Sandy Lane Old Nine
The Old Nine is the original course at Sandy Lane, a nine hole layout dating to 1961 that weaves through the resort estate above the west coast. A par 36 of about 3,345 yards, it is the most accessible of the resort's three courses, open to public play and built for precision rather than power.
Photo: Sandy Lane via Google.
The verdict
The Old Nine is where Sandy Lane golf began. Laid out in 1961 as the resort's first course, it is a nine hole loop of par 36 and about 3,345 yards that threads through mature, tree lined corridors on the estate above the west coast. Where the Green Monkey is spectacle and the resort's championship eighteen is the main event, the Old Nine is the easygoing round, the one you can play in an afternoon or twice round for a full eighteen.
Its appeal is accessibility and charm. This is the Sandy Lane course open to the public rather than reserved for guests, so it is the way many visitors get a taste of the resort's golf without a room booking. Tight fairways and small greens ask for control off the tee and a deft short game, and the mature planting gives it a settled, classic feel. For a Barbados trip it is the relaxed change of pace alongside the island's bigger championship tests.
The Old Nine at a glance
- Opened
- 1961
- Holes
- 9
- Type
- Tree lined parkland
- Par
- 36
- Yardage
- About 3,345 yds
- Access
- Open to public
Year, holes, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the resort and leading course databases; the Old Nine is Sandy Lane's original course from 1961, a nine hole par 36 of about 3,345 yards. Green fees are indicative for the 2026 season, broadly from about US$90 for nine holes for visitors, before cart where applicable; rates change, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The character is in the corridors. Decades of mature trees line the Old Nine's fairways, so the round is about finding the gaps and keeping the ball in play rather than overpowering the course. The greens are on the small side and the approaches reward a controlled flight, which makes the nine a better test of touch than its modest yardage suggests.
The pace is the draw. As a nine hole layout it suits a half day, a late round after a morning on the beach, or two loops for those who want a full eighteen, and its public access makes it the simplest of the Sandy Lane courses to arrange. For golfers traveling with non playing partners it is an easy, low commitment way to get a round in.
For a Barbados trip we use the Old Nine as the relaxed counterpoint to the island's championship golf. It pairs naturally with a Sandy Lane stay and the resort's other courses, and slots in around rounds at Royal Westmoreland and Apes Hill when you want a lighter day.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Open to public play, the most accessible of Sandy Lane's three courses; tee times booked in advance |
| Indicative green fee | Indicative for 2026, broadly from about US$90 for nine holes for visitors; always confirm directly before booking |
| Layout and history | Sandy Lane's original course, opened 1961; a nine hole par 36 of about 3,345 yards, often played twice round for eighteen |
| Booking window | Reserve ahead in the December to April high season; easier to secure than the resort's exclusive courses |
| Getting there | At the Sandy Lane resort in Saint James on the west coast, roughly 30 to 40 minutes from Grantley Adams International Airport |
Access and fees verified June 2026 from the resort and leading course databases. Green fees are third party and indicative for the 2026 season; they vary by season and tee time and may exclude cart, so always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability and we will build the round into your trip.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is the Sandy Lane resort and the platinum west coast around it, putting you on the estate and minutes from the first tee. Even without a resort stay the Old Nine's public access means a hotel anywhere along the Saint James and Holetown strip keeps it within an easy drive.
From this stretch of coast the rest of the island's golf is close at hand, so we can pair the Old Nine with rounds at Royal Westmoreland and Apes Hill and keep your base by the sea. Tell us your dates and your group and we will match the stay to the golf.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Sandy Lane.
Plan your Barbados golf trip
The Old Nine is the relaxed, accessible round of Sandy Lane, an easy half day on the resort's original course. We arrange the stay, the tee times and the order of play, and cost it to the head. Tell us roughly when and who is traveling.
Old Nine questions
What is the Old Nine at Sandy Lane?
The Old Nine is Sandy Lane's original golf course, dating to 1961, a nine hole layout of par 36 and about 3,345 yards that weaves through the resort estate above the west coast of Barbados. It is the most accessible of the resort's three courses.
Can the public play the Old Nine?
Yes. Unlike the members and guests only Green Monkey, the Old Nine is open to public play, with tee times booked in advance. Always confirm current access and rates directly before booking.
How long does the Old Nine take to play?
As a nine hole course it suits a half day or a relaxed late round, and many golfers play it twice round for a full eighteen. Its tree lined fairways and small greens reward precision over power.
When is the best time to play golf at Sandy Lane?
The dry season from about December to April is the prime window in Barbados, with steadier trade winds and less rain. The Old Nine is sheltered by mature trees, so it plays comfortably across the seasons.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Year, layout, par and yardage verified June 2026; green fees indicative for the 2026 season and subject to change. Last reviewed June 2026.