W ith so many golf holes on Bermuda, it is surprising the island hasn't sunk! There are seven spectacular eighteen hole courses dotted around the island - more courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world.

With the island stretching only twenty-two miles long by two miles wide, at its widest point, there are many holes with sweeping views ensuring that Bermuda's courses are among the most spectacular in the world.

The pink beaches of Bermuda

There is undoubted beauty in the turquoise seas, the rocky shoreline and the glorious stretches of pink, yes pink, sanded beaches which surround many of the courses.

St George golf course

Golf is, in essence, a major pastime on Bermuda. From the short, but decidedly tricky St George Club on the east of the island to the fabulous championship standard Port Royal Golf Club to the west.

Robert Trent Jones left his signature at St George's, and the club shares more than just its name with its royal counterpart on the Kent coast.

St George golf and harbour

Even though it consists of one par five, eight fours and nine threes, it is, like Sandwich, right next to the sea. The views out over the startling turquoise ocean are distracting to say the least and golfers are advised to look out for photo opportunities on the 7th, 8th and 15th holes.

Castle Harbour, now named Tucker's Point

Around Harrington Sound - a gorgeous inland lake connected to the sea by a narrow channel - is Castle Harbour Resort and Bermuda's oldest and most famous course, the Mid Ocean Club.

Castle Harbour offers plenty to keep your attention with steep drops, banks and hills that make for an exciting and even hair-raising game. This course shouldn't be missed.

The Mid Ocean golf course

Mid Ocean Club is private but not inaccessible if you get an introduction from your hotel or a member - an invitation is not to be turned down. After all, this 6.547 yard course, situated in exclusive Tuckers Town, has courted powerful golfers such as Eisenhower and Churchill. When Ben Crenshaw was asked to tee up in a competition on Bermuda, he asked where it would be played. On hearing it was Mid Ocean he said, "Tell me when and I'll be there". The fifth hole, Mangrove Lake is renowned for being one of the best in the world.

The 9th at Ocean View

Another five or six miles west lies the island's only nine hole course Ocean View, designed to leave any golfer wanting more.

Just past Bermuda's capital, Hamilton is the Belmont Hotel & Country Club which is a great course although not quite in the same league as Mid Ocean and Castle Harbour. Most of the fairways are tight with many elevated greens. If you are a hotel guest, an added bonus is that green fees are free.

Riddell's Bay golf course

Ridells Bay & Golf Club is the only other private golf club and will welcome visitors if they have an introduction from their hotel. Set on a remarkably narrow peninsular, only 6000 yards at its widest and is a classic test of good old fashioned golfing skills. Watch out for the 8th and 9th holes across the water.

Fairmont/Princess golf course, Southampton

Overlooking the beautiful South Shore beaches is Princess Golf Club - the 'executive' par 3 course is wonderfully maintained and offers a real challenge with a par of 54. Anyone breaking 60 has played pretty well!

Last, but by no means least, is the 6.425 yard government-owned course Port Royal Golf Club which overlooks Southampton's South Shore and was also designed by Trent Jones, in 1972. Port Royal plays host to the Bermuda Open Championships each October and is regarded as being one of the best public courses in the world.

Fairmont/Princess golf course, Southampton

With Bermuda's sub-tropical climate where the temperature rarely drops below 65, golfers can play year-round. The après-golf cannot fail to impress - there is an eclectic mix of international restaurants, pubs, bars and eateries; and when you are not playing golf, Bermuda offers a wide range of water-sports from scuba and helmet diving to water-skiing and deep sea fishing.

Birds of Paradise

Getting around on Bermuda could not be easier because the island is served by an efficient bus and ferry service. Taxi rides are recommended as drivers are qualified to act as guides and are friendly and eager to share Bermuda's history and points of interest. For the independent, visitors are also able to rent a moped as long as they adhere to the island's 20mph speed limit!

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