You will be spoiled when you play golf in the Philippines. All caddies speak English, are knowledgeable, and their fees are very affordable. The best courses are designed by golf legends like Jack Nicklaus. And of course, the fun part-every five holes usually has a snack hut.

IN METRO MANILA

THE PUBLIC COURSES

The popular ones are those located inside military camps. The courses of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City and at the Naval Station in Fort Bonifacio are short, narrow, and tricky while the one at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City is longer and more forgiving of errant shots. For novelty, night golf can be played at Intramuros, the old walled city of Manila.

THE PRIVATE, CHAMPIONSHIP COURSES

The Wack-Wack golf course designed by Jim Black in Mandaluyong is a favorite venue of the Philippine Open. Its championship-level east course requires long, accurate drives off the tees to carry its water obstacles. On the outskirts of Metro Manila, the Masters course of Southwoods in Carmona, Cavite, is a classic “risk and reward” Jack Nicklaus design that punishes reckless shots with ravines, creeks, and artificial lakes. Nearby is the Santa Elena course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. in Santa Rosa, Laguna, that will test the skill of long hitters. It is rated by Golf Digest magazine as the No.1 course in the Philippines and it has made it to the “Top 100 Courses Outside the U.S

OUTSIDE METRO MANILA

Another Jack Nicklaus-designed course is Sherwood in Dasmarinas, Cavite. Its beautiful natural contours earned it inclusion to Golf Digest’s list of top 100 courses outside the United States. A touch of the famous Pebble Beach can be found at the Puerto Azul course in Ternate, Cavite. Designed by Gary Player and Ron Kirby, this seaside course demands long accurate shots to avoid landing at the sea or at the thick tropical jungle that borders the course.

Another seaside course is Fairways and Bluewater at the award-winning island of Boracay. Designed by Graham Marsh, golfers have to contend with strong sea winds and being distracted by the picturesque sea views. Up north in Baguio, golf is played among the clouds in its two mountainous courses at the Baguio Country Club designed by Luis Golem Silverio and the Camp John Hay Club designed by Jack Nicklaus. Both courses-although short-are hilly with tight fairways bordered with pine trees, elevated greens that require precision, and occasional wisps of fog.

It’s more fun in the Philippines

Crescent-shaped beaches dusted with talcum powder-like sand; uninhabited tropical islands, lush impenetrable jungles bristling with unique wildlife, the thrusting soaring capital of Manila, historic cities, a diverse local cuisine and culture …the Philippines has all this and more. Go there and discover some of the 7,107 islands of this vibrant archipelago where English is widely spoken, the people are fun loving and life moves to a lilting beat.