New Kuta Golf

Located on Bali's southern shore in the Pecatu compound at Dreamland Beach is one of Bali's most spectacular golf courses, New Kuta Golf. Carved out of harsh limestone between the brilliant white cliffs and the blue waters of the Indian Ocean, New Kuta Golf ranks among Asia's most spectacular.

New Kuta was awarded as the Best New International Course by Links Magazine 2008 and 10th Best Course in Indonesia by Golf Digest in 2009. That same year the Asian Tour Indonesian Open was held at New Kuta.

The Bali New Kuta golf course surrounds breathtaking sea views with waves crashing at the base of many holes. Rolling links-style fairways, a semi-rough of natural grasses and sand, and undulating greens combined with various tee-boxes challenge players from beginners to professionals.

The outward nine ventures inland and plays over varied terrain. At the 191-yard 6th hole, a sea of sand surrounds the multi-tiered and angled putting green. It's an island green essentially, encircled by an uninterrupted bunker of uncommon depth. The extreme bunker depth places a premium on accuracy; miss anywhere, and par is a chore. At the par-4 7th, a beautiful-but-brutish dogleg right, sheer length (470 yards) combines with a well-bunkered landing area and an elevated green guarded by a phalanx of hillside bunkers.

On the inward nine, in addition to the unique landscape, prevailing sea breezes factor heavily on each hole. The winds never stop blowing here, a blessing in the tropical heat but a complication on holes 14, 15, and 16, perched on cliffs some 200 feet above Dreamland Beach.

Like Amen corner of Augusta, these three holes offer the highest difficulty level where only accurate shot-making will suffice to prevent lost balls into the sea below. The remarkable par-4 14th tumbles some 438 yards downhill with the aqua-blue waters of the Indian Ocean as the backdrop. The putting surface sits directly at the cliffside, fronted by a menacing pot bunker. Fifteen plays just 153 yards, but it occupies the treeless, exposed headland dividing New Kuta Beach from Balangan Beach. The 16th is a long par-4 requiring a drive down the right, and the narrow approach favors layup to have a chance for par.

New Kuta Golf, recognized for its environmental conservation and beauty and challenges, received Laureate Course designation from the International Golf and Life Foundation (IGOLF) for environmental conservation recognizes New Kuta Golf.

A spacious clubhouse sits near the 9th and 18th greens, though it is a shame that the location affords no ocean views like many of the closing holes on the course. The clubhouse restaurant serves mainly Indonesian food, with limited Western choices and less tasty.

Insiders tip: Try to tee-off around 2:00 p.m. to catch a magical sunset typical of Bali. Don't spend too much time taking pictures or talking in the scenery. Otherwise, you might forget about your game when your attention is needed most. The final holes need good concentration to finish a great Bali golf experience.