Mount Irvine Bay - Trinidad and Tobago

I visited Tobago in February 2020 for a 60th birthday celebration . I had read the terrible reviews regarding Mount Irvine and I decided to check it out as we were staying only five minutes along the road . There was only one elderly lady in the shop who was extremely pleasant and helpful and advised on the cost etc . I met up with a local caddie called Andres who was very pleasant and he said that he would bring me a set of clubs and we could play 18 holes the next day .True to his word Andres brought the clubs - I paid my green fee and buggy and I enjoyed some Millionaires Golf out on the course as we were the only ones playing .

The course was in good condition and a really super design . The par fives are very fair as you can see all before you , and the par threes are of various lengths .

As a Scot who has played all over the world I must say that I had a great round and really enjoyed the course .

There is a small bar at the shop where we enjoyed a beer after the round .

So the course is certainly worth a visit if you want a holiday game . It is easy walking if you can bear the heat .

If you need a caddie ask for Andres - a true gentleman

I played this course last week whilst visiting Tobago, buoyed by the positive review on the site and its number 1 ranking among the several courses in T&T. Unfortunately the reality could not be further from the truth now. It is clear to any golfer that the course layout is excellent. The changes in elevation, natural undulations and stunning setting lays the foundations for what should be an excellent golfing experience. Unfortunately the reality is a huge disappointment. It is clear that the course (and club generally) has suffered from a prolonged period of chronic under-investment (I would surmise zero investment). On many holes the 'fairways' are indistinguishable from the knee high rough. (One hole even had a resident goat tied up in the middle of the fairway). The tee boxes are incredibly scruffy and the bunkers all have overgrowing weeds. One minor plus point was the greens, which were at least amenable to holding a straight putt. On the whole though this was a hugely disappointing experience, so much so that I gave up and walked off after 11 holes - something I’ve never done when paying a green fee to play somewhere. The green fee of c.£35 plus c.£25 to hire clubs was extortion personified. Given the state of the course it should be no more than a £10 municipal practice course, and even then I suspect they’d struggle to attract business. The clubs too were astonishing - the putter belonged in a museum, being at least 30 years old, with the rest of the hotch potch bag belonging in the bin. It gives me absolutely no pleasure to write this. A close friend of mine has been visiting Tobago most years for the past 20 years. Once upon a time he played golf (about 15 years ago) and he remembers Mount Irvine as one of his favourite courses anywhere in planet golf. It was therefore a severe shock to find the course in the appalling condition that it was. I would strongly recommend any other visitors to save their money, or instead head to the nearby Tobago Plantations course at the Magdalena Grand resort (formerly the Hilton). It only cost an extra c.£10 for green fee and club hire (new Callaway irons, putter, fairway metal and driver) and that includes a buggy. Whilst not in the same league in terms of course layout it was at least expertly manicured, maintained and all round a very enjoyable golfing experience. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but until such time as Mount Irvine receives some investment from its owner(s) it hardly warrants classification as a golf course at all, let alone the best in T&T. Mark (12 handicap)