Course review of Bali National Golf Club – a challenge to every hopeful

The Bali National Golf Club is marked by a scenic layout. Image courtesy Bali National GC

By Rahul Banerji

Bali and golf do not readily mix in the mind, The island is better known for its beaches, exotic rituals, great food, or simply lots of sun and fun.

Yet Bali is a hot-spot for golf and has world-class facilities. It is only of late coming on the radar of the travelling Indian golfer.

For those willing to make the effort, there are well-maintained courses, trained caddies and excellent facilities that are on offer with the golf. As a bonus, every golf course on the island offers excellent dining options with a wide variety and quality of cuisine available.

The island is home to a handful of courses, five of which are currently in operation. In the course of a family vacation earlier this year, I got to play four of them.

Bali National Golf Club

Facing the first tee box at Bali National is a massive, intimidating bunker. I promptly dumped my first two shots into the trap. Not that there is any respite once you clear the sand as the hole is a healthy 440-yard par four. Interestingly, the front nine has only one par-five, while the back nine has the other three.

This is possibly the flagship course in Bali, especially after a complete revamp and redesign that brought it up to international standards a couple of years ago.

Located in the upscale Maj Nusa Dua tourist complex, which the Indonesian government has carved out and converted into a deluxe gated area, the parkland course is a spectacular one.

Another example of the spectacular layout. Image courtesy Wikipedia

From ocean views to a bewildering mix of flowering trees, statuesque palms, lush fairways, generously scattered water bodies and nature trails, if offers challenges to the golfer, even as it soothes the soul.

But it can bite, and very hard. The course demands precision, and if not, at least a ;oaded pocket. I had to buy balls, sold in packets of 10 and 12, from enterprising Balinese on the course itself, to complete my 18 holes.

The course is laid out in three parts. The front nine is a traditional parkland layout though it also has some massive bunkers that I encountered with great regularity, and one small lake.

From hole 10 to 16 in the second section it is dominated by water bodies and more bunkers while the final section is home to holes 17 and 18, also with three lakes and most of the club facilities.

So as I sliced and hacked my way through hole after superbly-maintained hole, the layout and scenery were balm for a sorely tested soul.

And till the last, one needs to be fully focused, The 17th hole an island test that requires you to be perfect off the tee and the 18th, a long dog-leg that brings you back to the clubhouse and a very welcome meal and drink.

As a consolation for the weary hacker, the locker rooms are well appointed and the restaurant and bar happily stocked.