Handara Golf & Resort Bali | Golf Course in Bali | GoGolf

Last updated: July 23, 2026

Handara Golf & Resort Bali (formerly Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club) is one of the rarest golf courses in the world, laid out inside the caldera of an extinct volcano at an elevation of roughly 1,142 metres in the mountainous highlands of Bedugul in North Bali, between Lake Buyan and Lake Beratan. Conceived by Ibnu Sutowo, a key figure of Indonesia’s development era, it was designed by five-time Open Championship winner Peter Thomson together with his partner Mike Wolveridge and Ron Fream. Construction began in 1974 and the course opened in 1976, making it the first golf and country club resort in Bali. It is renowned for its otherworldly 18 holes, par 72, ringed by mountains on all sides; the coolest climate of any course in Bali (14–24°C); and design quality that earned it a place among Golf Magazine’s “50 Greatest Golf Courses in the World.” With GoGolf you can check availability on the spot and book online at rates lower than booking on site.

Away from the bustle of the southern resorts, playing Handara on a mist-shrouded highland is a “mountain resort experience” that goes far beyond a simple round of golf. It is also world-famous for the photogenic “Handara Gate,” also known as the “Gate of Heaven.” Below is a detailed review by GoGolf.

Rates and Booking

Green fees vary by day of the week, public holidays, season, timing and other factors. The rates shown on GoGolf reflect these in real time as much as possible, so please check the price for your preferred date using the live rates below (or the GoGolf app). Please also confirm whether a cart, caddie or rental equipment is required, and their fees, when you book.

Because GoGolf connects directly with the golf course, you can book online at rates lower than booking on site.

Key Information

Three Reasons Golfers Choose Handara

A one-of-a-kind setting inside a volcanic caldera, a cool highland climate, and half a century of prestigious heritage. The appeal lies in an experience quite unlike any other course in Bali.

1. A one-of-a-kind setting inside an extinct volcanic caldera — 18 holes spread across the floor of a crater ringed by mountains on all sides. It is one of the few “golf courses inside a volcano” anywhere in the world.
2. The coolest highland climate in Bali — At an elevation of about 1,142m with temperatures of 14–24°C. Leave the southern heat behind and play in comfort on a mist-wrapped highland.
3. Half a century of history and global acclaim — Bali’s first resort course, opened in 1976. Designed by Peter Thomson and his partners, it is a celebrated course chosen among the “World’s 50 Greatest.”

Location and Access

Handara Golf & Resort Bali sits inside an extinct volcanic caldera between Lake Buyan and Lake Beratan, in the mountainous highlands of Bedugul in North Bali. At an elevation of about 1,142 metres, the highland offers a cool climate (14–24°C) that is completely different from the coastal resorts of the south, together with a mystical landscape ringed by mountains and forest. Mist rolls in at dawn and dusk, letting you play amid a dreamlike atmosphere.

Because it lies roughly 2–3 hours via mountain roads from the main southern resorts and Ngurah Rai International Airport, it is better paired with an overnight stay around Bedugul (stay & play) rather than attempted as a day trip. For access, a rental car or chartered vehicle with a driver experienced on mountain roads is reassuring (as ride-hailing services are centred on the south, take care when arranging the outbound trip). Road conditions are relatively good and signage is plentiful, so you can arrive without getting lost.

Course Design (Thomson, Wolveridge, Fream) and Signature Hole

The Handara course was designed by five-time Open Championship winner Peter Thomson together with his partner Mike Wolveridge and Ron Fream. It plays 18 holes, par 72, with a total length of about 6,893 metres from the blue tees. Guided by a philosophy of “preserving the land’s natural terrain,” the designers created an entirely new golf experience by making the most of the undulations of the Bedugul highland, the lush surrounding mountains, a natural crater and the rainforest. The high altitude and clear air help the ball carry well, but mountain winds, elevation changes, deep rough, and the clever placement of somewhat narrow fairways, old-growth trees and bunkers demand accurate shots and strategic ball placement.

One of the most famous and challenging holes is the par-4 3rd, “Stone Bridge” (about 435 yards). On steeply downhill terrain, it combines a 90-degree dogleg to the right with a river cutting across the fairway, demanding great accuracy off the tee. Aiming left risks going out of bounds, and the green slopes from front to back with a bunker guarding front-right, so the approach and putting also call for a delicate sense of distance. The cool climate eases the physical burden on players who walk the course and helps maintain good turf conditions year-round. Half a century of history welcoming great players and tournaments only adds to the course’s stature.

Awards and Acclaim

Handara was selected as “One of the 50 Greatest Golf Courses in the World” by Golf Magazine, and has consistently ranked near the top of various Bali and Indonesia rankings. Its international acclaim from the outset made it a reference model for building golf courses across Indonesia, and roughly 50 years after opening it retains its standing as one of the Asia-Pacific’s most prestigious destinations.

Handara Gate and Resort Facilities

Handara is a full-service resort offering not only golf but also accommodation, practice and wellness.

• Handara Gate: A traditional Balinese split gate backed by mountain ranges, a photo spot known worldwide as the “Gate of Heaven.” Popular for pre-wedding photography, it is a place you can stop by before or after your round.
• Accommodation (stay & play): A diverse range of rooms from deluxe rooms to villas overlooking the course and the mountains. Traditional Balinese interiors blend with modern amenities.
• Restaurant and bar: Enjoy Western, Asian and Indonesian cuisine — European-style steak, Thai tom yum, Balinese sate lilit and more — while overlooking the greens.
• Practice facilities (the most complete in Bali): A driving range, two putting greens, a chipping area and a bunker practice area. Golf lessons with professionals are also available.
• Spa and wellness: A spa, sauna, a Japanese-style bath in the men’s locker room, and massage by advance reservation. Ideal for recovering after your round.
• Others: The “Caldera Valley Tennis Court,” an outdoor tennis court opened in 2016, and a pro shop (clubs, balls and apparel from famous brands).

Membership

Handara offers the following five membership plans: individual lifetime membership, corporate lifetime membership, senior membership, spouse/junior supplementary membership, and a one-year term membership. Members enjoy benefits such as special room rates, food and beverage discounts, and booking priority during busy periods (details are subject to change; please check play bookings and same-day rates on the GoGolf app).

Nearby Attractions and Making the Most of Bedugul

Bedugul, where Handara is located, is one of Bali’s leading highland resort and sightseeing areas. Attractions unique to the cool climate are dotted throughout, including Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, which appears to float on the lake; boating and views on Lake Bratan and Lake Buyan; strawberry picking, highland markets and a botanical garden. Combining golf with highland sightseeing lets you enjoy a Bali stay with a different flavour from the southern beach resorts.

A Memorable Golf Experience

A round at Handara is a special experience that makes you forget you are in Bali. A tee shot on the floor of a crater ringed by mountains on all sides, amid the stillness of morning mist, is truly exceptional. The cool air keeps you comfortable all day, offering an exhilaration you cannot find on a tropical course. The dignity of a historic, prestigious club and the one-of-a-kind stage of a volcanic caldera leave you with memories worthy of a commemorative golf trip.

What to Know Before You Play

• Climate and clothing: The highland is cool and mornings and evenings can be chilly. Light warm layers and rain gear provide peace of mind. A collared shirt, golf trousers and golf shoes are standard.
• Access and travel time: About 2–3 hours from the south and the airport. An overnight stay around Bedugul or an early departure is recommended.
• Opening hours: Tue–Sun 6:30–17:00, Mon 10:00–17:00 (subject to change). Advance booking is strongly recommended during busy periods and on weekends.
• Caddie, cart and rentals: Caddies and carts are available. Rental clubs and practice balls can also be used. Please confirm the need for these and their fees when you book.
• Best season: Playable year-round. As it is a highland, the weather changes easily; mornings tend to be misty while the winds are gentle. The dry season (roughly April–October) is comparatively stable.

Frequently Asked Questions

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