Half Moon
Robert Trent Jones Sr. carved Half Moon into the Rose Hall coast east of Montego Bay in 1961, a par 72 that stretches to about 7,141 yards through a clever figure eight routing. Roger Rulewich modernized the layout in 2005, and it remains the headline golf on Jamaica's north coast.
Photo: Half Moon Golf Course via Google.
The verdict
Robert Trent Jones Sr. opened Half Moon in 1961 as the centerpiece of the storied resort on the Rose Hall coast, a tract of gently rolling parkland a few minutes east of Montego Bay. The routing loops out and back in a figure eight, so the trade wind that funnels off the Caribbean is rarely on the same shoulder for long, and Roger Rulewich rebuilt the greens and bunkering in 2005 to bring the strategy up to date.
It plays to a par 72 of about 7,141 yards from the back markers, though four sets of tees bring it back to a friendly length for a holiday round. Generous landing areas, undulating greens and that constant breeze make Half Moon a course you can enjoy and still respect, the most complete test among the cluster of resort courses that line this stretch of coast.
Half Moon Golf Club at a glance
- Opened
- 1961
- Designer
- Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rulewich 2005
- Type
- Resort parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 7,141 yds
- Green fee
- Resort, visitors welcome
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Half Moon and leading course databases. Robert Trent Jones Sr. laid the course out in 1961, with Roger Rulewich modernizing it in 2005, a par 72 of about 7,141 yards. Half Moon is a resort course open to guests and visitors with advance booking; published green fees move with the season, so always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The figure eight gives Half Moon its character. Few holes run in the same direction for long, so reading the wind off the Caribbean is the first job on every tee, and the Trent Jones bunkering pinches the ideal line just where you want to be aggressive.
The greens are the heart of Rulewich's 2005 work, firm and subtly contoured, asking for a controlled approach rather than brute carry. Water and coastal scrub frame several of the par 4s, and the par 5s reward a brave second only when the breeze allows.
It closes back toward the elegant clubhouse and the resort beyond, a stretch where par feels earned when the wind is up. Half Moon is holiday golf with real teeth, walkable in the cooler months and a fine partner to the other Rose Hall layouts.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort course at Half Moon; open to resort guests and visiting golfers with advance booking |
| Green fee | Published green fees vary by season; arranged through the golf shop or your trip planner (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Reserve through the resort golf shop or a Jamaica golf specialist, especially in the winter high season |
| On the day | Carts and forecaddies are the norm on the Jamaican coast; resort transport is easy to arrange |
| Getting there | About fifteen minutes from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay |
| Best months | November to April for the dry season and the steadiest trade winds |
Access arrangements verified June 2026; policies and pricing change, so always confirm directly before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is the Half Moon resort itself, a sprawling property of villas and suites set along its own crescent of beach, with the first tee a short buggy ride from your door. It makes for an easy golf focused stay on the Rose Hall coast.
The wider Rose Hall corridor between Montego Bay and Falmouth is lined with resorts and is the obvious hub for a multi course week. From here you can pair Half Moon with Cinnamon Hill, the White Witch and Tryall to build the strongest golf trip on the island.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Half Moon Golf Club.
Build a Jamaica golf trip
We secure the Half Moon tee times, pair them with the best of the Rose Hall coast and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Half Moon Golf Club questions
Who designed Half Moon golf course and when did it open?
Half Moon was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and opened in 1961, with Roger Rulewich modernizing the greens and bunkering in 2005.
What is the par and length of Half Moon?
Half Moon plays as a par 72 of about 7,141 yards from the back tees, with four sets of tees that bring it back to a comfortable holiday length.
Can visitors play Half Moon?
Yes. Half Moon is a resort course open to resort guests and visiting golfers; book through the golf shop or a Jamaica golf specialist, especially in the winter high season.
What other courses are nearby?
The Rose Hall coast also has Cinnamon Hill and the White Witch, and a short drive west lies Tryall, making Montego Bay an easy base for a multi course trip.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.