Golf has always been a versatile activity that can be played either for business or for pleasure. In addition, golf, as a non-contact sport, rose in popularity over the past few years as guys and girls of all ages flocked to both golf courses and driving ranges to practice their swings.
The Philippines is home to many beautiful golf courses, and it can be hard to choose the best one to go to. To help narrow down your choices, we have prepared a handy buying guide in this article, as well as a list of the 10 best golf courses in the Philippines today. Read on to know more!
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Table of Contents
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Are you a beginner who had just started taking lessons and hitting the driving range? Then consider going for a shorter course or one that offers 9 holes of golf. Are you a more seasoned golfer? Then any other course would suit your fancy, such as a typical course with 18 holes. Golf, in general, is a challenging sport, so even if you are more of a pro, you might find the beginner-friendly courses somewhat of a challenge.
The length of the course depends on the distance between each hole, which is measured by par or the number of strokes needed to complete a hole. Most golf courses here are long, consisting of 72-par courses, while short ones consist of par-3 holes, the shortest hole in golf as it requires 3 strokes to score, and the total par can go below 72.
The length between the hole and the tee also usually goes below 200 yards for short golf courses, while longer ones consist of a variety of par 3s, 4s, and 5s and can go for over 200 yards. If you’re a beginner, who has just started hitting the fairway, consider visiting short courses. But, if you’re an avid golfer seeking a challenge, you can try playing at longer courses.
If you live in the metro, the nearest ones are out of town, such as Cavite, Baguio, and Laguna, which will require a few hours of driving and a whole weekday or weekend planned just for this destination. This is ideal if you’re looking for a fun golf weekend with your family or buddies, a destination golf session if you will.
However, if you are seeking convenience, there are many golf courses nestled in the midst of the busy metropolis, hidden from sight. Some are even located right by the busy EDSA thoroughfare and are easy to get to!
Golf courses mostly consist of a relatively flat landscape. But, if you are looking for a great challenge, such as several bodies of water you can lose your balls to, or heaps of sand traps, you might choose a course based on its configuration. If you want to putt your balls on faster greens, there are certain courses that offer just that so that you can put your putting skills to the test.
Public golf courses in the Philippines usually offer a more budget-friendly green free, ranging from below Php2,000 and up. However, golf courses at exclusive country clubs, where one can play as a guest, have a steeper green fee, which can range from Php3,000 to Php5,500.
In addition, you also have to factor in additional costs such as golfing equipment like golf clubs and balls, if you don’t already have your own. That said, if you are saving up, you can skip renting a golf cart altogether and walk the entire course – but be sure you are physically fit enough to do so and have plenty of water at hand to drink.
When you do your research on the green fees you will have to pay, make sure to check whether you have to pay any additional fees, such as an environmental fee, golf cart rental, and caddie fee. Also, check whether the golf club has its own locker room and showers where you can store your things and freshen up after a hard day of golf, respectively.
From ₱8,000
The golf course in Anvaya Cove Golf & Sports Club was named as the best golf course in Asia by the Asian Golf Awards. Boasting both ocean and mountain views, this beautiful, sprawling 82-hectare course is located in Morong, Bataan. This makes it just a few hours' drive away from Metro Manila.
It has 2 types of courses; one mountainside and one seaside. That way, whatever course you choose, you’re guaranteed an excellent view. It is also an 18-hole, par 72 all-weather golf course, making it suitable for players of all levels. Coupled with the area’s top-notch facilities and amenities, altogether, this makes it the ideal place for a relaxing, weekend golfing session.
From ₱7,000
Wack Wack Golf & Country Club located in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, is one of the most exclusive clubs in the Philippines. It consists mostly of par-4 holes, which makes it different from all the other courses as it only has 2 par-3 holes and 2 par 5s. This makes it a reasonable course to play onーnot too friendly and not too challenging either.
The course's signature 8th hole is shaped like an upturned bowl, which makes for an extra challenge and is suitable for seasoned golfers who want to test their skills. Its location also makes it one to vie for. However, the exclusivity of the club provides a clear downside, as you must be a member to play here.
If you're looking for a sweet escape, Tagaytay Highlands in Tagaytay, Cavite, is the place for you. Located only a few hours away from Metro Manila, this golf course boasts astonishing views, including that of Taal Lake. You might find yourself windswept as you play on this mountainous course, but it makes for an exciting challenge.
Due to its hilly nature, Tagaytay Highlands may be one of the more challenging courses in the Philippines, making it suitable for experienced golfers. After a round of golf, you might want to take a ride on their cable car to see the amazing views. They are the only golf course in the country to have their own cable car system!
From ₱6,000
If you are looking for some fresh mountain air and an exhilarating round of golf, head on over to Camp John Hay in Baguio City, Benguet. A lot of history from the time of the Philippines' colonization by the Americans has gone on in this place. However, you can make your own history here by playing one of the most challenging rounds of golf you will find in the Philippines.
This course was designed by the famous golfer Jack Nicklaus, which makes for drop-dead gorgeous views as you play. Beware of the hilly configuration of the course, which you can navigate with the help of a trusty rented golf cart. It is better if you are a more seasoned golfer so that you can drive the ball from the top of a mountain range all the way down to the bottom!
From ₱4,085
The Southwoods Golf & Country Club in Carmona, Cavite, is home to 2 magnificent golf courses: the Legends and Masters courses. Both are championship courses, and it is easy to see why. Its beautiful manmade lakes are filled with lily pads, and the configuration of its sand traps is breathtaking.
The Legends course is the shorter of the two, and it is filled with bunkers and water hazards. Meanwhile, the longer Masters course is characterized by narrow fairways. Several golf championships have also been held in both courses over the years, and champions tee off from the gold tee, thus making it better suited for experienced golfers.
This Nicklaus-designed course in Trece Matirez City, Cavite, follows the natural configuration of the land in which it is set. This makes it a one-of-a-kind course and one that is well worth playing. But, be wary of the greens on which you putt, as they are unusually fast and slippery.
The course is made out of cogon grass and contains many obstacles and hazards. So, it may not be friendly to beginners but it will be enticing for near-professionals and pros alike. Head on over to Sherwood Hills for a golfing experience like no other, and feast your eyes on what nature has to offer!
Another Nicklaus-designed course, Alabang Country Club's golf course, may be easily accessible, but that doesn't make it any less fun. The course is filled with mango trees which add an extra challenge. And, the length of each hole is just right, which makes it ideal for beginners and pros alike.
Though, beware as the course contains many water hazards which you should dare yourself to cross. Nevertheless, its location provides plenty of fresh southern air, and you can grab a drink at the club after your game. So, head on over to this beautiful course and find solace in the comforts it provides.
Baguio Country Club's golf course consists mainly of par 3s and has no par 5s at all. This makes it a short course, but the hilly nature of the course makes it quite the hike. The course is relatively walkable, though a golf cart might be recommended for the more fainthearted players.
The fresh air and mountainous surroundings also make this course memorable. Some holes are particularly challenging as some holes are separated from the tee box by a busy street! Nevertheless, sometimes a driver is not even required to traverse the greens as the short length of the course makes it beginner-friendly.
From ₱2,850
The Philippine Navy Golf Club course is one of the friendliest ones for beginners in Metro Manila. What makes it even better is its location along Lawton Avenue, near Bonifacio Global City and adjacent to another popular public course, Villamor Golf Course. It consists of short holes and can even be walked by players.
This course has many bodies of water and sand traps, so even if you best it, you may still lose some balls. Nevertheless, its friendly caddies and tasty bar chow for post-game meals makes it one of the most comfortable courses out there. Its greens may not be as well-manicured as others, but the friendliness of this course makes a round of golf there exceedingly pleasant.
From ₱9,000
Orchard Golf’s two courses, Palmer and Player have a certain magic to them. It may be the way that the sunlight carefully illuminates each hole in a natural, mysterious way. It may also be the way that some holes are nestled on top of a small hill, while others curve to the left or the right and take a lot of muscle to score.
The Palmer course is far more challenging and begins with a body of water blocking the tee box from the rest of the green. The Player course is friendlier, but it is also still a championship course and takes a lot of ambition to play with only a few strokes. No matter which course you play, though, you will have a great time soaking up the sun in this lush greenery.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
You can usually rent clubs in a golf course for a fee. However, it is best to bring your own so you can practice with them and get used to their weight.
Usually no. A "flight" or playing group in a golf course requires 3-4 players. However, some courses become lenient at a certain time, which is around 3pm, and allow walk-in solo or dual players. You can try your luck, but don't expect anything.
No, they don't close if there's a slight drizzle. However, they'll close as soon as there is lightning, or in case of heavy rains.
Luckily for you, we have other articles that you can check out if you're looking to supplement your golfing experience. From knee supporters to sports drinks, click on the links below to find out more!
Author: Eena F.
Editor: J. Cuizon
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing our recommended spots, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different booking websites sites like Booking.com, TripAdvisor, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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