| Traveling to the Philippines, or planning to live or retire | | | | 6. Cebu Country Club |
| in the Philippines, and wondering what golfing is like in | | | | This is an old and traditional course, with the first |
| the Philippines? Do you tend to think that great golf | | | | facilities built in 1948 on a rural farm, near what was |
| courses would be the last thing you would find in the | | | | then a quiet country town (Cebu City). Members |
| Philippines? Well, think again, because there are | | | | here are proud of their course, as it has been |
| incredible golf courses in the Philippines. Some of the | | | | continuously improved since it was created, and has |
| best courses in Asia are found in the Philippines. | | | | a reputation as a world-class course. It has all you |
| Below I have listed by geographic location what I | | | | seek in a great course - winding fairways, trees |
| consider to be the top ten courses in the Philippines. | | | | everywhere, and plenty of white sand traps |
| Manila | | | | furnished with coral rock. Green fees are $42 |
| 1. Wack Wack Golf & Country Club | | | | weekdays and $73 weekends. I used to be a |
| This course is world famous. Located on Shaw | | | | member of this club and I found its facilities to |
| Boulevard in Mandaluyong City ,it has two 18 - hole | | | | superior and complete. It is a private club, but it is |
| championship courses. Until the early 1990's, this club | | | | open to guest and tourists. |
| was the official home of the Philippines Open. Green | | | | Davao City |
| fees are $100 weekdays and $140 weekends. This is | | | | 7. Apo Golf & Country Club |
| a private club, so guests have to be accompanied by | | | | This course is famous for accommodating players of |
| a member in order to play. | | | | all skill levels, as most of the greens are huge and |
| 2. Canlubang Golf & Country Club | | | | flat. The grounds are kept in meticulous condition, and |
| This is the largest club in the Philippines - a whopping | | | | with its vast coconut plantation, abundant hardwoods |
| 36 holes of golf! The fairways are wide, undulating | | | | and tropical landscape it is an awesome experience |
| and full of coconut trees. This gives it a very Asian | | | | even for non-golfers to see. This course also is open |
| and tropical feel. Additionally, it is full of all the | | | | to tourists, but reservations are required. |
| features of a great course, like man-made lakes, | | | | 8. Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club |
| ravines, and huge sandtraps. It is located 1 hour south | | | | I am currently a member of this club. This course has |
| of Manila in Canlubang, Laguna area. Though a private | | | | virtually everything, and players come fly in from all |
| course, tourists can play on weekdays. | | | | over the Philippines to have a go at this course. It |
| 3. Club Intramuros | | | | has redefined the face of golf in Asia through its |
| Located on Bonifacio Drive at the corner of Aduana | | | | environmentally sensitive design and management. |
| Street in Intramuros, Manila, this is a unique course in | | | | Designed by Andy Dye, it offers one of the most |
| that it is short (par 66, with a length of just over | | | | stunning golf course sites in the world. |
| 4,000 yards), but loaded with plenty of hazards and | | | | It is a private club, but tourists are welcome to play |
| challenges - water hazards, close out of bounds, and | | | | provided reservations are made well in advance. |
| lots of sand. This is where you can really improve | | | | Baguio |
| your short game. A round can be completed in a little | | | | 9. Camp John Hay Golf Club |
| over two hours. This course is open to the public, but | | | | This course is situated at 5,000 ft elevation in the |
| reservations need to be made at least two days in | | | | former US Air Force base. It has beautifully |
| advance. Green fees are $29 weekdays or | | | | manicured fairways and large, lush, lightning fast |
| weekends. | | | | greens. There are numerous pine trees and hilly |
| 4. Villamor Golf Club | | | | terrain.. It was designed by Jack Nicklaus and is |
| This course is located at the Villamor Golf Course in | | | | arguably one of the best in the Philippines. It is no |
| Pasay City in manila. It is very flat, but nevertheless | | | | longer a public course, but resorts in the area usually |
| very challenging due to trees and numerous water | | | | know of a member you can tag along with for a |
| hazards. All the fairways are lined with beautiful | | | | round. Green fees are around $50. |
| mature trees. It has hosted the Philippine Masters | | | | Boracay |
| tournament a number of times. Green fees are $25 | | | | 10. Fairways and Bluewater Golf & Country Club |
| weekdays and $39 weekends. It is a public course. | | | | People usually go to Boracay for its world famous |
| Cebu City | | | | white sand beaches. However, the Bluewater golf |
| 5. Alta Vista Golf & Country Club | | | | course is one of the best kept secrets of Boracay. It |
| Alta Vista is a short, but challenging mountainous | | | | was designed by Graham Marsh, and offers a |
| course, with plenty of rolling terrain and narrow | | | | challenging and different experience with every hold. |
| fairways. It follows the natural terrain and beauty of | | | | Whereas the front nine is relatively flat with lots of |
| a breathtaking hilltop location. As you play, you enjoy | | | | hazards, the back nine is hilly with less hazards. |
| panoramic views of Mactan Island, Bohol and the | | | | Perhaps not as famous or up to the standards of the |
| Cebu Straits. It has become a hot location for golf | | | | above 9 courses, it rates in the top ten due to its |
| course residential property, and many Expats have | | | | location on the beautiful resort island of Boracay, |
| purchased homes along the fairways. It is open to | | | | where one can play golf in the day and party on the |
| tourists. | | | | beach at night. It is open to the public. |