On location: Teeing off in Jamaica

Club rentals: $55. One round of Red Stripe for the group, including tip: $20. Value of balls lost in nine holes: $45. Golfing on a world-renowned course overlooking the Caribbean Sea? Priceless.

I’ve tried my hand at golf one or two times a season for the past few years but have never played consistently enough to develop any real skill. With that in mind, my decision to take on Jamaica’s par 71 White Witch Golf Course during my stay in Montego Bay may have been a bit ambitious, but I’m always up for a challenge. After all, I was being accompanied by two experienced golfers and two caddies so I’d have plenty of coaching to rely on along the way.

Even still, in nine holes, I made more swings than the worst player would make in 18 and lost a lot of balls along the way. For every golden hit I took, there were at least 10 duds.

It was frustrating, I’ll admit, especially on Hole 2, when a miraculous drive still didn’t make it across the pond and onto the green, nor the shot after that. Or the one after that.

But it’s hard to feel too defeated when the Caribbean sunshine is pouring down on you and you have a clear view of the ocean from nearly every hole; the setting itself is enough to make you take-up golfing (or at least try). For newbies like me or those who possess any skill level at the sport, it truly is a one-of-a-kind experience.

A complimentary round of golf at White Witch or sister course Cinnamon Hills is available to each guest of Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, where I am staying over the next few days. The promotion continues throughout 2015 and rumour has it that there is a chance that will continue into 2016.