Best time for Golf:
Bali golf courses mainly located on the seaside and has a very
strong inland winds. The Bali Golf Country Club and Nirwana Bali
Golf Course in fact located with indian ocean in the background.
This condition makes it a little harder for golfer, but i would
agree most will find it really fun and exciting.
To play in the morning would be really good as the land-ward strong
wind would not started yet. The wind usually picked up around
10 - 11 am and considerably strong at 12pm to nearly 3 PM. It
would ease in the late afternoon.
Sunrise is usually at 5.50 am so if you could pick yourself to
the very morning game (around 6.15) you would probably not affected
by much of the wind. Nonetheless, i don think you can really avoid
them, so better just enjoy the challenge and always put in mind
to include them in your game plan.
The month of September and February usually has the strongest
wind of all. In fact it is very strong it could easily ruin your
game. So be careful with it.
Weather:
Hot and Humid. Bali reaches to 33 degrees at some points with
a very humid atmosphere. Expect a lot of sweat and bring plenty
of water.
If you playing in rainy season be aware if the damp turf. Bali
has a considerably high rain period and the damp land may affect
your distance.
Tips: you can buy mineral water
from the course but it is very expensive (US$ 2 per bottle). Better
off carrying yourself from hotels which can be a lot cheaper.
Clothing Equipments
Wear suitble and breatable golf gear. Collar clothes are compulsory
and golf shoes to be worn at all times (Bali Beach Golf Course
is an exemption). Apart from Bali beach Golf Course, all other
golf courses provide lockers for free and shower equipments with
towels.
Always make sure that your clothing equipment does not made of
fabric that easily 'stick' to your sweating body for it will limit
your body movements. I had one clothes that when my body sweating
(you would not believe how much your body exempt fluid if you
play golf in Bali) it stick to my body and it ruined my golf game.
May be something you need to be aware off.
Some people do wear short pants (knee length) to avoid the stickiness
of the clothing fabrics. If you had one, it would probably be
a good idea.
Warm Ups
Warming up is always necessary. Physically you need to be warm
before start hitting the ball to avoid possible injuries and muscle
strain. Begin with your regular work out, like stretching, wrist
clocking, hip and body twist, etc to loosen up the muscle. Hit
a few golf balls on the range if possible (50 to 80 balls). Start
with your wedge, to pitching, get your rhytm and see the shape
of your shot. Progress to longer iron and have 3 - 4 balls reserve
and hit it with your driver.
Try the pitching green. Every professionals always try them to
judge the speed of the green. Do some up and down, and some bunker
shot to feel the resistence of the sand grain. This exercise is
good for your confidence, and mentally provide you with foundation
that you are 'ready' to face your challenge.
Notes:
Come early. In indonesia, government officials are always the
priority (them cocky b****). They always slow the pace down to
pedestrian strolling in the park alike. If you don't come on time,
and if they happen to be in front of you, I guarantee that you
will not enjoy your golf. Sad but true.
Make noise and step hard to the ground before you hit your ball
from the bunker. But do not step too hard on the green (keep the
green safe), find the fairway and stamp your feet several times
to the ground. You probably wondering why you should do that.
Not to scare you off, i've seen a snake in the bunker once. Snakes
are sensitive to vibrations and the actions are merely to scare
them off. It would be quite rare to find snakes in the bunker
but i did so, and so i thought it might be a necessary precautions
to include here.
Caddy is a must. And they do come with lots of benefits. Use
them well.
Always tip your caddy. It is a must even to the Indonesians to
tip the caddy. A good tip is around Rp. 50.000,00 rupiah (equivalent
to US $ 8.5) for 18 holes and Rp. 25.000,00 (equivalent to US$
4.5) for 9 holes.
Speaking about caddy, you should start listening to them. They
been on the course long enough to know the ball directions, bump
and breaks on the green. Ask them which directions they recommend,
where you should place the ball and combine it with your strategies
for maximum affects. Many people would find their tips useful,
especially around the putting greens. |
