Although eating and shopping are named as Singaporean's favorite pastimes, there are other things to do in Singapore. It is now common for both Singaporeans and expatriates to be seen going for short diving trips, dirt biking, water-skiing, and rock-climbing, among other things, when given the chance. This active lifestyle is complemented by another growing Singaporean pastime, spectator sport. Singapore is the place to enjoy all thrills and spills with the local S-League, the English Premier League, and even world class events such as the Johnnie Walker Classic and Heineken Tennis Open.
Singapore has numerous private and country clubs with excellent sporting facilities. But the island is blessed with fine public facilities too, especially in various housing estates. Community centers have essential sporting facilities and are open to the public for usage.
Badminton
Badminton is a popular sport in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, the region has produced some world champions for this sport. There are several badminton courts available in the community centers around Singapore. However, the Singapore Badminton Hall, located on Guilemard Road, are open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Bookings are essential.
Bowling
Singapore has over 20 bowling centers with each offering more than 20 lanes. Bowling is quite a popular game in Singapore. Most bowling centers open as early as 9 a.m. and close between 1-2 a.m. There are a few which operate 24 hours; these are usually found in the Marina South area. The cost per game ranges from S$3 to S$3.80. This is not inclusive of shoe rentals.
Cycling
As cycling paths link many parts of the island, cycling has become a modest mode of transportation. However, most Singaporeans regard cycling as a recreational activity. During the weekends, one would be able to see locals cycling through the various parks available in Singapore. The more serious bikers may be seen cycling on the nearby islands, such as Pulau Ubin, as it offers the possibilities of mountain or dirt biking. Those who do not own bicycles need not fear as bicycles can be rented at a number of public parks, including those at East Coast Park, Sentosa, Pasir Ris, and Bishan.
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Water Sports
Some of the most popular sports in Singapore are water-based. Round-the-island canoe trips are a rage, as are the thrills of water-skiing off Sembawang and Kallang River. Swimming is also popular as Singapore has a number of beaches for swimming. Visitors should visit East Coast Park, Changi Village, or Sentosa Island. Furthermore, Singapore also has a variety of public swimming pools, where admission is only S$1! Private operators do provide canoeing, water-skiing, scuba diving, and windsurfing facilities. They can be found throughout the parks in Singapore, as well as on the nearby islands.
Golf
As Singaporeans have become increasingly interested in the game of golf, there are world-class golf courses available throughout the island. Singapore does have quite a number of golf courses although some are only open for members. However, in most clubs, non-members are allowed to play for special fees, which range between S$50 and S$200. Apart from clubs, there is also a number of driving ranges in Singapore. Visitors can thus practice their drives for as little as S$2 for 50 balls. Do note that weekend slots are usually difficult to acquire or strictly reserved for members. Many clubs also require visitors to hold a handicap or proficiency certificate from a recognized club.
Horse Racing
The Singapore Turf Club offers visitors the opportunity to witness on site racing, as well as telecasts of Malaysian races. However, a strict dress code is implemented and must be observed by all visitors. In the public standards, shorts, singlets, and slippers are not allowed, whereas smart casual is the dress code for Members' Enclosure. Races take place on weekends only and they usually start at 1:30 p.m. The last race is at 6 p.m.
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