The golf course on Anguilla opened this fall. Greens fees are $450 (yes, you read that right, $450) per round of golf. Anguilla receives very little rainfall, so only the carefully tended gardens look lush. Otherwise, things are rather drab brown. There is quite a bit of construction now on the new resorts, so traffic has increased, but there are only 2 traffic lights. There is an abundance of excellent, expensive restaurants, but limited night life (live music or reading a good book; no gambling). If you don't ever leave one of the expensive resorts you will enjoy the "tropical look" but if you venture out, you'll see lots of drab brown. So, I agree with Mary, that Anguilla may not be for you.

So what about any other suggestions? Like fore example the Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, Bahamas, any others?

You are going to see poverty on most Caribbean islands, especially Virgin Islands, Antigua, St. Lucia and throughout the Bahamas. About the only island where you won't find poverty is Mustique. It's the home of the rich and famous. Rent a villa there or stay at Firefly or Cotton House. The only thing it lacks that you want is golf.

Barbados is pretty upscale and has golf but there are some areas that will seem impoverished to you.

how about what r the best islands for golf being the highest priority and also much to do, with good food, and seemingly worthwhile?

I am not a golfer, but from what I understand from friends the golf course at Sandy Lane in Barbados is very good.

The aforementioned Sandy Lane on Barbados is an excellent course. Other island with excellent golf are the Dominican Republic (check out Casa De Campo - very upscale), Puerto Rico (lots of golf resorts), the Four Seasons on Nevis and you'll find good to excellent golf on Jamaica.

Check out a golf resort by Trump in the Grenadines.

http://canouan.com/

The US Virgins!! St. Thomas's Mahogany Run golf course (a George and Tom Fazio design) is one of the prettiest and most challenging in the Caribbean. The 13th, 14th, and 15th holes have been nicknamed the Devil's Triangle. Exciting! (This is where former President Clinton played when vacationing in St. Thomas). And the course recently finished a multi-million dollar renovation.

St. Thomas is a beautiful island. (You will, however, see poverty almost everywhere in the Caribbean -- except the Cayman Islands). I especially like the Virgins because they are mountainous with lush, green vegetation that falls down to gorgeous stretches of white sand beaches. The water is aquamarine, clear, and calm. Great snorkeling. And St. Thomas is ideally located in the midst of St. John and the British Virgins so that day trips (and even half-day trips) to several other islands is easy by ferry for a reasonable price. There are a number of excellent restaurants on the island and the best shopping port in the Caribbean.

If you go to St. Thomas, you must do a day trip to St. John (15-minute ferry). I think St. John is the prettiest island in the Caribbean with a picture perfect beach around every curve of the road, never crowded, and 3/4 of the island is national park.

And, depending on how long you have to spend...a 10-day trip, for example, could get you plenty of time on St. Thomas, St. John, and even Puerto Rico (a 15-min. flight). Although Puerto Rico's water is not as pretty (deep green as opposed to aquamarine from the many rivers that run off into the sea stirring up the water), there are many lovely stretches of beach and tons of stuff to do, including a multitude of excellent golf courses across the island, the only rainforest in the national park system, and lovely Old San Juan with its array of historic sites, boutiques, and wonderful restaurants. I always like to fly through San Juan and stay over for a few days in Old San Juan -- a real treat.

The added bonus, of course, is that you do not need passports for Puerto Rico or the US Virgins (you do if you plan to visit the British Virgins, however) and clearing customs is generally a breeze.

Thanks for all the information......i think ive narrowed it down to Anguilla or Virgin Islands as my two choices to not get confused with the other islands. Some of my research has shown that Anguilla is rated as one of the best islands in the Caribbean with the best beaches and overall for dining. But i also see that Virgin Islands St. Thomas is voted the number 1 island in Caribbean so its between these two so i need some more help to as what someone like me who hasnt been to the Caribbean before should go visit....i like vigin is. but i think im really going with Anguilla.