More than twenty years ago, we hit our first golf balls in Curaçao at the Blue Bay golf course. During our recent visit, we discovered the golfing landscape had completely changed. We played on three entirely different courses: the renovated Blue Bay, the spectacular Old Quarry with breathtaking sea views, and the surprisingly challenging Curaçao Golf and Squash Club. This golfing experience formed a perfect combination with our main purpose for the trip: simply enjoying the sunny weather, rich culture, and numerous culinary gems of tropical Curaçao. Is this Caribbean island worth being your next golf destination? We share our honest experiences in this blog.

Golfing in Curaçao

Curaçao boasts three golf courses, each with its own character and challenges. Old Quarry is a spectacular 18-hole championship course designed by Pete Dye. The challenging course winds along the coastline and captivates you with breathtaking views. Blue Bay Golf also offers 18 holes and combines technical challenges with Caribbean flair. The hills make this course quite demanding for beginners. The Curaçao Golf & Squash Club is the oldest on the island with 9 holes. This compact course is perfect for practising your short game.

Together, the courses offer an advantageous golf pass that allows you to play on all three. The perfect way to experience Curaçao’s complete golf offering!

Golfing in Curaçao – Our golfing adventure at Old Quarry

Our first golfing adventure during our visit to Curaçao brings us to Old Quarry. This golf course, established in 2010, is located about a half-hour drive east of Punda. The barrier rises and we enter the grounds of Old Quarry Golf. Our eyes are immediately drawn to the improbably green practice greens. With the azure Caribbean Sea in the background, they create a photogenic picture.

After checking in at the well-equipped Pro Shop, we step into our buggy. Following manager and golf pro Jane Weststrate, we drive directly to the first tee. The course appears deserted. Yet the divots on the teebox reveal that this is a busy course. Jane explains that before our visit, a tournament took place with 200 participants. Greenkeepers are now busy restoring the course to its impeccable condition. Jane gives us a few tips before wishing us good luck with a friendly smile.

Golfing at Old Quarry

We place our tees and drive our first balls. The white balls draw arcs against the clear blue sky. Driving along the fairways, the strategic layout of the course becomes apparent. Pete Dye, known for his challenging designs, has created something special here. At hole 4, we see the old quarry that gave the course its name. Limestone walls contrast with perfectly maintained greens. An iguana sunbathes on a rock, goats climb the slopes. Nature is seamlessly interwoven with golf here.

At hole 7, we hold our breath as we tee off with the imposing Santa Barbara plantation in the background. An iguana crosses our path imperturbably and seems to wish us success for the tricky approach shot. The Spanish Water glistens invitingly in the distance, promising even more spectacular views later during our round.

One of the most photographed holes in the Caribbean

Hole 12 forms the highlight of our day. This hole is among the most photographed in the Caribbean. We hit our balls over a picturesque inlet of the Spanish Water. The green seems to float like an oasis on the water. The flag flutters in the trade winds as we enjoy this unparalleled panorama.

Around hole fifteen, we feel small beneath the mighty Table Mountain. The characteristic flat top accompanies us during the final holes. Hole 17 tests our courage with a narrow fairway, wedged between prickly vegetation and strategically placed bunkers. We end our unforgettable round on hole 18 with the crisp blue horizon before us. As we drive back to the Pro Shop, we look once more at the impressive scenery. This course combines sporting challenge with unprecedented natural beauty.

Our verdict on Old Quarry

What we particularly appreciate about Old Quarry are the breathtaking views over the Caribbean Sea, the Spanish Water, and Table Mountain. The integration of natural elements such as the old quarry into the design is brilliant. Furthermore, the consistent speed and perfect maintenance of the greens exceed our expectations. The buggies with cool boxes full of ice water are also very pleasant, a welcome luxury in the tropical heat.

However, we find the green fees rather high, even for such a top course in the Caribbean. The biggest drawback, though, is the clubhouse, or rather: the apparent lack thereof. According to the website there is a clubhouse, but we couldn’t find it.

Golfing in Curaçao – Curaçao Golf & Squash Club

We step into the Curaçao Golf & Squash Club full of anticipation. This charming and oldest golf course in Curaçao is nestled in the green heart of Emmastad. PGA golf professional Willem de Haes welcomes us with a broad smile and a firm handshake. As the resident golf instructor, he knows this historic 9-hole course like the back of his hand.

We immediately feel privileged to experience the authentic Curaçaoan golf experience. The course breathes history and island atmosphere, far away from the bustle of the large resorts. Before we play, we take a seat on the shaded terrace. Here, Willem passionately tells us about the rich history of the club. We learn that the golf club was founded in 1934 by Dutch merchants. Businessmen from the oil refinery closed important deals on the green here.

Our round of golf at the Curaçao Golf & Squash Club

The wind plays through our hair as we approach the first tee. Hole 1 immediately introduces us to the challenging Bermuda grass greens. The balls roll slower than we’re accustomed to. This requires a significant adjustment to our putting technique. But the real test comes at hole 4 with the treacherous pond that hungrily awaits our balls.

After hole 5, our score slowly increases, but we enjoy the tropical surroundings all the more. We reach hole 7, a tricky dogleg that demands our full attention. The enormous trees at the bend force us to make a strategic choice. Do we play it safe and short, or dare a bold attempt over the trees? An imposing iguana slowly crosses our fairway, seemingly undisturbed by our golfing skills.

In the distance, we see the abandoned chimneys of the old oil refinery standing out against the blue sky. They tell their own story of Curaçao’s industrial history. Colourful tropical flowers and lush shrubs border the path to our next shot. The trade wind rustles softly through the tall palm trees above us. After our final putt, we walk contentedly back to the colonial clubhouse. The terrace invites us for a well-deserved refreshment in the shade.

Our verdict on the Curaçao Golf & Squash Club

The special charm of this course lies in its rich history as the oldest golf club on the island. Everywhere you feel the authentic Curaçaoan hospitality and relaxed atmosphere. We fall for the park-like character of this green oasis in Emmastad, with majestic old trees lining the fairways. There are also drawbacks, such as the tee boxes at some holes where you must tee off from an artificial grass mat. Furthermore, the greens are not always well maintained and therefore slow. Nevertheless, we find the authentic experience outweighs these minor issues.

Golfing in Curaçao – Blue Bay Curaçao Golf & Beach Resort

Under swaying palm trees, we drive along the long driveway to the last golf course of our trip: Blue Bay Curaçao Golf & Beach Resort. The sun shines abundantly as we take our golf gear from the car.

At the Pro Shop, we immediately fall in love with the perfectly situated first hole. The tee is next to the cosy terrace, from which we admire the beautiful green fairway. To the left, an inland lake glistens where graceful flamingos step through the shallow water. Their pink feathers stand out beautifully against the blue water and green fairway. Luxury villas adorn the hills on either side, with impressive architecture that fits excellently into the beautiful landscape. We can’t wait to start on this spectacular opening hole.

We enter the Pro Shop for our starting time. The modern interior of the shop suggests it was recently built. Yet both the shop and the clubhouse are housed in a centuries-old manor. It was formerly owned by Anno Blaauw, who grew limes, oranges, and indigo here. The bay is named after him.

Our golfing adventure at Blue Bay Curaçao Golf & Beach Resort

Somewhat nervous due to the audience on the terrace, we tee off at hole 1. Fortunately, our balls land neatly on the fairway. We’re off to a good start! At hole 4, we see the Caribbean Sea in the distance for the first time. The wind constantly plays with our balls, adding an extra dimension to our shots. Then we reach hole 5, Blue Bay’s famous signature hole that takes our breath away. We stand on an impressive cliff, well over thirty metres above the green. Our tee shots must travel over an azure bay to a small green on the other side.

Hole 6 is perhaps even more impressive: a challenging par 3 directly along the sea. The trade wind forces us to aim extra carefully while the waves crash against the rocks beneath us. We take our time to photograph this unforgettable view. Holes 14 and 17 surprise us later in the round with their spectacular layout. Hole 17 winds along the coast and offers once again beautiful sea views between luxury villas. We carefully hit our balls past the cunningly placed bunkers.

We finish our round at hole 18 where we again spot flamingos in the water. The beautiful hole forms a worthy conclusion to our round of golf. Back at the monumental clubhouse, we reflect on this unique Caribbean golfing experience. On the sun-drenched terrace of Landhuis Blaauw, we toast with a refreshing beer to an unforgettable day.

Our verdict on Blue Bay Curaçao Golf & Beach Resort

The unique strength of this course lies in the combination of beautiful views and technically challenging holes. Designer Rocky Roquemore has excellently utilised the natural contours for a memorable golfing experience. Yet Blue Bay also has its drawbacks. The greens sometimes show irregular speeds. Furthermore, several fairways have fairly large dry patches. This doesn’t promote consistency in play. But all in all, we are very charmed by this course and – honestly – also by the many magnificent villas along the course.

Our final verdict on golfing in Curaçao

We’ve packed our golf clubs, but our hearts remain on the fairways of Curaçao. We find the three courses we played incomparable to each other. The historic Curaçao Golf & Squash Club charms with its atmosphere of bygone times and challenging layout. Blue Bay offers breathtaking sea views and a truly spectacular signature hole. Old Quarry impresses with its world-class design, unparalleled natural beauty, and super beautiful, fast greens.

Precisely because of these differences, playing on all three courses is an unforgettable experience. With the Curaçao Golfpass, you don’t have to choose and can enjoy this complete ‘three-course menu’: each course serves its own character, unique challenges, and special advantages. Of course, each course also has minor drawbacks, such as occasionally slower greens. However, these small inconveniences quickly fade into insignificance against the backdrop of so much varied golfing pleasure.

Is Curaçao a golfing destination you absolutely shouldn’t miss?

That depends on what you’re looking for. With only three courses, Curaçao cannot compete with the major golfing meccas such as Spain, Portugal, or the Turkish Riviera. There you’ll find dozens of top courses within easy reach. But we prefer to see Curaçao as the perfect “best of both worlds” destination. You enjoy sporting challenges on golf courses that will never bore you. At the same time, the wonderful island life completely surrounds you. The eternal sun, crystal-clear water, and cooling trade wind form the backdrop of your holiday.

Curaçao’s rich culture and history, with colonial heritage and colourful architecture, fill your days off the golf course. The numerous culinary gems, from fresh fish at beach bars to gastronomic highlights in monumental manor houses, complete the experience. We will certainly return to Curaçao, possibly multiple times. Not just for the golf, but for the unique combination of sporting challenge and tropical enjoyment in this sunny part of our kingdom. Curaçao has captured our hearts once again, both on and off the golf course.

At the invitation of Curaçao Tourist Board, Old Quarry Golf Course Curaçao, Curaçao Golf and Squash Club, and Blue Bay Curaçao Golf & Beach Resort, we played on all three courses. We have compiled the content of this blog independently and objectively based on our own impressions.