Is It Worth Playing Golf in Bali? A Comprehensive Guide for Golfers

When mentioning Bali, people will immediately think about crystal water and white sand beaches; however, it is also heaven for golf lovers. With world-class golf courses, spectacular natural landscapes, and luxury amenities, Bali promises an exceptional golf experience. In this blog, we help you explore the best golf courses and helpful tips for your fascinating experience when golfing in Bali.

An overview of golf in Bali

Golf courses in Bali are known as the place where golf course design meets natural beauty. Golfers have the opportunity to swing their sticks in the midst of a rare setting, from the green volcanic valley to the white rocky coast. Each courtyard is like a picture, a harmonious combination of winding fairway, tropical palm trees, white sand bunkers, and a backdrop of mountains, seas, or terraces with Balinese characteristics. Playing golf here, visitors not only challenge their skills but also immerse themselves in the poetic scenery, bringing back photos commemorating “million likes.”

In addition, with a tropical climate, Bali allows golf to be played almost any time of the year. The average daytime temperature is about 27°C; it is warm and sunny, and the breeze is suitable for outdoor activities. In particular, the dry season from April to October is the ideal time to enjoy golf in Bali. During these months, the weather is dry, there is little rain, and the sunny blue sky lasts throughout the day. Even in the rainy season (November to March), the tropical showers in Bali usually only take place shortly and then quickly stop, and the sun rises again, so it is rare to completely interrupt your game.

An overview of golf in Bali

As we all know, Bali is an international tourist destination, so the quality of services at golf courses is always focused at a high level. Each yard has a team of professional caddies who are knowledgeable about the terrain and enthusiastic about accompanying players. Guests will be impressed with the friendliness and hospitality of the local staff, from hosting at the clubhouse until the end of the golf round. Most of the courses have a modern clubhouse with full facilities: a luxurious restaurant, a relaxing bar, a clean dressing room, a pro shop selling golf equipment, and even a spa, and on-site massage service.

Bali seems to have everything for everyone; even if you’re with family or friends who don’t play golf, it’s easy to find your favorite activity while you’re on the course. Bali golf courses are often located near famous resorts, so it is very convenient to combine golf with sightseeing and relaxation. You can stay at the 5-star coastal resorts of Nusa Dua, Uluwatu, or Ubud, which are both close to the golf course and have beautiful scenery and high-class services.

In summary, a golf holiday in Bali promises an exceptional experience, which is the combination of outstanding golf courses and fascinating tourism possibilities. Visit our Best Bali Golf Tours, Breaks, and Holiday Packages for 2025/2026 for more information about an unforgettable golf vacation on this stunning island.

Best golf courses in Bali

As mentioned above, Bali boasts several world-class golf courses, each characterized by unique design, service, and stunning views.

Bali National Golf Club (Nusa Dua)

Bali National Golf Club is a part of a luxury Nusa Dua resort, which is considered the best golf course in both Bali and Indonesia. After being redesigned by architects Robin Nelson and Rodney Wright, this course launched again in 2013 with a totally new appearance and quickly won prestigious awards such as “Best Golf Course in Indonesia 2018.”

Bali National Golf Club

This 18-hole course spans over 7000 yards and consists of two separate 9-hole courses: the former winding through palm forest with a view over the sea, while the latter has plain terrain interspersed with lakes, highlighted by the “island green” hole 17 reminiscent of the legendary hole 17 at TPC Sawgrass. When finishing a round of golf, visitors should pay a visit to the luxury clubhouse inside the resort to enjoy delicious dishes and admire the blue ocean view from the balcony, a great way to end the day.

Handara Golf & Resort Bali (Bedugul)

Located inside an extinct volcano, Handara Golf & Resort Bali is the most unique golf course in Bali. Although it takes a long distance to reach here, the journey is completely worth it because the golf course opens up a majestic mountain and forest landscape, lush green hidden in the morning mist, a lake, and overlapping mountain ranges in the distance.

Handara Golf & Resort Bali

The course design takes advantage of the natural terrain with many steep holes, and fairways winding through the jungle, creating exciting challenges for golfers of all levels. Handara was once ranked by Golf Magazine in the Top 50 most beautiful golf courses in the world – one of very few Asian courses to have this honor. Due to its distance from the city center, visitors should consider staying overnight at Handara Resort to enjoy the fresh mountain air and play another round of golf the next morning. The resort has been upgraded with full amenities: a pro shop, a driving range, a Japanese-style sauna, a relaxing massage service, and even golf club rental if you do not bring your own.

New Kuta Golf Club (Bukit Peninsula)

New Kuta Golf Club is located on the southwestern tip of the Bukit Peninsula, about 30 minutes from Ngurah Rai Airport. It is Indonesia’s first links-style golf course, with a spectacular location atop the Uluwatu cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean. It opened in 2007 and quickly made a splash: New Kuta was listed in Rolex’s Top 1000 Golf Courses in the World and was voted “Best Golf Course in Indonesia” in 2017 and 2018. New Kuta also hosted the 2009 Asian Tour Indonesian Open, cementing its championship status.

New Kuta Golf Club

The course is designed in a links style with undulating fairways, short grass, and strong sea breezes on some coastal holes. The most impressive holes are concentrated on the 15-15-16 sections along the cliff edge, where you will constantly want to pull out your camera to capture the breathtaking view of Bali’s sea and sky. In particular, the par-3 15th hole is perched precariously on the edge of the cliff, offering 360-degree views of the ocean and Balangan Beach below.

Bukit Pandawa Golf & Country Club (Uluwatu)

If you want to try something new with a short but fascinating golf round, Bukit Pandawa Golf & Country Club is a great choice. Opened in 2016, this unique 18-hole par-3 golf course is located on the clifftop of Uluwatu, just a 10-minute drive from Nusa Dua.

Bukit Pandawa Golf & Country Club

Don’t think of Pandawa as just a mini “pitching and putting” court; it is a highly maintained court with lush Paspalum lawns, lakes, and clever sandpit layouts that pose a challenge to inaccurate hitting. Due to its all-standard 3-mar design, the 18-hole loop here usually takes only about 2 hours, making it perfect for short-distance races or adding to busy travel schedules. Each cave in Pandawa has a striking landscape, especially the iconic Cave 13 (147 yards), located between a group of sand pits with curved stone walls and decorative watchtowers, reminiscent of the ancient architecture of Bali.

>>> Visit our Best Bali Golf Courses of 2025/2026 for more information about excellent golf courses here.

Ultimate Guide to Golf in Bali

Best Time to Golf in Bali

Bali allows golf all year round, but for the best experience, you should consider the seasonal weather:

Best time to golf in Bali

The dry season (April to October): This is the peak season for golf in Bali. There is less rain, lower humidity, and beautiful sunshine all day long, which is very favorable for golf rounds. Daytime temperatures are usually between 25-32°C with a light sea breeze, creating a pleasant feeling when on the green. July and August are the peak tourist seasons; the weather is great, but the golf courses and attractions can be more crowded, and the service prices are also higher. You should book your tee time and hotel early if you go during this time. May-June and September-October are probably the most ideal times because the weather is still dry and pleasant, but the number of tourists is moderate, allowing you to enjoy a quieter space on the golf course.

The rainy season (November to March): Although it is the rainy season, you can still play golf in Bali during this period. Bali’s rainy season weather often has sudden showers in the late afternoon, but the rain usually does not last all day. During the day, there are still many dry and sunny periods. The temperature this season is slightly higher (about 28-33°C, quite hot at noon), but in return, golf courses are often less crowded, and service costs are lower because it is not the peak season. If you choose to travel to golf during the rainy season, you should book an early morning game time to take advantage of the cool weather and less chance of rain. Bring a thin raincoat or folding umbrella in your golf bag in case of sudden rain. After the rain, the course surface drains quite quickly, so you can continue playing after a few minutes of waiting. Many veteran golfers share that Bali’s low season offers a very relaxing experience since there is no waiting in line, easy tee time booking, and full enjoyment of the scenery as if it were their own “private golf course.”

Things to Do after golf in Bali

Considered a famous tourist destination, Bali offers various fascinating activities to engage in. Whether you are a nature lover, culture explorer, or golf enthusiast, Bali has something for everyone.

Relax and recharge energy

After a day of golfing, there is nothing better than relaxing with a traditional Balinese spa treatment. You can choose Balinese massage, a method that combines acupressure, stretching, and natural essential oils to help the body recover quickly.

Thermes Marin at Ayana Resort

Some famous spa locations you should try:

• Thermes Marin at Ayana Resort (Jimbaran) with a unique Ocean Therapy Pool.
• Karma Spa at Karma Kandara (Uluwatu) with a spectacular open space overlooking the sea, or Fivelements Retreat (Ubud) for those who want to experience a combination of yoga and wellness therapy.
• If you prefer to relax in nature, you can go to Banjar Hot Springs in northern Bali or Toya Devasya Hot Springs near Lake Batur to soak in the warm mineral water, helping your body relax after a strong swing on the golf course.

Savor local cuisines while watching the sunset

Bali is not only famous for golf but also as a food haven. You should not miss enjoying dinner on Jimbaran Beach, where you can savor local cuisines such as grilled lobster, and grilled fish with Balinese spices in a romantic space with candlelight and the sound of waves. If you want a luxurious dinner, you can visit Mozaic (Ubud), which is a famous fine dining restaurant specializing in fusion cuisine, Kubu at Mandapa (Ubud).

Garden Dining Area at Mozaic (Ubud)

In addition, you can also relax with a cocktail while watching the sunset at famous bars such as Rock Bar (Ayana Resort, Jimbaran), which is located on a cliff and rated as one of the bars with the most beautiful views in the world. Another option is Single Fin (Uluwatu), a gathering place for surfers with a youthful atmosphere and vibrant live music. Sitting high up, sipping a cool cocktail, and watching the sun set into the ocean will definitely be a memorable experience.

Explore culture and nature

If you want to combine golf with cultural exploration, taking time to visit Uluwatu Temple after playing at Bukit Pandawa or New Kuta Golf would be a great idea. This temple is located on a high cliff, where you can admire the magnificent sea view. At sunset, you can watch a Kecak dance performance, a traditional Balinese art form that combines dance, music, and storytelling.

Uluwatu Temple, Bali

If you play golf in central Bali, we recommend visiting Ubud, the island’s cultural and artistic center. You can stroll around the Ubud Art Market, where you can buy many exquisite handicrafts, silk fabrics, and silver jewelry, or visit the Ubud Monkey Forest to admire the playful long-tailed monkeys.

Ubud, Bali

If you like taking pictures, don’t forget to visit Tegalalang Rice Terrace, a green terraced rice field that is very typical of Bali. Another attractive destination is Tanah Lot Temple, which is famous for its breathtaking sunsets. This temple is located on a rocky outcrop in the sea, separated from the mainland at high tide. Coming here in the afternoon, you will admire the beautiful sunset scene, creating an extremely impressive natural picture.

Engage in adventure and water sports

Bali is not only about golf but also a paradise for water sports. If you want to try something exciting, head to Kuta, Canggu, or Uluwatu to experience surfing. Bali is one of the world’s top surfing destinations with ideal waves for both beginners and professionals. If you love the ocean, you can join diving or snorkeling tours at Amed & Tulamben—where the USAT Liberty wreck sunk on the seabed creates a rich coral ecosystem—or Menjangan—home to Bali’s most colorful coral reef. For those who love exploring unspoiled islands, take a trip to Nusa Penida, home to beautiful beaches such as Kelingking Beach with its dinosaur-like back shape, Angel’s Billabong with its natural blue lake, or Broken Beach with its unique natural rock arch.

Kelingking Beach with its dinosaur-like back shape

>>> Wanna make a perfect swing on stunning golf courses and immerse yourself in the fascinating activities after the golf round? Reach out to our Bali Golf Experience 6 Days.

Some Helpful Tips

Golf in Bali is not merely a swing in the stunning courses but an immersive natural and cultural journey. To have your best time here, you can save our helpful tips below:

Choose the right time

Bali has a tropical climate; therefore, visitors can play golf all year round. However, the dry season (from April to October) is the best time to go. With the gentle sunlight and minimal rainfall, players can enjoy the courses in their best condition. If you come in the rainy season (from November to March), you can still play golf as long as you book a tee time in the early morning because it often rains in the late afternoon. If you visit Bali in the peak season, remember to book a tee time at least a week ahead to avoid full booking, especially some top golf courses such as Bali National, New Kuta, or Handara.

Pack the right clothes

You should bring breathable clothing that still complies with golf course regulations. Courses in Bali usually require collared shirts, appropriate shorts or long pants, and golf shoes with soft spikes. Additionally, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are essential to protect your skin from harsh sunlight. If you play in the later afternoon, you may want to bring a light jacket as some areas like Bedugul (where Handara is located) can get cool in the evening.

Prepare tips for caddie

In Bali, most golf courses require caddies, and tipping is almost a must. A reasonable tip is usually between 100,000 to 200,000 IDR (about 7-15 USD) depending on the quality of service. Most caddies in Bali are friendly, professional, and knowledgeable; they can help you read the line green, pick a club, and give good advice, hence boosting golf performance.

Combine golf and tourism

One of the greatest things about golfing in Bali is the ability to combine golf with relaxation and exploration. If you play golf in the morning, the remaining time can be spent relaxing at the spa, savoring seafood at Jimbaran, or visiting famous attractions such as Uluwatu Temple, Tegalalang terraced field, or Ubud. If time permits, you should explore Nusa Penida or participate in snorkeling in Amed to enrich your experience.

In conclusion, golf in Bali is truly an unforgettable experience. You can play golf while still immersed in stunning nature, enjoy the fresh air, and explore local culture. Therefore, don’t forget to enjoy every moment during your time in Bali! We hope this Bali golf guide provides you with helpful information; if you need any further assistance, please contact us now; our experts are willing to help at any time!

Read more:

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