Bintan Lagoon (Woodlands)

Located within a 765-acre property that lies alongside Pasir Panjang Beach, overlooking the South China Sea, Bintan Lagoon Resort’s two 18-hole golf courses – the Jack Nicklaus-designed Sea View and Ian Baker-Finch’s Woodlands – were first unveiled to the golfing world in 1997.

In contrast to the Sea View course, where golfers enjoy wonderful ocean views, the Woodlands layout is set within a dense rain forest, with fairways undergoing substantial changes in elevation during the course of a round. Although water hazards come into play at several holes, the aquatic aspect never feels too inhibiting.

Feature holes here include the downhill 8th, measuring all of 526 yards from the back tees, where sand, water and a lone specimen tree must be negotiated from tee to green. On the back nine, the 13th – known as “beauty and the beast” – is another terrific par five that looks great but plays tough.

Both courses at Bintan Lagoon are accessed via a private ferry that arrives directly at the resort within 75 minutes of departure from the Tanah Merah ferry terminal in Singapore.