SINGAPORE: The Mere Dot on the Globe

Once described by a prominent foreign politician as ‘a mere dot’ on the globe, the Singapore island is surprisingly ‘full’ of golf courses, if you think the tiny republic has to house additionally two brand new casinos, a state-of-the-art movie studio, some bartops for all-night dancing and, according to a consulting group in Boston, the highest concentration in the world of millionaires, in albeit a declining USD term! And all these are there all at the same time! Chances are if you swing your driver at a group of people in Korea, the ball will land on a Mr. Kim, or if you are such a poor shot, a Mr. Park at least. But, if you do the same here, more likely you will get the ball on a millionaire! Where? Next to a bartop of course, where else could the fairways find some extension? An exaggeration? Perhaps, but on last count, a golf blog claimed ‘no fewer than twenty-five’ courses on the island. Well, we have no wish to challenge the accuracy but prefer to remain content in providing details on only the top few courses that count on the island in our page on Golf Courses in Singapore for the benefits of readers who might be interested to golf there.

Just in case you think golfers are too much spoilt for choice already, there are the nearby Indonesian islands of Batam and Bintaan with well developed golf courses and resorts to add to selection and, they are just a hop across from the nearest ferry terminal for a very convenient day or weekend trip.

Founded as a trading post by the British in the early 19th. Century, this city-state at the southern tip of West Malaysia has since independence in 1963 become one of the richest countries and boasts of one of the busiest ports in the world! With its mix of a tropical climate, glitzy skyscrapers, ultra modern mass transit system and airport inter-mingling with a medley of Chinese, Indian and Malay culture, good food, good shopping, clean and safe environment and a vibrant night life, it only makes a perfect stopover for anyone visiting the region, if not purely for golf!

To know a little more in-depth perhaps of ‘the mere dot on the globe’, Wikipedia has it that:

“Singapore is a microcosm of Asia, populated by Chinese, Malays, Indians, and a large group of workers and expatriates from all across the globe. Singapore has a partly deserved reputation for sterile predictability that has earned it descriptions like William Gibson’s “Disneyland with the death penalty” or the “world’s only shopping mall with a seat in the United Nations”. Nevertheless, the Switzerland of Asia is for many a welcome respite from the poverty, chaos, and crime of much of the Asian mainland, and if you scratch below the squeaky clean surface and get away from the tourist trail you’ll soon find more than meets the eye.

Singaporean food is legendary, with bustling hawker centres and 24-hour coffee shops offering cheap food from all parts of Asia, and shoppers can bust their baggage allowances in shopping meccas like Orchard Road and Suntec City. In recent years some societal restrictions have also loosened up, and now you can bungee jump and dance on bartops all night long, although alcohol is still very pricey and chewing gum can only be bought from a pharmacy. Two enormous casino complexes – or “Integrated Resorts”, to use the Singaporean euphemism – opened in 2010 in Sentosa and Marina Bay as part of Singapore’s new Fun and Entertainment drive, the aim being to double the number of tourists visiting and increasing the length of time they stay within the country. Watch out for more loosening up in the future.”

Well, if you get the chance, do not miss the opportunity for a golf trip on this island; it’s BIGGER than you think the ball will always end up in the sea, or on a Mr. Kim!