The Philippines has launched a new online golf reservation platform that brings 79 golf courses into one booking system, giving local and international players a simpler way to arrange tee times while supporting the country’s growing sports tourism push.
The platform, called Golaman, was developed by Korean-led company Philippine Golf Resort Reservations (PGRR) and officially launched at the Philippine Sports Commission House on Friday, August 7. It covers courses in Manila, Tagaytay, Clark and Subic, Batangas, Cebu and Davao.
The Android app is already available through the Google Play Store and is expected to be fully online by September 15, 2026, according to PGRR CEO Aaron Kim.
What Golaman offers golfers
Golaman is designed to make golf reservations easier by placing participating courses on one digital platform instead of requiring users to contact individual clubs separately.
The initial network includes 79 courses across several of the Philippines’ main golf destinations. Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio said more clubs are expected to join, noting that the country has more than 120 golf courses in total.
Gregorio said the project had been discussed for around 12 months and described the launch as an important collaboration between sports and tourism stakeholders.
For travelers planning multi-course golf trips, a single booking system could make it easier to organize tee times across different regions. That could be particularly useful for visitors combining golf with stays in Tagaytay, Clark, Subic, Cebu, Davao and other tourism destinations.
Philippines targets a bigger share of golf tourism
PGRR CEO Aaron Kim said the platform could help position the Philippines alongside established Asian golf destinations such as Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.
The initiative fits into a wider tourism strategy. In 2025, the Department of Tourism launched the Philippine Golf Experience, an official effort to promote the country’s courses and connect golf more closely with tourism.
Interest in golf across the wider Asia-Pacific region has also been reinforced by major tournaments, including Daniel Hillier’s victory at the 2026 New Zealand Open.
Golf tourism can generate spending well beyond green fees. Visiting players may also spend on hotels, restaurants, domestic flights, transport, caddies and local attractions, which is why officials are treating the booking platform as part of a broader tourism and business opportunity.
Similar sports-led travel patterns can be seen around other major events, including 2026 FIFA World Cup travel preparations in Canada, where transport, accommodation and visitor planning form an important part of the event economy.
Officials see Golaman as more than a booking app
National Golf Association of the Philippines President Al Panlilio said Golaman should be seen as part of a national golf tourism initiative rather than simply a reservation platform.
He said the project could help promote the Philippines internationally, attract more tourists, generate business and create jobs while also supporting the development of local golfers.
PGRR has also pledged to share a percentage of revenue with the Philippine Sports Commission and the National Golf Association of the Philippines for grassroots golf development.
Tourism Promotions Board COO Marga Nograles said golf can act as a gateway for visitors to experience Philippine culture as well as the country’s golf courses, reinforcing the effort to connect sport with wider destination marketing.
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Golf clubs, airlines and travel groups joined the launch
The event brought together representatives from government, sports, golf clubs, airlines and the travel industry.
Among those present were PGRR CEO Aaron Kim, PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio, NGAP President Al Panlilio, NGAP Secretary-General Bones Floro, Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Arrey Perez and Tourism Promotions Board COO Marga Nograles.
Golf course representatives included Lakewood, Pradera, Subic International, Mimosa Plus, South Pacific, Philippine Navy, Villamor and Mt. Malarayat.
Airlines represented at the launch included Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Sunlight Air, Jeju Air, Singapore Airlines and Korean Air, while travel company Hana Tour was also in attendance.
The involvement of airlines and travel operators underlines the tourism angle behind the platform, particularly for overseas golfers who may need flights, accommodation and local transport alongside course reservations.
What users should know before booking
Although Golaman is already available on Android, several practical details have not yet been publicly explained in the launch information, including booking fees, payment methods, cancellation rules and how individual golf club policies will be handled.
No iPhone or iOS launch date was announced, so Apple users should wait for an official update.
The next major milestone is September 15, when the platform is expected to be fully online. After that, the key test will be whether more clubs join, how consistently tee times are available and whether international golfers use Golaman when planning trips to the Philippines.
If adoption grows beyond the initial 79 courses, Golaman could become an important digital gateway for Philippine golf, linking sports development, tourism and travel planning in one system.
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