The Bukit Batok Golf Range will cease operations by the end of the year after being asked by its landowner to vacate the site.
It marks yet another closure in Singapore’s shrinking public golf landscape.
For property agent Jnesh Arumugam, 37, the news signals the impending loss of a cherished routine. At least three times a week, he and his 10-year-old son, Arshen, spend a couple of hours at the range.
A golfing enthusiast since 2015, Mr Jnesh said with a smile: “It’s because of this range that I discovered the Tiger in my son,” referencing golf legend Tiger Woods.
Arshen is among many junior golfers who frequent the Bukit Batok facility – a range that has, for more than two decades, served players across generations and backgrounds.
One of the most affordable public driving ranges in Singapore, Bukit Batok allows golfers to practice at their own pace without being constrained by time limits, unlike many other facilities.
Parking fees are also redeemable, further enhancing its appeal.
These features have made it particularly popular among retirees, families and young learners.
Batok Mas had invested S$3 million to develop the facility in 2002 and has been operating it for the past 24 years under the purview of HomeTeamNS Club.
Batok Mas managing director Hoon Dai Chun, 71, said he understands the realities of land-use planning in land-scarce Singapore, but hopes for greater flexibility.
He noted that adjacent land parcels, such as the Bukit Batok Driving Centre, have had their leases extended to 2030. The tenancy agreement for the neighbouring HomeTeamNS Club also runs until 2030.
“It would be a pity to see the range boarded up and closed long before redevelopment begins,” he said. “A just-in-time notification of perhaps three to six months would be more than sufficient to vacate the premises, since demolition doesn’t take much time.”
Mr Hoon suggested that even a one- to two-year extension could help ease what he described as an acute shortage of public driving ranges available to golfers who are not members of private country clubs.
More than just a sporting facility
Patrons arrive on foot, by bicycle, bus and car, often with a handful of golf clubs.
Almost every morning, a group of retirees gathers there for a round or two. Several come twice a day.
The 66 bays are frequently filled to capacity, with queues forming not only on weekends but on weekday evenings as well.
Beyond its role as a sporting facility, the range has grown into a vibrant community hub.
Friendships have been forged here. Families bond over shared practice sessions. Coaches nurture budding talent at a venue that offers rare access to a sport often criticised as elitist and expensive.
Over the past decade, several golf facilities have made way for redevelopment. The Toa Payoh Golf Range closed in 2018 for residential projects. Keppel Club, Jurong Country Club, and Raffles Country Club shut their doors in 2021.
The Champions Public Golf Course & Driving Range in Bukit Timah ceased operations in 2023, followed by the Marina Bay Golf Course & Driving Range in 2024.
With Bukit Batok Golf Range exiting the scene, demand is likely to be channelled to the remaining two public facilities, potentially resulting in overcrowding and higher fees.
Industry observers warn that such contractions could have long-term implications. Golf’s ecosystem depends not only on elite players, but also on a steady pipeline of beginners and juniors.
Accessible and affordable practice venues play a crucial role in sustaining interest in the sport. Without them, fewer young people may take up golf, and casual players may gradually drift away.
For Mr Jnesh, the immediate concern is practical. His nearest alternative may be in Punggol, which is a considerably longer drive from his Bukit Batok home.
“That would be rather inconvenient and time-consuming,” he said with a sigh.
For now, regulars continue to gather at Bukit Batok, savouring each session, perhaps with a little more appreciation, before the final ball is struck.
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4 Dec 2025 18:47
