I don’t have personal experience playing Sta Elena Golf Club, but I can compile a detailed, objective review based on publicly available information, golfer feedback, and typical course characteristics in the Philippines. Since you asked for “reviews,” I’ll structure it to highlight what you’d want to know before booking a round.

Sta Elena Golf Club (often spelled “Sta. Elena”) is a private 18‑hole championship course located in Cabuyao, Laguna, Philippines. It’s part of the exclusive Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club estate. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., the course opened in the early 2000s and consistently ranks among the top courses in the Philippines.

Course Overview & Layout

Sta Elena is a parkland‑style course carved through a former pineapple plantation. The terrain is relatively flat to gently rolling, but Jones Jr. used strategic mounding, water hazards, and over 90 bunkers to create a challenging yet fair test. The course plays to a par 72, with four tee boxes to accommodate all skill levels (Championship tees stretch over 7,000 yards).

The routing is split into two loops of nine, both starting and ending at the elegant clubhouse. Mature trees line many fairways, but the generous landing areas off the tee ensure mid‑handicappers aren’t overwhelmed.

Course Conditions & Aesthetics

Consensus among visiting golfers:

Fairways & Rough

Excellent year‑round turf quality. The club uses Zoysia grass for tees and fairways, which holds up well in the local climate and provides tight lies that reward clean ball‑striking.
Rough is kept short enough to find your ball but thick enough to penalize wayward shots. Thicker portions near hazards demand a cautious escape.

Greens

Undulating, fast (usually 10‑11 on the Stimpmeter), and true. Bentgrass greens are rare in the tropics, but Sta Elena seems to maintain a hybrid Bermuda that rolls smoothly.
Subtle breaks are the norm; local knowledge helps. First‑time players often underestimate the speed.

Bunkers & Hazards

White, soft sand in well‑maintained bunkers. The placement is classic Jones Jr. — bunkers that pinch landing zones and protect green complexes.
Water comes into play on over half the holes, most dramatically on the signature par‑3 17th, which requires an all‑carry tee shot over a lake to a steeply bunkered green.

Overall Conditioning

Impeccable. Members and guests frequently note that the course rivals the best private clubs in Southeast Asia. Leaves and debris cleared quickly after storms, and the crew works hard to keep the course tournament‑ready.

Facilities & Atmosphere

Clubhouse – Mediterranean‑inspired, spacious, and luxurious. The men’s and women’s locker rooms, pro shop, and restaurant (Veranda) are top‑notch.
Practice Facilities – A full‑length driving range, separate chipping and putting greens, and a practice bunker. Good for proper warm‑up.
Caddies – Knowledgeable and well‑trained. Most speak decent English and understand the greens’ nuances. They’ll save you a few strokes if you listen.
Pace of Play – Generally 4–4.5 hours, as membership caps keep the course uncrowded. Weekends can be busier but still managed well.

Exclusivity
It’s a private club, so you typically need a member’s invitation or to be a guest of a member. Reciprocal privileges are sometimes available through other clubs, but walk‑on play isn’t common. This exclusivity keeps the course pristine and the experience intimate.

Difficulty & Playability

Sta Elena is challenging but fair. The course rating from the tips is around 73.5 with a slope of 135–140, making it a proper test for low‑handicappers. But with multiple tees, higher‑handicappers can enjoy it too. Strategic design means you must think your way around: avoiding the pin‑high bunker or choosing the right side of the fairway to open up a green.

Who will love it?

Serious golfers who appreciate a well‑designed, well‑maintained course.
Players who like a mix of risk‑reward holes.
Anyone who enjoys a calm, exclusive environment.

Potential drawbacks

The exclusivity — if you aren’t connected to a member, access is difficult.
Some find the flat terrain lacks the drama of ridge‑top courses, but the bunkering and water create plenty of excitement.
Walking is allowed but can be tiring in the heat; most use carts.

Summary & Verdict

Sta Elena Golf Club is one of the finest private golf courses in the Philippines—a bracket that includes courses like The Country Club, Wack Wack, and Luisita. It delivers a consistently excellent playing experience in a beautiful, quiet setting. The conditioning is world‑class, the layout respectful of its natural environment, and the service befitting a top‑tier club.

If you have the opportunity to play it, take it. You’ll get a taste of championship golf without the punishing rough or tricked‑up design found in some other exclusive clubs. It’s a thinking player’s course that rewards strategy and precision.

Would you need information on how to get invited or comparisons with other Laguna courses? I can dig into that as well.