Port Royal Golf Course

Played the course twice while in Bermuda. It is a championship course. Course was in good condition for this time of year. Some very good holes. No easy birdies. Cannot wait to watch the PGA Grand Slam this Fall.

Other than some attention to the greens required it was a great course to play. Remember to stop and take in the views all around, including the Whale Bay 19th century fort. Immaculately prepared fairways and course through the green.

It has been close to 10 years since I last played Port Royal and, in that time, a substantial amount of money has been spent to bring it up the standard required to hold the PGA Grand Slam here. The most notable changes are ultra-fast greens and numerous bunkers - it is a far more challenging course as a consequence. Factor in gale force winds on holes 8-18 yesterday and, on such days, the course has plenty of teeth! I have played in the wind at links courses in the UK, but they tend to be lightly bunkered and watered, letting the terrain and elements be the test - the issue at Port Royal seems to be US-style bunkering, some hits over water, rock hard, fast greens and several uphill second shots to greens on the back nine (not to mention the famous par 3 16th that requires a hit over a cove to a green on a headland), coupled with the howling wind means that bump and run or low pitches are not an option on many holes. Unless you are a great manipulator of the ball, a master in the wind (realistically a very low handicapper - I used to play off 8 and am reconstructing my game after several months off, but it was more than I could manage), on most second shots the chances of stopping a ball on the green on holes 8-18 were remote. As a corollary, you need to be good out of bunkers (I am decent enough, so that was a saving grace at least), as you are likely to get plenty of practice.

I enjoyed the challenge, but not my final score! I will definitely go back (it is a great course, well kept and with helpful staff), but I will wait for a day when the wind is not quite so violent, as the set up of the course does not lend itself, in very windy conditions, to giving the average to good golfers a fair chance of playing even close to their handicaps.

One thing I would comment on is that, given its fame now, the course needs better marshalling - many tourists feel the need to stop to take photos (the views on the back nine are indeed stunning, but please consider those playing behind) - to keep play moving. It was close to 5 hours for a round on a Sunday, which is simply too long.

When you look at the scorecard you think short course. Remember the wind will make this course very difficult, most days it comes out of the south off the ocean at anywhere from 15-40 mph. Greens run at about 10. quick but true, subtle breaks.
This is a must play, period.

The staff was incredible. It is a place I would play again because the people were so nice.

The course is challenging and in pristine condition, but overpriced. After 3:00 the course was $110.00 but before $180.00 even though the course was virtually empty of players at 11:00 in the morning. I played as a single and felt that the premium price was not warranted. The course may get more play with more reasonable prices.

Great course in very good condition, over-priced, would go again if on special

This course is extremely hilly with stunning scenery of the coast line. It is a tough course that plays very long. It is not for beginner golfers unless they are looking for an extreme challenge.