Manila Southwoods Masters
The Masters at Manila Southwoods is the brute of Metro Manila golf, a Jack Nicklaus par 72 of 7,225 yards that opened in 1993 with a Nicklaus exhibition. Seven lakes, seventy five bunkers and a set of long par 3s make it the sternest championship test within an easy drive of Makati, and a private members club that rewards the patient ball striker.
Photo: froi rivera via Google.
The verdict
Jack Nicklaus built the Masters at Manila Southwoods as a genuine championship test, and it opened in 1993 with a Nicklaus exhibition that put it straight on the map. A par 72 of 7,225 yards spread across the Carmona countryside south of Makati, it is the longer and harder of the club's two Nicklaus courses, and it does not let the better player coast.
The defence is length and water. Seven lakes thread through the routing, seventy five bunkers tighten the lines, and none of the par 3s gives an easy birdie from the back tees. It is a members club rather than a resort, so a round here usually means playing as a member's guest, but for the travelling golfer who can arrange it, the Masters is the benchmark big course experience near the capital.
Manila Southwoods Masters at a glance
- Opened
- 1993
- Designer
- Jack Nicklaus
- Type
- Championship parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 7,225 yds
- Green fee
- Members
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club and leading course databases. The Masters Course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1993, a par 72 of 7,225 yards with seven lakes and seventy five bunkers. It is a private members club with no published public green fee; visitor play is generally arranged as a member's guest, so always confirm access directly before planning.
The holes worth the trip
The Masters asks for length and commitment from the first tee. Nicklaus stretched it to 7,225 yards and defended the greens with water and deep bunkering, so the premium is on a long, controlled drive that leaves a sensible angle in. The fairways are generous enough to swing freely, but the trouble is real once you stray.
It is the par 3s that visitors remember. None of them is short from the blue tees, several carry water all the way to the green, and they form one of the most demanding one shot collections in the country. The par 5s give the bigger hitter a chance to make ground, but only if the line over the hazards is judged correctly.
The closing holes keep the lakes in play and the pressure on, a fitting finish to a course that was built to host championships. A good score here is earned, and that is exactly why serious golfers visiting Manila want to tick it off.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; visitors generally play as a member's guest or through an approved arrangement |
| Green fee | No published public fee; any guest rate is arranged through a member (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Arrange access well ahead through a member or a Philippines golf specialist; weekends are member heavy |
| On the day | Caddies are standard at Philippine clubs; carts available; smart golf attire expected |
| Getting there | Carmona, Cavite, about 30 kilometres and roughly an hour south of Makati depending on traffic |
| Best months | November to May, the cooler, drier season, is the most comfortable time to play |
Access details verified June 2026; Manila Southwoods is private and policies change, so always confirm directly before planning a visit through a member or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves in Makati or Bonifacio Global City, where the best hotels and restaurants in Metro Manila are concentrated, and drive south to Carmona for the round. The journey is around an hour depending on traffic, so an early tee time is wise.
For a golf focused stay, the resorts and hotels in the Sta Rosa and Tagaytay corridor sit closer to the course and several other Cavite and Laguna layouts, which makes it easy to build a multi course itinerary. Pair the Masters with its sister Legends course and the other championship venues south of the capital.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Manila Southwoods Masters.
Build a Manila golf trip
Where access allows, we arrange a round on the Masters as part of a wider Metro Manila itinerary, pair it with the region's best and book the lodging around it. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Manila Southwoods Masters questions
Who designed the Manila Southwoods Masters course and when did it open?
The Masters Course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1993 with a Nicklaus exhibition at Carmona, Cavite, in the Philippines.
What is the par and length of the Masters course?
The Masters is a par 72 of 7,225 yards from the back tees, defended by seven lakes and seventy five bunkers, with a notably long set of par 3s.
Can visitors play Manila Southwoods?
Manila Southwoods is a private members club. Visitors generally play as a member's guest or through an approved arrangement, so access should be confirmed well in advance.
How far is Manila Southwoods from Makati?
Manila Southwoods is at Carmona in Cavite, about 30 kilometres and roughly an hour south of Makati depending on traffic, so an early start is sensible.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; access verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.