Port Royal Golf Course

Architect Roger Rulewich spearheaded a massive $14.5-million facelift in 2009 that transformed Port Royal into a championship-caliber venue good enough to host the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, which pits the four major winners (or their subs) against one another every October. Rulewich revived the greens, installed new irrigation and removed more than 1,000 trees to open up stunning vistas. Dynamic hills create a demanding challenge. The par-4 15th tee sits next to the Whale Bay Battery, an old fort dating to the 1800s. With nobody behind us, my playing partner and I spent a good 20 minutes exploring its interior. We spent another half hour playing with our cameras on the par-3 16th hole that clings to the shoreline cliffs, taking pictures of each other. If only the sun had been shining, it would have been golf heaven.

Played Port Royal on the west coast of Bermuda twice over the Xmas holidays. Stunning ocean views from much of the back nine and from a beautifully renovated club house. Incredibly blustery winds on the later, more exposed holes and a great deal of protection down in the valley holes early on. Make sure you carry a good set of wind pants and a rain jacket depending on the day.

Fell for the course from the first shot. The first hole is a thrill ride with a serious fall in elevation from the tee and a serious dogleg right while avoiding a large water hazard left and extensive bunkers right on a blind second shot over trees.

Plenty of water hazards on the first four to five holes and dramatic elevation changes from tee blocks to pins, and terrific long par 5's with the last five holes having among the most beautiful ocean views outside of Pebble Beach.

Port Royal's signature 16th, a par 3 over the ocean is justifiably famous and is definitely something to write home about. Its layout is reminiscent of the signature par 3 third at Moana Kea, and the par 3 twelve at The Challenge at Manele that we played earlier this year.

The 19th hole was quiet especially as we were the last off the course each day. Apparently under new management that was hopeful of building more of a trade, a challenge at a public course on an economically depressed island.

GolfNow arranged bookings at an excellent discount

I played Poipu Bay in Kauai in 2011 but the Grand Slam of Golf had moved to Bermuda. Now, I have played both courses and prefer the layout at Port Royal. The Grand Slam was just last week so the course was perfect. Hint, stay out of the rough. Even at 3 to 4 inches, it is tough to advance the ball from it. I took lots of pictures while the my group was preparing for their shots to keep moving. I came to Bermuda via cruise ship. I got a great deal on greens fees and TaylorMade RBZ clubs. We got both for lower than the webpage price. No problem since we were paying at the course. I hit those clubs better than my TaylorMade R7s. I am really considering a club upgrade for next season. Special thanks to the GolfNow Customer Service. I tried to reserve my tee time online but could not. GolfNow called Port Royal to confirm a tee time for my group. We had a great time. Thanks GolfNow.

Played on Oct. 25. Extremely excited to play the same course the pros had played the week before. Unfortunately we played all 18 holes in the rain, sometimes pouring rain. That being said I am glad we did. The course was in awesome shape, with all the rain only 1 green had any standing water on it & that was only on the front portion. Even though wet greens putted fast & true. Think I only had 1 or mud balls the entire round. Only place water collected was in the bunkers & that was only in some of them. Views we impressive even through the rain & fog. Staff was very helpful & friendly. Hopefully will get another opportunity to play here again on a better day. Would highly recommend this course to anyone.

Most beautiful course ever played. Many vistas of ocean wind made it very challenging. Great condition well manicured as it was less than a week after PGA Grand slam

We played this course before the Grand Slam event and the greens were fast but fair. The views are incredible and distractingly blue. The rough wasn't long, but hard to get out of.

We definitely would play this course again.

Great course, very challenging. Huge elevation changes requiring at least 2 - 4 club increase eg: 18th needed a 4 iron for 160 yards straight up. If you haven't played bermuda grass the rough will kill you. The course is very picturesque with wonderful ocean views. The 16th hole, is a par 3 with a cliff drop off on the left -WOW. Prevailing winds require aiming out over the ocean and letting the wind bring you back. Would play there anytime and loved it

I played there twice this week (Sept 2013). I made my tee times thru Golf Now dot com at a considerable discount. The course was beautiful and challenging. With the Grand Slam of Golf of Golf coming next month, there was plenty of activity sprucing the place up. If you're traveling in October, I heard this course will be closed starting around Oct 9 for a week for the Grand Slam. The greens were excellent, smooth and fast with no noticeable grain. Our pace of play was 4 hours and we teed off at 1230L. Rumor has it they sunk millions of dollars redoing the course and it shows it. Lot's of elevation changes, lots of bunkers and beautiful vistas. I don't want to rain on the parade but this is the second best golf course in Bermuda after MId Ocean Club but is easier for a tourist to get on. The green at Port Royal are in much better condition than Mid Ocean. I'd go back

This is a really great tract and a very interesting layout with beautiful ocean views. It is also where all the major champions play at an end of the season tournament. Although it is pricey I got a great price on golfnow.com

This course was in excellent shape and very fun to play.

This course is one of the best anywhere. The par 3's are a terrific test and the course was in great shape in advance of the Grand Slam of golf. Views of the ocean are spectacular and the greens were pure. Good variety of holes, every club in the bag is required. True golfers will enjoy this course.

I liked the golf course, fun to play though a workout as always cart paths only. They do have local caddies but they didn't look very experienced. Our problem was the greens which had been recently aerated and sanded to extreme. On a couple like putting on the beach! The amenities at Port Royal are minimal and the bar is not very inviting nor does it have experienced help. Go for the golf but more than two months before the Grand Slam which they were preparing for.

I played with a good friend in August 2013 and the overall experience was great. This course rates with the best courses in the world for scenery and even though it rained twice on us we had a great time. I have played Pebble Beach, Winged Foot, westchester, TPC in Cromwell CT, PGA National and the only other experience that surpassed this was Pebble. Go here and enjoy yourself!!

This is one of the best course I ever played. A lot of good views, specially the hole 16! Very wll maintained.

Port Royal is a great track, a proper test of golf which asks a player to use all the clubs in his bag and be inventive in his shot-making at times. As mentioned in my last review, I feel it has been a bit over-bunkered by the US designer who did its make-over a few years ago, and the greens are, especially at this time of year, too hard and fast, so not always giving value for good shots into them. Add in the Island Games were held on it only last week, so some of the pin positions remained very tough, and if you play even close to your handicap, you are doing very well. Any golf trip to Bermuda simply must include a round here, and at GolfNow's prices it is money well spent.

Spectacular views! You'll want to stop and take pictures all along the course: of the ocean, the old fort, the beautiful Bermuda houses and foliage, as well as the clever course layout.
The course hadn't seen rain in a while which probably reduced difficulty getting out of the rough. Wind wasn't an issue, although a breeze might have been welcomed. I played in July in the afternoon (the "island games" were in the AM), so it got h-o-t, h-o-t, h-o-t!
The redesign for the Grand Slam is perfect for shotmakers--weather will definitely impact playability of the course--especially on the back 9, where many of the holes run along the ocean.
Course knowledge definitely helps the score.
ENJOY

Play where PGA Tour champions have played. It's a fantastic way to be inspired to get your "A game" rockin' right away! I played the signature hole Par 3 #16 from the back tee. Hit driver WAY out to the right, then a 50 yard pitch to 3 feet and made the par putt. Many ways to get it done, as long as you don't hit that tee shot LEFT!
You'll love the scenery and you'll be challenged by the ups, downs twists and turns of this beautiful and very enjoyable golf course.

Disappointed in greens...still not in the best shape for the price...good test of golf...wonderful, scenic views of the ocean...I will return!

Play was fast. Course was in good condition. There were many holes that didnt require driver, but this being my first time to play this course, I didn't know. Ended up in a lot of trouble off the tees due to no course knowledge. Greens were in great condition for middle of summer. The views were incredible. I can't say I've ever seen water that color. Would play again on any trip back to Bermuda.

This course was easily the most challenging I've ever played. Numerous elevation changes and tricky greens. The course demands accuracy and requires excellent long iron play. The views are unbelievable and the design is excellent. I was disappointed the course was cart path only four months before the PGA plays there but overall it was a great experience.