Bintan Lagoon Resort (Sea View course)

Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the Sea View course at Bintan Lagoon Resort provides a wonderful mix of jungle-lined golf on the front-nine, with a chance to briefly get alongside the South China Sea on the back-nine. The layout's companion Woodlands course, a tougher, tighter and more undulating design by Baker-Finch (Woodlands), doesn't contain quite so much diversity, or the sea views, as found on the Nicklaus layout.

The opening holes on Sea View initially head inland, taking you through a naturally undulating jungle environment, and some handsomely crafted holes. Supporting the often large and expansive Nicklaus trade-mark bunkering, three small lakes ensure that water also poses a threat - especially at the short par-4 1st, par-5 5th and par-4 6th. The very enjoyable front-nine brings you back down to the attractive clubhouse, while also providing glimpses of the sea views to come.

From the immensely scenic tee-box of the par-5 11th, you start your short downhill journey towards the sea. One hole later, at the par-3 12th, you'll find yourself looking across the beach and out onto the South China Sea. All to quickly though you head back inland courtesy of the par-4 13th, which rubs shoulders with a hole on the neighbouring Ria Bintan course.

Small ponds ensure the threat of water makes a serious return on the closing four holes. The par-3 15th requires a carry over a small lake, while the par-5 16th and par-4 17th are tightly wrapped around the same small lake, a potential disaster-zone for hookers of the ball. The par-4 18th brings together, in one spectacular view, all the essential elements of the Sea View layout - excellent bunkering, water threateningly in play, a splendid clubhouse ... and of course, a sea view.

Stay & Play at Bintan Lagoon: luxury onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.