Complete Guide to Golf in Jakarta: Best Courses, Tips & Travel Advice
Jakarta, Indonesia’s vibrant capital, is not only famous for its unique blend of modernity and tradition but also a hidden golf paradise for those who love the sport. The city has many quality golf courses, designed according to international standards, offering a world-class golfing experience in the heart of the city. Are you ready to delve into this golf paradise? Read this article to get a comprehensive guide to golf in Jakarta.
An overview of golf in Jakarta
One of the factors that make Jakarta an attractive choice for golfers is the variety and quality of golf courses. The city has more than 30 golf courses, many of which were designed by legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, and Gary Player. The golf courses here are not only challenging and technically demanding but also surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, bringing relaxation to players.
Besides the quality of the golf course, the climate in Jakarta is also very favorable for playing golf all year round. The average temperature ranges from 25°C to 32°C, making it easy for golfers to schedule without worrying about extreme weather. Although Jakarta has a rainy season from November to March, thanks to the good drainage system, most golf courses still operate stably.
Playing golf in Jakarta is not only attractive because of the quality of the golf course but also thanks to the reasonable cost compared to other destinations in the region, such as Singapore or Thailand. Golf packages can be found at competitive prices, especially on weekdays. The service at the golf courses is also very professional with a friendly caddy system, a luxurious clubhouse, and a restaurant serving a variety of cuisine, helping you have a complete experience from tee-off to the end of the golf round.
In short, with quality golf courses, competitive golf prices, and dedicated service, a golf holiday in Jakarta promises an unforgettable experience for every golfer.
Best golf courses in Jakarta
Considered as golf heaven in Indonesia, Jakarta boasts several world-class golf courses. Here are the five most outstanding of them that we think you should make your swing during your golf holiday.
Royale Jakarta Golf Club
If you want to start your golfing journey in Jakarta with a world-class course, Royale Jakarta Golf Club is the number one choice. This is a 27-hole course, designed in a modern style with wide fairways and super smooth greens. In particular, the course has hosted the Indonesian Masters—a tournament under the Asian Tour system, where professional golfers compete.
Royale Jakarta Golf Club
What sets Royal Jakarta apart is the perfect balance between challenging and relaxing experiences. Each hole has a tactical design that requires players to calculate each hit. But don’t worry, the green scenery and fresh air here will help you enjoy every moment. If you want to play a round of golf like a professional golfer, don’t miss this golf course!
- Address: Halim Perdana Kusuma, Jakarta.
- Reference cost: 2,000,000–3,000,000 IDR (~130–200 USD), depending on tee time.
Pondok Indah Golf Course
Located in the center of Jakarta, Pondok Indah is one of the oldest and most famous golf courses in Indonesia. The stadium hosted the 2018 Asian Games, proving its quality meets international standards.
Pondok Indah Golf Course
The interesting aspect of this golf course lies in its highly challenging layout with narrow lanes, numerous water traps, and clever cover, forcing golfers to adopt good tactics. If you enjoy challenging hitting and want to experience the pressure of Major League Baseball, this is the right place for you. After the round, you can relax at the luxury club or enjoy Indonesian cuisine on the course.
- Address: Pondok Indah, South Jakarta.
- Reference cost: 1,500,000 – 2,500,000 IDR (~100 – 170 USD)
Damai Indah Golf—Course Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK)
If you love the feeling of golfing with a cool sea breeze, Damai Indah Golf—PIK Course will surely fascinate you. The course was designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus, offering a unique golfing experience with a poetic coastal setting. The highlight of the course is the golf holes along the coast, where you can hit the ball with a beautiful sunset view. But don’t let that beauty fool you! This golf course has many water hazards and tricky bunkers, making each shot an interesting challenge. If you want to combine golf and relaxation in a natural environment, this is the ideal golf course to go to.
Damai Indah Golf – Course Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK)
- Address: Pantai Indah Kapuk, North Jakarta.
- Reference cost: 1,800,000 – 2,800,000 IDR (~120 – 190 USD)
Senaya National Golf Club
Don’t want to travel too far? Is there still a round of golf in the center of Jakarta? Senaya National Golf Club is absolutely your golf course! This is a 9-hole golf course, but it is considered one of the most beautiful courses for busy golfers.
Senaya National Golf Club
The characteristic of this golf course is the green space in the busy city center. Upon entering the yard, you will experience the tranquility amidst the bustling city. Senayan National Golf Club features a wide and medium-speed green lane, perfect for those who want to relax for a round of golf without getting too nervous.
- Address: Senayan, Central Jakarta.
- Reference cost: 1,200,000–2,000,000 IDR (~80–140 USD).
Imperial Klub Golf
If you are seeking a golf course with diverse and challenging terrain, go to Imperial Klub Golf. This is one of the 18th-hole high-difficulty golf courses, suitable for golfers who want to improve their skills. There are water traps and strategic cover on the course; therefore, players must calculate carefully before each shot.
Imperial Klub Golf
In addition, the Imperial Klub Golf also has a spacious training area for you to warm up before entering the course. With its beautiful design and professional service, this is one of the most experienced golf courses in Jakarta.
- Address: Lippo Karawaci, Tangerang (approximately 30 minutes drive from Jakarta)
- Reference cost: 1,500,000–2,500,000 IDR (~100–170 USD).
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What to do after golf in Jakarta?
After some golf rounds, you might want to relax by treating yourself to interesting activities. Here are some post-course activities you can do during your golf holiday in Jakarta.
Explore Kota Tua, the ancient town of Jakarta
When finishing your game on the courses, you can visit Kota Tua, which is a famous ancient town in Jakarta. Coming here, you can witness the ancient Dutch architecture from the colonial era and listen to the story of Jakarta. You can rent a brightly colored bicycle to leisurely cruise the nostalgic streets. Alternatively, you can sit in an antique glass café, enjoy pure Java coffee, and take in Jakarta’s vibrant lifestyle. We are sure this would be a fascinating experience, adding a unique element to your vacation.
Address: Kota Tua, Central Jakarta.
Kota Tua, Jakarta, Indonesia
Enjoy Jakarta cuisine at local restaurants
Jakarta has diverse cuisine, which presents the cultural convergence of many countries. Here are some signature dishes you must try:
- Nasi Goreng: Indonesian-style fried rice with a strong flavor, usually served with fried eggs and dried shrimp.
- Sate Ayam: Grilled chicken skewers with peanut butter is a very popular street snack.
- Gado Gado: A vegetable salad with peanut butter, perfect for those who want a snack.
- Sop Buntot: Oxtail soup, a traditional dish with clear water, sweet taste, and rich nutrition.
Indonesian cuisine
We recommend you visit local restaurants to savor these Indonesian dishes at Lara Djonggrang, an ancient royal restaurant serving traditional dishes, and Bapur Babah Elite, an art restaurant that blends Indonesian and Chinese cultures.
Shopping at Grand Indonesia or Traditional Markets
If you are a shopaholic, Grand Indonesia is a world-class shopping center, where you can find everything, from international to domestic brands. If you want to experience a traditional shopping atmosphere, just come to Tanah Abang. This is one of the most bustling markets in Asia, famous for the Indonesian fabric Batik. We recommend you buy this unique fabric as a gift for your loved ones.
Grand Indonesia
Let your hair down with massage and traditional spa
There is nothing better than relaxing with massage and spa sessions after the time on golf courses. Jakarta has many high-end spas that use Javanese massage techniques (Java Lubur) combined with herbal essential oils, which help your body to completely relax.
We recommend you come to two locations: Martha Tilaar Spa and Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa.
Enjoy spa session at Martha Tilaar Spa
Watch the sunset at Ancol Beach or a rooftop bar
A great way to end a long day is to enjoy a beautiful sunset at Ancol Beach, a coastal area of Jakarta. If you like luxury, go to a rooftop bar to sip cocktails while watching the whole city light up.
Watch the sunset at SKYE Bar & Restaurant
You can come to Ancol Beach, which is the famous coastal tourist area; you can take a walk or chill by the beach; or SKYE Bar & Restaurant, one of the most beautiful rooftop bars in Jakarta, where you can enjoy the whole city view from above. It would be perfect to watch the sunset while enjoying a glass of Es Cendol, a traditional Indonesian shaved coconut drink.
>>> Finding that Indonesian culture so divrese and fascinating? Book our Bandung and Jakarta Golf Package 7 Days to get an immersive stay&play experience.
Some helpful tips
To have an unforgettable golf experience in Jakarta, we provide you with some helpful tips below:
Choose the right time to visit
Jakarta belongs to a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: dry season and rainy season. The dry season (April to October) offers ideal weather conditions for playing golf since there is little rainfall and abundant sunlight. Visitors still can play golf in the rainy season (November to March) as long as they check the weather forecast since there might be sudden downpours. You should note down to book tee time in the early morning to avoid rain.
Book tee time early
Since Jakarta is a popular golf destination, many golfers play golf here on the weekends or during peak season. Therefore, you should book tee time early to reserve your vacations and save money (golf prices might increase on the weekends and peak season).
Choose the golf course based on your level
Several golf courses in Jakarta cater to all-level players. If you are a beginner, Senayan National Golf Club and Imperial Klub Golf are the places to go, while Royale Jakarta Golf Club or Pondok Indah Golf Course will provide excellent golf rounds for professional players.
Be careful with baggage regulations if you bring clubs
If you bring clubs, remember to check the airline’s baggage regulations. Vietnam Airlines and Garuda Indonesia allow free check-in of golf clubs (under 23 kg), while AirAsia and Vietjet Air take charge of sports luggage (usually around 30–50 USD/trip). If you don’t want to pay for transporting clubs, you can rent clubs at the golf course (around 20-50 USD/set).
Book travel insurance will make sure you feel more at ease
Although playing golf is not a dangerous sport, you should still buy travel insurance just in case you lose your luggage or golf clubs, get into an accident or injuries on the golf course, cancel your flight, or get into unexpected incidents. International travel insurance costs usually range from 20 to 50 USD/person but will give you peace of mind throughout your trip.
Combine golf with tourism
Indonesia is a country with a unique culture; therefore, besides golf, you should spend some time exploring the local culture in Jakarta, such as visiting Kota Tua (Jakarta’s old town) to learn about Indonesian history; enjoy local specialties such as Nasi Goreng, Sate Ayam, and Sop Buntut at local restaurants; and get a traditional massage & spa to relax your body after a long day of golf. To get local experience, ask your caddie because they know good restaurants and local places that tourists don’t know about.
We hope this ultimate guide to golf in Jakarta provides you with helpful information. If you need further assistance with booking or tailoring your golf holiday, don’t hesitate to contact us; our gurus are willing to help at any time.
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