Location
Bintan Island, Indonesia (45min Ferry ride from Singapore)
Website
http://www.asiaconcierge.net/bintanlagoon-golf.htm
This seemed to be the best site for booking information as the actual resort website seems focussed on room bookings and not the golf course.
My Rating
7/10
Bintan Lagoon is a resort and golf club on the Island of Bintan part of the many Islands that make up Indonesia. The Island is a comfortable 45min Ferry ride from Singapore. The resort contains two 18 holes courses the first designed by Jack Nicklaus and the second by Ian Baker Finch.
I booked a couple of weeks in advance via the contact details on the website above, booking process was fairly straight forward and the cost reasonable, working out to be approx $200 for the day all transfers included.
Arriving via Ferry from Singapore and passing customs quickly thanks to express visa processing provided by the resort, it is a fairly short 10min easy bus ride (included) to the resort. Your clubs are checked in at the Ferry terminal so no need to worry about them they will appear later at the resort, making the trip very comfortable in the heat.
On arrival at the resort everything was very smooth, check-in at the pro shop, pick up your cart, caddy and clubs and then hit the range for a warm up. The clubhouse and surrounds are a little date as the complex would be coming up on 20years now.
We hit off quite early at around 9am local time on a Sunday and the course was relatively busy but nothing compared to Australian standards and even with a short weather delay we got around in a 2Ball in just over 4 hours without much hassle.
Teeing off on the "Jack" sea view course off the Blue Tees we made our way around the front 9 which despite the "sea view" name didn't actually present us with much of a sea view until the very last tee shot for the nine. That being said the holes were fantastic cutting through Indonesian jungle with lots of elevation changes and very well, maintained fairways and greens.
1st - a shortish Par 4 and one f the only holes you don't need driver to set up an attacking approach. 3 wood off the tee avoiding the water right and forest left, should leave a short iron up the hill into an elevated green. Good starting hole.
5th - a short par 5 which is very strategic. Tee shot is down hill but open and a long driver between the bunkers on the right and water on the left leaves you with a big decision. Go for the green up hill over a set of very daunting bunkers or lay up short of those bunkers and leave yourself with a mid-iron to the elevated green! Great hole Jack! For those who are interested I went for it with a Hybrid and didn't quite carry the bunkers leaving a tricky 50m bunker shot.
11th - a nice down hill tee shot on this par 5 should put you just left of a water hazard and just short of a creek cutting across the fairway at around 320yds off the tee, if your in this position it sets up beautifully to give you a chance of getting your 2nd shot onto a receptive green. It's a big hit though and you must avoid trouble right - hit a good shot and par if not birdie should be yours!
12th - The signature hole at Bintan Lagoon. A mid iron towards the green with a beach on the left and right of the green makes for a spectacular shot, although they now seem to be building a Marina on the rig which makes the hole somewhat less spectacular than the photos on the brochure.
13th - not really a favourite I actually despise this hole, for some ridiculous reason the green is split in two by a creek. I dont care how good you are this is insane the target is tiny and to a certain extent getting it on the right part of the green is a bit of luck - in particular when the breeze is up - which is was (I bailed out right into the bunker and tried to make the sand save - unsuccessfully).
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Front 9 tee shot (forgot the whole number) sensible line is short of bunkers on the left with a 3 wood.
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Spectacular 9th Tee shot with the Ocean in the background
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Partner Teeing off on 13
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Overall from a design perspective the Blue tees at Bintan Lagoon Sea View generally involved Driver off most of the tees so if you like that kind of golf you will really enjoy if here, for someone whom prefers more strategic courses off the tee the repetitive use of the driver got a bit old by the end of the round. The course was beautifully maintained making for a great day out on course. Prices on course for water, drinks etc were excessive so watch out for this hidden hit to your back pocket. In addition facilities whilst still quite good like most courses in Indonesia are dating and certainly not anywhere near the best in Asia.
Bintain Lagoon is a really good option when you cant get on a course in Singapore on a weekend, but it will cost you!
Insider Tips
1. Booking via the resort can make things allot easier, they will include Ferry Transfer, Express customs clearance and golf for one price.
2. Stock up on drinks at the Ferry terminal in Bintan. Drinks prices on the course are extremely inflated and for a few dollars you can hire and esky and ice that can be thrown on the side of the golf cart.
3. Book a taxi in advance if traveling back to Singapore on a Sunday afternoon as the taxi lines at Taneh Merah ferry terminal are insane!
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