The Philippines is a prime destination with some of the best golf clubs in Asia. It is home to various golf courses in urban metropolia, lush mountainsides, and tropical islands.
The country’s stunning natural beauty provides the perfect backdrop for the sport, which is known for combining gorgeous vistas and dense terrain with fun and exciting challenges. Golf courses in the Philippines are often considered playgrounds for the rich and famous, where society’s most elite members convene and have fun simultaneously.
With over 100 golf courses spread across the country’s many islands, it might be challenging to look for the best ones to try. To help you out, we list seven of the best golf courses you should check out on your trip to the Philippines.
Manila Golf and Country Club
First established in 1901, the Manila Golf and Country Club is the oldest golf course in the country. In its early years, the club hosted the Philippine Open, Asia’s most senior national golf tournament. After its rework in the 2000s, the club was given the 2009 “Renovation of the Year” Award by Golf Inc., Magazine and has been compared to golf courses in Ireland, Puerto Rico, Singapore, and England.
The exclusive club is located in Forbes Park, Makati City, one of the most exclusive and luxurious addresses in the Philippines. It offers one of the country’s best 18-hole courses with various thrilling challenges, such as doglegs, out-of-bound layouts, and strategically-placed hazards.
Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club
Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club in Carmona, Cavite, features two signature 18-hole courses created by renowned golf legend Jack Nicklaus. The Master’s Course is crafted for highly-skilled golfers and has hosted several tournaments, such as the Philippine Open Tournaments and the 1996 World Amateur Team Championship. On the other hand, the Legends Course is a challenging yet more laidback course that is perfect for experts and hobbyists alike.
Wack Wack Golf and Country Club
At the heart of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, lies Wack Wack Gold and Country Club, one of the country’s most famous golf clubs. First inaugurated in 1930 by William J. Shaw, this elite club has two internationally-acclaimed golf courses: the East Course and the West Course.
The challenging East Course is known for its infamous “make-or-break” hole, No. 16, a par 3. On the other hand, the West Course is a shorter, more manageable, yet equally enjoyable course that draws most of the club’s beginner and intermediate golfers.
Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club
Offering breathtaking views of the Malarayat Mountain Range, this vast 185-hectare paradise in Lipa, Batangas, provides the perfect getaway for golf enthusiasts and their families. Designed by the JMP Golf Design Group, the club has three nine-hole courses featuring Mt. Makulot, Mt. Lobo, and Mt. Malipunyo. Hole 7 in the Mt. Makulot 9 courses is one of the most notable holes in the club and was even listed in Golf Digest’s Best 500 Holes in the World.
Related Article: 10 Mountain Resorts Across the Philippines to Retreat to in the Future
Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club
With four championship-level courses, Eagle Ridge in General Trias, Cavite, is the largest golfing facility in the Philippines. The club’s golf courses are designed by top professional golfers Isao Aoki, Andy Dye, Nick Faldo, and Greg Norman, each offering varying challenges and ranges that suit all skill levels and preferences.
Eagle Ridge is a sports enthusiast haven. Aside from the golf courses, the club also offers top-of-the-line sports facilities for basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, tennis, billiards, and bowling, a fully-equipped gym, and an outdoor swimming pool.
Fairways and Bluewater Newcoast
Boracay Island is home to one of the world’s best beaches and some of the country’s best leisure amenities, such as Fairways and Bluewater Newcoast’s 18-hole golf course. This 6600-yard golfing facility was designed by renowned Australian golf champion Graham Marsh and has hosted various golf tournaments such as the Asia Golf Tour and the Johnnie Walker Tour.
Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club
Located in Davao City, Rancho Palos Verdes’s 18-hole course is another of Andy Dye’s famous Philippine-based creations. Situated in a 71-hectare estate, the 7,039-yard course offers challenges such as traditional dye pot bunkers, water hazards, subtle breaks, and over 250 feet of elevation changes. The golf course is in rolling terrain with fantastic rainforest views, a crocodile lagoon, a bird sanctuary, vast banana plantations, Mt. Talomo, and the Davao River.
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Featured Image: Regent Travel Corporation
