Bottom line:
Bali three courses genuinely open and worth playing right now: Handara (volcanic crater highlands — book this one first), New Kuta Golf (clifftop Uluwatu, most dramatic setting on the island), and Bukit Pandawa (newer Bukit course, good value). Bali National is currently under renovation. Nirwana Bali has been closed since COVID with redevelopment rumoured but unconfirmed. Green fees run $60–160 USD depending on the course and season. Caddies are standard everywhere — tip well, they earn it.
Four things make golf in Bali genuinely different from most destinations. First, the settings — a volcanic crater, ocean cliffs, rice terraces, and tropical resort grounds, all on one island. Second, the caddie culture — Bali’s caddies are excellent, they know every break and every wind, and having one changes your round. Third, the value — even the premium courses are cheap by Western standards. Fourth, the ease — tee times book with WhatsApp or email, equipment rental is available everywhere, and you can get from any south Bali hotel to a round and back in a half-day.
The 3 Open Courses (2026)
1. Handara Golf & Resort — Bedugul Highlands
★★★★★
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
| Location | Jl. Raya Singaraja-Denpasar, Bedugul (1,143m elevation) |
| Green fees | ~$70–110 USD / IDR 1.1–1.8M (18 holes) |
| Design | Classic highland parkland, former PGA tour layout |
| Book | +62 362 342 6646 / handaragolf.com |
Handara sits inside the caldera of an extinct volcano at over 1,100 metres above sea level. On most mornings, you tee off through mist. The fairways wind between tropical forest. The air is 10°C cooler than the coast. It is a genuinely extraordinary place to play golf.
Looking for accommodation near key areas? search hotels near Bali’s golf courses to compare options — from budget guesthouses to luxury villas near the main attractions.
The course itself is a mid-length parkland layout — not the toughest on the island, but interesting throughout, with elevation changes that affect your club selection in ways that tropical sea-level courses don’t. The greens are well-maintained for Bali. The back nine plays through denser jungle and is the better half.
The approach road passes through Bedugul and the famous Handara Gate — an intricately carved Balinese split gateway that has become one of the island’s most photographed spots. Pull over. Take the photo. It’s worth five minutes.
Practical notes: The drive from south Bali is 1.5–2 hours. Go early, play golf, have lunch at the resort (the food is fine, the view is exceptional), and you have a full day. Book directly by phone or email; the website booking system can be unreliable.
Best for: Anyone who plays golf. This is the one you build a day trip around. Combine with Danau Beratan (Pura Ulun Danu temple) on the way home.
2. New Kuta Golf — Uluwatu Clifftops
★★★★★
★★★★☆
★★★☆☆
| Location | Jl. Raya Nusa Dua Selatan, Pecatu, Bukit Peninsula |
| Green fees | ~$100–160 USD / IDR 1.6–2.6M (18 holes) |
| Design | Links-style clifftop, ocean views on 12+ holes |
| Book | +62 361 848 1333 / newkutagolf.com |
New Kuta Golf plays along the limestone cliffs of the Bukit Peninsula, with the Indian Ocean visible on more holes than not. When the wind is up — which it regularly is, because you’re on exposed clifftops — this becomes a different course from what the card suggests. The wind at Uluwatu is not decorative. Club into it, let it shape shots, and accept that your handicap will not improve here.
The design uses the clifftop terrain honestly — there are genuine elevation drops, blind approaches, and forced carries over rough that isn’t scenic so much as penal. This is a course that punishes inattention and rewards course management.
Practical notes: Morning tee times avoid peak afternoon wind. Dress code enforced; no denim. After the round, Uluwatu temple is 15 minutes away — the Kecak fire dance at sunset is one of Bali’s genuine highlights.
Best for: Golfers who want drama in their round. Anyone staying on the Bukit Peninsula. A morning round followed by an afternoon at the clifftop temples is an exceptional Bali day.
3. Bukit Pandawa Golf & Country Club
★★★★☆
★★★☆☆
★★★★☆
| Location | Jl. Raya Uluwatu, Bukit Peninsula |
| Green fees | ~$60–90 USD (18 holes) — best value on the island |
| Design | Newer layout, ocean and valley views |
| Book | Via WhatsApp — search Bukit Pandawa Golf on Google for current contact |
Bukit Pandawa is the most recent addition to Bali’s golf scene and the most affordable of the three open courses. The layout doesn’t match Handara’s spectacle or New Kuta’s clifftop drama, but it’s a decent track with good views across the Bukit Peninsula, well-maintained greens, and green fees that make it easy to justify a spontaneous round.
A good option if you’re staying in Uluwatu or Seminyak and want a round without committing to the drive to Handara. Also the most accessible for walk-up or same-day bookings.
Best for: Budget-conscious golfers. Those staying on the Bukit Peninsula. Anyone wanting a solid round without a full-day excursion.
Booking, Green Fees and What to Bring
Green fees at Bali’s courses vary significantly by season and booking method. Walk-in rates are consistently higher than pre-booked rates. Most courses require bookings at least 24 hours in advance, and weekend tee times book out quickly during peak season (July-August and December).
Caddies are mandatory at all three open courses. This is non-negotiable and factored into the green fee or charged separately (typically IDR 150,000-250,000). Tipping is standard: IDR 100,000-200,000 for a competent round. Club rental is available at all courses but the quality varies — serious golfers should bring their own. Carts are usually included in the green fee or charged separately at around USD 20-30.
Dress codes are enforced: collared shirts and tailored shorts or trousers. Denim and t-shirts are refused at the gate. Carry water regardless of whether drink carts are on course — Bali’s heat is significant even during morning rounds.
Best Time to Play Golf in Bali
The dry season (April-October) is the best window. Fairways are firmer, mornings are cooler, and afternoon thunderstorms are rare. The wet season (November-March) brings storms that can delay rounds — morning tee times are strongly preferred if you’re playing this period. July and August are the busiest months: book well in advance. April, May, September and early October offer the best combination of good conditions and reasonable availability.
Currently Closed
Bali National Golf Club — Nusa Dua
Status: Under renovation (2025–2026)
Bali National, the 27-hole resort course inside the Nusa Dua complex, is currently closed for renovation. It was the most corporate of Bali’s courses — immaculate condition, excellent practice facilities, full resort infrastructure — and is expected to reopen, though no confirmed date has been announced publicly. If you’re specifically interested in Bali National, check directly with the Nusa Dua resort complex before planning your trip around it.
Nirwana Bali Golf Club — Tabanan
Status: Closed since COVID, future unclear
Nirwana Bali, the Greg Norman-designed 1997 course set among Tabanan’s rice terraces and coastline, has not reopened since closing during the COVID pandemic. The 7th hole — playing over an ocean inlet to a clifftop green — was considered one of the finest in Southeast Asia. As of 2026, the site remains closed, with unconfirmed local reports of potential redevelopment. Whether that means golf resuming or the course being repurposed entirely is unknown. Worth checking closer to your trip if Nirwana is the reason you’re coming to Bali specifically.
What to Know Before You Play in Bali
Caddies — embrace them
Caddies are mandatory at some Bali courses and strongly conventional at others. This is not a burden — Bali’s caddies are excellent. They read greens accurately, know the wind, know the yardages, and carry your bag without complaint through heat that makes you understand why they’re being paid. Standard caddie fee: IDR 100,000–150,000 (~$6–9), with a tip of the same amount expected and appreciated.
Equipment rental
Available at all three open courses. Bring your own glove and balls if you have preferences — rental sets rarely include these. If you have a favourite club, consider whether it’s worth the travel hassle versus playing with rental irons.
When to play
Dry season (April–October) is optimal. The rainy season (November–March) produces afternoon thunderstorms that may interrupt play; morning tee times are strongly recommended. Handara in the highlands can be misty year-round — which most golfers find atmospheric rather than problematic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best golf course in Bali right now?
Handara Golf & Resort in the Bedugul highlands — a course inside a volcanic crater at 1,100m elevation, with mist, forest, and genuinely extraordinary scenery. For clifftop drama, New Kuta Golf on the Bukit Peninsula is the alternative. Both are exceptional; Handara is the one most golfers remember longer.
How many golf courses are open in Bali in 2026?
Three: Handara (Bedugul), New Kuta Golf (Uluwatu), and Bukit Pandawa (Bukit Peninsula). Bali National (Nusa Dua) is under renovation and Nirwana Bali (Tabanan) has been closed since COVID with no confirmed reopening date.
How much does golf in Bali cost?
Green fees range from approximately $60 (Bukit Pandawa) to $160 (New Kuta Golf) USD for 18 holes depending on the course and season. Caddie fees of IDR 100,000–150,000 are standard plus a tip. A full day including transfers, green fees, caddie, and equipment runs roughly $80–220 USD per person.
Are caddies mandatory in Bali?
At most Bali courses, yes or effectively yes. They’re assigned rather than optional at several clubs. This is not a drawback — Bali caddies are excellent, know the courses intimately, and are part of what makes the experience different from playing at home.
When is the best time to play golf in Bali?
April through October (dry season) is optimal. During the wet season (November–March), afternoon thunderstorms are common, so morning tee times are essential. Handara in the highlands can be misty year-round — which most golfers find atmospheric rather than inconvenient.
Not just here for golf? See our guide to the best places to visit in Bali — Handara Gate, Tanah Lot, and Uluwatu Temple are all near the courses. And if you’re still deciding where to base yourself, our where to stay in Bali guide covers every major area.
