Greetings from Singapore

[Darren Tan]

Hi all,

 

This is my first post in the forums. I've been visiting this website for a year or so now and finally registered.

 

I'm from Singapore and has been golfing for 2 years now.

Trying my best to catch up to my mates and also my son.

Recently joined a club so that I can have more practice with the greens rather than drive up to Malaysia although it's so much more cheaper there.

 

 

[RoverRick]

Singapore?  You get the prize for the most distant spy or close to it since that is literally the other side of the world.

 

Welcome to the site and I look forward to hearing your perspectives from the opposite side of the earth.

[Darren Tan]

Thank you Rick.

Haha what's the prize? 

 

Our golf scene here isn't as vibrant as what you have and the lack of tournament makes it worse.

However we're partly blessed in that we have relatively easy access to golf equipment especially the JDM ones.

 

A wish of mine is to see more professional fitting especially if we can have brand agnostic fitters. To often I see people just buy off the rack and then struggle to hit that.

[RoverRick]

I would think golf in Singapore was incredibly expensive.  Perhaps cheaper equipment but actual playing golf and golf courses would be limited and expensive.  But I have not had the opportunity to get there.

 

And the prize is a golf lesson from Steve Stricker.  Copy that tempo and you will be better off.

 

 

That was all I could think of as a prize that had value and could be sent over the internet.  Although "had value" is debatable. 

[Darren Tan]

Rick, thank you for the prize, I will remember that.

 

You're right, golf in Singapore is expensive.

Some land were taken away resulting in some clubs having to fold once their land lease is up while some lost 9 holes etc.

 

Weekend rates at the midrange clubs for non members ranges from USD 100 to 150. Weekday it is close to USD 70.

The most expensive is at Sentosa and that costs close to USD 400 for a 18 holes. Mere mortals like myself can't justify that kind of cost. That's why it is still seen as an elitist sport over here.

 

If you ever get the chance to come here, let me know and I can try to hook you up for a game. Not at Sentosa for sure haha.

[RoverRick]

I will be going to Europe and Africa. But Singapore is not in the plans. Besides it is too close to where my mother-in-law lives. Thailand. Haha.

 

She is South African bit lives there now.

[Kenny B]

Welcome Darren!

Lots of fun here. You said it's cheaper in Malaysia; how much? And how far away?

Also, what's the cost to join your club?

 

Good luck, hope you enjoy the game. Keep us posted on your experiences.

[The Dansome]

Welcome!

[Mr_Theoo]

Welcome!

[GolfSpy_X]

Welcome to MGS!

[Aotearoa_Brad]

Welcome Darren! Likewise, if you ever get over to the US be sure to post your itinerary as there are a bunch of us only too eager to play with more MGS'ers. Continue enjoying the forum, and I look forward to a different perspective on things as we go along.

All the best

Brad

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Greetings Darren -- welcome to the Forums!  Singapore was on my bucket list as a young man because someone told me it had the most beautiful women in the world.  Please tell me they were telling the truth...

[Darren Tan]

Hi all,

 

Thank you for the warm welcome.

 

Kenny, the price for a weekday 18holes in Malaysia is about less than 25USD. This includes the green fee, buggy fee, insurance and government tax. However the drive from Singapore takes about an hour or so depending on traffic conditions and there are immigration tolls and road tolls. All in, perhaps a figure of 50USD would be sufficient.

 

The club in Singapore that I joined is called the National Service Resort and Country Club. It's set up mainly for people who has served the armed forces in one way or another. It's a term membership and I joined for 10 years at a cost of 5,800USD. I have to pay around 40USD per month in subscription costs and each weekday 18hole cost me about 25USD. Double that for a weekend game.

 

As for Barbajo, I hate to burst your bubble but I feel it should be Thailand instead of Singapore. Although caveat emptor because what you see may not be what you get. I do admit I have met the most beautiful person to me and she hails from Singapore. Just in case my wife reads this haha.

 

Lastly for Brad, I'll definitely let you guys know if I'm planning any trips to the US. My wife's godmother is in San Ramon and I do intend to visit her one day. And then I might squeeze in some golf or maybe some fittings. Been hearing nice things about Ping and Bettinardi fittings and I hope to try them one day.

[revkev]

Welcome Darren, I look forward to you adding to the international flavor of our site.

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

 I do admit I have met the most beautiful person to me and she hails from Singapore..

 

 

 

That's the only one that really counts Darren!  

[RoverRick]

Darren,

 

Thanks for all the details.  Most of us never get far from home, and those of us who do travel rarely find out what the local people's options are.

[Darren Tan]

Glad to be of help.

 

As I've only been actively golfing for the last 2 years, I have only been to Malaysia and Thailand for golf vacations.

In my opinion, Thailand trumps Malaysia hands down should anyone wish to come all the way here for some games.

 

The quality of courses, good caddies, sheer variety of courses and easily 70-80 courses alone in and around the Bangkok area makes it an ideal place for a week long vacation with cheap shopping/booze added in. I like the caddie system as they really help in the maintenance of the course. No unrepaired divots and bunkers are always well raked makes it a very enjoyable experience.

 

My ideal retirement plan is to earn enough to retire in Thailand and play golf every day    .

[fozcycle]

Welcome Darren, as I am close to retirement (2 1/2 to 3 years) Your goals are the same as mine. Enjoy your time with MGS. This forum contains some of the nicest golfers n the planet.

[Darren Tan]

Thanks Fozcycle. I see that not only do you share the same goals as me, we are also playing the same driver and hybrid. I'm just missing the 3w for the time being. 

[Jmikecpa]

Welcome.  I actually work for the company that develops and owns the resort on Sentosa and I have to say that the course is spectacular, but the price is a bit high.  I also have been to Malaysia and have played at Awana (also owned by my company) as well as KL G&CC and Royal Selangor on my trips over there.  I think my next trip over will be in March of next year and looking forward to playing some golf while I am there.