Golf came to the Philippines in 1886, introduced by British railway workers during the final years of Spanish colonial rule. It took root quietly among the expatriate community and the Filipino elite, and over the following century grew into one of the most golf-mad countries in Southeast Asia. Today the Philippines has over 100 golf courses spread across the archipelago — from world-class championship layouts designed by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Greg Norman, to charming historic courses that have been part of the local community for generations.
I’ve been playing golf here for decades. The first course I ever played in the Philippines was Club Intramuros — a round of golf alongside a 400-year-old Spanish fortress, which is about as Filipino an experience as it gets. A group of expats had been playing there for years — a regular social game that was as much about the camaraderie and the cold beer afterwards as it was about the golf itself.
An Important Note on Access
Before planning a golf trip to the Philippines, there is one thing every visitor needs to understand — many of the best courses in the country are private member clubs. You cannot simply turn up and play. To get onto a members-only course you generally need one of three things: a playing invitation from a member, a booking through a golf agency such as GolfPH (www.golfph.com) which has arrangements with many private clubs, or — and this actually works surprisingly well — posting on golf social media groups asking if any members can get you on. The Philippine golf community is generally welcoming and this approach works more often than you might expect.
For visitors who prefer a straightforward booking without needing connections, there are excellent public courses that are genuinely open to all — Club Intramuros, Pradera Verde in Pampanga and Splendido Taal near Tagaytay among the best of them.
Club Intramuros Golf Course, Manila — Public
One of the most historically unique golf courses in the world, Club Intramuros was established in 1906 and is built on the site of the old moat that once surrounded the walls of Intramuros. The Spanish colonial walls and fortifications form the backdrop as you play — each hole is named after a fortification in the walled city — with San Agustin Church and the Manila Cathedral visible from the fairways. It is a short course — par 66 — but eleven of the holes have water hazards and almost every hole has an out-of-bounds area, making accuracy essential. At one point during the round you cross a Manila street to continue — a brief reminder of the city surrounding you before the course resumes. The only golf course in Manila that offers night golf. Playing a round here with 400-year-old walls around you and the history of Manila visible in every direction is an experience that has nothing to do with the difficulty of the course and everything to do with where you are standing. A genuine one-of-a-kind.
Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club, Pampanga — Public
One of the best public access courses in the Philippines and an excellent option for visitors who want a proper championship experience without needing a member connection. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and set on a sprawling property in Lubao, Pampanga — about two hours north of Manila — Pradera Verde is a 27-hole facility with water hazards on half the holes including island greens on the par-three 15th and the par-five 18th. Well-conditioned, well-staffed and genuinely welcoming to visiting golfers. A strong choice for anyone looking for quality without the membership complications.
Splendido Taal Golf Club, Batangas — Public with booking
Designed by Greg Norman and set on the ridges above Tagaytay with panoramic views of Taal Volcano and the lake below, Splendido Taal is one of the most visually spectacular golf experiences in the Philippines. The course took four years to construct — significant shaping of the mountain terrain was required — and the result is a layout of dramatic elevation changes, massive bunkers and narrow fairways that demand accuracy throughout. The front nine plays downhill towards the lake while the back nine climbs back up through increasingly challenging terrain. Public access is available particularly on weekdays — booking through GolfPH (www.golfph.com) or directly with the club is recommended. A cart and caddie are advisable given the altitude and distance between holes.
Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, Cavite — Members and guests
The benchmark for championship golf in the Philippines. Manila Southwoods has two Jack Nicklaus-designed courses — the Masters Course and the Legends Course — both built in 1993. The Masters Course is widely regarded as one of the toughest Nicklaus designs in Asia — 15 of the 18 holes have water hazards and the bunkering is severe throughout. It has hosted multiple Philippine Open tournaments and the 1996 World Amateur Team Championship. Not for the faint-hearted. The Legends Course is more accessible but no less enjoyable — the 17th hole, a long par five, is considered one of the toughest in the country. Access via GolfPH or member invitation.
Anvaya Cove Golf and Country Club, Bataan — Members and guests
Named the best golf course in the Philippines by the Asian Golf Awards, Anvaya Cove is a coastal course routed in two distinct nine-hole circuits — Mountain and Seaside. The 11th hole offers a stunning view of Subic Bay, the 12th plays down towards the beach, and the 13th is a cliff-top par-three that is the signature hole of the course. The combination of ocean views, varied terrain and immaculate conditioning makes this one of the most enjoyable rounds in the country. Located about two hours from Manila. Access via GolfPH or member invitation.
Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club, General Trias, Cavite — Members and guests
Known as the best kept secret in Philippine golf, Eagle Ridge has four championship courses designed by some of the biggest names in the game — Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, Isao Aoki and a fourth course that completes the lineup. The variety of design styles across four courses on one property is extraordinary and makes Eagle Ridge a destination in itself for serious golfers. Access via GolfPH or member invitation.
Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, Mandaluyong — Members only
One of the oldest and most prestigious golf clubs in the Philippines, Wack Wack was established in 1930 and remains one of the most exclusive addresses in the country. Its two 18-hole championship courses — the East and the West — have hosted some of the most significant tournaments in Philippine golf history, including the Asian Circuit and the 1977 World Cup. The East Course is the longer and tougher of the two. Beautifully tree-lined throughout and a genuine piece of Philippine golfing history. Member invitation required — try GolfPH or social media groups to find a connection.
The Orchard Golf and Country Club, Dasmariñas — Members and guests
Designed by Arnold Palmer and one of the most popular courses south of Manila, The Orchard has hosted the Philippine Open and offers a consistently well-conditioned layout in a lush tropical setting. The Palmer design favours shot-making over raw power and rewards accurate play throughout. Access via GolfPH or member invitation.
Tagaytay Highlands Golf Club, Cavite — Members and guests
Situated at elevation in the cool highlands above Tagaytay, with panoramic views of Taal Volcano and the lake below, Tagaytay Highlands offers a playing experience unlike anything in the Manila lowlands. The cooler temperature — a genuine relief from the Metro Manila heat — combined with the extraordinary setting makes this one of the most memorable rounds in Luzon. The course itself is challenging with significant elevation changes throughout. Access via GolfPH or member invitation.
The Riviera Golf Club, Silang, Cavite — Members and guests
Located in Silang — which happens to be where I now live — The Riviera is a well-regarded private club that has hosted the Philippine Open on multiple occasions. The course has a reputation for tough, severely tiered greens that will test any golfer’s putting game. Two courses on the property offer variety and the clubhouse and facilities are among the best in the Cavite region. Access via GolfPH or member invitation.
Camp John Hay Golf Club, Baguio — Public
Situated in the cool mountain air of Baguio City, Camp John Hay was originally a US military rest and recreation facility and is now one of the most pleasant golf experiences in the Philippines. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the course winds through tall pine trees at altitude — a completely different environment from the tropical lowland courses and a genuine relief from the heat. Open to the public and a straightforward booking.
Cebu Country Club — Members and guests
The premier golf destination in the Visayas, Cebu Country Club sits in the heart of Cebu City with well-manicured greens, strategic hazards and a serene atmosphere. One of the most established clubs outside of Manila and the social hub of Cebu’s golfing community. Access via member invitation or GolfPH.
Alta Vista Golf and Country Club, Cebu — Members and guests
For a more dramatic setting, Alta Vista offers breathtaking views of the Cebu coastline and surrounding islands from its elevated position above the city. The combination of challenging terrain and spectacular scenery makes Alta Vista one of the most visually impressive courses in the Visayas. Access via GolfPH or member invitation.
Fairways and Bluewater Golf and Country Club, Boracay — Public
The only golf course on Boracay and one of the most scenic in the Philippines. The proximity to the sea means wind is a constant factor — particularly in the afternoons — which adds an unpredictable element to an already interesting layout. Open to the public and bookable directly with the resort. Combining a round of golf with a stay on one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines makes this a compelling destination for golfers who want more than just the game.
How to Book
For public courses — Club Intramuros, Pradera Verde, Camp John Hay and Fairways Boracay among them — you can book directly with the club. For semi-private and members-only courses, GolfPH at www.golfph.com is the most established booking service in the country and has arrangements with a wide range of clubs that are otherwise difficult to access as a visitor. Other golf booking platforms operate in the Philippines as well — it is worth checking a few for availability and rates. And if you are connected to the local golf community, posting in Philippine golf groups on social media asking if a member can get you a game genuinely works — the community is welcoming and this approach opens doors that formal booking channels sometimes cannot.
When to Play
The Philippines can be played year-round but the dry season from November to May offers the most reliable conditions across most of the country. The heat and humidity can be significant — particularly in the lowland courses around Manila — so early morning tee times are strongly recommended. Most courses provide caddies as standard which is both part of the local tradition and genuinely useful on the more complex layouts.
Browse our full directory of Philippine golf courses and find your next round.
