Bali the "Island of the Gods" is fast developing a reputation as a sought after golfing destination. It's not surprising, that golfers are coming from all parts of the world, to play on Bali's, three top class 18-hole championship golf courses.

Although this game is not so popular amongst Balinese, it doesn't mean that you cannot find international standard golf courses in this "morning world". And if you did not bring your clubs you can rent a set at any of courses below as well as join their lessons.

Bali Golf and Country Club (BGCC) was named by Fortune magazine as one of the top five best courses in Asia in 1997. That course, together with Nirwana Golf and Country Club and the Bali Handara Kosaido championship courses, put Bali on the world-class golf course map.

Bali Golf & Country Club
Located in the deluxe resort area of Nusa Dua. A Robin Nelson and Rodney Wright designed course hosted the 1994 Asian Dunhill Masters and in 1997 it was voted by Fortune Magazine -USA as one of Asia's top 5 golf courses. Three distinct areas have been used to create Bali Golf & CC. You play up through hillside terrain with lush tropical vegetation where you have spectacular views of Indian Ocean and the Nusa Dua area. You also play through massive coconut trees, lakes and finish off with sand dune holes along Nusa Dua beach. The course measures 6871 yards from the championship tees -par 72,with multiple tees to ensure playability. Expert grooming and superb maintenance ensures championship-playing conditions.

The Nelson/Wright-designed course ensures playability for all levels of players with multiple tees of a variety of distances. Expert grooming and superb maintenance assures championship playing conditions. 
Bali Golf and Country Club in Nusa Dua hosted the 1994 Asian Dunhill Masters and was voted by Fortune Magazine as one of Asia's top five golf courses in 1997

Another treat at BGCC is the amazing variety of birds that have taken "home" around the course's ponds and lakes. The 17th and 18th holes run along the seashore and are dream-like in their perfection. And the 9th, 17th, 18th, and the 19th, (the Clubhouse), favourites for beginners.

Want to take a rest after playing? Have a seat by the outdoor "Bale" bar and enjoy your beverage in fresh air. If you prefer to be indoors, just take a seat at the Barong restaurant on the lobby level of the Clubhouse where you can enjoy the Indian Ocean and green garden.

.Bali Golf & CC has and elegant clubhouse and restaurant with spectacular views of the course and the Indian Ocean. There is an excellent driving range with a resident PGA Professional to give lessons. Bali Golf and Country Club has two bars, two halfway houses, with food and drinks service. There is also a Spa with a full range of massage treatments, a swimming pool and a fully stocked pro shop. Golf carts are compulsory and one caddy is provided with each cart. Wantilan Golf Villas are also part of the course. "Wantilan" are three or four bedroom Luxury Villas with your own staff and swimming pool. Either one bedroom or the full villa can be rented.
 

Nirwana Course
Nirwana or nirvana is the name of the newest Golf course in Bali. Lying on Bali's southwest coastline at Tanah Lot, Nirwana Bali Golf Club was designed by Greg Norman and opened in July 1997. A 6805 yard - par 72 championship standard golf course, it is destined to become one of the worlds best. Asian Golf Monthly and Golf Digest have voted the course as the No 1 course in Indonesia. Nirwana is part of the Le Meridien Resort and the resort was voted by Asian Golf Monthly as Asia's Premier Golf Resort. The breathtaking beauty of this course is highlighted by rice fields forming some of the rough, strategically placed bunkers and spectacular ocean views, on the three cliff-top holes that overlook the Indian Ocean. With four sets of tees Greg Norman has ensured that the course will test all golfers.

This 71 par golf course is one of Asia's most visually spectacular courses with holes carved through rice paddies, over creeks with three holes played along the cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean. Friendly female caddies with magical vibrancy from Tanah Lot temple bring nirvana in this earth.

The Nirwana par three 7th has to be one of the most wickedly designed holes in the world. And its Clubhouse is of a standard expected from a fine country club. Nirwana is part of the Le Meridien Bali Resort which has also been rated by Asian Golf Monthly as the No 1 golf resort in Asia. Golf International in the UK voted Le Meridien as one of the top 10 Golf resorts to "Dream of and Head to in the world

Nirwana Bali boasts a luxurious Balinese style clubhouse with a restaurant, a halfway house, a fully stocked pro shop and exquisitely furnished locker rooms. Golf carts with a caddy are compulsory and a drink service is provided. A recent addition to the Club is a driving range and lessons are available from the resident PGA professional. Being part of the Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort, Spa and massage facilities are available at the hotel. Nirwana Bali Golf Club also operate The Nirwana Apartments and Villas. They are one or two bedroom self contained apartments with the complex having it's own swimming pool.
 

Bali Handara Kosaido
Nestled, 1,142 meters above sea level, northwest of Bali, at Bedugul, is the Bali Handara Golf Course. Designed by Peter Thomson and Michael Wolveridge and Associates, Bali Handara is probably the island's most well known golf course. This is due to it being ranked in the top 50 courses in the world in 1979/80. Bali Handara is 3700 feet above sea level and is built in a volcano crater at Bedugul. It is about a one and a half hours scenic drive up to the course from the Kuta/Sanur areas. The course measures 7024 yards in length-par 72 from the championship tees, and its greens will trick the best golfer. Bali Handara is surrounded by lush tropical rain forest near vertical crater walls clad in vegetation and offers magnificent mountain scenery with beautiful gardens and is a must to see, even for non-golfers.

The Handara is a deceptively difficult course. There are plenty of bunkers, lakes and other water hazards to get you into difficulty. But, of course, there's a cold drink waiting for you after you finish.

The greens and gardens are immaculate. Clouds are common in the afternoon, so the morning is the perfect time to start your game here. During the rainy season the course is much cooler than in dry.

Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club has a variety of rooms for accommodation. There is a restaurant overlooking the golf course, bar, Karaoke, tennis courts, a fitness centre with massage service and Japanese bath. A fully stocked pro shop and golf carts are optional.

Grand Bali Beach Golf Course
The Grand Bali Beach is now under new ownership and has changed it's name to The Bali Beach Golf Course. The layout is still a 9-hole course (par 36), however all greens and bunkers have been replaced. The Bali Beach Golf Course is in the grounds of The Grand Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur and is still a flat course, with tight tree lined fairways. The new enlarged greens are well protected, making accuracy essential. The course is an improvement on the old course, but not in the same class as Bali's 18 hole courses. It is still a test of golf. Caddies are available, however, there are no golf carts and trolleys are compulsory.

Ritz-Carlton Bali
The Ritz-Carlton Bali offers the island's only championship-standard golf putting course. It is open to hotel guests and visitors. The 64 par, 657-yard long course is designed by Ronald Fream. The tropical garden and sea's aroma coloring the course in 70 hectares resort area.

Course fees include putters and unlimited use of the fitness center steam and sauna facilities. And get one-hour complimentary golf introduction lessons are available at 9a.m Monday and Friday

Lombok Kosaido Country Club
The 18-hole championship course designed by Peter Thomson, Michael Wolveridge and Perrett offers a unique, challenging and world-class experience for golfers of all levels. It's a picturesque course in the North Western region of Lombok. It's a par 72 course measuring 6295 metres. Holes 1 - 9 face the sea and include the signature No 4 hole adjacent to the white sandy beach of Sire Bay. Holes 10 - 18 face the mountains with stunning views of Mt Rijana and towards the Gili Islands across the bay.