GOOD COURSE TO PLAY IN MANILA

Will be in Manila next week and planning to play some games there. Any bro can recommend good courses to play?

Hello,

The Nicklaus designed Manila Southwoods have 36 holes. The Orchard Golf & Country Club have one by Palmer and another by Player. Both clubs are 1 hour from the city and going by car is best. They are private clubs and accept accompanied guests only.

Maybe I will be able to host you. When do you plan on playing?

trueflight2003

Hi, trueflight2003,

thanks for your info and offer to host. will inform you once my schedule is firm. I am looking at playing on Wednesday 8/5. My flight back is on the 9/5 at 14:30hr, so looking at staying overnight on 8/5 either in a golf resort or nearby, so I can play another game in the early morning of 9/5, before heading to the airport. Your advice is appreciated.

Hi, TLHENG,

In Manila, passengers are advised to be in the airport 3 hours before the actual flight out. Maybe 9/5 is not advisable to play due to traffic conditions.
If we can be early,like 7am, a 36 hole day is possible. Letting you know we also have hot days now.

Ok, thanks for advise. Will consider 36 holes on 8/5 then. Really nice of you to help. Hope to play with you.

Tlheng, you can try the air force course near the airport. About 15mins away. Tee off early in the morning and then changed to go to the airport. Sorry, cannot remember the name.

blee, you're referring to Villamor Golf course.

TLHENG, check out resorts world manila website. They are affiliated to The Manila Southwoods. They may have promotion or at least a shuttle to the course. The hotel is near the airport.

Yup! That's the one!

Thanks blee. will check it out.

You may consider Tagaytay golf course.. It's situated in the highland. IMO, its a very nice golf course. But it takes about 45 mins drive from Manila to get there.

I'm planning to play there end of this month. Enjoy your golfing trip in Philippines =)

GolfMania, You may be referring to The Tagaytay Midlands Golf ? This is more a championship layout than the Tagaytay Highlands Golf. From Makati, will take 45 minutes, if you start out 5am. Any later the traffic builds up.

TLHENG,
In Tagaytay is a bit cooler than in Manila by about 3 to 5 degrees. Midlands is designed by Richard Bigler, if I remember correctly. The fairways are wide in Midlands. The Highlands is carved out from the mountain. Both are located near scenic Taal volcano. If transport will be arranged, we can play there instead as they're also my club.

trueflight2003 wrote:

TLHENG,
In Tagaytay is a bit cooler than in Manila by about 3 to 5 degrees. Midlands is designed by Richard Bigler, if I remember correctly. The fairways are wide in Midlands. The Highlands is carved out from the mountain. Both are located near scenic Taal volcano. If transport will be arranged, we can play there instead as they're also my club.

This is different from Ayala Greenfield right?

blee wrote:

trueflight2003 wrote:

TLHENG,
In Tagaytay is a bit cooler than in Manila by about 3 to 5 degrees. Midlands is designed by Richard Bigler, if I remember correctly. The fairways are wide in Midlands. The Highlands is carved out from the mountain. Both are located near scenic Taal volcano. If transport will be arranged, we can play there instead as they're also my club.

This is different from Ayala Greenfield right?

You're correct, blee. Imagine Tagaytay Highlands is on top of the mountain ridge and Ayala Greenfields is on foot of the mountain

Played at Ayala Greenfield once. It was already very cooling even during summer. Tried to rush off after the game to catch the sunset on top of the bottom. Nice!

Thanks all for recommendations. Tagaytay sounds good. Trueflight2003, any idea how much to hire transport to and back fm tagaytay? Do I need to make advance booking for transport or can be easily done by hotel?

TLHENG wrote:

Thanks all for recommendations. Tagaytay sounds good. Trueflight2003, any idea how much to hire transport to and back fm tagaytay? Do I need to make advance booking for transport or can be easily done by hotel?

Car hire companies are available from hotel concierge. You will need to be driven. If you know which hotel you will stay. I can inquire locally for you.

Ok thanks. Me and 1 colleague confirmed to play on wednesday 8 May. As recommended by you, we will play at Tagaytay highland course. Trueflight2003 , I will let you know my hotel details tomorrow. See you bro! I will PM yopu my contact no.

Just wanna add some thoughts about playing Golf in Manila.

One, if you are staying in Makati ( The Business District of the country ), you can play at three ( 3 ) Public Golf course.

#1) Camp Aguinaldo Golf Course, a par 68 golf course

#2) Philippine Navy Golf course, a par 70

#3) Villamor Golf Course, a par 72 golf course.

All above are 18 holes military golf course.

Its best you play early like 530am during summer and 6am during rainy season.

Anybody can just walk in & pay Green Fees + Caddy Fees.

These golf courses are "People friendly" but do not leave your Golf balls in the golf bag. They would surely, 90%, be stolen.

Used Golf balls are easily sold here. ranging from Php150.00 tp 200.00 ( a dozen ball )

Now if you are staying in Ortigas area, or Quezon City.

The best Golf course, public, would be the Arnold Palmer designed golf course, known as SUN VALLEY GOLF CLUB.

The reason why I suggest to play early is due to traffic congestion when peak hour starts, 8am to 5pm.

Playing outside Metro Manila, is easy & fun if you have a car.

Playing at Tagaytay Highland is one of the best challenging golf course. Becoz of the different terrain it has. I loved the cool temperature of Highland than in Midland.

Midland is "more plain" ( don't take it too literal , okay ) as compared to Highland.

Another golf course nice to play & quite challenging would be at South Forbes Golf course. a short but tight course.

Happy Golfing!

Good advice. Sun Valley is a good course. A car is still best way to go there.

Thanks all for the advice. I'm still dreaming about my trip there. But just wondering, can non members play in the private courses ? Or must be accompanied by a member? Which is the best condition course there ? Say if comparing to Serapong or Garden in singapore ?

Many thanks to you guys..

Private courses in the Philippines cater primarily to their members plus accompanied guests of members. The clubs do accept arranged play for foreign tourists at tourist rates. The general consensus is Santa Elena Golf is best maintained. However the Manila Southwoods has the best fairway turf in terms of taking divots IMO .