Broadening Horizons

Manila

Capital Crackers

It seems ridiculous to suggest that the capital of the Philippines is an undiscovered destination for the travelling golfer, but it's certainly true that Manila doesn't rank high on the list of places that many would consider going with the sole intention of teeing it up. Quite why this is is difficult to gauge but it's fair to say that unlike, say, Thailand, the Philippines hasn't exactly been proactive in terms of marketing its golfing venues, of which there are many. This is a shame because Manila could well have the finest selection of courses of any capital city in southeast Asia.

Golf is not new to the country. The game is thought to have been played here as early as the late 1800s and the Philippine Open is the oldest national championship in the region, having started life in 1913. Filipinos are some of the most knowledgeable golfers around, and while many of the top courses – most of which are located off the South Luzon Expressway, within an hour's drive of the main business district of Makati – are private, a friendly email in advance of your trip explaining your purpose will more often than not result in a confirmed tee time.

A personal favourite is Sherwood Hills Golf Club (+63 46 419 0578), an inland links-style track that thunders across pleasingly undulating terrain. The work of Jack Nicklaus's design company, Sherwood Hills is far more rugged in nature than the vast majority of Nicklaus courses and a tough test: impenetrable cogon grass and ravines often flank the generally wide fairways, making this a course the really wayward would do well to avoid. Sherwood finishes with two fabulous par-4s, the second of which leads you back to the splendid hacienda-like clubhouse.

Stellar conditioning, beautiful landscaping and 27 holes of well thought out golf await at Sta Elena Golf Club (staelena.com). Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, the course is built over a former sugar plantation and forms the centrepiece of a residential community, although sensibly the houses are set well back from the fairways and are seldom in view. Deep arroyos and a number of man-made lakes are the main obstacles to avoid at this agreeable members' club.

There are at least another eight or so clubs in the Manila environs that are worth a visit – including the wonderfully scenic Mount Malarayat Golf & Country Club near Lipa City – but we'll end this whirlwind tour at Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club and its two Jack Nicklaus-designed courses. The pick of these, the Masters Course, has twice been voted by Asian Tour professionals as "venue of the year" and is a gloriously manicured layout that places an emphasis on strategy.

Getting there: Cathay Pacific (cathaypacific.com) and Philippine Airlines (philippineairlines.com) operate numerous direct flights between Hong Kong and Manila per day (Flight time: 2 hours).www.philippineairlines.com

Where to stay: The Peninsula (peninsula.com) and Shangri-La (shangri-la.com) are two excellent options in Makati.

Need to know: Many private clubs in Manila require visitors to show a valid proof of handicap upon registration.