Babe Ruth did it. So did Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, and George Bush, Sr. Played golf in Bermuda, that is. Golf is one of Bermuda’s biggest attractions, thanks to the island’s ten courses, many boasting breath-catching ocean views and championship layouts. Do the math, and that makes one golf course for every three square miles on the island, making Bermuda one of the world’s most golf-dense destinations. The PGA staged its annual Grand Slam of Golf here in 2007 and 2008, and the event, broadcast worldwide by TNT, looks set to become an October staple. The Grand Slam of Golf will be held at the Port Royal Golf Club in 2009 and 2010.

Balmy temperatures year-round bring golfers of every breed, and even duffers can enjoy the emerald fairways, turquoise horizons, and post-game rum swizzles in history-steeped clubhouses. Renowned golf-course architect Robert Trent Jones designed four of Bermuda’s courses, including Tucker’s Town’s premier Mid Ocean Club, a par-70, 6,666-yard course over ocean bluffs that’s rated one of the world’s best links. It was here that “The Babe” was said to have lost a dozen golf balls attempting to hit a tee shot over Mangrove Lake on the infamous fifth hole, a 433-yard par 4.

While just three of the courses are public, hotel concierges usually have no problem securing tee times for nonmembers at the island’s private clubs. Lessons, for adults and kids, can also be arranged. The island also has a trio of driving ranges, including a top-rated two-story facility complete with self-feeding ball machines at Belmont Hills.

Greens fees at Bermuda clubs range from about $80 to $200 and up. Proper golf attire is required at all clubs, including shirts with collars and sleeves. Women’s and men’s right- and left-handed golf club sets are available at all courses; balls start at $40 per dozen. Use of golf carts is mandatory at some clubs or on weekends and holidays; caddies are available only at Mid Ocean.

Visit www.bermudatourism.com/golf to tour various links, arrange vacation packages or schedule a tee time up to a year in advance. Credit cards are accepted at all courses. Golf bags are often included under free allowance on flights; check with your airline before flying. Tickets for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf can be booked through www.pga.com or www.pgagrandslamofgolf.com.

• Ocean View Golf Club

2 Barker’s Hill
tel. 441/295-9092, pro shop 441/295-9093, fax 441/295-9097
ovgc [at] bermudagolf [dot] bm
www.oceanview.bm

• Fairmont Southampton Resort

101 South Shore Rd.
reservations tel. 441/238-8000, direct tel. 441/239-6952, fax 441/238-8479
www.fairmont.com/southampton

• Port Royal Golf Course

5 Middle Rd.
tel. 441/234-0974, fax 441/234-3562
www.portroyalgolf.bm

• Bermuda Golf Academy

Industrial Park Rd., off Middle Rd.
tel. 441/238-8800, fax 441/232-0034

• Horizons

33 South Shore Rd.
tel. 441/236-0048
www.horizonscottages.com

• Belmont Hills Golf Club

97 Middle Rd.
tel. 441/236-6400, fax 441/236-0694
golf [at] belmonthills [dot] com
www.belmonthills.com

• Riddell’s Bay Club

Riddell’s Bay Rd.
tel. 441/238-1060, ext. 101 or 102
golf [at] riddellsbay [dot] com
www.riddellsbay.com

• St. George’s Golf Club

1 Park Rd.
tel. 441/297-8067, fax 441/297-2273
sggc [at] northrock [dot] bm

• Mid Ocean Club

tel. 441/293-0330, fax 441/293-8837
midoceanclub [at] moc [dot] bm
www.themidoceanclubbermuda.com

• Tucker’s Point Club

tel. 441/298-6915, golf club 441/298-6970, fax 441/293-5149
golf [at] tuckerspoint [dot] com
www.tuckerspoint.com