As elsewhere throughout Southeast Asia, some of the world’s top golf course designers have laid out some spectacular golfing experiences in the Philippines, situated mostly around Luzon. However, access to some of the elite courses is dependent upon a stay at an associated hotel. 

In central Manila, for sheer novelty, it’s hard not give in to the temptation to play the Club Intramuro Golf Course, which surrounds the Old Spanish walled city. At a mere 4,000 yards and a par of 66, it’s a short but challenging course in a historically unique setting, following the course of the old moat. 

Surrounding Manila, there are a host of premier golf courses designed by the world’s most famous players. 

To the south of the capital, Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club features four championship courses, comprising of Nick Faldo’s 7,343 yard, Greg Norman’s 7,123 yard, Isao Aoki’s 6,990 yard and Andy Dye’s 7,255 yard designs, all of which offer superb golfing. 

At Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, the two Jack Nicklaus courses of the 7,225 yard Masters and 7,152 yard Legends are a stunning pair. Another Nicklaus design can be found at the nearby Sherwood Hills Golf and Country Club. 

Also in this area are two very fine courses designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the 6,872 yard Canlubang Golf and Country Club, and the South Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club. Other good courses found around the area to the south of the capital are the KC filipinas Golf Resort and the two championship courses of Bernard Langer and Fred Couples at Riviera Golf Club. 

A little way further south, in the west of the Lake Taal area, the Splendido Golf Club, and its 6,997 yard Greg Norman course take advantage of this amazing location, while on the other side of the lake, Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club sits in breathtaking scenery. 

To the east of Manila, the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club features two championship courses, while a little further afield the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club showcases two resort courses by Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. 

North of Manila, you’ll find the Mimosa Golf and Country Club built on the former site of Clark Field Air Base, before it was buried by an eruption of Mount Pinatubo. The Robin Nelson and Rodney Wright design features 36 holes of superb leisure golfing. 

A little way further north, at Luisita Golf and Country Club, the 7,042 yard Robert Trent Jones Jr. course plays upon the designer’s love of water features, while considerably further north, near Baguio, the Manor at Camp John Hay features an unusual 69 par 5,001 yard design by Jack Nicklaus. 

Away from Manila and Luzon, you’ll find a few interesting courses. On the island of Boracay, the most famous beach island in the Philippines, the Fairways and Bluewater Resort features a shapely 6,034 yard Graham Marsh design, and is a superbly situated escape from lounging on the beach or indulging in the island’s many water sports. 

On the island of Cebu, near Cebu City, the 5,915 yard Gary Player design at Alta Vista Golf and Country Club sits in the Pardo Hills, overlooking the bay, and presents a challenging round. An alternative is the old 1928 American era Cebu Country Club course, or on nearby Mactan Island, close to Cebu Airport, the Philippine Air Force course. In the north of Cebu, Queens Island Golf Course is a Korean designed 6,645 yard resort course close to the sea. 

On Negros Island, Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club and Bacolod City Golf and Country Club will give a splendid opportunity for a round if you’re in the north of the island. 

In northern Mindanao, the Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed 6,974 yard Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club is beautifully structured around five lakes.