The Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club – Maters Course

Course Data
LocationManila, Philippines
Yardage7225 yards　Par 72
Course Rating75.8
Playing Date1 Feb. 2005
DesingnerJack Nicklaus
Opened1993
CaddyYes
Golf CartYes (Can be driven on the fairways)
Rating
Overall Rating
4.75
Course Layout
5
Difficulty Level
4
Greens Conditions
5
Fairways Conditions
4
Landscaping & Views
5
 

A View from the clubhouse

A View from the clubhouse
The club is composed of two flat 18-hole courses, the Masters Course and the Legend Course. The Masters course design strategy is punctuated by traps and water hazards while the Legends course is characterized by high mounds. The Masters Course is higher reputation of the 2 courses. The layout is demanding because the total yardage is adequate, 7200, with well–positioned lakes, creeks and bunkers. Water comes into play on 15 out of 18 holes. Another feature is that many hazards are placed on the left side of the fairways and the greens, as often seen in Nicklaus designed courses. So, this course is suitable for fade ball hitters with high trajectories. It is a difficult course but I felt that the official course rating of 75.8 is a little high.
　
2nd　 Par 4　443 yards

2nd　 Par 4　443 yards (2)

2nd　 Par 4　443 yards (1)
A pond runs down the left side of the fairway and curls in to protect the front side of the green. A poor tee shot leaves a longer shot over water to an angled green.
　
4th　 Par 5　543 yards
A creek crosses the fairway diagonally 150-200 yards from the green and the creek snakes around the green on 2 sides. So you must cross water twice.
 

4th　 Par 5　543 yards (3)

4th　 Par 5　543 yards (2)

4th　 Par 5　543 yards (1)
 
6th　 Par 4　415 yards

6th　 Par 4　415 yards (2)

6th　 Par 4　415 yards (1)
A dogleg to the right. The bunkers on both sides of the narrow fairway come into play. The second shot is over a river to a deep green guarded by deep bunkers.
　
8th　 Par 5　550 yards
A straight hole with water on the left and the green is off a little to the left. The deep but narrow green is guarded on three sides by water and bunkers.
 

8th　 Par 5　550 yards (3)

8th　 Par 5　550 yards (2)

8th　 Par 5　550 yards (1)
　
9th　 Par 4　397 yards
The landing area off the tee is squeezed by bunker to the left and trees and O.B. to the right. It is the second shot that is really daunting. You need to hit onto an island green surround by water. The green seen from behind is beautiful.
 

9th green seen from behind

9th　 Par 4　397 yards (2)

9th　 Par 4　397 yards (1)
　
10th　 Par 4　429 yards
A shallow creek runs along the fairway on the right and forms a pond in front of the green. Compounding the difficulty is that the pond guards the entire right side of the green. There isn’t a single bunker on this hole. This hole was selected as one of the best 500 holes in the world by US Golf Magazine in 2000. The championship tee is unique as it is floating in a pond.

10th island teeing ground

10th　 Par 4　429 yards (2)

10th　 Par 4　429 yards (1)
　
11th　 Par 4　401 yards

11th　 Par 4　401 yards (2)

11th　 Par 4　401 yards (1)
The tight fairway is guarded by a lake and bunkers on the left. The second shot needs to carry over a creek.
　
16th　 Par 4　453 yards

16th　 Par 4　453 yards (2)

16th　 Par 4　453 yards (1)
A long par 4. A carry of 200-250 yards is needed to clear the water off the tee. The green is guarded by bunkers.
　
18th　 Par 5　541 yards

18th　 Par 5　541 yards (2)

18th　 Par 5　541 yards (1)
A neat, slight dogleg to the right. There is a creek and a pond on the right. The bunkers around the green are strategically placed.
　
19th hole

It takes 40 minutes by car from Central Manila. You need to be accompanied by a member to play at the Masters Course. You can book through a travel agency to play at the Legends Course.

The Master Course was voted as the 4th best course in the Philippines by Golf Magazine Asia in 2004. The other Jack Nicklaus designed courses in the Philippines are Sherwood Hills GC, Camp John Hey GC and Forest Hills GC.