[maskedman]

I'm looking at a planning long weekend vacation in Bermuda. There's a limited number of courses to choose from (Belmont Hills, Mid Ocean Golf Club, Ocean View, Port Royal, Riddell's Bay, St. George's, Tucker's Point). Which are the best? I may get 5 rounds to play, so I'd like to spend that time at the best tracks (repeats OK). Any advice?

[will100]

When are you going there?

[bad_andy]

I think Mid Ocean and Tucker's Point are the most expensive (celebrity communities). I've played Belmont which was nice and scenic...would definitely recommend. Ocean View is a short 9-holer that was OK when I played it...less than stellar. Not sure about the others. Have fun!

[T2GRNN2]

Having lived in Bermuda from Dec '98 though June '05, I have played all of the courses. Here is my opinion regarding golf on 'de rock:

Mid Ocean (MOC) is the cream of the crop, having hosted the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in 2007 and 2008. Tuckers Point (TP) is a relatively new course having come to life after a significant refurbishment of the old Castle Harbour. TP was in great condition when I left but it does have a couple of quirky holes. Belmont Hills (BH) is a tight and short course that also was in great condition. Port Royal (PR) is a government run course that was originally designed by Robert Trent Jones. At one time in the late '70's, Jack Nicklaus referred to PR as one of the world's top 10 public courses. From what I have read, PR was closed until January 2009 as it undergoes an upgrade to get ready to host the 2009 PGA Grand Slam of Golf. Some holes were to be tweaked and the greens and tee boxes were to be replaced.

These four courses would be a must hit in my opinion. The other courses on the island are Riddell's Bay, a short 18 hole par 67 or 68 course; Ocean View, a government run 9 hole course, and St. George's. I am not sure if St. George's is still open but there is talk that it will undergo a significant redesign by Nick Faldo.

IMHO, in order of decreasing prestige, the courses are Mid Ocean, Tuckers' Point, Belmont Hills, and Port Royal.

IMHO, in order of decreasing design, the courses are Mid Ocean, Port Royal, Tuckers' Point, and Belmont Hills.

Value for Money? IMHO, PR is the most bang for your buck, then BH. MOC and TP's prices tend to be on the gouging end of the spectrum.

Cons of golf in Bermuda? The cost of transportation and access to tee times. You can not rent a car and will have to take a taxi to and from the courses from your hotel, which can add up quickly (unless you are willing to take your life in your hands and rent a scooter and drive yourself). MOC and TP are on the eastern edge of the island, BH is nearer the middle, and PR is on the western edge of the island. Getting a tee time might be an issue at MOC and TP. When I left Bermuda, the public was entitled to play MOC only on Monday and Wednesday or Friday afternoons, and only if introduced by a hotel.

Each and everyone of these four courses have spectalur views of the ocean. Enjoy your tee shot on #16 at PR and # 4 at MOC. At one time a few years ago, both of these holes were rated in the top 500 holes in the world by Golf Digest.

If I were returning to Bermuda and had five days to play golf and wanted to play each day, I would try to play each of these four courses and I would choose to play Port Royal twice.

Enjoy a Dark 'n Stormy (Bermuda black rum and ginger beer) for me!