It is not as far away as Florida and South Carolina which have taken the main brunt of the British exodus from the golfing

It is not as far away as Florida and South Carolina, which have taken the main brunt of the British exodus from the golfing haunts of southern Europe. Nor need they fear discovering certain fellow- Europeans warming up on the first tee, which is golf's version of the towels-on-deckchairs trauma.Not many Europeans go to Bermuda. This is mainly because British Airways has the monopoly on flying from the east - and a very comfortable seven- hour service it is. The only other way to get there is via the US, which probably explains why 95 per cent of the 600,000 annual visitors are Americans. Apart from the obvious attractions, they enjoy the Britishness of this self-governing colony complete with Union Jack, plumed governor, bobbies, intruiging history and a colonial main street that reeks ofCheltenham.They also drive on the left, but that is of no advantage because visitors do not drive There's no room on the roads. Cars were not introduced until 1949 and are even now rationed to one per household. There is a strictly enforced speed limit of 20 mph which at first can induce frothing at the mouth in the back of a taxi but which gradually lulls you into the gentle pace of the island.

Mopeds are available for hire, but the tendency is to stay put - so a wise choice of holiday base is important. This applies particularly to golfers on holiday with a non-golfing partner. Golf is not a swift pursuit in Bermuda - it never is when playing behind Americans - and alternative activities for anyone left behind are essential. !TRAVEL NOTESGETTING THERE: British Airways (081-897 4000) has flights departing three times a week from Gatwick. They run a Pex Fare ticket which must be bought 14 days in advance, staying a minimum of 7 days and maximum of two months for £466 return plus £10 departure tax. STA travel offers a fare of £420 plus £10 departure tax, valid until 31 March.GOLF PACKAGES: Elegant Resorts of Chester (0244 329671) has two separate packages. A 7-day unlimited golf package costs from £1,195 per person during January, February and March and £1,830 per person from April 17 to October 31, staying at the Southampton Princess, a large hotel with every possible facility, including six restaurants, a private beach - and the best par-three golf course you're likely to see.

Bermuda has pioneered a selection of colonies where accommodation is in private cottages clustered in gardens around a main clubhouse. The cottages are not self-catering but have private terraces on which meals can be served. The other package offers accommodation at Cambridge Beaches, one of the oldest and best. It has its own 25-acre peninsula with five private beaches, numerous sandy coves and two islands. An inclusive golf package here, which has Mid Ocean on the menu, costs from £1,895 per person from November to March and £2,370 per person thereafter.