This may come as a surprise, but Singapore has more golf courses – per square-kilometre – than any other country in the world. From the most exclusive to the most challenging, beginner or pro golfers in Singapore are sure to find a course that strikes their fancy with our list.
Marina Bay Golf Course
Located in the heart of the city, the Marina Bay Golf Course is easily accessible and offers golfers a breathtaking view of Singapore’s iconic skyline. The 18-hole course attempts to take the game back to its Scottish roots with its “links style” characterised by dunes, undulating terrain, and a scarcity of water hazards.
Marina Bay Golf Course, 80 Rhu Cross, Singapore 437437. p. 6345 7788. See website for detailed opening hours.
Sentosa Golf Club
Take in the stunning vista of the South China Sea and Singapore’s bustling port as you tee-off into the sunset, on your choice of two of the club’s challenging courses. The Serapong Course has the distinction of playing host to the SMBC Singapore Open (January 28th to the 31th, 2016) and the HSBC Women’s Champions (March 3- 6, 2016), while the Tanjong Course pits golfers against a slew of natural hazards like freshwater lakes and towering trees. Be sure to grab a post-game cocktail at one of Sentosa’s trendy bars.
Sentosa Golf Club, 27 Bukit Manis Road, Singapore 099892. p. 6275 0090. See website for detailed opening hours.
Changi Golf Club
History buffs who want to immerse themselves in Singapore’s storied past can enjoy an afternoon of golf at Changi, where they can swing their way through WW2 artefacts like army barracks, air-raid bunkers and gun emplacements. The course traces its origins back to when RAF officers would make holes on the grounds to play golf during their downtime. It was only a few years later, in 1949, that a fully-fledged nine-hole golf course was completed.
Changi Golf Club, 20 Netheravon Road, Singapore 508505. p. 6545 5133. See website for detailed opening hours.
Singapore Island Country Club
Singapore’s oldest and most prestigious golf club offers golfers five unique courses (four 18-hole courses and one nine-hole) and boasts a standard of service and facilities that are sure to impress even the most discerning. The club’s rich history spans back to 1905 where it played host to the first Singapore Open Championship.
Singapore Island Country Club (Bukit Course, Island Course, Millennium Course, New Course, Sime Course). See website for detailed course information and opening hours.
Tanah Merah Country Club
Tanah Merah Country Club is host to two distinct 18-hole courses. The Garden Course, built on reclaimed land, was carefully sculpted and manicured into an idyllic garden setting featuring lakes, tropical foliage and a vibrant array of flowers. The Tampines Course, built shortly after, was designed to take advantage of the area’s natural beauty, boasting lush vegetation and it’s fair share of wildlife.
Tanah Merah Country Club, 153 Xilin Ave, Singapore 486799. p. 6542 3040. See website for detailed opening hours.
National Service Resort and Country Club (Changi)
The NSRCC’s Changi Club offers two nine-hole courses, the Army Course and Navy course. The latter features a beautiful coastal view while the former presents golfers with a unique feature: an island tee. Access to the island is via several bridges with design elements reminiscent of Victorian architecture.
National Service Resort and Country Club, 10 Changi Coast Walk, Singapore 499739. p. 6542 8288. See website for detailed opening hours.
National Service Resort and Country Club (Kranji)
The two courses at NSRCC Kranji were built with the conservation of the area’s large swathes of swampland in mind. The public is even given access to a trail that winds through the golf course, allowing access to designed bird watching sites in the course’s vicinity. The nine-hole Armed Forces course heavily features water hazards and narrow fairways set against the scenic Kranji Reservoir. Novices who want a more forgiving course may fare better on the 18-hole Home Team Course with it’s wider fairways.
National Service Resort and Country Club, 50 Neo Tiew Lane 3, Singapore 718828. p. 6795 2300. See website for detailed opening hours.
Jurong Country Club
While the club’s 18-hole course is no cakewalk, with enough planning and foresight, players will be able to conquer its two distinct nines: one undulating and confined and the other flat and open.
Jurong Country Club, 9 Science Centre Road, Singapore 609078. p. 6560 5655. Open weekdays 7am-7.30pm, weekends & PH 7am-7pm.
Keppel Club
The 18-hole, 5,917-metre golf course promises to challenge both novice and seasoned golfers as they tee-off while surrounded by 44 hectares of lush greenery. The golf course was designed by course architects Ronald Fream and later updated by Chris Pitman. Its many bunkers have been strategically placed to challenge players of all skill levels.
Keppel Club, 10 Bukit Chermin Road, Singapore 109918. p. 6375 5567. Open Mon 7am-3pm, Tue-Sun 7am-6pm.
Raffles Golf Club
Want a relaxing evening of golf with a couple of friends? The Lake Course might be exactly what you’re looking for if you’re more of a social golfer and want a course that isn’t too taxing. The 18-hole course, built on the banks of the Tengeh Reservoir, plays host to a great variety of wildlife including the fascinating Asian Water Monitor. The Palm Course, also an 18-hole, caters to more advanced golfers and has a reputation of being the thinking golfer’s course and rewards a careful, meticulous play style.
Raffles Golf Club, 450 Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim, Singapore 639932, p. 6861 7649. Open Mon-Sun 7am-6.30pm.
Bukit Timah Golf Complex
In addition to the nine-hole course, the Bukit Timah Golf Complex boasts a 66-bay driving range and a team of PGA coaches including Alan Murray, a three-time Rolex Masters Champion. The course’s central location and the fact that it’s open 365 days a year makes setting up regular practice sessions a breeze.
Bukit Timah Golf Complex, 60 Fairways Drive, Singapore 286966. p. 6463 0332. Open daily, first tee-off 7am, last tee-off 6pm.
Sembawang Country Club
Founded by British Marines stationed in Dieppe Barracks, this dog-leg heavy 18-hole course features rolling hills and an abundance of water hazards. The par five on the third hole is a mean tee with water hazards gracing the golfer on both sides. Here, the accurate golfer is rewarded.
Sembawang Country Club, 249 Sembawang Road, Singapore 758352. p. 6751 0320. Call for course opening hours.
Seletar Country Club
The club’s 18-hole course was built taking advantage of the Lower Seletar Reservoir’s natural beauty and rustic, countryside feel. Course architect, Chris Pitman, designed the course to cater to experienced players as well as casual golfers. The course is also home to a great variety of wildlife including the Masked Lapwing.
Seletar Country Club, 101 Seletar Club Road, Singapore 798273. p. 6481 4812. Open daily 7am-7pm.
Orchid Country Club
Challenge yourself to three distinct nine-hole courses, each designed with input from late former President of Singapore, Ong Teng Cheong. The Aranda Course offers wide fairways that are forgiving to the novice while the Vanda Course demands accuracy with its abundant water hazards. The final course, the Dendro, pits golfers against one of Singapore’s longest par five holes at 574 metres.
Orchid Country Club, 1 Orchid Club Road, Singapore 769162. p. 6750 2111. See website for detailed opening hours.
Laguna National Golf and Country Club
Golfers keen on testing their mettle can pit themselves against the club’s World Classic Course. Recognised as “Asia’s Toughest Test” based on the internationally recognised Slope/Course rating, it can challenge even the most skilled golfer. Their Masters Course is just as distinguished, gracing Golf Digest International’s list of best courses. Much like its sister course, the Masters Course is no pushover and can prove to be quite a challenge for the novice golfer.
Laguna National Golf & Country Club, 11 Laguna Golf Green, Singapore 488047. p. 6542 6888. Call for course opening hours.