Away from the traffic and congestion of Kuta and Legian, Bali Beach’s nine-hole course is an oasis of beauty and calm located in Bali’s quieter area of Sanur.
Bali Beach Golf Course is a mature, nine-hole parkland golf course in Sanur, Bali. Nine-hole golf courses have the potential to save the sport from declining in numbers worldwide. In our age of speed and impatience, many complain about not having enough time to play 18 holes of traditional golf. 18 holes of golf can take between four to five hours, not including travel time to and from the course – which is a big commitment to make. A brisk nine holes can be enjoyed in two hours or less, and is thus a much better introduction to the game for newcomers, beginners, and especially juniors.
Golf is tricky and requires a fair amount of skill and practice; a beginner completing his first 18 holes can often experience somewhat of a tough ordeal. A more casual nine holes is a far better introduction and can feel less daunting. Nine holes will also be a more affordable way of getting into the game.
The course
In 2010, Malaysian golf course design consultant Rajakulasingham (Raja) was asked to renovate and re-design the original nine-hole course in Sanur. The result is a great resort course, which can be enjoyed by golfing tourists, expats and local Bali residents. Raja made several additions in this environment of tall trees: the introduction of lakes and well-constructed greens.
Bali Beach is by no means a short course, measuring over 3,058 yards from the men’s tees. It has an interesting layout of seven par-fours, one par-three and one par-five. The course is designed in a traditional parkland style, with tree-lined fairways on each hole, with most of the trees very mature and the course providing a fun and challenging nine holes to test all levels.
The par-four hole #1 is classic, which gives the golfer a feel for the course and its playing style. It sits 355 yards from the back tees and there is a creek running across the fairway 100 yards short of the green. With out-of-bounds down the right, a draw with a fairway wood or hybrid is the ideal shot to play, which will leave you with a wedge or short iron to the green. All seven par-fours on the course are challenging, and good players will relish the chance to shape their shots around, over, or under the tree-lined fairways.
The signature hole may well be the par-four hole #9, featured in the photo above (Sanur 1), measuring 367 yards from the back tees. The hole has a dogleg to the right for the right-hander; a firmly struck fairway wood or hybrid aimed towards the bunker on the left side, 150 yards from the green, is ideal and will leave an open shot to the green. Any right drive will be in danger of the dense trees and will result in a lost stroke.
The alfresco sector bar and restaurant is not just a clubhouse, but functions well as a cafe, nightspot and restaurant, offering a great location for entertainment. A floodlit driving range operates after 7pm, for those who want to keep their swing in tune when on vacation.
Expat golf society
Sanur is home to a close-knit community of expats, many of whom enjoy playing golf. In early 2015, a group of avid expat golfers got together to form the Sanur Sixty Niners. The Sixty Niners have two regular weekly games on Monday and Thursday and they always welcome friendly non-sandbagging golfers to join for some golf and fun.
1pm on Monday is tee time, with a staple format of play of Rp.100,000 into the kitty before tee-off. Prizes are awarded for the top three points winners. Be sure to advance your ball past the red tees otherwise you will be forced to pay a fine of Rp.50,000, which will go into the post-round drinks kitty. Thursday is stroke play – also a 1pm tee-off. You get three strokes on top of your handicap, but you must shoot 69 nett otherwise you will have to pay Rp.100,000 into the kitty for the free monthly barbeque and beers. Win or lose, the Sixty Niners will provide good spirited golfing company.
If you are travelling or on holiday in Bali and enjoy golf, it would be a shame to miss this nine-hole course. Its breezy tree-lined fairways, challenging layout, and aesthetic beauty will have you coming back again for sure.
COURSE INFORMATION: BALI BEACH SANUR:
COURSE
9 holes. Par-36. Men’s tee: 3,058 yards. Ladies’ tee: 2,700 yards.
SOCIETIES
All welcome, contact the pro-shop or marketing department for arrangements.
GREEN FEES
Domestic/KITAS/KITAP: Rp.500,000 (9 holes), Rp.660,000 (18 holes)
Foreigners: Rp.1,030,000 (9 holes), Rp.1,325,000 (18 holes)
SPECIAL PROMOS
Sunset Golf (after 3.30 pm): Rp.350,000 (domestic), Rp.805,000 (foreigner)
EZ Monday (pay 9, play 18): Rp.500,000 (18 holes, domestic only)
Senior Day Domestic: Rp.300,000 (9 holes), Rp.350,000 (18 holes)
Senior Day Foreigner: Rp.870,000 (9 holes), Rp.1,005,000 (18 holes)
Senior Day rates, every day, valid until March 2016. Males 55 years above. Female 50 years above.
(All the above rates are inclusive of green fee, caddy fee, insurance, trolley and government tax.)
FACILITIES
Pro-shop, flood-lit driving range (open at 7pm), short game areas for chipping and putting, alfresco dining areas, function room, locker rooms
ADDRESS
Komplex Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel, Jalan Hangtuah no. 58, Sanur
Bali 80226
CONTACT
| Phone | +62 361 28 77 33 | |
| Fax | +62 361 28 22 81 | |
| [email protected] | ||
| BlackBerry PIN | 31336E8C |
Sanur Sixty Niners Golf Society
Contact Eugene ‘Ocean’ Verspoor
Tel: +62 (0)811386 3080