After the Jakarta tour above we will take you right across the Java island over to the enchanting island
of Bali for another 5day 4night 3golf tour to wrap up a truly memorable golf visit to Indonesia. Play two rounds at Bali Handara
Kosaido Golf Resort at Bedugul and one at Bali Nirwana Golf Club, Tanah Lot. Stay at beautiful Bali Handara Resort & Grand Bali
Sani Suites at exclusive Kerobokan. Full breakfast and air-conditioned transportation to take you all the way to scenic Bedugul
and back to the sunny beaches of Bali. Airfare for Jakarta->Bali not included.
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Like to know a little about golf in Indonesia?
Indonesia: General Information

Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world. It consists of five main islands: Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan,
Sulawesi and Irian Jaya. Additionally there are some 30 other smaller ones, together with all the others
making in all a total of more than a whopping 17,000 islands! It has the fifth largest population in the world numbering
some 200 million and is made up basically of Malay and Polynesian stock comprising some 300 ethnic groups having
their own individual traditions and dialectic languages. Early immigrants from the Indian subcontinent, China,
the Middle East and others have left their mark on the culture and religions of this country. More influences were
to come from the Portuguese, Spanish, English and Dutch traders and colonialists.
The Indonesian constitution allows freedom of religion in a predominantly Muslim country and the state's motto of
'unity in diversity' (Pancasila) is a recognition of the diversity of the many different people unified in one
nation. These diverse culture have given Indonesia a rich heritage of traditions and art resulting in festivities
throughout the year in different parts of the country. These festivities are usually closely related to religion.
This is particularly so on the island of Bali. You will generally find the Indonesians friendly and welcoming to
travellers with smiles abounding.
Golfing in Indonesia

Some say, golfing in Indonesia is second only to golfing in paradise. We haven't been to both, so we will leave it
to others to vouch for that first. What we do know is that golf is being played all year round and golfers are
spoiled for choice!
In and around Jakarta alone, one is able to play in as many as 15 different championship courses designed by the
world's top names like Nicklaus, Faldo, Norman, and Palmer, just to name a few.
Golf enthusiasts will be excited when they discover on arrival the wide variety of golf adventures that await their
exploration. Indonesian golf courses appeal to every level of player, from the beginners to the near professionals.
Good quality courses as well as the spectacular settings in which many of these courses are located continue to
attract many golfers from around the world.
In Indonesia, golf courses can be found not only in conventional sites but in many instances also at unlikely
locations like the shores of a picturesque lake, inside a volcanic crater, on ocean cliffs, amidst rice paddies,
on mountain slopes and sometimes almost completely surrounded by lush tropical rain forest. Such is the
penchant for golf in this country.
Just like anywhere else, business is often conducted on the golf course. Foreigners new to the country quickly
discover the same conducive business environment playing golf in Indonesia.
A good number of domestic and world-class events are organized each year, usually sponsored by the multinational
corporations operating in the country. The AmCham golf tournament is a regular feature. Of late, there are the
Johnny Walker Classic, Volvo Masters and other high quality tournaments filling the ever expanding golf calendar
in this country. The recently inaugurated ASEAN Pro Golf Circuit kicked-off its maiden tournament in Jakarta and
that could only add
prestige to the quality of golf in Indonesia.
Jakarta also boasts of having one of the oldest (a highly contentious term to use if you knew the intra-regional
rivalry in terms of the individual prestige of the nations involved.) golf courses in Asia,
the
Rawamangun, otherwise known as the Jakarta Golf Club. Apparently it was the favourite ground of the then
healthy President Suharto and his cronies. It is an old-fashioned English-style course, short (you will rarely use
a driver) and tree-lined. For more please refer to:
Dalat Gof Club of Vietnam and
The Manila Golf Cub of Philippine.)
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Golf Courses in Indonesia
Jakarta
The Pantai Indah Kapuk Golf Course of Jakarta -
'..the Pantai Indah Kapuk Course will test the best of players, but will
also please players of all skill..' - Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Situated on the Java Sea coastline, this golf course incorporates ponds and gently winding streams as
strategically positioned water hazards in addition to other challenges like the numerous bunkers and rustic walls
made from indigenous stones. Also known as "Spirit of the Sea" for its lush landscaping, this Par-72 6,042-yard
course has been skillfully designed by integrating the coastal wetlands to create a playable course of natural
beauty. It is also one of the few venues in Jakarta to offer a 9-hole night golf play.
Bumi Serpong Damai Indah (BSD) Golf & Country Club of Jakarta - Recognized as one of the finest courses Jack Nicklaus has ever designed,
this course was chosen as the best golf course in Indonesia by Golf Digest USA in 1999. It was also the host venue
of the APGA Omega Tour in 1996. Of late, it staged the inaugural Asian Tour to promote young golfers from Asia.
This Par-72 6,545-yard course has been designed to offer an enjoyable challenge within a visually appealing setting
with every green comes complete with beautiful landscape surrounding. Perhaps the most significant feature of it all
lies in it having traces of some of the best golf courses around the world that are also the favourites of the
designer. Just like its counterpart the Pantai Indah Kapuk Golf Course, the Bumi Serpong Damai course earns its nickname
"Spirit of the Hills" because of its lush tropical landscaping, green rolling hills and the Cisadane River.
The Pondok Indah Golf Course of Jakarta - This is a course of a unique design which sort of reflects the old course of
St. Andrews' in Scotland. The course goes along a narrow belt of land surrounding a low hill with most fairways
running parallel and next to each other but in opposite directions. The first nine goes in one direction and returns
to the club house while the second goes in the opposite direction of the first. The design is not only unusual, it
also incorporates clever use of the meandering tributaries of the Grogol River. With the strategically positioned
bunkers, this course rewards accurate play.
The Par-4 440-yard Hole#7 is undisputably the signature-hole of the course and is also the toughest. A strategically
placed vast trap at the dog-leg left area ensures a difficult decision to either lay up for a long carry-over on the
second approach shot or to attempt a huge tee-off drive over the trap risking OBs. A well bunkered elevated green
awaits at the end making it a daunting task to all approach shots coming from before or after the trap, irrespective.
Jakarta 'Rawamangun' Golf Club of Jakarta -
Le Grand Damme of golf in Indonesia, Jakarta Golf Club was established in 1872 and was previously known as Batavia
Golf Club. With World War II and Independence interceding, much has worn off the spirit of aristocracy and the
lingering scent of colonialism over time. Being sited in the middle of the fast expanding capital city however, the
greater impact has been the encroaching economic progress of its surrounding that the club was fortunate, or
otherwise, to have witnessed. What was once vast swampland where the course sits is now a tough little course with
tight fairways and literally surrounded by OB's set up out of necessity on almost every hole. Matter of fact, this
Par-70 course has had at some stage to be shortened to the present yardage of 5,890 to contribute a segment of its
land to the University of Indonesia. Despite all these, it is still a favourite among the locals and continues to
attract dignitaries and visiting heads of state.
To the locals it is simply and affectionately, Rawamangun, the name of the suburb where it is located in East
Jakarta, a mere half-an-hour's drive from the city center. Apart from its rich history, it has also hosted
several major tournament not least the Indonesia Open. For a club that is so much an interwoven part of the
cultural and historical fabric of the country, it shares in no less glamour in Southeast Asia with peers such as:
RSGC of Malaysia,
Dalat Palace Golf Club of Vietnam,
Manila Golf Club of the Philippines and others.
The Jakarta-Bogor Belf of Golf Courses
If the
Bali Quartro (below) has so much imprinted Indonesia onto the world map of quality-class golf courses, then the
Jakarta-Bogor Belt of Golf Courses has done as much at least for golf in Indonesia in a similar way. If it wasn't
because of the financial crisis of 1997, there would be many more than the 16 or so golf courses now concentrated
along the arterial Jagorawi Toll Road which is the freeway connecting Jakarta and the city of Bogor,
some 50 kilometers on the way to Bandung. Below is a list of the most popular among clients of GOLFnTours.com.
Jagorawi Golf & Country Club of Jakarta -
You can say, Jagorawi is The Course of the Jakarta-Bogor Belt of Golf Courses. Not only does it have the most
number of holes, 45 in all, among the many golf clubs here, it also boasts a private exit from the artery to all
these courses, the Jagorawi Toll Road. Situated in the scenic Cikeas River Valley, it consists of two
18-holes, the Old and the New, and a latest nine fashionably referred to as the Z-Nine.
Both the 18-holes were designed by Peter Thompson & Michael Wolveridge. Measuring 6,322 meters long, the Par-72
'For Members Only' Old Course has water hazard as its main feature having the Cikeas River traversing at several
points. The most memorable hole is the Par-5 503-meter Hole#x which runs some 100 meters down the elevated tee box.
The New Course, which measures 6,481 meters long however, has more sand bunkers in addition to the tight fairways
with many tall trees lining the many doglegs. This is a good ground to test good course management decisions. The
Z-Nine is the baby of the club. Designed by Zakir & Max Wexler, some say pleasure golf is the game here but do not
underestimate this Par-35 2,867-meter course, after all Jagorawi hosted the Indonesia Open in 1996 and 1997.
Klub Golf Bogor Raya of Jakarta -
Klub Golf Bogor Raya is an 18-hole 6,195-meter Par-71 Graham Marsh-designed course located on the hillside 500
meters above sea level beside the climbing windy road to Bandung. It is less than an hour's drive from Jakarta and is
therefore generally considered part of the golf scene of the capital city. It is relatively old and has mature trees
lining much of the fairways. It is also characterised by the scenic hilly surrounding with the majestic hilltop as
the backdrop. The course has been described as challenging in the long drives, having difficult approaches and hard
to read
greens. There are also quite a few sand bunkers around and they certainly do not help with easing course difficulty.
And yet, many find it rewarding in the end for accepting the challenge. Certainly the four sets of tee help in some
way to make a round of golf here an enjoyable outing for most.
Emeralda Golf Club of Jakarta -
A mere 25 minutes' drive from downtown Jakarta if taking the Jagorawi Toll Road, the Emeralda is considered very
easily accessible by any degree of traffic congestion of this sprawling capital city. Designed by Arnold Palmer
and Jack Nicklaus, this 27-hole course consists of three 9-hole courses with a combined distance of 9,775 meters.
The Arnold Palmer-designed
River Course is generally considered the most golfer-friendly of the three 9s.
With the river traversing much of the fairways, it provides more fun for players of all levels than for
risk-seekers for low scores. The
Lake Course which is also designed by Palmer appears more testing with
numerous water hazards spotted amongst lush green vegetation and gently rolling hills. Perhaps the most
unconventional among the three 9s and as well to most other golf courses around, the
Plantation
Course combines the natural terrain and vegetation found in this part of the world with remnants of tall
coconut trees of the old plantation estate placing it apart from the usual mountain and lake
surrounding of most other courses. To a certain extent, this characteristically Jack Nicklaus-designed course
also raises the degree of difficulty somewhat in the form of hazards of a less familiar kind: coconut leaves
waving at the tree tops. Despite, the
numerous tee sets will ensure playability for all levels.
Championships staged by Emerald Golf Club includes:
- Indonesia Open - 2006
- Johnnie Walker Super Tour - 1997
- Volvo Asian
Riverside Golf & Country Club of Jakarta -
If skillfully combining beauty and challenge in the design of a course is the trademark of Greg Norman, as many
regard it to be, then this club only exemplies his portfolio. The Riverside Golf & Country Club is Norman's first
foray into golf course designing in Indonesia. The course runs on gentle hills with tropical trees and vegetation
mostly but ravines and valleys of rivers and waterfalls pose the main obstacles. Measuring 6,846 yards long, this
Par-72 Championship Course is a test of the mind and ability to most levels of golfers.
All the Par-3s of Hole#4, Hole#11 and Hole#14 are quite unforgiving and therefore require above normal
accuracy as they are fiercely protected by ravines which leave little margin for error. The relatively short Par-5
Hole#7 is not easy either with its small green well-protected by bunkers.
Palm Hill Golf Club of Jakarta -
Like almost all of the courses in the Jakarta-Bogor region, Palm Hill offers scenic views of Mount Bogor and its
lush green surrounding. Measuring 6,810 yards, this Taisei Corporation-designed course is located at the foothills of
the majestic 1,500-meter mountain. Whereas most others boast of hilly terrain with deep valley courses in between,
this course features mainly water play with streams crossings posing the main obstacles.
Padang Golf Satelindo of Jakarta -
Located within the fully integrated Royal Sentul Highlands Housing Estate, Satelindo is an 18-hole Par-72 course
designed by Gary Player. The first 9 is surrounded by rice paddies and other cultivations while the second
extends well into the rural areas. Although the former is the shorter, it is nontheless the more technically
testing demanding shots making and accurate placements. In addition to the normal practice green, this course
also offers a rare total of three practice holes (one Par-3 and two Par-4s) for the less experienced.
Gunung Geulis Country Club of Jakarta -
Designed by Wolveridge & Thomson, Gunung Geulis Golf Club offers two fine 18-hole courses, namely the East and the
West Courses. The West Course is the older of the two but both offer impressive views of the surrounding
hills and jungle environment; 'Gunung Geulis' is after all in the local dialect for 'Beautiful Mountain'. In fact
the East Course opens up a view of the nearby Bukit Pelangi Golf Club.
Technically both courses offer equal challenges but in their own ways. The East Course is shorter and is divided
into the first nine of Valley Course and the second of the Hill Course. Buggies are compulsory here. The West
Course starts with its Signature Hole of the Hole#1 where the tee-shot takes a carry over and lands on a tight
fairway some 200 yards down below where several sand traps await on one side and OB area on the other. Not much of
a welcoming party you think, but it sure signals what's on hand for the rest of the holes.
Bukit Pelangi Golf Club of Jakarta -
As the name suggests (Bukit Pelangi translates to Rainbow Hill), Bukit Pelangi is perhaps one of the most beautiful
golf resorts in the Jakarta-Bogor area. Destined to take its place among the world's best, it certainly is one of
the top courses in Indonesia. Designed by Michael Poellot, it takes full advantage of a picturesque
setting and carefully adapts the abundant natural resources of the site in making it a spectacular golf
landscape. Each fairway is carefully crafted onto the site to create an exciting series of 18 holes, each
distinctly different from the last. More than anything, it is a course where you have to manage well. Distance
and power are not the most critical elements required here. Finesse and quality will be well
rewarded, for this course encourages initiative and good placement shots. From the clubhouse, the view on the
entire site is spectacular. From most of the fairways and greens players will have a bird's eye view on the Gunung
Geulis Golf Club's East Course as well as the mountainous Bogor and Puncak region.
Cengkareng Golf Club of Jakarta -
This 18-hole Par-72 6,301-meter course was designed by Walter R Steward. It has a Slope Rating of 127 at the hardest
of the many sets of tees. Despite, it is generally considered to be golfer-friendly with the main course feature
of numerous water hazards, bunker placements and a few doglegs-left and -right which nontheless demand a certain
degree of care and accuracy for laying up shots. The fairways are covered with Bermuda grass 419 and the greens,
Tifdwarf. For those more experienced and technically minded, the green speed reading is 10 and the Course Rating
is 9.
Rancamaya Golf & Country Club of Jakarta -
Rancamaya is another golf club easily accessible via the Jagorawi Toll Road. At an elevation of about 500 meters
above sea level, this is a course of challenge and beauty. Measuring 6,930 yards and designed by Ted Robinson, it
combines the scenic views of distant Mount Salak, Mount Pangrango and the township of Bogor as a sense-around to
the course which runs on hilly terrains but has the lake as its main challenge. Fairways ascend and descend at
the whims of the contour and at points wind unexpectedly but blending into the original landscape of the place
giving the course a specialty on its own. To add to that, the course also promotes preservation of wild life and
aims to become a sanctuary for birds and butterflies and at the same time a quality golf course.
(If you are interested, there are courses elsewhere that often have the locals, usually front row-seated in their
natural habitat, as your uninvited supporters. Visit:
Dalit Bay Golf Club & Spa and Shan Shui
Golf & Country Club both in the State of Sabah, East Malaysia.)
Modern Golf Club of Jakarta -
Living up to its name suggesting modernity, the Modern Golf Course is actually part of a
huge sports complex incorporating not only a golf course but also courts for tennis, squash, badminton and
table-tennis. It also has an Olympic-size swimming pool, a resort theme pool complete with an outdoor restaurant,
a fully equipped fitness center, an aerobic studio, a sauna with whirlpool, a steam room and jacuzzi, function rooms
for meeting and training session and even a ballroom for wedding, birthday and other social gatherings.
If night golf in this 18-hole Par-72 6,311-yard Peter Thompson-designed course won't keep you long after the sun
has long set, all the rests certainly will!
The Bali Quartro of Golf Courses
In 1997, Bali Golf & Country Club was voted one of the Top 5 Best Golf Courses in Asia by Fortune Magazine. Together
with Le Meridien Nirwana of Tanah Lot, Bali Handara Kosaido of Bedugul and Bali Beach Golf Club of Sanur, many
believe, the 'Gang of Four' put Bali firmly on the world map of the best golf courses.
Update (May 2008): One more for the road in Bali!
Just as we thought for once Bali is saturated with golf courses, and the Bali Quartro will fully service the golfing
needs of this jewel of tourist paradise, there, amidst political heaves not uncommon to the Republic, emerges yet
another golf club of a standard good enough to rival its existing cousins, if not better. Situated mid-way between
the famous Kuta Beach and the cliff-top monkeys' haven of Uluwatu just off the coast, the course is about half an
hour from the former and next to the well-known sunset site of Jimbaran Beach. Because of its proximity to the
various better known established areas, it is often referred to differently by different people. The locals
call it Pecatu after the name of the beach there, the ever-surfing Aussies call it Dreamland for the hide-away
isolated surf spots, the developer of the up-market housing project which is to be incorporated into the entire
golfing estate calls it 'Hole17' for the villas will ring the hole on one side when completed and the nudists would
of course 'barely say a word' in a wishful and last ditch attempt to keep the place remaining secret despite the ever
encroaching development. The Bali Times reported it had been officially renamed the 'New Kuta Beach' but without
naming the authority responsible for it; and talking about authority, no scrappy notices were sighted on the notice
board of the many guest houses in Poppies Lane I, or II, either! But no worries mate, flag a bimo (local taxi),
you'll get there!
The New Kuta Beach Golf Club of Pecatu - This Ronald Fream-designed 18-hole Par-72 course actually
sits somewhat aloof with the beach and the Indian Ocean
down below and the steep hillside to the back. It runs to-and-fro along the coastline with some of the greens
perched on cliff-tops providing spectacular views of the ocean, especially with the sun setting.
Cross winds from the ocean appear the key to a good course management and score. The Par-3 175-meter Hole#6 features
a very large island green on sand. Albeit, the strong cross winds often determine whether the landing will be too far
from the pin or the green is still not large enough at over 1,000 square meters that the ball must find the sand.
Another Par-3, the 190-meter Hole#8 has a long and narrow green with the only leeway on the right for a good pitch
shot second if finding the green is again hampered by the winds and waters on the left not of much help. The tee-shot off
the Par-4 365-meter Hole#14 is again another good test on reading the wind. Power and accuracy are also essential
here too. A long carry-over the massive fairway sand bunkers is necessary for a good lay-up. The second shot plays
downhill to a perched elevated green fronting the ocean further down below. If all else fails, you would still be
well rewarded with a fullsome embrace by the delightful and spectacular view of the vast and open Indian Ocean.
If you like Bali, mate, you will definitely like it here!
Bali Handara Kosaido Golf & Country Club of Bedugul, Bali -
A Grand Daddy of golf courses in Indonesia, Bali Handara Kosaido is one of the oldest in the country. But it is its
location that makes it apart from most others. Sitting on an extinct volcano just over a thousand meters above sea
level in the country resort of Bedugul which is some one and a half hour's drive up the hills from downtown Bali,
it boasts an 18-hole Par-72 6,983-yard Peter Thomson-designed championship course with Bent grass-greens and Kakuyu
grass-fairways.
Surrounded by near-vertical crater walls over-grown with lush tropical rain forest which extends to the shimmering
Lake Bunyan, the Handara is renowned for being deceptive if not outright challenging. Apart from the lake numerous
sand bunkers only add to the woes of those prone to careless and errant shots. For no less a reason, this course
was voted one of the Top 50 Best Golf Courses in the World in 1980. But if you must miss an easy birdie here or
there, please, do not miss the natural beauty of this mountain resort. Here, the temperature rarely moves out
of the year-round average of 16-20 degrees Celcius. If Kuta Beach is the lake course of a top
golf club, then the Handara at Bedugul is the mountain course. You can bet on it and win for sure that for once
your non-golfer mates would mind you finishing your round early!
Bali Golf & Country Club of Nusa Dua, Bali -
This is a Championship course nestled alongside the eastern shore of the Bali peninsula. Away from the crowd and
noise generally associated with the more famous Kuta Beach, Nusa Dua boasts on its own
a more tranquil environment and a beach characteristically different from the former. This is also the venue for
Bali's annual giant kites flying festival held every August.
Bali Golf has the entire cross-section of the vegetation of the land as its backdrop. The earlier holes take you on
an uphill climb through secondary tropical forests. At some parts of the gradually elevating fairways, the sides
are stone-walled to strengthen but more to emulate the famed terraced rice fields of Cikeng in the hilly central
region of the peninsula. At the top of the hill a sweeping view of the ocean and the township of Nusa Dua below
rewards the enduring climb up. It then slowly descends through an estate of tall coconut trees before reaching
Hole#17 and 18 which run along the shoreline of a never-ending cool breeze from the sea. Throughout the entire
'walk-through' of the course, watch for a wide variety of birds that have of late been making this place a
sanctuary of their own. Good Course Management by the management?
Designed by Nelson & Wright, this 18-hole par-72 6,870-yard course was voted by Fortune magazine as one of the 5
Best Golf Courses in Asia in 1997. If you have a point to prove, here it is: Nick Faldo set the course record of
63 in the Alfred Dunhill Masters in 1994.
Le Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort of Tanah Lot, Bali -
The newest of the trio, Nirwana is a challenging course located at about 30 kilometers west of Kuta Beach at Tanah
Lot. If Tanah Lot is so iconised by its seen-from-afar silhoutte-Hindu temple floating on a tiny
island just off the shore, Nirwana is as much identified for its terraced rice fields setting. Skillfully crafted
on rice paddies and rock out-croppings, this 18-hole Par-71 6,800-yard Greg Norman-designed master piece offers one of
Asia's most visually spectacular courses with fairways carved out of rice fields and streams traversing at some
places. It also includes three holes played along the cliffs overlooking the south seas to Australia.
Of the most spectacular, the Par-3 215-yard #7 has to be the Signature Hole. Teeing off high overlooking treacherous
rocks and foamy white waves below, the carry over must be long enough to reach the green way below on the extension
of the rock atop which the tee box stands. Putting on the silky green tucked behind a pair of sand bunkers, the
famed Hindu temple inevitably comes into sight just off the shore seemingly setting an ancient backdrop to a very
modern game of golf. If the feeling weren't so profoundly moving, it sure was somewhat sacrilegious at the least.
Not surprisingly this hole was named one of the 10 Best Par-3s in Asia in 2004 by the Asian Golf Monthly
magazine and Le Meridien Nirwana, The Best Course in Asia under the same award ceremony. Some say, the design of
this course eclipses many of Norman's master pieces in North America, but then Bali isn't yet the Beverly Hills of
golf in the eyes of the many influencials and the genius takes a bitter twist in the back seat. See it for
yourself!
Bali Beach Golf Club of Sanur, Bali -
In 2006, the 9-hole golf course on the ground of the Grand Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur took a new owner and underwent
a facelift. It was renamed Bali Beach Golf Club. The original Par-36 9-hole layout remains, but the greens and
sand bunkers have all been replaced and rebuilt. As well, the tight fairways lined with shady mature rain trees are
still intact to retain much of its original look of a flat course almost wholly under a canopy of lush green
leaves. Filtered lights of the afternoon sun reflecting on the well trimmed grass provide good photo opportunities.
If you are time-tight, try this course. Not only would it save you time, you just might find it challenging the
way it doesn't always appear to be.
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