INTERBATIONAL standard courses have sprung up in Bali. It has its share of courses that are just for pure enjoyment of the game. Indeed, golf is a very popular sport with both tourists and the locals.

Where to Golf
For the golfing enthusiasts, Bali offers a choice to enjoy during your holiday.

Grand Bali Beach Golf Courses
A golf course is in conjunction with the Grand Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur which is built in 1960. This course is convenient, designed by G. Hady, open to both hotel guests and visitors, and good for golfer on a tighter budget or who has limited time in Bali.

The Grand Bali Beach Golf Course has a par of 36 and is covered by an extensive landscaped garden with aged trees. This course surrounded by lush tropical garden in a flat terrain with tight tree lined fairways and small well protected greens, making accuracy essential. Caddies are available, however, there are no golf carts. The course is a small 9-hole course that can be used for 18 holes. A mini 18-hole golf course also available.

The course has a putting green, lockers and access to hotel facilities. The clubhouse has a restaurant and a bar. Equipment and services of caddies are available. The Grand Bali Beach hotel guests receive a discount on green fees. Those not ready for the course can practice at a driving range in nearby Renon.

Bali Golf & Country Club

The course ensconced in the deluxe resort area of Nusa Dua, offers a unique golfing experience with world class breathtaking sights. Designed by renowned golf course architects Rodney Wright and Robin Nelson incorporated small hand-built stone walls to terrace the sides of fairways and tees in order to emulate the rice fields terraces of the Bali countryside. In 1997 it was voted by Fortune Magazine as one of Asia's top 5 golf course.

With 6871 yards course has a par of 72, Bali Golf and Country Club will offer visitors to Bali a truly unique golfing. The course has multiple tees to ensure play ability. Each hole is unique and the course has three definite settings for play. The Indian Ocean creates a spectacular backdrop. You also play through massive coconut trees, lakes and finish off with sand dune holes along Nusa Dua Beach.

Golf carts are compulsory and one caddy is provided with each cart. Trained caddies, golf carts, and all necessary equipment are available for hire at the proshop. The well appointed clubhouse has a swimming pool, two bars and an open-air restaurant. A recent addition to the course has been the Wantilan Golf Villas with traditional Balinese architecture set within the golf course self contained luxury villas can be rented.

Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club

The course is built in Bedugul, a very popular tourist spot and a center of flowers with quite peaceful takes of Lake Bratan is worthwhile to visit. Designed by Peter Thompson and Michael Wolveridge & Associates, the course offers a 72 par, 7024 yards in the 18-hole championship course, and it's greens will trick the best golfer.

Bali Handara offers mountain scenery and gardens and is a must to see, even for non golfers. This is the only golf course in Asia with its location set in extinct volcano. In the lush highlands to the northwest of Bali, at an altitude of 1142 meters above sea level within an average temperature of 16 to 20°C, it is blessed with the perfect climate for a round of golf and surrounded by mountains with a panoramic view of Lake Bratan.

The Handara is a deceptively difficult course. There are plenty of bunkers, lakes and other water hazards to get you into difficulty. 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 at the club consists of Balinese bungalows or hotel and suite rooms. Facilities at the club include tennis courts, fitness center and massage, Japanese bath and sauna. Golf carts, equipment and services of caddies. F&B outlets include three restaurants and a karaoke bar, and also a fully-equipped convention and banquet hall.

Nirwana Bali Golf Club

Situated at Tanah Lot, on the south west coastline of Bali, this golf course has breath-taking views over the Indian Ocean. Nirwana Bali Golf was designed by Greg Norman, offers a spectacular designed championship golf course that will challenge players of all skill levels. A 72 par, 6775 yards championship standard golf course. Golf International UK magazine has already rated it in the top 10 golf resorts in the world in 1999.

This course is highlighted by rice fields and spectacular ocean views on the three cliff top holes that overlook the Indian Ocean. With three holes running along the cliffs and terraced rice paddies the course will test the accuracy and consistency of a PGA Professional and still be enjoyable for the average golfer. Twelfth hole are played overlooking the Tanah Lot Temple, is one of the most photographed in the world.

This golf course is believed to be one of the most dramatic golf courses in the world and an ideal venue for international golf tournaments. Nirwana special characteristic is that the course provides unparalleled level of service from its female team of caddies. Each is completely trained and fully informed of the course's hazards and each will easily adapt to the golfer's skill level.

Golf carts are compulsory and playing assistants must accompany all golfers. A Balinese open-style clubhouse serves refreshments and food, and a proshop has equipment for rent. Being part of the Le Meridien Nirwana Golf and Spa Resort, spa and massage facilities are available at the hotel.

All golf facilities and the Balinese style clubhouse are managed and maintained to world class standards by International Management Group (IMG), the world's largest sports marketing and management company. Golf carts are mandatory and you will be accompanied by enchanting Balinese caddies who will ensure your game is memorable.

Ritz Carlton Golf Course

The Ritz Carlton 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