Steve Sharpley

Built on the former site of the largest open cast tin mine in the world, The Mines Golf Course is the centerpiece of a resort complex stretching across 1,000 acres.

Robert Trent Jones, Jr. was called in to design the Mines golf course as the condition of the land was so bad that many thought that it could not be developed. Trent Jones needed to do a lot of re-engineering to repair the soil and stabilize the land. As such the fairways are lined with a foot of sand to serve as a buffer against polluted soil and also to provide great drainage especial during the frequent monsoon rains.

The front nine is laid out through natural and jungle bounded terrain, with occasional water hazards complementing the impressive bunkering, which can be especially deep and protective around the excellent greens. Natural elevation changes are used to create some of the most memorable holes. Two such gems, are the risk-reward, downhill, short par-4 6th (with a deep swale awaiting anything hit left), and the plunging par-4 9th with its knee-trembling tee-shot and panoramic backdrop.

Perhaps the show-stealer on the front-nine is the par-3 2nd, played across a jungle-filled ravine, towards a wonderfully imposing tree, the roots of which appear to be more above than below ground. The jungle of the front-nine gives way to a lakeside back-nine, where many challenging holes are played alongside the large Mines Resort lake (formerly the heart of the huge tin mine).

An array of large buildings flank the opposite side of the lake, most impressive of these is the Palace of the Golden Horses, which you can closely inspect at the par-4 12th. Whether jungle-side or lakeside, the layout never ceases to challenge with the quality of presentation always impressive.
Editted courtesy Golf Asia.

A beautiful course in the hills around Tagaytay Highlands and the stunning views of the Taal Volcano Island. The beautiful course is 7300 yards long off the blues and starts with two Par 5's. The second is 590yds long with the drive needing to carry 200yds over a brush covered canyon! Coming back over the same canyon on the Par 3, 8th needs another 200 carry to the 235yds green. Set in a valley along mountain ridges it is a memorable course in many way and at only 20 quid for a weekday/35GBP weekend per round, so stunning value too. If you come the Manila a very worthwhile 2hr trip south. Finishing respectably here gives a real sense of achievement. I'll be back.

If you're going to travel all the way to Langkawi at least you can be with a couple of beautiful and enjoyable golf courses for your trouble - although granted I only travelled from Singapore.
Set in the foothills and surrounded by the largest mountain on Langkawi (about 900Mtrs). This beautiful mature course has thick reed grass rough, many trees, numerous elevated tees, and lots of water and testing lake holes, particularly on the back nine and grand vista's all round. After the first couple of holes it quickly becomes apparent that straying off line into the deep rough or ending up blocked off by trees is a card killer. Prudent accurate play is rewarded - as my back nine score showed. definitely a game of two halves for me. The only negative been the driving get range was not open when we visited. But the rest of the course and facilities were well looked after. The staff were very friendly too.
All in all an enjoyably, beautiful, challenging and memorable course.

Having played the National course before, I couldn't say 'no' to the chance of playing the World Classic - designed to capture an experience of some of the best holes of the world on one course. Very tough - the Pro's wont play it 'as is' because it will affect their stats too much - but very memorable. Have a go :-)

To date this is my favourite course I've played in Singapore. Built by the British army on the north side of the island - but well worth the taxi fare. Well kept, beautiful and hilly. One of those memorable courses.

It's a good challenge even off the White tees (UK Yellow) and a real test of the Blues (UK White). Longest Par 5 is 660yards over a blind hill from the tee box. 18the 230yds Par 3 with water in front and all down the right the the green - hold your nerve.

Stunning location and challenging holes. one of the best in Bali.