Golf in Indonesia

Indonesia wasn’t a country we originally thought of as a golf destination. With so many islands, cultures and places to explore, golf was just one small part of our travels here.

But over several months, we managed to play golf in some very different corners of Indonesia — from the chaos of Medan in Sumatra to the tropical island of Bintan and the spectacular landscapes of Bali.

Along the way, we discovered that golf courses in Indonesia can be just as varied as the country itself. We played local courses, resort golf and one of the most memorable par-3 courses we’ve ever experienced.

Our Indonesian golf journey was full of surprises, and along the way we discovered some memorable courses and experiences we never expected to find.

Indonesia Golf Guides

Our Indonesia golf guides cover two very different golfing experiences — from the hills of North Sumatra to the dramatic coastline of Bali. Discover where we played, what we experienced and what you need to know before teeing off.

🇮🇩 Slow Travel & Sightseeing in Indonesia

Golf was just one small part of our Indonesian adventure. From discovering the street life and incredible food of Medan to exploring tropical islands and seeing orangutans in the wild, we found plenty to keep us busy away from the golf course.

Want to see more of Indonesia with us? Explore our Slow Travel in Indonesia page for the places, food, culture and experiences that made this such a memorable part of our journey.

👉 Explore Slow Travel in Indonesia

Planning a Golf Trip to Indonesia?

From choosing when to play and understanding the cost of a round to figuring out access and getting around with golf clubs, here are some of the practical things we learned while playing golf in different parts of Indonesia.

When Is the Best Time of Year to Play Golf in Indonesia?

Indonesia is a year-round golf destination, but the dry season from roughly May through September is generally the most popular time to play. Rain is less frequent in many parts of the country, making it easier to plan a round without having to worry as much about tropical downpours.

That said, Indonesia is a huge archipelago, so weather varies considerably from one island to another. Bali, Bintan and North Sumatra can all have different conditions, and humidity can remain high even during the drier months.

We played golf in several parts of Indonesia at different times and quickly discovered that the heat and humidity can be part of the experience. Our round in North Sumatra, for example, was sticky hot, so an earlier tee time is something we’d recommend whenever possible.

If you’re planning a golfing trip to Indonesia, check the typical weather for the specific island or region you’re visiting rather than relying solely on a nationwide “best season.”

How Much Does Golf Cost in Indonesia?

While traveling through Indonesia can be quite affordable, golf is a different story. Green fees can be relatively expensive, particularly at resort courses and more prestigious clubs.

Prices vary considerably depending on the course and location, so we wouldn’t rely on a single nationwide price range. Instead, we recommend checking the individual course before booking for the most up-to-date green fees and what’s included.

One thing we did notice during our time golfing in Indonesia: all four courses we played required both a caddie and a buggy, with these costs either included in the green fee or added to the cost of the round. That may not be the case everywhere in Indonesia, but it was consistent across the courses we played.

If you’re budgeting for golf in Indonesia, it’s worth checking whether the quoted green fee includes the caddie, buggy and any other mandatory charges before booking.

How Easy Is It to Play Golf in Indonesia?

We found golf in Indonesia to be fairly accessible, although the experience can be quite different depending on where you are.

Some rounds were easy to arrange, while others took a little more digging to figure out how visitors could play. Golf clubs in Indonesia aren’t all set up in the same way, so there isn’t really a one-size-fits-all approach to booking a round.

If you have a particular course in mind, we’d recommend going straight to the club’s website for the latest information on visitor access, tee times and fees. If that information isn’t clear, contacting the club directly is usually the best way to find out what you need to know before making the trip.

How Do You Get Around Indonesia With Golf Clubs?

Getting around Indonesia with golf clubs can take a little creativity! We used a variety of transportation during our travels, but Grab was probably our most useful option when we needed to get to the course.

If you’re traveling with your clubs, we’d recommend ordering a larger Grab vehicle rather than assuming a standard car will have enough room for your golf bag. It may cost a little more, but having enough space for your gear makes the journey much easier.

At one point, we even took a scooter to the course! Somehow, we managed to squeeze ourselves and our golf clubs onto one scooter — with the clubs strapped between our legs and balanced on our backs. It wasn’t exactly the most conventional way to arrive at a golf course, but it certainly made for a memorable trip!

If you’re flying into Indonesia with your clubs, another option is to ship them ahead. We’ve used ShipSticks ourselves, and if you use our link and the promo code PUTTERING20, you’ll get 20% off the cost of shipping.

👉 Save 20% Here!

Ready to Explore More Golf?

Indonesia was just one stop on our worldwide golf journey. If you’d like to see where else we’ve played, explored, and discovered along the way, there’s plenty more to explore.

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