean Sea from virtually every hole.
Tierra del Sol is a test from start to finish. The layout demands creative shot-making and smart course management. The Paspalum turf is immaculate, providing pure lies, but stray from the fairway and you'll find yourself in desert scrub, facing a tricky recovery. The changing elevation combined with the relentless wind makes club selection a constant challenge. You'll hit every club in your bag here.
While every hole is memorable, the par-3 15th is legendary. Playing from an elevated tee directly towards the ocean and the California Lighthouse, you have to navigate a strong crosswind to find the green. It’s as beautiful as it is intimidating. The entire stretch of oceanside holes will leave you speechless.
Located right in the heart of the low-rise hotel area, The Links at Divi offers a perfectly manicured 9-hole experience that's ideal for a more casual round or for golfers who don't want to dedicate a full five hours to a championship course. Don’t let the "9-hole" title fool you, this course is challenging, beautiful, and maintained to an exceptional standard.
Designed by Litten & Viola, The Links wraps around a series of man-made lagoons and water features, coming into play on nearly every hole. The Platinum Paspalum turf is a joy to play from. The course isn't overly long, so it's more about precision than power. You can play 18 holes by going around twice from different sets of tees, which provides a nice variation for the second loop.
The facility is top-notch, with a beautiful clubhouse that houses a pro shop and the wonderful Windows on Aruba restaurant, offering spectacular 360-degree views. The short-game practice area is also excellent for warming up.
For the adventurous golfer looking for something truly unique, head to the Aruba Golf Club in San Nicolas, near the island's southern tip. This is a glimpse into the island’s past. It was the first golf course on the island, built for the oil executives of the refinery it sits beside. It offers a golfing experience you’ll talk about for years.
This is golf in its rawest form. Don't expect pristine greens and resort amenities. The "greens" are actually "browns" - compacted, oiled sand that you smooth out with a squeegee before you putt. The fairways are lined with cacti and thorny divi-divi trees. Roaming goats are your gallery. It's a 9-hole course (with an extra hole, the 19th!) that you can play twice for a full 18.
It's a very a-la-carte experience. It runs largely on an honor system where you pay your green fee in a box. You play at your own pace. There's a real sense of community among the local members who are incredibly friendly and welcoming.
Aruba is more than just a beach destination, it's a legitimate golf paradise offering a perfect blend of challenge, beauty, and variety. From the championship prestige of Tierra del Sol to the relaxed precision of The Links at Divi and the rugged charm of the Aruba Golf Club, there’s a tee time on “One Happy Island” that’s a perfect fit for you and your game.
Playing an unfamiliar course, especially in windy, challenging conditions like Aruba’s, can be intimidating. Our app, Caddie AI, acts as your personal caddie and coach, right in your pocket. As you approach a tricky hole, you can get instant strategy on the best way to play it based on the layout and hazards. And for those less-than-perfect lies in the desert scrub, you can even snap a photo of your ball's situation and get immediate, expert advice on how to execute the recovery shot. It takes the guesswork out of the equation so you can play with more confidence and fully enjoy your round in paradise.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
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