Fairway Terraces, Tagaytay Highlands: Is the Golf Course Worth the Steep Membership Fees?

Tagaytay Highlands International Golf Club is often described as one of the most beautiful golf courses in the Philippines, with views of Taal Volcano that are hard to match. But the course itself is polarising among serious golfers, who sometimes call it a “Mickey Mouse” layout — short, tight, and full of blind shots that reward restraint over power. That tension between breathtaking scenery and a divisive design is at the heart of whether the steep membership fees make sense for you.

Tagaytay sits on a ridge roughly 700 metres above sea level, about an hour south of Manila. The elevation means temperatures are typically 5 to 8 degrees cooler than the capital, making it one of the most comfortable golf destinations in Luzon year-round. You can play a full afternoon round here in months when Manila golf is only realistic before 8am. That climate advantage alone is a strong argument for membership, but the real question is whether the Highlands course — and the lifestyle that comes with it — justifies the cost.

If you are weighing a membership at Tagaytay Highlands, it helps to first understand how the two courses inside the complex differ, what the actual playing experience is like, and where the value lies compared to other Tagaytay options. For context on how lifestyle developments in emerging areas compare, you might also look at Summit Point Golf and Country Club, another high-end golf community in Luzon.

What the Highlands and Midlands courses actually offer

The two courses sit within the same residential and recreational complex but serve very different golfers. Highlands, designed by American architect Richard Bigler, is routed over rugged terrain with significant elevation changes. The club has even installed a cable car system to help transport golfers from the 9th and 18th holes back to the 1st and 10th tees — a sign of just how steep the layout is. Midlands, by contrast, is a flat, long championship course built in 1991 that feels more like a standard tournament venue.

If you are a single-digit handicap who enjoys a strategic, target-oriented game, Highlands will test your course management in ways Midlands never will. But if you prefer to grip-and-rip with a driver, Midlands is the more satisfying track. That distinction matters because membership grants access to both, but most members gravitate toward one or the other. As one member noted, “most people would rather play Midlands” — a more standard championship course that doesn’t punish every offline tee shot with a penalty area.

Why the Highlands course divides opinion

The criticism of Highlands as a “Mickey Mouse” course — a term older golfers use for resort-style layouts — stems from its reliance on short holes, blind shots, forced lay-ups, and small, difficult greens to compensate for its lack of length. At just 6,119 yards from the back tees, it is short by modern standards. But the scorecard is deceptive. One experienced golfer reported hitting driver only four or five times in an entire round, pulling hybrid or 3-wood on most tee shots to keep the ball in play. On hole 11, he even hit a 7-iron off the tee. He shot a respectable 78 and still felt he worked hard for it.

That said, the views are genuinely spectacular. Standing on the first or 10th tees, you see Taal Volcano and Taal Lake on one side and Laguna de Bay on the other. The fairways weave around the contours of the rugged Tagaytay landscape, with the back nine featuring tough back-to-back par fives at holes 14 and 15 and an intimidating 150-yard carry across a gully to the 18th green. For many, the scenery alone justifies the green fee. But if you are paying a membership that costs hundreds of thousands or millions of pesos, scenery may not be enough.

For a broader look at how lifestyle developments in emerging regions compare, consider reading about secret neighborhoods where Central Luzon insiders are buying now — areas that offer different value propositions than established golf communities.

What you actually get for the membership fee

Membership at Tagaytay Highlands is not just about golf. The complex includes squash, badminton, and tennis courts, a skating rink, a go-kart circuit, and a horse riding ring. For families, those amenities can tip the scales. But the core question remains: how often will you actually play?

One member admitted that despite holding a membership, his last game at Highlands was in 2021, and he had only ever played Midlands since joining. That pattern — paying for access you rarely use — is common in destination golf clubs. If you live in Manila and plan to drive up on weekends, the 60-kilometre trip is manageable. But if you only play once every few months, a daily fee arrangement at one of the other Tagaytay courses might make more financial sense.

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Six courses serve the Tagaytay area, ranging from the 7,027-yard championship test at Midlands to the shorter, more relaxed layouts at Royale Tagaytay and South Forbes. Highlands sits in the middle in terms of length but is arguably the most visually striking. The table above gives you a quick comparison of yardage and slope ratings — though note that slope data is missing for several courses, which makes direct difficulty comparisons incomplete.

How often you will realistically play

If you are a weekend warrior who plays twice a month, a membership might cost you several thousand pesos per round once you factor in annual dues and initiation fees. Compare that to walk-in rates at Splendido Taal or Midlands, which are typically in the ₱1,500–₱3,000 range for guests. The breakeven point depends entirely on frequency. Play once a week, and the math starts to favour membership. Play once a quarter, and you are better off paying as you go.

Non-golf amenities and family use

The skating rink, go-kart track, and horse riding ring are genuine differentiators. If you have children or a spouse who does not play golf, those facilities can make the membership a family investment rather than a personal indulgence. But if you are the only golfer in the family, ask yourself honestly whether the non-golf amenities will get used enough to justify the premium over a golf-only membership at a club like Midlands.

Resale value and transferability

Golf memberships in the Philippines can appreciate, but they can also sit unsold for years. Highlands memberships are tied to the real estate development, which means resale value is linked to the broader Tagaytay property market. If you are buying primarily as an investment, you are better off looking at New Clark City real estate or other growth corridors where appreciation is driven by infrastructure rather than leisure demand.

Future developments in the area

Tagaytay continues to attract new residential and commercial projects, which could increase demand for golf memberships over time. However, the rise of daily-fee golf and online booking platforms has made it easier to play premium courses without a membership. The exclusivity factor is real, but it is shrinking.

Frequently asked questions

Is the membership worth it for you?

The answer depends almost entirely on how you play and how often. If you value scenery, cooler weather, and a course that forces you to think your way around, Highlands is one of the most memorable layouts in Luzon. If you want a straightforward championship test where you can hit driver on every par 4 and 5, Midlands or The Country Club will serve you better. And if you only play a few times a year, paying daily fees at Splendido Taal or Midlands is almost certainly the smarter financial move. The membership makes sense only when the lifestyle — golf, family amenities, and the Tagaytay climate — becomes a regular part of your routine rather than an occasional escape.

If this was useful, you might also want to read Pampanga’s next big thing: Mabalacat real estate potential.

Sources

Summit Point Golf and Country Club: lifestyle or status symbol? — A detailed look at another high-end golf community in Luzon and how its value compares to Tagaytay Highlands.

Secret neighborhoods Central Luzon insiders are buying now — Emerging residential areas that may offer better long-term value than golf club memberships.

Tagaytay Golf Courses Guide. Golflux, 2024.

Revisiting Tagaytay Highlands. Daily Tribune, July 2024.

Tagaytay Highlands Golf Course Review. Top 100 Golf Courses, 2024.