Even though Bermuda territory is on the shy side of 21 square miles, it’s packed to the gills with shopping, entertainment, dining, natural wonders and more. Action seekers can snorkel and scuba dive near shipwrecks. Foodies can feast on fresh-caught spiny lobster chased down with a Dark ‘n Stormy made with Gosling’s Black Seal Rum. History buffs could spend days in St. George, a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site for being an early English settlement built in 1612. On an island filled with “must-do” activities, there’s one “mustdo” that outdoes them all: golfing. Thanks to perfect year-round climate, an ocean backdrop that makes every fairway Instagram worthy and more courses per square mile than anywhere else, Bermuda is a true golfer’s paradise. Here are our choices for the top five golf experiences you can’t miss.

PLAYING THE 16TH ON PORT ROYAL

Named Bermuda’s finest course by the New York Times and ranked among the world’s best public golf courses by Golf Digest, Port Royal is 6,842 immaculate yards of sweeping ocean views, drivable fairways and super-fine TifEagle greens. The moment you will remember forever from your round here will be teeing off at the course’s signature hole — the 16th — regarded as one of the greatest par threes in golf and a particular favorite of none other than Mr. Jack Nicklaus. Standing at the black tees of this crescent-shaped hole, with nothing between you and the green but the Atlantic Ocean, is a shot you will want to take more than once … and often you will have to considering the difficulty of the shot!

SEE IF TURTLE HILL REALLY IS “THE BEST”

Like Port Royal, Turtle Hill has a knack for collecting accolades. Called one of the “Best Places to Play Golf” by Golf Digest and voted as the 2020 “Best Par 3 Golf Course in the World” by the World Golf Awards, Turtle Hill Golf Club’s 18 holes offer a serious challenge to anyone who might be too distracted by endless ocean vistas and lush sub-tropical surroundings to hit their shots squarely. For those of you who constantly read about “the best” places to play, here you can see for yourself if Turtle Hill lives up to the praises. Spoiler alert: it does.

TEST YOUR METTLE AT BELMONT HILLS

For serious golfers, a par 3 course is not going to cut it. Instead, you should aim for Belmont Hills Golf Club, a challenging 6,100-yard, par-70 course designed by renowned golf architect Algie M. Pulley, Jr. in 2002. Featuring multi-tiered TifEagle greens, manmade lakes separated by a waterfall and varied terrain dotted with strategically laid-out bunkers, Belmont Hills will help you answer that one nagging question we all have: “Am I any good at this game?” If the course proves too challenging, you can still enjoy panoramic views of Hamilton Harbour and the Great Sound that accompany nearly every shot.

SQUEEZE IN 9 HOLES WHILE CRUISING

Most cruise itineraries to Bermuda give you multiple nights docked at Royal Naval Dockyard, Hamilton Harbour or St. George’s Port, which is plenty of time to explore the wonders of the island. But if you spent most of your time shopping, pinkbeach hopping or stopping at historic monuments and suddenly find yourself with just a few hours to play golf, then Ocean View Golf Course is your best bet. They offer a cruise ship special that includes 9 holes, a cart, club rentals and range balls for one acceptable price. After enjoying a proper challenge on this tricky par 70, you can then share your best shots with mates back onboard.

PUTT YOUR WAY AROUND THE WORLD AT BERMUDA FUN GOLF

Most cruise itineraries to Bermuda give you multiple nights docked at Royal Naval Dockyard, Hamilton Harbour or St. George’s Port, which is plenty of time to explore the wonders of the island. But if you spent most of your time shopping, pinkbeach hopping or stopping at historic monuments and suddenly find yourself with just a few hours to play golf, then Ocean View Golf Course is your best bet. They offer a cruise ship special that includes 9 holes, a cart, club rentals and range balls for one acceptable price. After enjoying a proper challenge on this tricky par 70, you can then share your best shots with mates back onboard.