Batam Golf Break 5D4N4R

Padang Golf Sukajadi is an 18 hole par-72 course near to Batam center. The layout originally conceived by golf course designer Thomson, Wolveridge & Perrett in the late 1980s. However, due to a sluggish economy, the Batam golf course did not open until 2009 when a local architect and land developers redeveloped it.

In 2010, Padang Golf Sukajadi hosted the 1st Indonesia Golf Association Amateur Open Golf Championship. Then, in 2014, the course was rated second best course in Batam, by Golf Digest Singapore.  Sukajadi hosted the 31st Indonesia Ladies Amateur Open Golf Championship in 2015.

The Sukajadi layout measures 6,340 meters with four different sets of tee boxes that cater to golfers of all abilities. The course grass is wall-to-wall Seashore Paspalum, which gives it its year-round bright green color.
The golf course is laid out across relatively flat terrain, but the clever use of earth moving has created gentle undulations and mounds that are aesthetically pleasing as well as strategic in their placement. As with many flat, parkland-style courses, water plays a big part throughout the round.  Good drainage allows for play after even the most torrential downpour, which is a frequent occurrence in the tropics.

The course opens with a long par-4. A straight well-struck drive is required to avoid the significant water hazard left and the smaller pond to the right. The challenge of the tee shot is made even harder due to a large tree encroaching onto the fairway. Long hitters can carry the tree, though most golfers lay-up left.

The 3rd hole, a par 5, is also a standout. Bunkers and out of bounds left to protect the narrowing fairway, and while the 2nd shot is relatively trouble free, accuracy is required to give the best angle into the green, which is flanked to the right and rear by water. Although the hole is not long by today´s standards, the stroke indexing of 2 shows this hole has a nasty bite.

One of the subtle points of this course is the fact that the driver is not always the play, as is the case on the 5th — a short par 4, fraught with danger. Water left, and a stream slicing the hole in two requires a well thought out tee shot and a complicated approach to the well-protected green.

The back nine opens with a challenging par four. At 384 meters, the hole requires a long, straight tee shot between the trees and out of bounds that frame the hole. The approach demands to carry a stream running in front of this small green. Hole 15 is the hardest on the course, and it is not difficult to see why as it plays over 400 meters. Find the fairway and then decide whether to go for the green or lay up short of the large lake that protects this green.

Overall the course condition is generally good; the greens are a particular delight, smooth and fast running with a consistency throughout. However, local grass varieties like Zoyzia and Bermuda invade some holes, and the fairways get soggy in the wetter months.

Padang Golf Sukajadi is a semi-private club. Public golf is welcome, and weekday tee times are always available. The course is part of the Radisson Golf & Convention Center which is convenient for golfers coming from abroad. Excellent clubhouse facilities and friendly caddies ensure that golfers will have an enjoyable day golfing at Sukajadi. The on-site spa provides full service in the locker rooms.

Batam Hills Golf Resort, previously Paradise Bay Golf Club, was renovated in 2006 and is located in the Waterfront City area of Batam Island. The Max Wheeler par-72 course design playing to 6,225 meters is not long but does have a variety of holes to challenge all golfers. In the past, the Batam golf course wasn’t well-maintained, but recently, conditions are much improved.  Greens are Bermuda grass while fairways are local Serangoon.

Batam Hills consists of two distinct 9-hole loops. The front nine weaves through the jungle with mostly tree-lined fairways. The back nine holes cross open space and feature significant fairway mounding. Overall, the fairways are wide and inviting, and greens are generally in good condition and quick. There are no par-4’s over 360 meters. Straight tee and short-iron approach shots are easy par’s.

The par-3 fourth hole is the signature hole at Batam Hills. It plays 140 meters, and an accurate tee shot to a well-guarded green set up a par. Offline and one of the five greenside bunkers come into play. The seventh, a short par-5, is also a good hole. An accurate and long tee shot leaves a great chance of getting home in two and an easy birdie. Wayward tee shots force a struggle to the green in regulation and a likely bogey.

Included golf carts at Batam Hills resonate well on the otherwise walkable Batam golf course. As with other Indonesia golf courses, caddies are well-trained and add to the overall enjoyment. Batam Hills is no exception, and the caddie experience is one of the standouts here.

The clubhouse is welcoming with the normal golf services, including a pro shop, lockers, restaurant, and massage services. A range of Indonesian, Japanese, and Western dishes are available at reasonable prices.  The connected Batam Hills Golf Resort lounge has nice golf course views. It is a good place to unwind and have a drink after a round.

Palm Springs Golf & Country Club is the closest Batam golf course to Singapore and part of a large 224-hectare property complex in the corner of the island.  When arriving at Nongsapura Ferry Terminal, it’s a 5-minute ride to the clubhouse which overlooks a very pretty palm-fringed beach — situated with spectacular views of Nongsa beach with Singapore skyscrapers in the background. The 27-hole hole golf course designed by Larry Nelson of Nelson & Hayworth and IMG.

The first nine holes were opened in 1989 when it was known as Talvas Golf & Country Club. An additional 18-holes were completed in 1995 when the name changed to Palm Springs Golf & Country Club. In 2002, the Palm Course was redeveloped, making it one of the most challenging 9-holes in South East Asia. Unfortunately, these nine are scheduled to be demolished and make way for housing in the next few years.

With three excellent 9-hole layouts – Palm Course, Resort Course, and Island Course and each of these layouts offer a very different challenge. Whichever combination of nines played will ensure a great day of golf at Palm Springs. 
Integrating elevation, contours, and scenic views are the best points about Palm Springs. The Island Course and Resort Course are better for beginners, while the Palm Course is best suited to low handicappers.

The Palm Course incorporates holes along the beach together with higher elevation holes that play through virgin rainforest.  The first four holes are as challenging as they come. A par on the opening par-5 is a good sign for the rest of the nine. Most of the greens are severely sloped, so staying below the hole is a must.

The Island Course plays on a ridge through the jungle with natural features such as mangrove vegetation. Some of the holes have smallish landing areas, and it might be better to aim for the waste bunkers on one side of the fairways than to be OB in the mangrove swamps.

The Resort Course benefits from varied topography with hills rising steeply to more than 35 meters above the level. In spite of the elevation change, the Resort Course is the easiest of the three courses at Palm Springs. Fairways are generous, and bunkers are off to the sides. The only tricky part of the Resort Course is the green slopes. They all follow the hills, so be sure to peek at the angle before committing to each putt. Then a one or two putts will be assured.

Both professional male and female caddies handle the clubs and provide players assistance throughout the round.  They are courteous and can answer questions regarding course layout and shot placement, all which help improve golf scores. The clubhouse is rather old as are the other facilities. However, upgrading of infrastructure continues, so check any construction status before heading out for a round at Palm Springs.