The 8th is another gorgeous par 3 that plays right along the ocean, the stiff breezes often requiring you to send your ball out over the ocean in the hopes that it'll come back and find the putting surface.
The back nine is flatter, with the opening holes running back towards the ocean, with yet another pretty par 3 on the beach the pick of the opening holes. The closing stretch plays around a series of lagoons, with both the 15th and 16th featuring fairways split by water, with the latter a particularly memorable par 5 with water both sides and some great views of the sea.
This is overall a pretty tough course to master, with some tight tee shots to negotiate and accurate approach play required to avoid the relatively shallow bunkers and the long grass that borders the smallish greens. One further thing to watch out for are the monkeys who will look to steal unprotected belongings from those not staying vigilant.
The traditional Indonesian-style clubhouse sits at the highest point of the property, offering a panoramic view of the golf course. Refurbished in 2016, it offers modern luxuries and conveniences, including well-appointed locker rooms, a well-stocked pro shop and a golfers' terrace serving a selection of local and international dishes catered as part of the Banyan Tree resort.
Overall, as one of Indonesia's top courses, Laguna Golf Bintan is a must-play on any golf holiday in Bintan.
Since the original Greg Norman design was revamped in 2016, Laguna Golf Bintan has established itself as one of the must-play courses in Asia. Heralded as Indonesia's Best Golf Course at the 2020 World Golf Awards, it's an intoxicating combination of forests, wetlands, beachfront coconut groves and striking rock formations. Set across 60 hectares of tropical paradise, the course now enjoys remodelled green complexes, fairways full of bumps and hollows, and more generous fairway, albeit bordered by some pretty thick rough.
The Laguna Bintan course comprises two out-and-back 9-hole loops, with the front nine being more undulating and, with some great sea views on offer as the course climbs inland. The 4th is a memorable par 3 with water from tee to green, while the par 4 7th plays directly towards the ocean front, with the green backing right onto the beach.