When it comes to awards like “The Best Golf Course in the Caribbean,” sometimes a title can be a little misleading. After all, are we merely talking about the courses themselves? If so, comparing the best, most beautiful designs in this region is sort of like choosing between a Renaissance painting and a 1965 Shelby Mustang — how do you compare two things that are so different and yet both so spectacular? But it becomes even more difficult when you factor in everything else, like travel time, cost, resorts, pools, beaches, food, and so on.

That’s why golfers looking for the best overall golf vacation experience in the Caribbean for the coming yest should be narrowing their search to Barbados, the land of flying fish and home of the spectacular Apes Hill Barbados. This resort and residential community has flown under the radar for travelers who might prefer more courses to play, but anyone who has played here is sure to tell you that this is a course that you don’t play just once or twice. It’s an experience as much as it’s a challenge, and it is racking up the accolades to prove this.

At the recent World Golf Awards, Apes Hill Barbados was indeed named the “Caribbean’s Best Golf Course,” which says a lot to those of us who have played Teeth of the Dog, Old Quarry, TPC Dorado Beach: East, Cabot St. Lucia, and more. However, it’s the other honors that tell us way more about this incredible setting: “World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility,” “Best Golf Clubhouse in the Caribbean,” “World’s Best Golf Academy Venue,” and, perhaps most obviously, “Barbados’ Best Golf Course.” Seems like a no-brainer after the first one.

Basically, these awards tell us a story: Not only is this simply a flat-out amazing golf course to play and take probably 6 million selfies and videos, but it’s also the kind of place that average players can visit and actually learn a thing or two about the game and how to be a little better, thus enjoying it more. And, arguably the most important tidbit, this is a course that was designed and built to embrace the island’s natural beauty and not damage the surrounding eco-system.

Of course, these awards and accolades are nothing new. After all, this was a course that, upon the completion of its redesign and opening in 2022, immediately took its place among the Top 100 courses in the world. Some might rest on their laurels after such feats and simply coast by on name recognition and destination status alone, but that’s not the case here. Mainly because there’s just too much to love about this place.

Aside from golf, the core element here is family, as this is a “kitchen sink” setting that truly delivers for all ages. I have visited golf-focused resorts that advertise a family-friendly experience, and yet some fail to deliver because it’s clear that the adults are the priority. At Apes Hill Barbados, parents will certainly enjoy the luxurious villas and world-class amenities, but kids will feel like the true VIPs, from the creative seasonal activities (book now for an Easter itinerary you won’t find on most islands) to Little Apes, a 9-hole Par-3 course that’s as fun for people who have never touched a club as it is for experienced players who simply cannot get enough.

Finally, if you’re looking for a cherry on top, this destination puts an exceptional emphasis on wellness. Wake up and get your system running in the morning with sunrise yoga before your round, and then toast the day away with champagne on a private dinner cruise. Best of all, if you’re the type of traveler who struggles to put together a coherent itinerary, Apes Hill Barbados already offers a comprehensive 6-day wellness concept that is downright phenomenal.

In fact, there should be a World Golf Award for that, too.