The number of golf courses in the Southeast Asian city-state of Singapore has grown dramatically in the last few decades. The 1990s was particularly significant both in terms of the number of new courses that was built and the intensity of public opposition against these courses. This article outlines the politics between the opponents and proponents of golf courses based on two contrasting case studies. It highlights the predominant representations of golf courses promulgated by golf proponents and contrary images held by activists and the general public. Through analyzing newspaper reports and interviews with planners, golf course managers and activists, this article shows how the politics of golf course has become more consensual than confrontational since the 2000s. The reasons for this subtle shift are also explored. The article considers the extent to which such “consensual politics” is a conscious tactic used by planners and golf proponents to circumvent and manage dissent toward the construction of new golf courses.
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