Turks and Caicos Golfing
The Turks and Caicos is home to the beautiful and award-winning Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club, an 18-hole course located at Grace Bay on the island of Providenciales. This expansive and well-maintained course has won several awards, including placing 4th in USA Today’s 2020 Best Caribbean Golf Course.
In addition to the Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club, there are two small casual golf courses that were built and maintained by golfing enthusiasts: the Waterloo Golf Course at the Governor’s mansion on Grand Turk, and the Combina Golf Course at Whitby on the island of North Caicos.
Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club
The Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club at Grace Bay on the island of Providenciales is the only full-size conventional 18-hole golf course in the Turks and Caicos. This beautiful target-style course was designed by Karl Litten and follows limestone outcroppings and waterways, and is complemented by lush landscaping and birdlife that include flamingos, herons, egrets, ducks, and grebes. Play-through for all 18 holes typically takes less than four hours.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club welcomes visitors, locals, and members, and membership is not required to play. The use of a golf cart is included with greens fees. Rates are offered for plays that include 9 holes, 18 holes, 3 rounds, 5 rounds, and 1 week, 2 week, and one month unlimited passes. The course opens at 7:00 AM every day of the week. It’s advisable to book in advance to ensure tee times.
The Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club has hosted many events and competitions, from the annual Wine Cellar Golf and Fishing Tournament, to the Caribbean Amateur Championship. Informal league play also takes place locally. David Feherty, former pro-golfer, is the Club Ambassador.
The clubhouse at the golf course is also home to the elegant casual 19 Bar and Restaurant, which offers a beautiful bar and service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Golf Club also has two tennis courts onsite, which are offered for rent by the hour, and guests are welcome.
Golf and tennis equipment, clubs, and balls are available for both sale and rent (primarily Titleist), and there’s also a selection of apparel (including Under Armor, Adidas, Ralph Lauren, and Greg Norman) and gifts. For practice and warm-up, near the clubhouse are driving nets, and chipping and putting greens.
Professional lessons in golf and tennis are also offered through the Royal Turks and Caicos Golf Club, available for both adults and kids.
Waterloo Golf Course
The Waterloo Golf Course on Grand Turk is located at the Waterloo Mansion near Governor’s Beach, which is the official residence of the Governor of the Turks and Caicos. This course was entirely built by volunteers in 1998, is 9 holes and par 54, and was designed by then-Governor His Excellency John Kelly.
Due to some of the extended dry periods on Grand Turk, where there may be months without significant rain, the Waterloo Golf Course can at times be quite barren of grass! When operating, there’s a relatively minor fee to access the course, which then allows unlimited play. Golfers are encouraged to bring their own clubs, yet rentals from a limited selection of equipment are typically available.
Combina Golf Course
Another unique and small enthusiast-built golf course is the Combina Golf Course, a putting course located at Whitby on the island of North Caicos. This course was built by popular local musician Lovey Forbes, and winds through a grove of casuarina trees. The holes are quaintly marked with conch shells!
