Jamaican Greens – Golfing on the island

This is the scene. My brother Paul and I are at one of the Caribbean’s most stunning golf courses, carved out of 200 acres of lush greenery and rolling countryside, with panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea from 16 of its 18 holes. Golf clubs, balls, scorecard, tees, chilled beverages, and snacks are neatly arranged in our cart as we survey the surrounding landscape.

“Yeah man. The line is the large tree on the horizon, just swing nice and smooth,” says our caddy at the White Witch’s stunning 550-yard, par-5 opening hole. For two golfers who hadn’t touched a golf club throughout the winter months, this is pure heaven.

The White Witch is situated on Jamaica’s north coast. It is one member of a quartet of premier courses that includes Half Moon, the Tryall Club and Cinnamon Hill Golf Course, all clustered around the elite enclave of Rose Hall near Montego Bay. Although there are several other courses on the island, including the historic 9-hole Manchester Club, founded in 1865 and the oldest golf course in the Western Hemisphere, these four are the most varied and provide a good focus for a Jamaica golf trip.