Singapore: Singapore’s golfing fraternity is bracing itself for the closure of a number of courses that will not have their leases renewed when they expire over the next 10 years.

In an announcement on Monday, the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) said the Mandai Executive Golf Course, which was previously granted a two-year extension, will shut by the end of 2026.

Four other courses – Warren Golf & Country Club, Orchid Country Club (OCC), Keppel Club’s Sime Course and the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) Bukit Course – have leases expiring in 2030.

Meanwhile, the lease for the Garden Course at Tanah Merah Country Club (TMCC) will expire in 2035.

The Singapore Golf Association (SGA) said it recognises that the announcement of the golf course closures will be deeply felt across the golf fraternity.

An SGA statement said: “While we acknowledge the Government’s important responsibility to manage Singapore’s limited land resources to meet national needs, we understand the sense of loss this brings to our vibrant golfing community.

“Golf in Singapore continues to grow. Today, we have over 140,000 golfers playing on courses, alongside another 75,000 enthusiasts engaging in alternative formats such as indoor golf and short courses. Golf is an evergreen sport that supports health and well-being, fosters social connections, promotes bio-diversity through green spaces, and builds national pride.

“While these changes present challenges, SGA is committed to supporting our community through this transition. We will continue to work closely with Sport Singapore, Government agencies, golf clubs, and industry partners to explore sustainable and innovative models that ensure golf remains accessible, resilient, and forward-looking in Singapore.” 

MinLaw said lease renewals until 2040 were offered for two courses: Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Course and National Service Resort & Country Club’s Kranji Course. Their leases had been set to expire in 2030.

There are currently 16 golf courses in Singapore, and the leases of the remaining eight courses are subject to future review.

The Ministry said: “The leases of these golf courses are for a fixed term, with an end date that is publicly known, to allow both the operators and members of the golf clubs to make informed decisions. This also ensures that land occupied by golf courses can be returned to the state and redeveloped for more pressing national needs in a timely manner.”

Channel News Asia (CNA) reported that the land currently occupied by Keppel Club’s Sime Course and SICC’s Bukit Course will become a dedicated 18-hole public course after their leases expire on December 31, 2030.

Part of that site is being considered for use by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) for its members, taking into account that the lease for NTUC’s OCC will not be renewed, said MinLaw.

Homes will be built on the land freed up by OCC’s 27-hole venue in Yishun and Warren Golf & Country Club’s 18-hole layout in Choa Chu Kang when their leases expire on December 31, 2030 and October 31, 2030, respectively.

CNA said these sites were earmarked for residential use in the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Draft Master Plan 2025. Authorities did not provide further details, such as whether the land will be used for public or private homes.

The Ministry of Education previously announced that Mandai Executive Golf Course, currently Singapore’s only fully public golf course, will become an outdoor adventure learning centre after its tenancy ends on December 31, 2026.

The future use of the site of the TMCC’s Garden Course is under study.

MinLaw said: “Given its proximity to Changi Airport, the land is being studied for uses that have synergies with the airport to support economic growth.”

Singapore is ‘a small city-state with limited land’, said MinLaw, adding that the Government takes a long-term approach to land use planning, including ensuring sufficient land for critical national needs such as housing, transport infrastructure and essential services.

MinLaw said: “The demand for land for national uses will become more acute in Singapore, and this will impact the amount of land available for golfing over time.

“The Government will balance the access to golfing facilities by private golf club members and the general public so that there can be golf courses catering to different segments of the golfing community.”

*The Singapore Golf Association, Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore Island Country Club and Tanah Merah Country Club are all members of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.