Handara Golf Resort Bali

23 June

A review of Handara Golf Course, Bali Indonesia

Have you ever considered golfing in Bali? Well we hadn't, but decided to give it a go as we were on the island for a few days earlier this month. We didn't play the highly rated "Bali Nacional" - however we did explore further north, driving the 4h trip up to Bedagul in the mountains, to stay and play at Handara Golf and Resort Bali.

How did you get there?

We were actually on a bird watching trip, and our guide drove us so we didn’t have the negotiate the local roads. He also gave us a tour of the local community and we did some bird watching on the property, spotting some spectacular birds in the jungley hills surrounding the course.

We paid about A$350 to stay and play, and this included two very experienced local caddies who were invaluable in their knowledge of the course - particularly the greens. We rented two sets of clubs for about $100. The weather was a lovely mid-20s not too muggy as we were around 1500m elevation. Tee times were flexible and we got on around 9am.

How was the experience?

The course was a delight to play. The majestic Mount Pengelengan towers over each hole, and you feel like the course has been cut out of the jungle (which is has). There are also glimpses of the lake and some traditional houses of the locals (who also sell found golf balls at various places around the course).

(Also) designed by Wolveridge and Thompson in 1974, the course is well established and challenging enough. Very special to be walking amongst large green trees, beautiful flowers and of course the mountain (hole 7 is named after Pengelengan). Finishing on the ninth, we truly wanted to keep going and play another round - it was a great game!

Suggestions and strategy

Something the course taught you: that caddies make a world of difference. My caddy told me his pre performance routine, which is deciding a line, marking out a spot a foot in front of the ball, taking a deep breath and hitting the ball along that line - worked for me!

Favourite hole - 4th hole (dog leg right over a creek) and 9th hole (Wolveridge)

Some advice: take travelan before every meal and you won't get bali belly!

Hazards and Highlights

One surprise: it was ranked in the top 50 golf courses in the world at one point! Had no idea..

One birdie: heard and later saw the flame fronted barbet!

Biggest challenge: trying to cut the corner on the 6th over water and a gully (I lost three balls even the caddies couldn’t find them!)

Mental approach: Focus on the sound of the birds in the surrounding jungle - in between shots, to truly enjoy the experience and bring about positive affect.