Golf started in the Philippines in the 1850s when the British, led by Vice Consul Nicholas Loney, settled and began trading with Europe in a number of Visayan commodities particularly sugar. In 1886, some British employees of the Manila Railway Company built a 3-hole course in paddy fields of south Intramuros. During the American period Scottish engineers (came for the construction of Panay Railways) built a rest and recreation place, the Santa Barbara Golf Course (1907), a 9-hole layout was constructed near a terrain slopes and later on was developed into an 18-hole golf course, the oldest existing golf course in the country.

Philippines offers remarkable golf courses designed by some of the best golf architects from lush valleys to mountaintops, seaside resorts to cityscapes, surely golf enthusiasts can experience and enjoy teeing off.

Some of the best golf destinations in the country are:

Baguio
Baguio City, the summer capital of the Philippines, established by Americans in 1909 is 250 kilometers away from Manila and located amidst the mountainous region of Cordillera, 1500 meters high. Here can find one of the best golf courses of the country the Camp John Hay Golf Club. Designed Jack Nicklaus Golden Bear International, this golf course has 5,330 yard, par 68, and 18-hole golf course. It has a beautiful manicured fairways lined with numerous pine trees and hilly terrain. Another golf course than can find in this area is the Baguio Country Club which is very popular among golf enthusiast. It is one of the oldest and finest golf courses in the country.

Manila
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, this metropolis has fascinating sights for golf enthusiast. Two of the popular golf courses in Manila are: The Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong was founded by William J. Bill Shaw in 1930, an American member of Manila Golf Club who opened a golf club to all races in protest against the discrimination among Filipinos in Manila Golf Club. It is known for its two fine 18-holes, one on the East course and the other one on the West course. The Club Intramuros in Manila has a 4,326 yards, 18-hole and par 66, day and night golf course wherein each hole is a challenge either from water hazards or out of bounds.

Around Metro Manila are some other popular golf courses such as Manila Southwoods in Cavite, an 18-hole course with Master course that slightly longer than the Legends but both par 72; Tagaytay Highlands Golf Club also in Cavite offers a challenging par 72, 6,126 yards and 18-hole course with its panoramic view of Taal Volcano; Caliraya Spring Golf and Country Club in Laguna, an 18-hole championship golf course rising about 1000 feet above sea level with rolling terrain and challenging water hazards.

Cebu
Cebu the Queen City of the South, lies on the eastern shore of Cebu Island offers a diverse landscape for golf enthusiast. The Alta Vista Golf and Country Club of Cebu is a prominent golf club in Cebu, with its 6,237 yard, par 72 and 18-hole course. This beautifully landscaped course has a sloping terrain, narrow fairways and sand traps furnished with ground coral rocks. The Cebu Country Club is the oldest and most admired golf clubs in Cebu. Established in 1928, with 6,481 yard, par 71 and 18-hole course, this golf course has winding fairways and white sand traps furnished with ground coral rocks which add contrast to its greenery field.

Boracay
The 7.5 km long and 2 km wide topical paradise is possibly one of the last best kept secrets of the country. Consistently on the list of Top 10 best beaches in the world. Golf enthusiast can enjoy tee off at the Fairways and Bluewater Golf and Country Club that has 6,034 yard, par 72, 18-holes with two championship golf courses. This golf course in the island of Boracay is also considered to be one of the best golf courses in the country. Located on the old mango orchard, this golf course has a lush green field complemented with water features created by living sea water gurgling. It offers a magnificent view of the waterfall that forms a foaming lake.

Davao
Davao a province on the southern Mindanao, known for the alluring orchid called waling-waling, captivating Philippine Eagle and the highest peak of the country, the Mt. Apo. Davao also offers some of the best golf courses of the country: The Apo Golf and Country Club, located in a lush terrain with 7,001 yards, par 72 and 18-hole course is just 15 km away from the city. Most of the holes have huge and flat greens with well-maintained sand traps; Rancho Palos Verde located on a plateau above the vast Del Monte banana plantation has 18-championship golf course with 7,039 yards and par 72. This stunning golf course is has majestic rolling fairways, beautiful terrains, dramatic elevation changes, magnificent view as well a crocodile pit with real crocodiles: and located 6 km from Davao City is Lanang Country Club. This golf course has a length of 5,822 m, 18-hole course, and par 72 with an American flower field landscapes, luxuriant terrains and tricky elevated greens.