Canlubang Golf & Country Club: A Philippine Golf Icon

I played the North Course at Canlubang on a warm January morning, and it reminded me why this Robert Trent Jones Jr. design remains one of the Philippines' most respected layouts. From the moment I arrived at the clubhouse to the final putt on 18, this was championship golf done right.

First Impressions

The drive into Canlubang sets the tone. You're leaving the chaos of the South Luzon Expressway behind and entering a different world—one where sugar cane plantations once dominated and Mount Makiling rises majestically in the distance. The clubhouse has that old-money feel without being stuffy, and the staff greeted me like I'd been a member for years. My caddie, Manny, had been working the course for 15 years. That local knowledge would prove invaluable.

The Front Nine: A Gentle Introduction

Hole 1 | Par 4 | 385 yards | Bogey

A forgiving opener that lulls you into a false sense of security. Wide fairway, minimal trouble off the tee. I pushed my drive right but had a clear look at the green. The putting surface has more slope than it appears—three-putted from 25 feet. Welcome to Canlubang.

Hole 2 | Par 5 | 525 yards | Par

First chance to go for it in two. The fairway bunkers at 250 yards are strategically placed to catch the aggressive drive. Laid up with a 5-iron, wedged on, two-putt par. Solid start.

Hole 3 | Par 4 | 410 yards | Par

The first real test. A slight dogleg right with OB lurking down the right side. Manny told me to aim at the left bunker and let it fade. Perfect advice—found the fairway center, knocked a 7-iron to 15 feet, two-putt par.

Hole 4 | Par 3 | 175 yards | Par

Water front and right, bunkers left. This is where the course starts showing its teeth. The wind was into us, so I clubbed up to a 5-iron and aimed at the fat part of the green. Safe play, safe par.

Hole 5 | Par 4 | 440 yards | Bogey

Long par 4 that plays even longer into the prevailing wind. Driver, 4-iron still left me 30 yards short. The green is elevated and firm—my pitch released through to the back fringe. Tough up-and-down for bogey.

Hole 6 | Par 5 | 545 yards | Bogey

A sweeping dogleg left around a massive lake. You can cut the corner if you're brave (or foolish). I played the conservative line and still found the fairway bunker. Course management is everything here.

Hole 7 | Par 3 | 195 yards | Bogey

The signature par 3 on the front. All carry over water to a peninsula green that's smaller than it looks from the tee. The pin was back right, sucker position. I went at it anyway, found the bunker, and splashed out to 8 feet. Missed the par save.

Hole 8 | Par 4 | 380 yards | Par

Birdie opportunity if you can find the fairway. Short iron in, receptive green. Finally made a putt outside 10 feet and felt like I'd won the lottery.

Hole 9 | Par 4 | 425 yards | Bogey

Strong finishing hole for the front. Uphill approach to a green protected by deep bunkers. The putting surface tilts severely from back to front. Three putts from 40 feet. Front nine: 40.

The Turn

Stopped at the halfway house for a cold San Miguel and some palabok. Manny told me the back nine is where "the course gets serious." Encouraging words.

The Back Nine: Where Dreams Go to Die

Hole 10 | Par 4 | 395 yards | Par

Slight dogleg right through a chute of trees. The fairway is generous but the rough is thick and grabby. Found the short grass, hit a solid approach to 12 feet, two-putt par. Good start to the back.

Hole 11 | Par 5 | 560 yards | Par

The longest hole on the course. Three solid shots to reach this green. A ditch crosses the fairway at about 280 yards. Went driver, cleared the ditch, but chickened out on going for the green in two. Wedged on, two-putt par.

Hole 12 | Par 4 | 450 yards | Double Bogey

This hole broke me. A brute of a par 4 with water down the entire left side. The fairway slopes toward the water, so even a decent drive can kick into trouble. Mine did exactly that. Drop, punch out, chunk, chip, two-putt. Let's move on.

Hole 13 | Par 3 | 165 yards | Par

A pretty par 3 that offers some respite after 12. The green is large with three distinct tiers. Pin was middle tier, so anywhere on the green was acceptable. Found the front edge, lag putt to 2 feet, tap-in par.

Hole 14 | Par 4 | 420 yards | Par

Dogleg left with bunkers protecting the corner. The smart play is a 3-wood to the elbow. I went driver, cut the corner, and had wedge into the green. Sometimes aggression pays off.

Hole 15 | Par 4 | 405 yards | Bogey

A narrow driving hole through mature trees. The canopy creates a cathedral effect that's beautiful but intimidating. Blocked my tee shot right into the trees, punched out, pitched on, two-putt bogey.

Hole 16 | Par 3 | 185 yards | Bogey

Water left, bunkers right, wind swirling. This green has more undulation than any other on the course. My ball landed on the front tier with a back pin—50 feet away. Three-putt bogey felt like a par.

Hole 17 | Par 5 | 565 yards | Bogey (Signature Hole)

THE signature hole. A ditch runs diagonally across the fairway about 100 yards from the green, creating a genuine risk-reward decision. Go for it in two and risk the ditch, or lay up and hope your wedge game is sharp. I laid up to 80 yards, chunked my wedge into the ditch, took a drop, got up and down for bogey. Manny just shook his head.

Hole 18 | Par 4 | 440 yards | Bogey

A fitting finish—uphill to a green fronted by bunkers with the clubhouse gallery watching. The approach shot is all carry, so club selection is critical. I was between clubs, chose the shorter one, and came up short in the bunker. Blasted out to 6 feet and missed the par save. Typical.

Final Score: Front 40 + Back 43 = 83

The Verdict

Canlubang isn't a resort course that holds your hand. It's a proper championship test that demands quality shots and sound strategy. The wind adds another layer of complexity, and the water hazards punish mistakes severely.

What I Loved: Excellent variety in hole design, risk-reward par 5s, knowledgeable caddies, outstanding conditioning, and that halfway house palabok.

What Could Be Better: Pace of play was slow (5+ hours), some cart path areas need attention, and the website's tee time booking is clunky.

Would I Play Again? Absolutely. Canlubang earned its reputation. My 83 only motivates me to come back and break 80. Next time, I'm listening to Manny on every shot.

Played: January 2026 | North Course | White Tees