💳 How to Play Golf for Free Using Credit Card Benefits

How’s it going fellow golfers?

Want to know a crazy golf hack? I couldn't believe my ears when this regular player dropped the bombshell that he'd been golfing at discount prices for three straight years - all from just playing the credit card game smart! Trust me, I had to get the inside info on this one, because who doesn't want to save big on their golf addiction? Here's the deal: Asia's golf scene is absolutely on fire right now, and if you've got the right plastic in your wallet, you can score some seriously insanely sweet deals at top-notch courses. We're talking free rounds and massive discounts at some of the most epic spots from Singapore to Thailand. Crazy, right? Let me spill the tea on how you can get in on this action and start living your best golf life without breaking the bank. Game changer alert!

In Today’s Email

• 💳 How to Unlock the Exclusive Benefits and Rewards

• 🥊 The Heavy Hitters: Premium Cards with Big Rewards

• 🫣 The Hidden Champions: Cards Worth Considering

• ✅ How to Maximize Your Benefits like a Pro and What Not To Do

• 🗂️ Other Notable Credit Cards

This Week in Golf 📰

Simply looking at the leaderboard won’t tell the full story of the 2025 PGA Championship. After Rahm briefly caught up to 54-hole leader Scheffler at 9-under, Scheffler reasserted his dominance as leader, while things went sideways for Rahm late on Sunday where he finished in eighth place.

• 🏆 Scottie Scheffler: 15 PGA tour wins and 3 Major titles before the age of 29, Scottie is amongst the greats joining Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as the only player to have that many majors and PGA wins.

 Our Fairway Feature: Bold Golf

Bold Golf: The brand uniquely sits at the intersection of golf, streetwear, and urban art, aiming to challenge and redefine the traditional golf fashion landscape, which they found lacking in style and cultural relevance. I am a huge fan of their Nandina Golf Sunday Bag - it perfectly complements our brand colours!

Check them out here: 👉 Bold Golf

Top Credit Cards with Exclusive Golf Benefits and Rewards

The Heavy Hitters: Top Premium Credit Cards with Big Rewards

Citi Prestige Card

Citi Prestige is a favorite among Asian golfers as its Principal cardholders receive six complimentary green fee rounds per calendar year:  

1. Three rounds at local golf clubs (e.g., in Singapore and Hong Kong)
2. Three rounds at regional golf clubs across Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, China)

• The total annual green fee waiver limit is 18 rounds per cardholder, with a maximum of 3 rounds per golf club per year.

• No paying guest is required for most clubs except Sentosa Golf Club, which requires a minimum of one paying guest.

• Mission Hills Golf Club requires a minimum one-night stay for every tee time booking.

• Cardholders can use their complimentary rounds multiple times at the same club if desired.

• All bookings must be made through the dedicated Citi Prestige golf booking platform: prestigegolf.apexlynx.net, where cardholders must register with their Citibank details for verification.

Additional Golf-Related Perks

• Citi Prestige cardholders also enjoy World Elite Mastercard benefits, including:

  • Access to exclusive dining and lifestyle privileges worldwide.

  • Discounts on car rentals (e.g., 35% off Avis, 10% off Hertz).

  • Complimentary fast-track to GHA DISCOVERY Titanium status and HotelLux Elite Plus membership.

• Complimentary airport lounge access via Priority Pass is included, with 12 visits per calendar year (effective July 1, 2025), allowing cardholders to relax before or after golf trips.

• Complimentary electric vehicle airport transfers at Hong Kong International Airport are available until June 30, 2025, once you’ve met the minimum foreign currency spend requirements.

How to Maximize Citi Prestige Golf Benefits

• Book tee times early through the official booking platform to secure preferred slots.

• Utilize multiple complimentary rounds at the same club to maximize value.

• Combine golf rounds with other travel benefits like lounge access and airport transfers for a seamless golf travel experience.

• Use the Citi Prestige Concierge for assistance with golf bookings, travel arrangements, and dining reservations.

• Track your usage carefully to avoid exceeding the annual green fee waiver limits.

HSBC Premier World Elite Card

This card is like having a golf membership in your wallet:

Complimentary Golf Games and Discounts

• Cardholders enjoy four complimentary green fees per year at selected golf courses in Asia through the Mastercard APAC Golf Program. Tee times and bookings are managed via the dedicated platform: https://mastercardapacgolf.apexlynx.net 

• In Malaysia and Singapore, HSBC Premier World Mastercard holders can also enjoy 50% off green fees at 42 golf clubs and golf lessons at one participating golf academy in Singapore, valid until December 31, 2025.

• These offers provide significant savings and access to premium golf courses across the region.

Mastercard Golf Concierge Service

• As a World Elite Mastercard, the card grants access to the Mastercard Golf Concierge Service, which provides personalised assistance for golf bookings, access to exclusive PGA TOUR experiences, and other golf-related lifestyle privileges across Asia and globally.

• This service helps cardholders secure tee times, arrange golf trips, and gain entry to special golf events.

Additional Lifestyle and Travel Benefits Supporting Golf Travel

• Complimentary Priority Pass lounge access at Plaza Premium Lounges across Asia (typically 6 visits per year), enhancing the travel experience to and from golf destinations.

• Access to complimentary airport limousine services in select Asian cities, including Hong Kong, China, Japan, and South Korea, facilitating seamless transfers to golf resorts or airports.

• Comprehensive travel insurance and concierge services that support golf-related travel arrangements.

• Accelerated reward points earning on local and overseas spend, which can be redeemed for flights, hotels, or golf-related expenses. The card offers up to 10x reward points on overseas spending and 8x on contactless payments, helping to fund golf travel and lifestyle costs.

Eligibility and Fees

• The HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard is exclusively available to HSBC Premier account holders in Asia.

• Minimum relationship balances apply depending on the country (e.g., RM300,000 in Malaysia).

• The annual fee varies by market but is often waived for qualifying Premier customers with sufficient total relationship balances.

Tips to Maximize the Golf Benefits

• Book your complimentary rounds early through the Mastercard APAC Golf booking platform to secure preferred tee times.

• Combine the 50% green fee discounts with complimentary rounds to extend your golf play at reduced costs.

• Use the Mastercard Golf Concierge to explore exclusive golf experiences and PGA TOUR events.

• Redeem reward points strategically for flights and hotels near golf courses to maximize value.

• Leverage airport lounge and limousine services to enhance golf travel comfort.

The Hidden Champions: Cards Worth Considering

Maybank 2 Premier Card 

Complimentary Golf Access

• Principal cardmembers enjoy complimentary green fees at 20 golf clubs in Malaysia and 80 golf clubs overseas (total 100+ clubs in 23 countries across Asia and beyond).

• The offer is valid until 31 December 2025.

• Cardmembers can play up to two rounds per month at both local and overseas clubs, except for some premium clubs like The Els Club Desaru, Forest City Golf Resort, Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, Saujana Golf & Country Club, and Sentosa Golf Club, which may have different limits.

• Guests receive a 10% discount on green fees when playing with the cardholder.

Paying Guest Policy

• No paying guest required in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

• One paying guest required in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

• Two paying guests required in Australia, China, UAE, Turkey, South Africa, Spain, USA, UK, France, Portugal, and Denmark.

Minimum Spend Requirement

• Cardmembers must achieve a minimum spend of RM5,000 in the previous calendar month to be eligible to book golf rounds.

• Only bookings made through Maybank Premier Card Services qualify for complimentary green fees. Tee times booked through club members or direct club bookings transferred to cardmembers are not eligible.

Booking Rules

• For Malaysian golf clubs, cardmembers can book one flight (group) per booking and must complete the current game before booking the next.

• Overseas bookings are subject to specific limits and availability.

• Tee times are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Participating Golf Clubs

• Over 100 golf clubs across Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia, UAE, USA, and more.

• Popular clubs include Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, Saujana Golf & Country Club, Sentosa Golf Club, Forest City Golf Resort, The Els Club Desaru, among others.

• For a full list, cardmembers should contact Maybank Premier Card Services.

Standard Chartered Priority Banking Visa Infinite Card 

Golf Benefits

• 50% off weekday green fees at 50 participating golf clubs across Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. This discount applies when you pay with your Visa Infinite Credit Card.

• In some markets (e.g., India), Priority Banking Visa Infinite cardholders enjoy 2 complimentary golf games per month, including 1 game with a guest, at around 20 golf courses, plus 1 complimentary coaching lesson per month.

• The golf privileges are part of the card’s lifestyle offering, designed to appeal to golf enthusiasts in the region.

Other Credit Cards with Golf Benefits in Asia

1. Mastercard Southeast Asia Golf Program (World and World Elite Mastercard)

• World Mastercard cardholders enjoy 50% discounted green fees or golf lessons at around 42 premium golf clubs across Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar).

• Limited to 4 discounted rounds or lessons per calendar year.

• Bookings must be made through the official platform: mastercardSEAgolf.apexlynx.net.

• No direct contact with golf clubs allowed for bookings.

• World Elite Mastercard holders enjoy complimentary green fees or golf lessons at participating clubs.

• Participating clubs include top courses in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and more.

2. CIMB World Mastercard (Malaysia)

• Offers 50% off green fees at 25 golf courses across 9 countries in Asia.

• Access to the Mastercard Southeast Asia Golf Program.

• Earn travel rewards and up to 1.5% cash rebate on overseas spending.

3. American Express Platinum Card (Singapore and Region)

• Complimentary green fees at 5 golf clubs in Singapore and 52 regional golf clubs on weekdays.

• Requires one paying guest on weekdays and two on weekends.

• Bookings via Platinum Concierge.

• Benefit valid through December 31, 2025.

4. AFFIN World Mastercard and AFFIN Visa Business Platinum (Malaysia)

• Complimentary green fees for up to 3 rounds per month.

• Ability to convert airline miles and redeem flights.

• Access to exclusive golf privileges and discounts.

• Unlimited complimentary green fees with AFFIN Invicta card.

Maximizing Your Benefits Like a Pro

1. The Calendar Game
   • Track your quarterly limits across cards
   • Rotate cards to maximize free rounds
   • Keep a spreadsheet (yes this is key)

2. Booking Windows
   • Set reminders for booking windows
   • Have backup dates ready
   • Book weekday rounds when weekend slots are full

3. Avoiding Restrictions
   • Watch out for blackout dates (especially during holidays)
   • Check minimum spend requirements monthly
   • Keep track of cancellation policies (some cards penalise no-shows)

The Fine Print (Those Details That Nobody Reads But Should)

• Golf Flight requirements: Most cards require 2-4 players
• Advance booking: Usually 3-7 days
• Cancellation fees: Can be steep (make sure all the group are locked in)
• Peak period surcharges: Usually weekends and public holidays

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. The Minimum Spend Trap
   Don't fall into the "spend more to save more" mindset.

2. The Availability Assumption
   Popular courses get booked fast. Having multiple cards gives you backup options when your first choice is unavailable.

3. The Hidden Costs
   Remember to factor in:
   • Annual card fees
   • Caddie fees (rarely included)
   • Cart fees (sometimes mandatory)
   • F&B minimum spend

Making the Most of Your Card Portfolio

The ideal setup I've found:
• One premium card for weekend games
• One mid-tier card for weekday rounds
• One backup card for last-minute bookings

There you have it, don't let the initial setup scare you away - it's way simpler than you'd think! A little organisation is all it takes to unlock access to Asia's premier courses at massive discounts or even zero cost. The hardest part? Just getting started. After that, you'll be wondering why you didn't do this sooner!

That’s all for Today

I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Caddie’s Playbook Please share the newsletter with at least one of your golfing buddies and maybe they too can save some money on their next round in Asia.

The Caddie