Bogor, Indonesia
Umm… so where exactly is this ‘Bogor’, did I hear you ask? Well, Bogor is a city located approximately 60 kilometers south of Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. Bogor is extremely popular among the city folks, primarily because of its cool climate and scenic beauty. Bogor is also known for its rich history, culture, and traditional cuisine. If you need any other ‘endorsement’ for the city, Istana Bogor, or otherwise known as the official presidential palace is located right here.
It’s cooler climate and scenic beauty in the hills and mountains make Bogor the perfect destination to escape the infamous congestion, hustle and bustle of Jakarta. And where else to build some of the best golf courses in the entire country (and it’s a very large country). In fact, there are enough quality courses in the city to keep you occupied daily for nearly two weeks’ stay, without having to return to Jakarta.
Surely, that must be a dream golfing destination!
Emeralda Golf & Country Club
Emeralda Golf Course is another well established golf course in Bogor. The original 18-holes, comprising of the River and Lake nines, were designed by Arnold Palmer and opened in 1994. Subsequently the Plantation nine, designed by Jack Nicklaus was opened for play, as part of a new 18 to be completed.
The course features 27 holes with a beautiful view of the surrounding hills and rice paddies. The course is challenging and well-maintained, with each hole offering a unique and exciting experience for golfers of all levels.
Emeralda Golf Course has received several accolades, including the Best Golf Resort in Indonesia by Asian Golf Awards in 2017, and the 4th Best Golf Course in Indonesia by Golf Digest in 2019. The course is known for its excellent facilities, including a clubhouse, driving range, pro shop, and several dining options.
Play at Emeralda, pick your nines, and you can boast of a round playing Palmer and Nicklaus in the same round!
Gunung Geulis Country Club
Gunung Geulis Country Club is situated in the foothills of the Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and countryside. The club has two 18-hole championship courses, West Course and East Course.
The West Course at Gunung Geulis is designed by Thomson, Wolveridge & Perrett, and measures 6,545 yards from the championship tees. It is characterized by its challenging layout, with rolling fairways, water hazards, and numerous bunkers. The East Course, on the other hand, was designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett. It measures 6,706 yards from the championship tees and is known for its stunning views of the nearby mountains and forest.
Gunung Geulis (‘beautiful mountain’ in Bahasa Indonesia) lies at an elevation of 400 to 500 meters above sea level. The site is bordered to the north by the Cikeas River and opens onto a vista of Bogor and Jakarta in the far distance. You can imagine how cool are the evenings and how fresh the mountain air – the perfect climate for good golf and a great holiday.
Rainbow Hills Golf Club
Rainbow Hills Golf Club features 27 holes with a stunning view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The course was designed by the famous golf course designer J. Michael Poellot and opened in 1996.
Rainbow Hills Golf has received several accolades, including the 3rd Best Golf Course in Indonesia by Golf Digest in 2019, and the 2nd Best Golf Course in Indonesia by Asian Golf Awards in 2017. The course is known for its challenging layout and breathtaking scenery, with each hole offering a unique and memorable experience.
The combination of world-class course architecture and stunning natural landscape set to produce golfing conditions of a very high standard. If you don’t find the original Mountain and Forest nines challenging enough, the recent addition, the Stone Hills nine, completed in 2015, is arguably the most challenging and longest off the tee of the three nine holes layouts. It features some dramatic elevations off the tee and demanding greens that helps create an exciting golf experience.
Rancamaya Golf & Country Club
Rancamaya Golf and Country Club is a world-class golf course located in Bogor, Indonesia. Designed by Ted Robinson, Jr., Rancamaya is a par-72 course that measures 6,712 yards from the back tees.
The Rancamaya golf course features gently rolling terrains with breath-taking views of Mount Salak and was recognized in 2011 by the Asia Pacific Property Awards in cooperation with Bloomberg TV as the Best Golf Course in Indonesia” and the “#1 Golf Club in Southeast Asia.
The club boasts that “when playing golf at Rancamaya, you can drive the ball for an extra twenty meters or even more.” So if you want to hit it longer, this is the place!