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Our take on the best golf courses in Singapore in 2023
Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in the early 1800’s and following independence, has become one of the most prosperous cities in the world. The continued development of this exciting city-state in south east Asia is great news for golf lovers, as world class golf courses become part of the norm in Singapore.
Singapore may be a small island nation, but it boasts some exceptional golf courses that offer both challenging play and stunning scenic beauty. The Sentosa Golf Club stands out as one of the finest, home to two world-class courses: the Serapong and the New Tanjong. The Serapong course has hosted prestigious events like the Singapore Open and offers players a meticulously maintained, undulating layout with breathtaking views of the South China Sea.
Another top choice is the Laguna National Golf & Country Club, renowned for its first-rate facilities and two championship courses: the Masters and the Classic. The Masters Course, with its water hazards and immaculate greens, is a favorite among golf enthusiasts.
Warren Golf Club in Singapore, established in 1962, is a serene 18-hole course surrounded by lush greenery. It offers a challenging golf experience with a friendly atmosphere.
Whether you're a seasoned golfer or just looking for a scenic round, these golf courses in Singapore offer a blend of natural beauty and excellent playability.
Sentosa Golf Club
Being one of the world’s top financial centres, you can expect great things of the golf courses in Singapore and they do not disappoint. Many of the courses deliver spectacular experiences but before we look at the best golf courses in Singapore, lets take a look at the best times to visit Singapore to play golf and get the most out of your holiday.
Due to the location of Singapore, in south east Asia, the climate is hot and humid throughout the year. The island does not have three or four clear seasons like many other places in the world as it is very close to the equator. You can expect rain to fall on any given day and there is no clear wet or dry season to choose from when planning a visit.
However, there are two main monsoon seasons, which are the north east monsoon season (December to March) and the south west monsoon season (June to September). The north-east monsoon season has a wet and dry period, with heavy rainfall in the afternoon and evenings during the wet phase and cool and pleasant weather during the dry phase, with minimal rain. The south west monsoon period can see showers and storms in the early morning, through to midday but can also experience spells of dry weather.
In truth, you could visit Singapore at any time of year and see as much sunshine as you would rain. Just make sure to pack light clothing and carry an umbrella with you on the golf course. With that in mind, what are the best golf courses in Singapore?
Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club
The Serapong Course features undulating terrain throughout, with two huge lakes and fantastic scenery
The 14th green at Serapong Course
Designed by highly respected golf course designer Ronald Fream, the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club is regarded as being not only one of the best golf courses in Singapore but one of the best in Asia.
The 18-hole championship golf course is located on Sentosa island and has played host to the prestigious Barclays Singapore Open. The event has been co-sanctioned by the Asia and European Tour and is currently part of the official Japan Golf Tour. Previous winners include Adam Scott and Ian Poulter, with great names such as Jordan Spieth also taking part in the event and testing themselves at Sentosa Golf Club.
Having been upgraded in 2007, the Serapong Course features undulating terrain throughout, with two huge lakes and fantastic scenery. The front nine holes have an intimate feel to them, with tree lined fairways and holes protected by water. The back nine holes, in contrast, feel more open having moved out of the trees and the 12th hole onwards is where things really start to kick-in and get exciting. The 13th is the signature hole of the Serapong Course and is a par-5 with numerous shot selections. One approach, which is the more attacking, requires a tee shot to the left of a line of palm trees, followed by a second shot over water to a well-protected, raised green. There is also the option to play towards the safe approach area on the right. However, even the safe option, while not having to carry any hazards, still leaves a short shot to the narrow, raised green. This is a hole which leaves many golfers scratching their heads in terms of approach and is a great test of both the mind and shot making skills.
Each hole on the course presents a different problem and you will be thrilled by the prospect and challenge of playing the Serapong Course, at Sentosa Golf Club. The course is always in great condition and the Singapore harbour makes a truly stunning backdrop, to a great day of golf. Having completed 18 holes, head to the clubhouse and enjoy Japanese fine dining or casual all-day dining, with a drink from the bar. Sentosa Golf Club is regularly ranked in the world’s top 100 golf courses by Golf Digest, so its little wonder it features as one of, if not the best golf course in Singapore.
The Serapong Course is not the only 18-hole golf course available at Sentosa Golf Club. Originally opened for play in 1972 and upgraded in 1993, the Tanjong Course has also built a reputation for being one of the best golf courses in Singapore.
Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club
The New Tanjong Course is in a wonderful setting and is sure to rival its more illustrious neighbour
5th green on new Tanjong Courses at Sentosa Golf Club
Set against the Singapore Straits, the size of the large bunkers is what many people notice when playing this golf course for the first time. Compared to many other golf courses in Singapore and Asia, the bunkers are rare due to their size. Other endearing aspects of the Tanjong Course include the rolling fairways, freshwater lakes, creeks and streams, big trees and narrow landing areas. Asian Golf Review has nominated this golf course as being the best in Asia on more than one occasion and it’s easy to see why.
As the Serapong Course is also part of Sentosa Golf Club, this places Tanjong Course somewhat in the shadow if it’s more illustrious neighbour. However, it is one of the best golf courses in Singapore and would generate a lot more attention, if it was not battling with Serapong for column inches in the golfing publications. Tanjong Course deserves a place on your Singapore golf itinerary.
The Singapore Island Country Club (SICC)
Four beautifully maintained courses - each course offering a unique golfing experience
Singapore Island Country Club
The Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) is a prestigious and historic institution that has been a cornerstone of Singapore's golfing and social scene since its establishment in 1891. It stands out as one of the country's premier golfing destinations, featuring four beautifully maintained courses: Bukit, Serapong, New Course, and Millennium. Each course offers a unique golfing experience, from the Bukit Course's picturesque undulations to the world-renowned Serapong Course's challenging layout.
SICC is more than just a golf club; it's a haven of sports and recreational activities. The club also provides top-notch facilities for tennis, swimming, and a variety of dining options. The colonial-style clubhouse exudes a classic charm, making it a popular choice for social events and weddings.
With a rich heritage, exceptional golfing opportunities, and a vibrant community, the Singapore Island Country Club remains a true icon in Singapore's sports and social landscape, catering to the diverse interests of its members and guests.
Marina Bay Golf Course
The first fully public golf course to open in Singapore can be found at Marina Bay
1st hole at Marina Bay Golf Club
The Marina Bay Golf Course opened in 2006 and was designed by Phil Jacobs. The course is just 10 minutes away from the city centre, making it a very convenient place to play golf for those staying in one of the many city-centre hotels.
Since opening, Marina Bay Golf Course has won many awards, including the Best Course in Singapore and Best Public Golf Course in Asia Pacific. The course plays to just over 7,000 yards and if you have ever played a round of golf in the United Kingdom, the pot hole bunkers will be a familiar sight. The pot hole bunkers are a distinguishing characteristic of this golf course and can be found scattered around the 18-hole course. The one hole which capture most attention at Marina Bay Golf Course is the par-6, 4th hole. While a par-6 hole may not be something the traditionalist will admit to enjoying, it is a great test and plays to just over 700 yards. In contrast, the 13th hole is a short par-3 with an island green surrounded by a railway tie retaining wall. Watch out for the wind on this hole, as you may need to play a slight draw into the wind, to get close to the pin.
An added attraction of Marina Bay Golf Club is the floodlights situated around the golf course. This enables those who are busy during the day to enjoy a round of golf at night or if you arrive into Singapore during the late afternoon, you can book a late tee time and play under the lights. The club also features a four-tier driving range and a café which boasts tremendous views across the golf course and Singapore’s skyline. Marina Bay Golf Club is suitable for players of all abilities and with the addition of floodlights for night golf, is ranked as one of the best golf courses in Singapore.
From a public course to one ranked as being the most exclusive in Asia, the Laguna National Golf and Country Club deserves a place on your golf itinerary. Established in 2011 and designed by Andy Dye, the Laguna National World Classic has been rated the most difficult course in Singapore and possibly Asia.
The stadium course features over 250 bunkers, large waste bunker canyons and huge greens, some of which have three or more tiers. Many of the holes have been compared to the best and most famous in world golf and feature striking characteristics. The par-3 3rd hole is a mammoth 305 yards from the back tee, the postage stamp green on the 7th hole is reportedly the smallest green in Asia and 13th green is said to be the largest. So, even within those three holes, you begin building a picture of exactly what awaits when you play the Classic Course at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club.
Laguna National Golf and Country Club
Both the Classic Course and Masters Course at should be on your list of must-play courses in Singapore
Masters Course at Laguna National
Perhaps the difficulty and variation of the Classic Course, is the reason why the European Tour decided to stage its professional tournament on the Masters Course, the second golf course available Laguna National Golf and Country Club.
Featuring four large lakes, which come into play of 12 of the 18 holes, the Masters Course is an American style layout, with hints of traditional Scottish mounding. The water on some holes is more of a background feature whereas on others, such as the 11th, 12th and 17th it presents a more obvious danger.
Sand also comes into play throughout the course and combines best with the water on the par-3 8th hole. The green is protected by water in front and sand behind, so you must play over the water to reach the green but anything too long and you will find yourself in the rough or facing a daunting shot out of the bunker, back towards the water. Think the 12th hole at the Augusta National and you begin to get an idea of what to expect.
Following a round of golf on the Masters Course at Laguna National Golf and Country Club, why not head to the Nest? Here you can enjoy traditional local dining and international cuisine in a golf themed bar. Coupled with the great food and interesting interior, you can enjoy lovely views of the 9th and 18th holes, which is a great way to end a day of golf at one of the best golf courses in Singapore.
Sembawang Country Club
Known by the locals as the "Commando Course" it has been extensively renovated
Sembawang Country Club
Another of the best golf courses in Singapore is Sembawang Country Club, which is known to locals as the ‘Commando Course’. This name is mainly due to the people who helped create the course and the changes in elevation as opposed to the people who play on it. Sembawang Country Club is another course which has benefited from a recent makeover.
New Zealand armed forces extended the course from 9 to 18 holes but this does not mean you need to have army training to be welcome on the course. In addition to the hilly terrain, several of the holes are very tight and you will need to keep the ball straight, to avoid dropped shots. Some fairways are flanked by jungle while others have water flowing alongside them, so be prepared for punishment if you stray too far away from the fairway.
The back nine holes are the most undulating on the course but also the most enjoyable, with the 11th and 12th holes occupying a very picturesque area. Watch out for the par-3 13th hole, which features an island green and can soon add a few shots to your round if you fail to find the target. Following a round of golf at Sembawang Country Club, head to Oceanspoon Dining for a wide variety of Asian and Western dishes, before sitting on the Golfer’s Terrace with a drink, to watch the remaining players come home.
Warren Golf and Country Club
Another course which has recently re-opened after a major renovation
Warren Golf & Country Club
When discussing the best golf courses in Singapore, one cannot forget to include Warren Golf and Country Club. Just 20 minutes’ drive from the city centre, Warren Golf and Country Club has developed over the years from a 4-hole golf course to an 18-hole championship golf course.
This course is well protected by bunkers but it’s the greens which really capture the imagination. Many of the greens are heavily contoured and have significant slopes, meaning accurate approach play is essential to leave a birdie opportunity. Land the wrong side of the hole and you could be left with a fast, downhill putt. Several small lakes and ponds come into play on several holes and a wide drainage canal can also cause problems. There is a good variety of holes to enjoy at Warren Golf and Country Club, with raised tee boxes, elevated greens and flatter holes combining to make an excellent playing experience.
Having completed a round of golf, there is plenty to enjoy off the course. The Golfers Terrace, Yan Palace and Patio all offer extensive dining options and live bands regularly perform in the evening, which makes for a great atmosphere. With a swimming pool and bowling alley also available, Warren Golf and Country Club is one of the best golf courses in Singapore for the whole family to enjoy, both during the day and night.
Despite taking up an area of only 719.1 km², Singapore has a huge amount to offer visitors, including several excellent golf courses. Due to the size of the city-state, you could easily sample all the best courses in Singapore within a week and we thoroughly recommend the experience.
