Remembering to pack the golf clubs along with the bathing suit is becoming standard for many of Aruba's visitors who also happened to be dedicated golfers. Aruba does not disappoint with excellently-designed courses, its picturesque settings and the added challenge presented by a constant trade wind, which has the potential to torpedo the scorecard.

Experienced golfers already expect sand bunkers and water hazards, but it's the wind that truly adds to the golf experience when on the greens in Aruba. Adam Williamson, the head golf pro at the Divi Links, often finds himself repeating the advice of "swing easy when it's breezy" to guest golfers.

"It's not just that the wind is strong, but that it is a constant presence. Golfers have to really think out their game in how to get from A to B, take the time to adjust to the wind conditions and keep the ball low," he remarks on how to deal with the island's biggest barrier to achieving a perfect game. "When golfers hit above their handicap while playing in Aruba, it is usually the wind that is to blame."

Pre-round preparation is one way to allow the necessary time to become better acquainted with Aruba's wind and course conditions. It's best to start first at the putting green. Putt and chip for about 15 minutes to get accustomed to the state of the green and to help gauge speed. Work on putting from different distances and angles to set your tempo and lag needs. Continue to chip, progressing from putting to short shots. It's often wise to work chips from different lengths, and control distance through length of swing arc and not by trying to hit harder or softer.

Next, move to the driving range. Tierra Del Sol has an outdoor range, and The Links' driving range is only housed on three sides, therefore allowing Aruba's natural environment to remain a part of the preliminary warm-up. Work from short to longer clubs, from pitches to full swings. Focus on rhythm and not mechanics. Work on feel and try to maintain the same tempo from club to club and from short to longer swings.

Don't hit ball after ball without going through an exact on- course, pre-shot routine. Focus on the target, aim and align, and set up the swing. It is important to prepare both mind and body for the round, so avoid distraction during practice and focus on consistency by following through on each step of your routine. It is similarly important to pace yourself. Limit the amount of tee shots and hit all your tee shots at the end. In this way, when you are ready to head to the first tee, you will have already established your tempo for the game that will follow.

All in all, it can be a challenging round of golf, with Tierra del Sol providing up to four hours of interesting play, and the Divi Links taking about two hours, leaving time to schedule in other activities on one day. Either way, don't forget to include a visit the clubhouse and the opportunity to mix with your fellow golfers. Exchanging ideas and advice can prove invaluable in gaining added insight on how to improve your game during the next round of golf.

But the best piece of advice to playing golf in Aruba may be to never keep your head down. Gorgeous island views are definitely a part of the appeal, with stunning desert-like settings sitting in sharp contrast to the rolling greens of the course, the wide expanse of clear skies and the deep blue of the Caribbean Sea, sitting just off in the distance. Aruba's fairways are close to the coast, providing golfers enchanted views of this stunning island paradise and an immense sense of well-being while taking in an exceptional round of golf.