Course Review: Mt. Malarayat Golf Course

Mt. Malarayat Golf Course is a 27-hole golf complex located in Lipa City, Batangas (about 1.5 hours from Makati City via the SLEX and the STAR tollway). The 3 sets of 9 holes are named after the mountains nearby: Mt. Lobo, Mt. Makulot and Mt. Malipunyo. This review is for the Lobo and Malipunyo 9’s.

Generally, Mt. Malarayat Golf Course is a flat course with very few changes in elevation. The fairways are wide from the tee, and challenges are created by strategic placement of bunkers and lakes. When i played it, the greens had just been aerated and were on the medium-slow side, but i heard that at its best, people spoke about the “glass greens”. It has a high-altitude feel to it due to the presence of numerous pine trees lining the holes.

Notable holes on the Lobo nine are:

1st hole — a par-4 sharp dogleg right, with the corner guarded by bunkers and a steep hillside leading to a flower bed. Slicers beware.

5th hole — a par-4 385 yards uphill, bunkers all around and a church framing the green.

9th hole — a long snaking par-5 with the green framed by rock and bunkers. A very beautiful hole.

Notable holes on the Malipunyo nine are:

3rd hole — a par-4 with 2 fairways. The left fairway is guarded by a big bunker around 220 yds from the tee. The safe but longer route is to the right fairway.

4th hole — a short par-4 with pot bunkers blocking the middle of the fairway.

8th hole — an uphill dogleg right par-5 to a tucked green guarded by 2 big hill mounds.

9th hole — a 410 yard long par-4 sweeping left to right, with water guarding the right side beginning 200yds to the green. This green reminds me of the finishing hole of the Southwoods Masters course.

The locker rooms are very good, the towels are thick and high-quality, the showers are great and the dining area is bright and homey. Overall, a nice course for players of all handicap levels.

Course Review and Pictures were written and submitted by GolfPH Member Raymond Fortun

These other articles From Raymond Fortun might be helpful to you

• Course Review: KC Hillcrest Golf & Country Club