Ask any group of Australians who've done golf trips through Southeast Asia about the Philippines and you'll usually get one of two responses: either "I've always wanted to go" or "Best golf I've ever played outside of Australia." The Philippines golf scene is genuinely world-class and, for some reason that has nothing to do with quality, it remains significantly less on the radar of Australian golf travellers than Thailand. That's changing, and this is why.
Why the Philippines Is Underrated
Thailand dominated the Australian golf travel conversation for twenty years because it got there first. Phuket and Pattaya built infrastructure, international marketing, and a reputation that carried everything else. The Philippines, despite having courses that rival anything in Thailand, never quite got the same global tourism push.
The result is a destination where you're playing genuinely world-class golf on courses that aren't as overcrowded as the Thai equivalents, at green fees that are often noticeably more affordable, with English spoken everywhere and a warm, sports-mad culture that welcomes golfers in a way that feels genuinely enthusiastic rather than just commercial.
Luzon and the Clark Region: The Golfing Heartland
Luzon is the main island and the home of Manila, but for serious golfers the real interest lies in the Clark and Angeles City region, about 80 kilometres north of Manila. This area was developed around the former Clark Air Base and has become one of the most concentrated collections of premium golf in Asia.
Sherwood Hills Golf and Country Club
Sherwood Hills is one of those courses that stops experienced golfers in their tracks on the first tee. Designed to Jack Nicklaus design standards, the course sits in dramatic terrain with significant elevation changes and spectacular mountain views that provide a constantly impressive backdrop. The layout is challenging - Nicklaus designs are rarely forgiving - but it's that satisfying kind of challenge where good shots are properly rewarded and you're never left feeling that the course is unfair. Condition is excellent year-round and the club presents itself at the highest standard.
Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club
Eagle Ridge is a 36-hole facility (two distinct 18-hole layouts) that's a favourite among serious golfers in the region. The courses meander through rolling hills with generous fairways that invite aggressive play off the tee, but tight, well-protected greens that demand precision on approach. It's the kind of facility where you want to play both layouts on consecutive days, and the club makes that easy with good on-site accommodation and facilities.
Mimosa Golf and Country Club
Mimosa sits directly within the Clark Freeport Zone and is one of the most accessible and well-maintained courses in the region. It's a resort-style layout that suits a broad range of handicaps without sacrificing quality. Wide fairways, strategic water features, and excellent greens make it a popular choice as a second or third round of a Clark golf tour. Green fees are competitive and the overall value is excellent.
Manila Area Courses
For golfers spending time in Manila, the capital and its surrounds offer several excellent options. The Valley Golf and Country Club, Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, and Manila Golf Club are all long-established private courses with strong reputations for quality and conditioning. Access for non-members typically requires an introduction or arrangement through a tour operator with established relationships - another reason booking through an experienced operator matters.
The English-Speaking Advantage
English is an official language of the Philippines and nearly everyone you encounter in the golf industry speaks it fluently. For Australian golfers, this removes a communication layer that's always present in Thailand or Vietnam. Your caddie will discuss your round with you in natural conversation. Pro shop staff will explain course specifics clearly. Menus make sense. Directions are straightforward. It's a subtle thing but it changes the texture of the trip in a meaningful way.
When to Go
The best time to golf in the Philippines is November through May. This is the dry season on Luzon, with lower humidity and minimal rain. December through February is peak season for conditions - comfortable temperatures, reliable sunshine, and courses in top shape. June through October is typhoon season and, while the Philippines remains largely open for tourism during this period, the weather risk for golf is real. Stick to the dry season if you want certainty.
How It Compares to Thailand
This is a question worth answering directly. The Philippines has fewer world-famous marquee courses than Thailand - names like Siam Country Club and Blue Canyon carry decades of international recognition that Philippine courses haven't yet matched in global profile. But in terms of pure golf quality, design standard, and conditioning, the best Philippine courses are absolutely comparable to the best in Thailand. Green fees are often lower. English communication is easier. The culture is warmly welcoming.
Thailand is a more established, more predictable golf travel experience. The Philippines offers something that feels more like a discovery - which for a certain type of golfer is exactly the appeal.
What's Coming From Prestige Golf Tours
We're actively developing our Philippines golf tour offering and it's a destination we're genuinely excited about. In the meantime, browse our existing tours to Thailand and Vietnam - all of which are selling well for the coming season.