Golf

This island boasts more golf links than any other in The Bahamas. The courses are within 11km (7 miles) of one another, and you usually won't have to wait to play. All courses are open to the public year-round, and clubs can be rented from all pro shops on the island.

Bahamia's Emerald Golf Course, the Mall South, at the Royal Oasis Golf Resort & Casino (tel. 242/350-7000), was the site of The Bahamas National. Open some years back, and more recently, in conjunction with the Ruby course, it's the site of the annual January Grand Bahama Pro-Am Tournament. The course has plenty of trees along the fairways, as well as an abundance of water hazards and bunkers. The toughest hole is the ninth, a par 5 with 545 yards from the blue tees to the hole. In winter, greens fees to either of these courses are $95 per day, reduced to $85 in summer.

The championship course Bahamia's Ruby Golf Course, Sunrise Highway, also at Royal Oasis Resort & Casino (tel. 242/350-7000), received a major upgrade in 2001 by Jim Fazio Golf Design, Inc. The Ruby course was lengthened to increase the rating and to enhance play. A fully automated irrigation system was installed. For greens fees, see the Emerald Golf Course, above. It's a total of 6,750 yards if played from the championship blue tees.

Fortune Hills Golf & Country Club, Richmond Park, Lucaya (tel. 242/373-4500), was originally intended to be an 18-hole course, but the back 9 were never completed. You can replay the front 9 for 18 holes and a total of 6,916 yards from the blue tees. Par is 72. Greens fees are $31 for 9 holes, $43 for 18. Electric carts cost $34 and $44 for 9 and 18 holes, respectively.

The best-kept and most-manicured course on Grand Bahama is the Lucayan Park Golf & Country Club, Lucaya Beach (tel. 242/373-1066). Recently made over, it is quite beautiful and is known for a hanging boulder sculpture at its entrance. Greens are fast, and there are a couple of par 5s more than 500 yards long, totaling 6,824 yards from the blue tees and 6,488 from the whites. Par is 72. Greens fees are $65 for 18 holes. This includes a mandatory shared golf cart. We'll let you in on a secret: Even if you're not a golfer, sample the food at the club restaurant -- everything from lavish champagne brunches to first-rate seafood dishes.

The first golf course to open in The Bahamas since 1969 made its premiere late in 2000. The Reef Course at Royal Palm Way, Lucaya (tel. 242/373-2002), was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., who called it "a bit like a Scottish course but a lot warmer." The course requires precise shot-making to avoid its numerous lakes: There is water on 13 of its 18 holes and various types of long grass swaying in the trade winds. The course boasts 6,920 yards of links-style playing grounds. Residents of Our Lucaya, with which the course is associated, pay $65 for 18 holes or $40 for 9 holes. Nonresidents are charged $120 for 18 holes, but the same price, $65, for 9 holes.

Tennis

Royal Oasis Golf Resort & Casino, at the Mall at West Sunrise Highway (tel. 242/350-7000; www.theroyaloasis.com), has a near monopoly on tennis courts on Grand Bahama. Guests and nonguests are charged $10 per hour, and lessons are also available. The courts are open daily from 9am to dusk. If you want to play at night, you have to call and reserve a special time. It costs $12 for the courts to be lighted.