Padang Golf Sukajadi

A par 72, the course is laid out across relatively flat terrain, but the clever use of earth moving has created gentle undulations and mounds that are aesthetically pleasing as well as strategic in their placement.

As with many flat, parkland style courses, water plays a big part throughout the round, the ingenious drainage system allows for play moments after even the heaviest downpour, which is a real bonus in this part of the world.

Straight away you are faced with a testing tee shot on the first tee. At 376metres from the championship tee, a straight well struck drive is required to avoid the large water hazard left, and the smaller pond to the right. The challenge of the tee shot is made even harder due to a large tree encroaching onto the playing line.

The 3^rd, a par 5 is cracking. Bunkers and out of bounds left protect the narrowing fairway, and while the 2^nd shot is relatively trouble free, position is required to give the best angle into the green, which is flanked to the right and rear by water. Although the hole is not long by today´s standards the stroke indexing of 2 shows this hole has a nasty bite.

One of the beauties of this course is the fact that driver is not always the play, as is the case on the 5^th. A short par 4, fraught with danger. Water left and a stream slicing the hole in two requires a well thought out tee shot and a difficult approach to the well protected green.

The back nine opens with a challenging par four. At 384 metres, the hole requires a long, straight tee shot between the trees and out of bounds that frame the hole. Once the tee shot has been negotiated successfully the approach is even more demanding, with a stream running in front of this small green.

Hole 15 is the hardest on the course and it is not difficult to see why. At over 400 metres, length and a steady nerve is required. Find the fairway and then make the decision whether to go for the green or lay up short of the large lake that protects this green.

Overall the course condition is generally good, the greens are a particular delight, smooth and fast running with a consistency throughout.

Good clubhouse facilities, caddies and a practice range complete the resort, which is well worth visiting.