Golf in The Bahamas
Turquoise water, white sand and a short list of seriously good courses by Ernie Els, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf and Greg Norman, all within reach of Nassau. The courses that matter, the seasons, the costs and how to plan it.
Photograph: Ocean Club Golf Course, Paradise Island, via Google
Why golf in The Bahamas
The Bahamas is a small but high quality golf destination, where a handful of courses by the biggest names in design sit beside some of the clearest water on earth. The headline act is Albany on New Providence, an Ernie Els course that opened in 2010 and quickly became the standout in the islands, while the Tom Weiskopf course at the Ocean Club on Paradise Island and the Jack Nicklaus Royal Blue at the vast Baha Mar resort give Nassau three marquee layouts within a short drive of one another. Further out, the Greg Norman course at Sandals Emerald Bay on Great Exuma is one of the most scenic seaside rounds in the Caribbean.
The golf comes wrapped in a world class beach and resort destination, with direct flights from the United States and the United Kingdom, a warm dry winter that runs opposite to the northern cold, and the kind of water and white sand that make the non golf days as memorable as the rounds. It is a premium trip rather than a budget one, but for a couple, a small group or a special occasion it is hard to beat for golf and beach in one place.
The areas
New Providence and Nassau
The hub of Bahamian golf, home to Albany, the Royal Blue at Baha Mar and, just across the bridge on Paradise Island, the Ocean Club. The capital, the airport, the biggest resorts and the most golf, all close together.
Great Exuma
A short hop south, the home of Sandals Emerald Bay and its Greg Norman course on a peninsula above the sea, paired with some of the most beautiful beaches and sandbars in the islands.
Abaco
The northern out island where The Abaco Club at Winding Bay offers a rare tropical links style course along the cliffs, a quiet, exclusive base for golfers who want to get away from the crowds.
The courses that matter
Albany
The standout in the islands, an Ernie Els championship course at the Albany resort that blends links and desert touches with water in play, host to a college and professional event. Access is largely for members and residents, so confirm before planning.
Royal Blue at Baha Mar
The only Jack Nicklaus design in The Bahamas, reborn in 2017 as part of the huge Baha Mar resort on New Providence, a rolling layout with ocean and lake holes and full resort access for guests.
Ocean Club Golf Course
A Tom Weiskopf design on the tip of Paradise Island with the sea on three sides, long a host of the LPGA in The Bahamas, and one of the most photogenic resort rounds in the Caribbean.
Sandals Emerald Bay
An 18 hole Greg Norman championship course on a peninsula on Great Exuma, with six holes running along the Atlantic, the marquee round on the out islands and part of an all inclusive resort.
The Abaco Club at Winding Bay
A rare tropical links style course along the cliffs of Abaco, exclusive and quiet, a hideaway round for golfers who want the away from it all out island experience.
Designers and opening years verified June 2026 from the resorts and recognized course sources. Several courses are private or resort restricted, so always confirm visitor access and fees directly before booking.
When to go
| Season | Conditions | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| December to April | Dry, sunny, lighter winds, lower humidity | Prime season, the ideal Northern winter escape |
| May and November | Warm, a little more humid, occasional showers | Good value shoulder months either side of peak |
| June to October | Hot, humid, the Atlantic hurricane season | The cheapest golf, with a weather eye on storms |
The dry winter season is the time to plan a Bahamas golf trip, and it is also the busiest, so reserve the resort courses and any private club access well ahead.
Indicative costs
| Item | Indicative 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resort green fee | Around US$200 to $350 | Royal Blue or Ocean Club, cart usually included |
| Private club access | Higher, restricted | Albany is largely member and resident only |
| A week, all in | Around US$4,000 to $9,000 per person | Flights, a resort or villa, several rounds |
Indicative third party figures for the 2026 season, shown to set expectations only. We are a guide, not an operator, and never quote our own pricing. Always confirm directly before booking.
Getting there and around
The Bahamas is one of the easiest Caribbean destinations to reach, with direct flights from many United States cities and from the United Kingdom into Nassau, plus regional hops to the out islands. On New Providence the courses, the airport and the big resorts are all within a short drive, and Paradise Island is just across the bridge from the capital. For Great Exuma and Abaco a short connecting flight gets you to the resort. Most golfers use taxis and resort transfers rather than hiring a car, especially on the out islands.
Where to stay
Nassau and Paradise Island hold the widest choice, from the vast Baha Mar resort with its Royal Blue course to the One and Only Ocean Club beside the Tom Weiskopf layout, plus villas at Albany for those with access. For an all inclusive trip, Sandals Emerald Bay on Great Exuma pairs the Greg Norman course with a beachfront resort, while The Abaco Club offers an exclusive out island hideaway. Let one planner match the resort or villa to the group and line up the tee times.
Plan your Bahamas golf trip
Tell us the courses you want and roughly when. One concierge costs the whole trip to the head and replies within one working day, with no obligation.
The Bahamas golf questions
When is the best time to play golf in The Bahamas?
The dry season from December to April is the prime time, with warm, sunny days, lower humidity and the lightest winds, lining up with the Northern Hemisphere winter. May to November is hotter and more humid with a chance of afternoon showers and the Atlantic hurricane season, but green fees and hotels are cheaper.
Which is the best golf course in The Bahamas?
Albany, the Ernie Els design that opened in 2010 on New Providence, is widely regarded as the standout. The Tom Weiskopf course at the Ocean Club on Paradise Island and the Jack Nicklaus Royal Blue at Baha Mar are the other marquee names near Nassau, while the Greg Norman designed Sandals Emerald Bay on Great Exuma is the pick further out. Access at private clubs is limited, so always confirm before booking.
How much does a golf trip to The Bahamas cost in 2026?
The Bahamas is a premium destination. Indicative 2026 green fees at the resort courses run to around US$200 to $350, with the private clubs higher and access restricted. A week with flights, a resort or villa and several rounds typically lands between US$4,000 and $9,000 per head. Always confirm directly before booking.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Caribbean openings, resort access and the best winter sun tee times. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts and indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.