The Tanjong course
The Tanjong Course is uniquely set against the Singapore Straits with views of metropolitan Singapore all round. Inspired by iconic sandbelt golfing experiences, the course asserts a unique personality with large bunkers rarely seen in Asia, offering players the challenge of playing on a course inspired by the style of renowned golf course architect Alister MacKenzie. With two standout areas at the Clubhouse and historic ‘Pyramid’ halfway house, the Tanjong Course will surely evoke fond memories, long after the rounds are played.
Hole-by-hole guide
Hole 1 par-four, 363 metres
The intention of Hole 1 is to drive your ball over the creek guarding the first landing area to an open fairway shaped by tightly mown swales of ‘Zorro’ zoysia grass, which hides a low approach to the first green. Towards the left are a cluster of Mackenzie-inspired bunkers shared with the 10th green.
Hole 2 par-four, 335 metres
A drivable par-four if you carry the ball over a collection of three bunkers on the right, which will then roll down towards a small green. However, any attempt that veers left will likely meet with a watery end as the fairway slopes sharp and narrow towards a creek running along the hole.
Hole 3 par-four, 345 metres
Another short par-four with a majestic waterfall in the backdrop, the difficulty of this hole is the approach to an uphill, inverted greensite where the landing zone is imperceptible. Land left and a bunker awaits, and anything short will see the ball roll back down.
Hole 4 par-three, 158 metres
An elevated tee box makes this short par-three a fun shootout. Surrounded by a panoramic view of metropolitan Singapore, the Southern Islands and iconic Marina Bay skyline in the distance, the shot to the green must be accurate as there is no bailout area.
Hole 5 par-five, 507 metres
This first par-five of the front nine is flanked by a long lake feature winding its way up from tee to green. With a narrow fairway to negotiate and an almost full island green that juts out into the lake with three bunkers to its right, it takes a confident shot to approach this hole in two.
Hole 6 par-four, 339 metres
Not dissimilar to the third, hole-six plays up towards the Pyramid with a magnificent view of Mount Serapong in the background. The landing area is well guarded on the right with a grouping of bunkers. The challenge of the approach is to avoid the cluster of bunkers surrounding a raised green, this green complex makes for a fair challenge for the short game.
Hole 7 par-three, 238 metres
The longest par-three on the golf course, it features a creek running down the left towards the green and joins with a lake behind. The safe play is towards the right as a bunker sidles between the green and the creek on the left, especially when the winds pick up around here.
Hole 8 par-five, 481 metres
A short par-five that tests your long game as well as your verve. A very narrow fairway that winds around a lake on the left and dense forestry on the right. The incentive here is to hit it long but place the shot to the left for any chance to reach the green. As the fairway narrow towards the green even a lay-up with a mid-iron is not an easy task.
Hole 9 par-four, 385 metres
The majesty of the MacKenzie-inspired bunkers is in full view here at this long and challenging uphill par-four. A large fairway bunker surrounds the large landing area to give yourself an opportunity to reach a deceiving green with a false front, giving you an illusion that is closer than you realise.
Hole 10 par-four, 357 metres
Another hole that runs parallel, this time it is to the first. Separated only by a cluster of trees and sharing the same oversized bunker, Hole 10 is a straightforward par-four. However, you need to be accurate on the approach shot to a small green with strong undulation to protect par.
Hole 11 par-four, 409 metres
Fairway bunkers protect the right on this hole, but a decent drive should make that avoidable. The fairway undulates greatly so a sidehill or downhill lie may make the approach to a green that inverts sharply to the left a difficult shot to make.
Hole 12 par-four, 415 metres
Long hitters should take the Tiger line above the tall Ficus tree to a fairly wide fairway for a shorter approach to the green on this downhill dogleg right hole. A waste bunker line all through the left with a green shielded by a daunting pot bunker in front.
Hole 13 par-five, 488 metres
A dog leg left par-five, the tee shot here is key with bunkers left and right protecting the landing zone. Tee up short for safety or go long and right, short of the bunkers, for a look at the green. A heroic approach could get you there in two but be careful; a deceivingly elevated green will skittle overhit shots as it falls away to the back.
Hole 14 par-four, 331 metres
A seemingly simple par-four with a generously wide fairway, however, the tree lined tee complex forces you to hit a straight shot out of the shoot. The challenge here is to select the correct club and yardage as a bunker just short of the green presents an optical illusion of a hole playing longer than it seems. False fronts compound the difficult so it is better to be long than short here.
Hole 15 par-three, 184 metres
A tricky par-three with a sneaky green that falls fast towards the water on the left and defended by a large bunker. Pin position on any given day will make the difference here, making shot selection a prime consideration.
Hole 16 par-five, 529 metres
From the back, the tee shot is compounded by a carry over a stream that flows all through to an island green. Two large bunkers cramp a narrow fairway between two landing zones so the safe play is to the right, especially for long hitters.
Hole 17 par-three, 176 metres
A continuously long, snaking tee box means the hole can play differently on any given day for any tee position. Off the back, the challenge is to carry a water hazard and bunker protecting the green, especially if the pin is well back and left.
Hole 18 par-four, 464 metres
Aim for the clock tower atop the clubhouse as you set up your tee shot here and take the left side. As with many holes in the golf course, the challenge is in the approach shot as a collection of spectacular Mackenzie-inspired bunkers cover the area on the right.