Whether you’re into indoor putting or night clubbing, there’s a golf course out there for you. Alan Grant gets into the swing of things 

The grand old game of golf has always had an image problem. Commonly considered an elitist, rich man’s sport, many people also just find it boring. Mark Twain described it as ‘a good walk spoiled’. But with the Barclays Singapore Open having been in town from 1 to 4 November at Sentosa Golf Club  – featuring world No 2 Phil Mickelson and defending champ Adam Scott – and the inaugural HSBC Women’s Champions taking place next year from 28 February until 2 March, golf is back in the spotlight. Time Out Singapore teed up a few places to sample the sport. 

Best option for a fun family outing 
It has to be mini golf (aka crazy golf or putt-putt), no contest – and the only outdoor spot in Singapore is Sijori Wondergolf on Sentosa. Hidden away below the Imbiah Lookout, this place could do with a lick of paint, but it provides just about the only opportunity for pre-schoolers and their grannies to experience golf together. Be warned, though, while playing here is definitely fun, it can also be frustrating – in addition to obstacles on each hole, the playing surface ranges from concrete to metal. It’s $10 for adults per 18-hole round, $7 for kids and last round is at about 6.15pm. Putter and balls are provided. 

If that sounds too hot or it’s a rainy day, keep an eye out for the reopening of the airconditioned Lilliputt at East Coast Park, where major renovations are due to be completed by mid-November. Each of the 18 holes is based on a famous Singapore landmark. Kids have to be at least five to play, and those under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. It’s a bit more expensive at $18 for adults and $12 for children. Lilliputt, 902 East Coast Pkwy (6348 9606, www.lilliputt.com). Bus 401. 
Sijori Wondergolf, 11 Siloso Rd, Sentosa (6275 2011). MRT: HarbourFront, then Sentosa Express. 

Best option for nocturnal putting 
Yup, you can play golf when it’s dark, too, thanks to state-of-the-art, energyguzzling floodlighting systems. Two courses – Jurong Country Club and Marina Bay Golf Course (pictured right) – offer a similar experience and access to members of the public, but we’ll choose the latter, because it’s considerably cheaper for Singaporeans and PRs, who can expect to pay $70 for 18 holes ($110 at weekends). Other residents and tourists have to cough up $100 per round ($195 at weekends), and there’s a $20 night surcharge for all. (Someone’s gotta pay for those floodlights.) Situated right at the beginning of the East Coast Park, Marina Bay gets extra points on aesthetics for the stunning views of the city skyline. It should be noted, however, that this option is only for experienced golfers, as an official handicap is required to play here after 2pm. A handicap is earned by playing three or four rounds of golf under full rules and is issued by all registered golf clubs around the world. Okay, we admit it – golf can be quite stuffy. 
Marina Bay Golf Club, 80 Rhu Cross (6345 7788, www.mbgc.com.sg). Bus 158 or take a taxi. 

Best option to hold the office party 
Taking advantage of the fact that many business relationships are built and nurtured on the golf course, Urban Fairways has tapped into that market by offering a surreal mixture of real and virtual golf from its converted-shophouse premises in the CBD/Chinatown area. Tee the ball up on an AstroTurf mat, take aim at a projection screen image of St Andrews, Pebble Beach or one of the other famous courses on the database, and fire away. The computer system and simulator does the rest, calculating the exact length and trajectory your ball would have taken based on your swing, and sets you up for your next shot. An entire 18 holes can be played, or you can try your hand at longest drive and putting contests. Best of all, the premises are fully licensed, meaning you don’t have to wait until the 19th hole for a drink. Hourly rates start at $125 for one to four players and climb depending on the size of your party. 
Urban Fairways, 27 Club St (6438 2513, www.urbanfairways.com). MRT: Chinatown. 

Best option for combining shopping and golf 
The Royal Tanglin Golf Course on Minden Road is a mere 20-minute walk from Orchard Road. Its perfectly manicured nine holes of pitch-and-putt golf are ideal for beginners and kids, but also for more experienced players who want to work on their short game. It’s especially popular with the ladies (female golfers are never referred to as women), with course manager and resident pro Rob Richardson estimating the clientele gender split at about 50-50. It’s a walk-in course, meaning there is no need to book tee times in advance, and golfers pay just $16 ($20 on weekends) for nine holes. Kids under 16 pay $13 ($15 weekends). You don’t need a full set of clubs – one or two irons plus a putter will suffice – and even if you don’t have those, they can be rented cheaply. No PC required. 
Royal Tanglin Golf Course, 130E Minden Rd (9101 7301, www.royaltanglin.com). MRT: Orchard or buses 7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 123, 174. 

Best place to set your kids on the road to golf riches 
KinderGolf, with its eight locations spread throughout the island, takes toddlers as young as two and kids as old as seven, and uses innovative and fun teaching methods such as tiny clubs and bigger holes to give them a firm foundation in the basics of golf. While three of KinderGolf’s Singapore centres are based at actual courses, the remaining five are situated in shopping malls (including Great World City, AMK Hub and United Square), meaning families don’t have to schlep to inconvenient locations to make sure Michelle WieII gets her lessons in. If after taking a trial class ($40 for a 45-minute lesson) Junior wants to go further, then sign up for month-long blocks of weekly lessons costing $180-$220. Kinder Golf (6441 3383, www.kindergolf.com).