Major Changes Ahead for Singapore’s Golf Courses as Six Clubs Lose Lease Renewals by 2035

Singapore’s golf landscape is set for significant transformation over the next decade, with six of the island’s 16 golf courses slated not to have their leases renewed. This includes prestigious clubs such as Tanah Merah Country Club (TMCC) and Singapore Island Country Club (SICC).

According to the Ministry of Law (MinLaw), the leases for these six courses will expire by 2035, as the government plans to repurpose the land to meet evolving national needs. The affected sites span approximately 338 hectares, representing about one-third of all golf course land in Singapore.

Golf Courses Losing Lease Renewal

The six golf courses impacted are:

• Tanah Merah Country Club (Garden Course) near Changi

• Singapore Island Country Club (Bukit Course) in Sime Road

• Keppel Club (Sime Road)

• Warren Golf & Country Club in Choa Chu Kang

• Orchid Country Club in Yishun

• Mandai Executive Golf Course (the island’s only remaining public golf course), whose tenancy will end on December 31, 2026, without further extension.

Government’s Land Use Strategy

This move aligns with Singapore’s long-term land use planning, which continuously adapts to ensure sufficient space for housing, economic development, security, and essential infrastructure. The government aims to balance public access to golf facilities while reallocating land to critical national priorities.

MinLaw stated:
"Land use plans are reviewed regularly to meet changing demands. We seek to maintain golf facilities accessible to both private club members and the public, ensuring diverse golfing options."

Future Plans for Affected Sites

• Keppel Club (Sime) and SICC (Bukit): These adjacent sites will be merged and redeveloped into an 18-hole public golf course upon lease expiry at the end of 2030. This will be Singapore’s first public 18-hole course, previously an exclusive feature of private clubs. Part of the new course may be operated by the labour movement, potentially replacing Orchid Country Club, which is affiliated with the National Trades Union Congress.

• Mandai Executive Golf Course: Post-lease expiry in 2026, the site will be transformed into an outdoor education center under the Ministry of Education. The facility will provide students with water-based activities and host large-scale camps for uniformed groups.

• Tanah Merah Country Club (Garden Course): The future use of this land is under study, with considerations focusing on synergies with nearby Changi Airport to support economic growth.

• Warren Golf & Country Club and Orchid Country Club: These sites have been earmarked for residential development in the Draft Master Plan 2025, with leases expiring in 2030. Plans include creating mixed-use housing projects that respect the area's heritage and ecological value.

Golf Course Leases and Developments Overview

• Singapore currently has 16 golf courses, including public, private, and hybrid facilities.

• Only two clubs, the National Service Resort & Country Club (Kranji) and Sentosa Golf Club (Serapong), will have their leases renewed for another 10 years, until 2040.

• Other golf courses have staggered lease expiries between 2026 and 2040, with future plans under review.

Membership Trends and Market Insights

Singapore’s elite golf clubs have traditionally catered to affluent members, with memberships commanding high prices. For instance:

• SICC memberships have last transacted between SGD 350,000 (local individual) and SGD 600,000 (foreign corporate). Transfer fees range from SGD 50,000 to SGD 155,555.

• TMCC memberships traded at approximately SGD 210,000 for locals and up to SGD 275,000 for foreign corporates.

• Sentosa Golf Club, the priciest in Singapore, recorded memberships selling for nearly SGD 495,000 (local individual) to SGD 1.1 million (foreign corporate), with transfer fees up to SGD 320,000.

Strategic Land Optimization and Urban Planning

As Singapore’s urban landscape evolves, the government is reclaiming low-yield land uses such as golf courses to maximize land for higher-demand purposes like housing and infrastructure. The rezoning of Orchid Country Club alone could potentially deliver over 10,000 new homes.

Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat emphasized the need for agility in land planning amid global economic uncertainties, climate challenges, and changing housing demands. He highlighted the necessity for careful trade-offs to balance economic, social, and environmental priorities.

Summary Table: Singapore Golf Courses and Lease Expiry Dates

Conclusion

With six golf courses closing by 2035 and plans for a new public 18-hole golf course, Singapore’s golfing environment is poised for substantial change. These moves reflect the government’s commitment to optimizing land use amid growing urban demands while maintaining access to golf for diverse communities.

Algene Toh

Senior Real Estate Salesperson

Asset Investment Brokers Pte Ltd

Email: admin@bsr2.com

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