Looking for a way to spice up your golf life? The Philippines could be all you want it to be and your hole-in-one. At first glance, this island nation may seem to only offer a bounty of delicious fruit and beautiful beaches, but the Philippines is one of Asia's best hidden golfing getaways. A tropical paradise in SouthEast Asia with over 7,000 islands to make up the Philippines. The country is amazingly beautiful thanks to its natural tropical setting. Looking for the best golf courses in the Philippines? You came to the right place!
Back in 1886, during the last years of the Spanish occupation, the British railway workers were the ones who introduced the game of golf to the Filipinos. Whether you are a traveller to the Philippines or a local, there are many golf courses around the country that are just purely beautiful.
10 Best Golf Courses in the Philippines
Do not miss out on these opportunities when you are in the Philippines! Here are the 10 best golf courses in the Philippines!
1. Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club
The Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club is one of the golf courses in the Philippines that is designed by golf legend, Jack Nicklaus. It features 2 stunning 18-hole courses, the Masters and Legends Course. The Masters course is one of the tougher Jack Nicklaus courses in Asia whereas the Legends course is a little more forgiving but no less enjoyable.
The greens are well-designed and allow for an enjoyable and challenging day of golf. In 2020, Southwoods won the best golf course in the Philippines award from Golf Digest! Furthermore, The Masters Course hosted several Philippine Open Tournaments as well as the World Amateur Team Championship in 1996.
However, Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club is one of the most exclusive golf clubs in the country. Being a private golf club, only members have access to its facilities. If you are a visitor, you would need to be accompanied by a member.
2. The Orchard Golf and Country Club
Home to two championship courses designed by legendary golfers Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, the Palmer Course and Player Course. The Orchard has hosted several international professional and amateur tournaments such as:
- 1995 Johnny Walker Classic
- 1996 World Golf Tour
Also another private golf club, The Orchard is exclusive to its members. Not just a first-class course, The Orchard also provides a premier golf experience to its players by providing personalized treatments.
3. Wack Wack Golf and Country Club
Wack Wack Golf and Country Club is far from what its name implies but is actually one of the best golf courses in the Philippines and one of the most exclusive and elite golf clubs in the Philippines. Located in Mandaluyong, Wack Wack was built in 1930. With its two 18-hole championship courses, The East and The West courses.
The East course is a bit longer and tougher than both courses. It held some of the country's most prestigious events such as the Asian Circuit, Philippine Golf Open Championship, and the World Cup in 1977. Each hole is beautifully separated by trees.
The notable par 3 here is hole 8 on the East Course, which is very challenging due to the hazards on the course. This par 3 can go either way for seasoned or amateur golfers.
4. Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club
Titled “Best Kept Secret in Philippine Golf'' by BusinessMirror News. Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club contain not one, not two, but four championship golf courses designed by well-known pro golfers and architects Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, Isao Aoki and Andy Dye. With its 4 championship golf courses, Eagle Ridge is the largest golfing facility in the country.
All four of them are 18-hole, 72-par courses with different lengths. Aoki course has 6,990 yards, Norman course has 7,123 yards, Dye course 7,323 yards and Faldo course has 7,443 yards.
With a 45-minute to one-hour drive from Makati City, the Dye course at Eagle Ridge was known as the “Beast of the East”. Dye did not need water to make the course hard, he used the lay of the land to add difficulty to the course along with diabolically placed sand traps to throw you off course.
Also a private golf club however visitors can play golf there as long as they are accompanied by members of the club.
5. Manila Golf and Country Club
The Manila Golf and Country Club is one of the most exclusive courses in the Philippines. Also the “oldest and finest golf course in the country” according to the local newspaper, Philippine Star. The quality of the golf course is on the same level as other courses in Ireland, Puerto Rico, Singapore and England.
Local members of this highly exclusive club have described this course as one of the best 18-hole rounds they have ever played! Manila Golf and Country Club offers many challenges like tight out-of-bounds layouts of each hole, the doglegs, and the difficult hazards strategically placed in the back nine of the course.
6. Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club
Located just outside Metro Manila is the Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club. A very scenic and tranquil location with the high ground a few degrees cooler than the main city of Manila Established in 1998, the golf course was the chosen venue of two highly regarded tournaments:
The renowned J. Michael Poellot Golf Design Group (JMP) designed the three 9-hole courses. The 27-hole championship course features Mt. Makulot, Mt. Lobo, and Mt. Malipunyo. You can also enjoy the remarkable mountain views as you play in the cool mountain air. Hole 7 at the Mt. Makulot 9 is the most notable. The green is surrounded by different bunkers, sand traps, and water hazards that make this course challenging.
Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club is also a members-only private club.
7. Villamor Air Base Golf Course
One of the few public courses on this list, Villamor Air Base Golf Course is an 18-hole par 72 courses. It is unique with the dominance of several trees like Narra, mahogany, eucalyptus, and mango. Furthermore, Villamor Air Base has been the host club of the Philippine Masters for many years.
A fairly flat layout throughout the course but it is still a challenging course due to the narrow fairways and water hazards. The combination of the scenic natural tree views and the challenging course is what makes Villamor Air Base one of the best everyday golf courses.
Located minutes away from Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, it is very accessible for people. Moreover, Resorts World Manila and The Mind Museum are next to the golf course.
8. Anvaya Cove Golf and Country Club
Anvaya Cove Golf and Country Club is a beautiful award-winning course beside the coast located at Morong, Bataan. The holes are strategically located right on the beach overlooking the vast horizons of the West Philippine Sea linking with the mountain ranges of Bataan.
Anvaya Cove is a private and exclusive golf course. Golfers would need to make reservations up to seven days before the date of play. Designed by Kevin Ramsey is also particularly proud of holes eleven through to thirteen at the Seaside Nine at Anvaya Cove. He claims these holes “form our own Amen Corner, only this one’s at the seaside.”.
As one of the newest golf courses built, Anvaya Cove Golf and Country Club has proven to be one of the best golf courses in the Philippines and emerged as Asian Golf Awards’ Best Golf Course in the Philippines.
9. Luisita Golf and Country Club
Located in Hacienda Luisita, the central sugar mill of Tarlac is Luisita Golf and Country Club. Golfers going into Luisita will be faced with multiple challenges throughout their 18-hole round. Furthermore, unexpectedly strong winds will change the way you approach the game.
Established in 1967, Luisita Golf and Country Club is one of the oldest golf courses in the country and also one of the top golf courses in the Philippines. It has hosted events such as the President’s Cup. The golf course is covered with Tifton and local Bermuda grass as it is suitable for the tropical climate of the Philippines.
10. The Riviera Golf Club
The Riviera Golf Club is a private golf club located in Silang, Cavite. Designed by past Masters Champions Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer, the two 18-hole championship golf courses feature the Couple Course and Langer Course which are both small-sized courses.
A friendly course for beginners as well as challenging for the more skilled players. The Riviera golf course is combined with residential amenities and facilities for the whole family fully integrated into a resort lifestyle. Guests must be accompanied by members in order to play at The Riviera Golf and Country Club.
FAQs About Golf Courses in The Philippines
1. What is the most expensive golf course in the Philippines?
By far the most expensive and exclusive golf course in the Philippines is Manila Golf and Country Club. Just to give you an idea, the Entrance Fee alone can cost you up to ₱ 500,000 which is around $8500 USD.
2. What is the biggest golf course in the Philippines?
The biggest golf course in the Philippines which houses a total of 4 championship golf courses is Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club. The club is in fact renowned for having the biggest golf courses with each course coming in at different lengths.
Summary of the Best Golf Courses in the Philippines
I am sure you can't wait to try out the best golf course in the Philippines based on your liking! They look magnificent! Truly beautiful. Only a few here are public golf courses so if you are a member of one of these you truly are lucky! If you are in Manila, you can check out the best public golf courses there! However, do not miss out on trying the others outside of Manila!
If you are interested in knowing what the best golf courses are in the world here is an article for you! On the other hand, if you are looking for a luxurious golf vacation, here is a list of the best golf resorts.
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