New Kuta - Bali - Indonesia

Right from the start I need to correct some of the marketing waffle related to this course: it is not a links course, nor a links-style course. Unless of course you're are deliberately trying to stretch the use of the generic term links to mean any golf course. It is a 100% resort course, played through mostly tropical scrubland and with some water views on the back nine. There is no firm, yet springy turf; it is not sand based; there is little opportunity for a ground game. It is cartball resort golf, which is fine if you like such a thing. But the distinction is important.

The other point to note is that yes this course may have hosted the Indonesian Open, but that was quite a few years ago now, probably when the facilities and the course were in fairly new condition. In 2022 however, things are starting to look a little ragged around the edges.

The design is again, interesting enough, but there are only a few holes that remain memorable for design reasons: the second requires a committed drive as it is effectively blind and over the corner of a slight dogleg from the longer tees; the short par 4 4th has a gully short of the green to catch enthusiastic drives; 11 has another slightly blind tee shot over vegetation and then the turn at the coast from 14-16 has some interesting elevation change, but the holes themselves are pretty straightforward.

In Bali I think there is significant daylight between Bali National and here and in the overall Indonesian national rankings this course should be much closer to the bottom end of the list rather than position 14 in the middle where it currently sits, likely due to trading on former glories. Finally the inflated green fee for non-residents is completely unjustified by the quality of the course.

Have played this course on many occasions and it always in good condition when I have played. When you arrived at the club house the staff look after you very well, and I played a lot of the time with the members of the Raffles Golf club as a international guest as I live in Perth.

The course it self is a challenge from the back tees and you need to be on your game. Large greens, good bunkers, and fairways always in great condition, this course is a gem with great scenery to view from many holes.

Worth the drive to get there and play it? Yes it was.

New Kuta Golf is managed by GolfLink resorts and based at the South-Western Peninsula on Bali within the Pecatu complex famous for the surfers paradise dreamland. The course was very impressive and the design team headed by Ronald Fream have created as close you will get to links golf in Indonesia. The front nine is located further inland and more green surrounded by impressive limestone rock formations. The back nine leads you to the Indian Ocean and holes 12 - 15 it really felt like a links course, with strong winds from the Ocean and beautiful views to admire from the steep cliffs and dreamland beach below. The #15 hole is the signature hole, a short par 3, it is literally located on top of a hanging cliff, its a classic sea-side hole, and when the wind picks up you will have a tougher test then one expects from this tricky short hole. The course has 5 different tee-box option available, and from the back sticks the course is a daunting 6,832m that even the pros during the 2009 Indonesian Open found challenging. The course record remains a humble 66, from Filipino Golfer Juvic Pagunsan. New Kuta is a unique opportunity to experience links style golf in Indonesia and one you can not miss on your trip to Bali. Read my full review @ http://golfindonesia.biz/golfing-in-dreamland/