When you talk about Bali, the first thing that comes to mind is the amazing beaches and incredible ocean views. But the Island of Gods has more to offer than the pristine, unrivalled waters. One of the many things you can enjoy when in Bali is playing golf. The island has numerous golf courses and the list below identifies five of the best golf courses you can visit when you’re in Bali.
Nirwana Bali Golf Club
The Nirwana Bali Golf course is an award-winning championship golf course on the Bali Island of Indonesia. The golf club is referred to as the jewel of the Indian Ocean. It is located in the Tabanan Regency on the southwest coast of the island, 22km from Ngurah Rai International Airport. Nirwana Bali is a masterpiece in its class designed by Greg Norman, the legendary, famous golfer. The golf course is divided into a front 9 and back 9, thus qualifying it as a world-class 18-hole course. The 7th hole requires the golfer to swing a middle iron on a cliff side across a small piece of the ocean to a scenic green landscape. Holes 13 and 14 require utmost concentration from the golfer with the thundering Indian Ocean around and below the cliffs providing a distraction. The course is designed to provide both a remarkable golfing experience and a difficult challenge for the most skilled and seasoned golfers. The greens are located on the cliffs overlooking the Indian and the Tanah Lot Temple and will give the golfers a breathtaking and a thrilling sight. Five-star accommodation is offered by the resort along with other features such as spa treatments, cascading swimming pools, restaurants, and bars. The Nirwana Resort is a true charm on the Island of the Gods.
Bali National Golf Club
The Bali National Golf Course was officially re-opened on 1 March 2014. The course was redesigned by Nelson and Haworth Architects and reconstructed to meet international standards. This has made the golf course a stand out from the other Bali golf courses. The course is located in Nusa Dua, a 20-minute drive from Ngurah Rai Airport through the Bali Mandara Toll Road. The 72-par 18-hole course lies on 7,166 yards of rolling green grass from the back tees. The ultimate 17th hole requires the golfer to precisely hit a tee to a magnificent green island. The 18th hole, a par 4 and 400-yard dogleg awaits the golfer watched by a keen audience on the clubhouse terrace. The challenging yet enjoyable golf course is a class above the rest. Bali National Golf is set amidst hilly parkland, tropical forests and marvelously landscaped coconut groves, all contributing to its unmatched elegance.
The course is also complemented by spectacular views of the Indian Ocean and the Gunung Agung. Facilities provided by the club include spacious locker rooms, clean showers, Pro Shop, VIP lounge, restaurant, and bar.
Bali Handara & Country Club
The Bali Handara golf course has been ranked by golf magazine as one of the top 50 best golf courses around the world. This clearly speaks a lot about the international quality and excellence of the course. It attracts golfers not just from the region but across the globe, who want to play their favorite spot on this world-renowned, iconic greens. The club is located in the central highlands of Bali and lies in a crater of a dormant volcano 1,200 meters above sea level.
Designed by Peter Thompson, Michael Woveridge and Ronald Fream, the 72-par 18-hole championship golf course is a manifestation of genuine creativity and artistry. Bali Handara is surrounded by green mountains and crater lakes. The fresh mountain breeze makes for a pleasant golfing experience. The well-appointed accommodation is offered by the club’s main hotel, and dining services are provided by the Kamandalu Restaurant. It also offers a wide range of adventure activities like biking, nature walks and the stunning Lake Bratan Temple, which is only 5 minutes away. It is every golfer’s dream to tee off at the Handara Country Club.
Bali Beach Golf Course
Bali Beach Golf Course is located in the southeast of Bali island within the Kompleks Inna Grand Beach Hotel situated along the Jalan Hangtuah No. 58 road. The course is one of the oldest on Bali island and known for quality services mastered over the years. Bali Beach Golf is set in a surrounding with tall, mature trees and man-made lakes, mounds and features that create an aesthetically pleasant view. The newly constructed greens are astoundingly beautiful but are sure to pose a difficult challenge to golfers of all skill levels. The 9-hole course may seem deceivingly easy, but golfers will discover that each hole provides a unique challenge in terms of precision, concentration and judgment. The course also features Bali’s first and only night driving range. Excellent facilities are provided including luxurious locker rooms, Pro Shop, lounges, ballroom and the Sector bar and restaurant.
New Kuta Golf Course
The new Kuta Golf course is a championship level course and is one of Asia’s finest. It is located in the southwest of Bali Island on Bukit Peninsula inside the Pecatu Inda Resort, just a 20-minute drive from the Ngurah Rai International Airport.
The golf course lies on a vast 85 hectares of land. It owed its marvelous design to Golf Plan’s design team of Ronald Fream, David Dale and Kevin Ramsey who collaborated to create a world class 72 par 18 hole course. The greens are Turf grass Seashore Paspalum, which create an absolutely beautiful rolling landscape. There are natural desert vegetation, native trees, semi Scottish rough shrubs, long grass and creepers across various areas of the course. The course offers an interesting challenge to the low handicapper and a rewarding experience for new golfers. It offers five sets of tees giving golfers of all skill levels a gratifying experience. The course is meticulously carved out of the harsh limestone and formed between the cliffs and the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. The resulting course is simply spectacular at every angle. The clubhouse features a bar and restaurant, spas and massage services, Pro Shop and function rooms. The ocean’s breathtaking, panoramic view and the beautiful sunset all make this golf course something to rave about.
Images sources: nirwanabaligolf.com, balinationalgolf.com, balihandaracountryclub.com, balibeachgolfcourse.com, newkutagolf.com
