Laguna Bintan GC

Laguna Bintan Golf Club

Course Data

Location	Bintan, Indonesia
Yardage	6893 yards Par 72
Course Rating	72.2
Playing Date	2 Jul. 2004
Desingner	Greg Norman
Opened	1997
Caddy	Yes
Golf Cart	Yes (Compulsory)

Rating

Overall Rating	3.40
Course Layout	3
Difficulty Level	3
Greens Condition	4
Fairways Condition	3
Landscaping & Views	4

The Club is set in a unique environment that has different styles of golf courses on one site. The 7th and 8th holes are memorable and have good layouts with great views of the ocean. Unfortunately, fairway conditions are bad due to a poor drainage system.

A view from the clubhouse

11th green and the ocean

3rd Par 4 443 yards

3rd Par 4 443 yards (2)

3rd Par 4 443 yards (1)

A long par 4 with a gentle uphill slope. From the tee, you need to shoot over a flowerbed in the middle of the fairway, with OB on the left and a hazard on the right. Trees on the right side of the fairway make the second shot difficult.

6th Par 5 563 yards

An interesting par 5 with a gently downhill, slight dogleg to the left. Both sides of the narrow fairway border hazards. You will be in trouble unless you hit each shot precisely.

6th hole seen from the green

6th Par 5 563 yards (2)

6th Par 5 563 yards (1)

7th Par 4 465 yards

7th Par 4 465 yards (2)

7th Par 4 465 yards (1)

A downhill par 4 with a great ocean view from the tee. The hole provides the most impressive scenery as it is nestled in the beach. The landing area of the tee shot is narrow.

8th Par 3 175 yards

8th green and huge rocks

8th Par 3 175 yards

A “signature hole” par 3 over the beach and the ocean with impressive rocks around the green. The natural rocks neighboring the left side of the green particularly enhance its layout and beauty.

15th Par 4 394 yards

15th Par 4 394 yards (2)

15th Par 4 394 yards (1)

A challenging par 4 with a tight fairway. A long hitter should not use the driver because there is a hazard 250-60 yards off the tee. There is a lake on the right and a hazard on the left for the tee shot, and you must shoot over the valley for the second shot. The scenery around the green coupled with the trees behind it is very charming.

16th Par 5 536 yards

16th Par 5 536 yards (2)

16th Par 5 536 yards (1)

A difficult par 5 with a sharp dogleg to the left. Accurate shots are demanded because there are water hazards on both sides of the fairway for the tee and second shots. The lake extends from the green to 110 off the green, so it is wise to lay up in front of the lake unless you aim to reach the green in 2.

18th Par 4 438 yards

18th Par 4 438 yards (2)

18th Par 4 438 yards (1)

A long par 4 with a tee shot over a lake. There is also the lake on the left of the fairway. The second shot is slightly uphill and the bunker in front of the green is in play. The views around the green and the clubhouse behind it are breathtaking.

19th hole

Banyan Tree villas

A ferry to go to Bintan

It takes 45 minutes from Singapore to Bintan by ferry. The Banyan Tree villas next to the golf course have a great reputation. I have been told that you can enjoy a great view of the villas’ baths.

The other Greg Norman designed courses in Asia are Nirwana Bali GC, River Side GC, Tering Bay G&CC in Indonesia, Thana City G&CC in Thailand, Shirasagi GC in Japan, Jade Palace in Korea and Kai Kou (Xiamen) GC, Mission Hills GC – Norman Course in China.