Golf in Jakarta
Volcanic Golf
In August 2015 we visited Bogor as guests of the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism to check out the fledgling golf market – it was an experience not to be missed!
Dormant or inactive volcanoes dot the greater Bogor area - for some strange reason this seemed to change aspects of the game.
For starters, despite the region being in a drought for three years, all of the courses were very green with prolific growth. One slight challenge was that some of the fairways were firm (not overly hard though), which meant the ball bounced and carried a bit. This was okay, except when heading for the hazards!
In four days were played on three courses and visited four others – joined by golf travel operators from China, South Korea, India, Hong Kong and of course Indonesia, we all agreed we would not wait to go back and play them all.
Key takeaways were:
- All courses were in excellent condition and the rounds flowed freely despite big numbers of players.
- Food, local fruit drinks and hospitality at all of the courses was outstanding.
- The main role of the young female caddies is to look good and help players enjoy their round (direct quote for one HR Manager). Most course have over 300 caddies and we found most offered good course knowledge and managed to give guidance with active hand signals if there were any language barriers.
World famous golfers designed the courses (my favorite was Riverside, developed by our own Greg Norman and carved out of natural rain forest), with each offering different challenges.
All of the courses visited were up to international standard, with some items in common including:
- Bunkers often contain different types of sand, some of which is very coarse and challenging – try practicing in the bunkers before the round, or better still, hit straighter!
- The greens are mainly Bermuda grass and mostly are very large with significant undulations. We were told that speed rated at about 10 or 11, downhill is like lightning!
- I am also convinced that the ball seemed to turn towards the volcanoes!!! On several occasions the amount of borrow was accentuated when the volcano was on the downhill side, but the ball seemed to hold its line more when it was on the uphill side!
The greens were mostly fast compared with Australian courses, mostly large and quite undulating, and overall every course provides opportunities for all players due to different tee placements. I would recommend them as highly enjoyable, particularly for a handicap under 20.
This brief summary of some of the courses will give a better indicator.
Sentul Highlands Golf Club
Beautiful picturesque course designed by Gary Player and dwarfed by the volcano that can be clearly seen on a clear day.
Not as mountainous as some and looks easy at first glance with wide fairways, but a very strategic and deceptive course.
The course may not be a huge challenge for the very big hitters, but nuances include very well placed bunkers that require thought, many sloping and tiered greens with deceptive pace and turn, and undulating fairways that often place the ball slightly above or below the player’s feet.
This was an extremely enjoyable course to play with excellent clubhouse, locker rooms, food and refreshments
The course may not be a huge challenge for the very big hitters, but nuances include very well placed bunkers that require thought, many sloping and tiered greens with deceptive pace and turn, and undulating fairways that often place the ball slightly above or below the player’s feet.
This was an extremely enjoyable course to play with excellent clubhouse, locker rooms, food and refreshments
Rainbow Hills Golf Club
We did not get to play this course (27 holes) but took an escorted drive around The Rocks nine holes – is a spectacular course that I would like to play one day.
Created by one of the world’s leading designers designer J. Michael Poellet, it is located in the Bogor highlands and offers a spectacular mountainous setting that appears open but will challenge the best players.
Every hole is different – some long with great hazards and huge undulations; some short with many bunkers and water.
It will suit the powerful hitters, but they will also require accuracy or they will be challenged.
Shot placement will be crucial to mastering this course, and I am confident it will be very memorable for players of all levels, but particularly low handicappers and those who appreciate great courses.
Created by one of the world’s leading designers designer J. Michael Poellet, it is located in the Bogor highlands and offers a spectacular mountainous setting that appears open but will challenge the best players.
Every hole is different – some long with great hazards and huge undulations; some short with many bunkers and water.
It will suit the powerful hitters, but they will also require accuracy or they will be challenged.
Shot placement will be crucial to mastering this course, and I am confident it will be very memorable for players of all levels, but particularly low handicappers and those who appreciate great courses.
Bogor Raya Golf Course
This is another course we only inspected – designed by Aussie champion Graham Marsh it is regarded as the course with the “most Indonesian feel”, with intricate little gardens beside some trees and even a cactus garden.
Spectacular to experience, it features palm trees in a setting where they look like they belong, lush fairways, quality well-placed hazards and bunkers, big lakes and some outstanding water features.
Its beauty is quite deceptive, and in typical Marsh style players will require good placement and accurate hitting.
Spectacular to experience, it features palm trees in a setting where they look like they belong, lush fairways, quality well-placed hazards and bunkers, big lakes and some outstanding water features.
Its beauty is quite deceptive, and in typical Marsh style players will require good placement and accurate hitting.
Rancamaya Golf Club
This was our initial headquarters, and is a very enjoyable course that was designed by international golf architect Ted Robinson.
Although the course was a little dry when played (no rain for three months), it played well with a lot of bounce and extra roll (reaching hazards) that would not be normal.
The course overall is very beautiful, with lots of waterfalls and moving water interconnecting the lakes that adds to the serenity of the atmosphere – in fact it sometimes lulls the golfer into a sense of security that can be quickly undone.
This is an excellent course that will suit all levels of players.
Although the course was a little dry when played (no rain for three months), it played well with a lot of bounce and extra roll (reaching hazards) that would not be normal.
The course overall is very beautiful, with lots of waterfalls and moving water interconnecting the lakes that adds to the serenity of the atmosphere – in fact it sometimes lulls the golfer into a sense of security that can be quickly undone.
This is an excellent course that will suit all levels of players.
Riverside Golf Club (Jakarta)
This was my pick of the courses played, offering something for every level of player and being cleverly irrigated to give lush fairways that are carved out of natural mountainous rain forest that is hundreds of years old.
This course design is Greg Norman at his best, with some awesome holes that generate nervous laughter from the group; and doglegs greater than 90- degrees located around 180 to 220 metres from the tee – again strategic placing is essential and too long, too short or too narrow will offer extra challenges.
Riverside has plenty of water, masses of dense thickets and rainforest, brilliant mountain flowers, several fairway-wide water hazards that must be crossed, huge ravines that are not forgiving, and scenery that would not be out of place on a postcard.
The diversity of the holes, the splendor of the setting, and the mental challenge of determining the best options to play each hole (and realising how the hole could have been played once you are on the green), will entice many golfers to want to play the course a second time.
I’m an average golfer who scored four pars and a birdie (lucky), so success is possible for anyone. As the club experts put it, be brave and confident!
This course design is Greg Norman at his best, with some awesome holes that generate nervous laughter from the group; and doglegs greater than 90- degrees located around 180 to 220 metres from the tee – again strategic placing is essential and too long, too short or too narrow will offer extra challenges.
Riverside has plenty of water, masses of dense thickets and rainforest, brilliant mountain flowers, several fairway-wide water hazards that must be crossed, huge ravines that are not forgiving, and scenery that would not be out of place on a postcard.
The diversity of the holes, the splendor of the setting, and the mental challenge of determining the best options to play each hole (and realising how the hole could have been played once you are on the green), will entice many golfers to want to play the course a second time.
I’m an average golfer who scored four pars and a birdie (lucky), so success is possible for anyone. As the club experts put it, be brave and confident!
Royale Jakarta Golf Club
This is another course we only inspected – it is a “public” course developed by some rich founders, and would be an outstanding course to visit for any senior business people who wanted to do business in Indonesia.
It appears to be an outstanding course, with quality facilities including sauna and massage (valued by golfers playing consecutive days), massive practice facilities and much more.
The course was designed by Bob Moore Jnr and the JMP Group and is described as an “open Californian-style” that has more than its share of bunkers and hazards.
This course also appears to be in lush conditions due to adequate watering.
It appears to be an outstanding course, with quality facilities including sauna and massage (valued by golfers playing consecutive days), massive practice facilities and much more.
The course was designed by Bob Moore Jnr and the JMP Group and is described as an “open Californian-style” that has more than its share of bunkers and hazards.
This course also appears to be in lush conditions due to adequate watering.
Emeralda Golf & Country Club
Emeralda offers 27 brilliant holes designed by Jack Niklaus and Arnold Palmer.
Set among tropical scenery, it has Arnold’s full 18 holes but only the front nine of Jack’s course was ever completed (there are conflicting stories as to why).
Again, we did not play this course but overall looks brilliant – in lush condition and the location for many international tournaments, including the Indonesian Open.
The courses are brilliantly laid out and are in magnificent condition. They will challenge every visitor but providing you pick the right tees to hit from (bravado must match ability) and play strategically (and you ask the caddies about layout and dangers), then it is a course many will walk away from very pleased.
Emeralda is very proud of its club facilities, and boasts the best on-course spa and treatment rooms in Indonesia.
Set among tropical scenery, it has Arnold’s full 18 holes but only the front nine of Jack’s course was ever completed (there are conflicting stories as to why).
Again, we did not play this course but overall looks brilliant – in lush condition and the location for many international tournaments, including the Indonesian Open.
The courses are brilliantly laid out and are in magnificent condition. They will challenge every visitor but providing you pick the right tees to hit from (bravado must match ability) and play strategically (and you ask the caddies about layout and dangers), then it is a course many will walk away from very pleased.
Emeralda is very proud of its club facilities, and boasts the best on-course spa and treatment rooms in Indonesia.
Jakarta Golf Club
This is definitely a course worth considering, as it is only 30 minutes from the airport.
It is a wide, open “walking only” course (don’t worry, the caddies carry your clubs) and is good for loosening up on the great practice tees and stretching the legs after a flight (particularly if you land early and cannot check-in to your hotel for the afternoon).
Alternatively, it could be a great chance to really stretch out then have a shower to freshen up before an afternoon flight home.
It is a wide, open “walking only” course (don’t worry, the caddies carry your clubs) and is good for loosening up on the great practice tees and stretching the legs after a flight (particularly if you land early and cannot check-in to your hotel for the afternoon).
Alternatively, it could be a great chance to really stretch out then have a shower to freshen up before an afternoon flight home.