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Golfing
in the Island of Gods
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.
Located on the luxury tourist resorts of Nusa Dua, BGCC offers
different types of tropical golf course design, providing
golf enthusiasts with a world championship 18 hole golf course
in a spectacular seaside setting. 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.
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.
Nirwana Course
Nirwana or nirvana is the name of the newest Golf course in
Bali. The Nirwana course was designed by the famous golfer,
Greg Norman. This course has 18 challenging holes sitting
on Bali's Indian Ocean coast.
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.
Bali Handara Kosaido
Bali Handara Kosaido is the oldest golf course in Bali as
well as Indonesia. This is the only golf course in Asia with
its location set in extinct volcano. Nestled, 1,142 meters
above sea level, northwest of Bali, at Bedugul, the Bali Handara
Kosaido Country Club offers a par seventy-two, 6,432-yard
eighteen hole championship course surrounded by lush tropical
rain forest near vertical crater walls clad in vegetation.
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.
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