Best Golf Courses To Spend Your Best Time In Bali [2024]
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There’s no doubt that Bali is one of the best places to play golf.
This island paradise has been a popular vacation destination for decades, and it’s easy to see why. With beautiful weather year-round, friendly people, and an abundance of things to do and see, it’s no wonder many people want to come here.
But did you know that Bali also has some of the best golf courses in the world? When you combine these two things, the great weather and excellent golf, you’ve got a recipe for an unforgettable vacation.
It’s hard to pick just 1 or 2 courses when there are so many great ones, but I put a list of my favourites below.
1. Bali Beach Golf Course
Location: Jl. Hangtuah No. 58 Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel & Resort Complex, Sanur, Denpasar
Golf Set: $24
Bali Beach Golf Course is your best bet if you’re looking for a golf course for a quick round of golf because of your busy schedule.
You’ll be playing your way through mature trees, lakes, earth mounding, and regulation green complexes. The whole course is set in an environment of tall trees, flowering hibiscus shrubs, and pitch spotted by shady pines.
These features combine to make this course truly unique, with plenty of challenges to keep you coming back.
The golf course offers a fair test of golfers’ ability. Its 18 holes are varied enough that even a beginner can enjoy playing them.
On the 2nd hole, golfers should take into account that a strong wind may be blowing. Higher handicappers can play safely by laying up, while scratch golfers must hit solid shots to avoid over or under-cooking it on their approach shot.
The clubhouse has an excellent Indonesian restaurant and a full bar where you can grab lunch or dinner after your round. And if you need extra equipment rental or caddies, they’ve got that covered too.
Nearby Hotels:
- Prime Plaza Hotel Sanur -Bali
- Segara Village Hotel
- Sri Phala Resort & Villa
Nearby Attractions:
- Le Mayeaur Museum
- Sindhu Beach
- Sanur Beach
Nearby Restaurants:
- Canvas Cafe [Cafe, European, Healthy]
- Booster Coffee Bali [Dessert, Cafe, European]
- Segara Seaside Bar and Restaurant [Bar, Seafood, Asian]
2. Bali New Kuta Golf
Location: Jl. Raya Uluwatu, Kawasan Pecatu Indah Resort Kawasan Pecatu Indah Resort, Pecatu
Golf Set: $28
The Bali New Kuta golf course surrounds breathtaking sea views with waves crashing at the base of many holes.
New Kuta Golf is recognized for its environmental conservation, beauty, and challenges.
There’s a spacious clubhouse though it is a shame that the location affords no ocean views like many of the closing holes on the course.
The clubhouse restaurant serves mainly Indonesian food, with limited Western choices.
Try starting your round between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. to catch a magical sunset typical of Bali. Don’t spend too much time taking pictures or talking about the scenery.
Otherwise, you might forget about your game when your attention is needed most. The final holes need good concentration to finish a great Bali golf experience.
Nearby Hotels:
- Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa
- S Resorts Hidden Valley Bali
- Hideaway Villas Bali
Nearby Attractions:
- Dreamland Beach
- Melasti Beach
- Karma Beach
Nearby Restaurants:
- He’enalu Cafe & Resto [International]
- Ayu’s Food From the Heart [Cafe, International]
- 2080 Burger [American]
3. Bali National Golf Club
Location: Kawasan Wisata Nusa Dua Lot S 5, Benoa, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali
Golf Set: $44
Bali National Golf Club is a gorgeous course in the hills of Nusa Dua.
The course features new Paspalum turf, scalloped bunkering lining most fairways, and elevated greens. The new holes have lengthened to championship distances.
Bali National has two distinct terrains: the outward 9 plays up through the hills with lush tropical and jungle fauna, while the inward loop plays through valleys with more open views of the Indian Ocean and Nusa Dua area.
The superintendent ensures that the course is well maintained, and a new clubhouse and restaurant offer spectacular views of the golf course and the Indian Ocean.
There is a grass driving range with chipping greens for you to warm up on before your round starts.
Shared golf carts are compulsory, and one caddy is provided for each golfer. The mature nature of this course provides golfers with their best playing experience on Bali Island.
Nearby Hotels:
- Samabe Bali Suites & Villas
- Avisara Villa & Suite
- The Royal SAntrian Luxury Beach Villas
Nearby Attractions:
- Geger Beach Nusa Dua
- Mengiat Beach
- Museum Pasifika
Nearby Restaurants:
- Boneka Restaurant [International]
- King Cole Bar [Bar]
- Tapa Nusa Dua [Asian, Healthy]
4. Bali Handara Golf & Country Club Resort
Location: Desa Singaraja-Denpasar Pancasari Sukasada, Pancasari, Kec. Buleleng, Kabupaten Buleleng, Bali
Golf Set: $35
If you’re looking for a relaxing day at a beautiful course with some stunning views, Bali Handara Golf & Country Club Resort is the place to go.
The golf course sits in the lush highlands of Bali and is nestled in the crater of a volcano in Bedugul. It’s about a 2-hour drive from Nusa Dua and an hour from Ubud.
The journey is worth it. From low coastal regions to traditional Balinese villages to rice paddies and volcanic mountains, this course winds around everything that makes Bali special.
Once you get there? The entrance to Handara Golf and Country Club is just past Lake Bedugul.
You’ll find yourself at an altitude of 1,142 meters (3,750 feet) above sea level, which means temperatures are moderate between 14 and 20 degrees Celsius (57-68 Fahrenheit).
It’ll be pleasant enough for you to play here throughout your trip.
The driving range is excellent for warming up, and there are practice greens and bunkers that you can use to test your sand skills before your round.
The clubhouse is okay. Although it needs some repairs, it’s adequate. The Japanese restaurant inside the club is pretty good, but there are also plenty of Indonesian restaurants nearby which overlook Lake Bedugul and serve local food.
Nearby Hotels:
- Handara Golf & Resort Bali
- Dedanau Hotel
- Enjung Beji Resort
Nearby Attractions:
- Banyumala Twin Waterfalls
- Handara Iconic Gate
- Lake Beratan
Nearby Restaurants:
- Breeze Terrace [Italian, Japanese, American]
- Waroeng Buyan 818 [Pizza, Asian, Indonesian]
- Cafe Teras Lempuna [Asian, Indonesian]
5. Bukit Pandawa Golf & Country Club
Location: Jl. Gunung Payung no. 8 Desa Kutuh, Kuta
A golf course set on the dramatic cliffs rising from the Indian Ocean? Yes, please.
Bukit Pandawa is an 18-hole golf course located on the southern coastline of Bali.
It’s built on top of the limestone landscape and weaves through elevated ridges, rock outcroppings, and rustic architectural ruins before reaching its stunning ocean cliff edges.
The course is next to the scenic beaches on the Bukit peninsula, so you can enjoy spectacular views over the Indian Ocean while you play.
Bukit Pandawa Golf Club is centrally located amongst 5-star hotels that include Mandarin Oriental, Raffles, Fairmont, and Waldorf Astoria.
The golf course’s collection of intricate greens complexes, rock outcroppings, and natural landscape themes make it a must-play for any golfer looking for a unique experience. Wall-to-wall Seashore Paspalum grass ensures excellent year-round playing conditions.
Bukit Pandawa is a beautiful addition to the Bali golf scene and differentiates itself by having 18 great par-3 holes instead of a random collection of holes on a small land plot.
Nearby Hotels:
- Samabe Bali Suites & Villas
- Mulia Resort
- The Ritz-Carlton
Nearby Attractions:
- Gununga Payung Beach
- Gunung Payung Cultural Park
- Museum Pasifika
Nearby Restaurants:
- The Kul-Kul [American, Asian, Fusion]
- Canna Bali [Bar, Cafe]
- Roosterfish Beach Club [Bar, Pizza, Seafood]
Why is Bali Ideal for Golfers?
Golf is an outdoor sport, and of course, the player wouldn’t want to be soaked in the rain while enjoying the game.
Additionally, greens perfectly thrive because of the warm weather, making the place suitable for a scenic view with vivid greens.
Moreover, it is undeniable that gold is one of the luxurious sports. That being said, Bali can directly provide golf players with their lavish needs, such as 5-star accommodations and fine dining restaurants.
Ideal Time to Play
In order to maximise the 18 full holes, one should ensure that the weather is almost perfect so that none could literally rain on your parade. That being said, you may want to guarantee a sunny day to play golf.
Since Bali’s golf courses are purposely located near mountains and or cliffsides, you should still note that wet seasons are from November to March.
During these months, you might experience subtle rains in between, not necessarily heavy rains, but they could still affect visibility during matches.
Pro tip: Since most golf players prefer to play during the dry season, Country Clubs might still offer discounted prices to attract golfers during the wet seasons. You may want to take advantage of these promos and enjoy your course time.