Golfing in Fiji – Is Denarau Golf Course Fiji worth playing?

Golfing in Fiji - Is Denarau Golf Course Fiji worth playing?

ByLuxury Adventures

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Golfing in Fiji – Is the Denarau Golf Course Fiji worth playing?

Denarau Golf & Racquet Club is worth considering if you want to play golf during your Fiji holiday. I enjoyed its wide fairways, tropical setting and water hazards. The relaxed pace of play also made the round a pleasure.

Luxury Adventures was hosted for a round in February 2024. Here’s my first-hand review, including the course highlights, hire clubs and tips for your visit.

Staying on Denarau Island

Denarau Island is around 20 minutes from Nadi Airport in western Fiji. Its warm climate, resorts and range of activities attract couples, families and solo travellers.

There is plenty to do beyond golf. You can try jet skiing, fishing, waterslides or day trips to nearby islands. Alternatively, settle into a poolside chair with a cocktail.

Port Denarau Marina is also close by. Here, you’ll find shops, bars and restaurants. The marina is a departure point for boats heading to Fiji’s surrounding islands.

However, for this visit, my focus was the golf.

Denarau Golf Course Design

Eiichi Motohashi designed the 18-hole, par-72 course. It combines palm-lined fairways with bunkers, water hazards and sloping greens.

The layout includes:

Four par-three holes with carries over water.
Ten par-four holes.
Four par-five holes.

From the black tees, the longest hole measures 516 metres. The shortest is 158 metres.

There are four tee options to suit different levels of play:

Black tees: 6,513 metres.
Gold tees: 6,109 metres.
Silver tees: 5,780 metres.
Jade tees: 5,169 metres.

I played from the gold tees.

Getting Ready for the Round

The pro shop sells golf equipment, clothing, tennis gear and souvenirs. I found the staff helpful and friendly.

During my February visit, the temperature was 29°C with 86% humidity. Before heading out, I stocked up on water, Gatorade and a chocolate bar.

I prefer to walk a course when I can. It helps me get a better feel for the layout and playing conditions. However, carts may be compulsory when the course is busy, so check before your round.

Playing During Fiji’s Wet Season

Fiji’s wet season runs from November to April.

On my visit, I had a few minutes of warm rain. It was enough to get me wet, but it did not affect my grip or swing.

That was only my experience on the day. An umbrella is still worth considering.

Hiring Golf Clubs at Denarau

Hiring clubs can feel like a gamble when you take your golf seriously. Thankfully, I was happy with the set provided.

My hire set included:

A PING driver.
PING three and five woods.
Mizuno JPX irons, from four iron to sand wedge.
A PING putter.

The clubs showed signs of use, as you would expect. Even so, they were a quality set.

At the time of my visit, club hire included a small bucket of driving range balls. Golf shoes were also available to rent.

Check the current equipment options and inclusions before booking.

Course Condition and Facilities

The course was lush and green when I played. Overall, it was in good shape, although it was not the most spectacular course I have played.

There were a few areas marked as ground under repair. However, these were no more than I would expect at many other courses.

The club also had a spacious practice green for putting and chipping. A driving range was available, but I did not use it, so I cannot comment on that facility.

Large Greens and Gentle Slopes

The greens were large, with a mix of slopes and changes in level.

The grass felt thicker than I was used to at home. As a result, I found the greens a little slow.

Still, getting onto the green did not guarantee an easy two-putt.

A Relaxed Pace of Play

One of the best parts of my round was the pace.

The groups ahead did not hold me up. Equally, I never felt pressure from the players behind.

The spacing between tee times worked well. It gave me time to relax and enjoy the course.

My driver also behaved better than expected. Perhaps it was the PING, perhaps the conditions, or perhaps I was simply swinging well that day!

Front Nine Highlights

The front nine measures 3,058 metres from the gold tees. It features broad fairways, large greens and well-placed bunkers.

Water hazards add another challenge.

First Hole: A Welcoming Start

The opening hole is a fairly straight par four.

A wide fairway gives you room from the tee. Meanwhile, bunkers around the green make the approach more interesting.

Tall palms complete the tropical setting. It was a pleasant introduction to the round.

Third Hole: A Carry Over Water

The third is a 137-metre par three from the gold tees.

Your tee shot must cross water to reach a large, sloping green. It was one of my favourite holes on the front nine.

Fourth Hole: A Testing Dogleg

The fourth is a 370-metre par four that bends to the right.

Palms and villas line the hole, while bunkers demand care with your shot placement.

The front nine includes two par threes, five par fours and two par fives.

Back Nine Highlights

The back nine was my favourite half of the course.

It measures 3,051 metres from the gold tees. Generous fairways, sweeping palms and ocean views give it plenty of appeal.

However, the tiered greens still test your putting.

Fifteenth Hole: The Standout View

For me, the fifteenth captures the beauty of Denarau golf.

This fairly straight, 372-metre par four has trees and bunkers that keep the tee shot interesting.

Long hitters need to watch the large trees on either side of the fairway. Bunkers also wait to catch a loose shot.

My tip: Aim up the centre. Simple advice, although carrying it out is another matter!

Beyond the green, an ocean view adds to the setting. Together with the palms, it creates the picture you might expect from a Fiji resort course.

Seventeenth Hole: Watch the Water

The seventeenth is a 138-metre par three.

Water surrounds much of the green, giving it an island-like feel.

My tip: Avoid coming up short. There is more room at the back than you might first think.

Eighteenth Hole: A Challenging Finish

The final hole is a 453-metre par five with two water hazards to consider.

First, you must decide whether to try to carry the creek from the tee. That requires a big hit.

Next, water comes in from the left and crosses in front of the green.

Bunkers add to the challenge. A round bunker in the middle of the fairway can also catch a poorly struck second shot.

Like the front nine, the back nine has two par threes, five par fours and two par fives.

Denarau Golf Green Fees

The prices below applied from November 2023 to March 2024. They are historical rates, not current quotes. Confirm the latest fees and inclusions before booking.

Player category	18 holes	9 holes
Adult	FJD 130	FJD 110
Junior, aged 17 and under	FJD 91	FJD 77
Fiji resident, with local ID	FJD 104	FJD 88
Marriott International Fiji Resorts guest	FJD 117	FJD 99
PGA member	FJD 65	FJD 55
Senior, aged 55 and over, with ID	FJD 97.50	FJD 82.50
Sunset golf, teeing off after 3.45 pm	FJD 70	Not listed

Resort golf can cost more than a round at your local club. Before booking, check whether your fee includes a cart, hire clubs or other extras.

Golf Lessons at Denarau

The club offered lessons and daily clinics with its resident golf professional.

The original article listed these rates:

45-minute lesson: FJD 100.
60-minute lesson: FJD 150.
Nine-hole playing lesson: FJD 350, including green fees.

These are not confirmed current prices. At the time, lessons required at least 24 hours’ notice. Check the latest rates and booking requirements with the club.