Following the logical course, golf clubs sprouted around China’s well-known economic hubs, starting with the Pearl River Delta, moving up along the coast to Shanghai and north to the capital. Today, Beijing has its fair share with about 28 of these sporting attractions, most of which can hold their own against their international counterparts. Experience their comprehensive range of amenities, from deluxe clubhouses to five-star accommodation, and you’ll certainly agree.
BEIJING LINKS GOLF CLUB
Where is it? Conveniently located in the Chaoyang district, next to the Asian Games Village. Take the North 4th Ring Road and exit at Jiangzhuanghu, and the club is one block further to the north. The first and only golf course located within urban Beijing, it’s 10 minutes away from city centre and 20 minutes away from Beijing International Airport.
What’s it like? Thanks to its proximity, you will enjoy this course even when running on a tight schedule. Built to international championship standards by Australian architect Peter Thomson, the after-dinner crowd at the driving range proves how popular it is with the neighbours. And despite the high usage level, it’s considered to be well kept and managed. Fairways are built on broad plain landscape with a stream meandering in between holes. Mounting the castle-like green requires precision and control; and the biggest challenge comes with hole 18 where you have to first conquer a large body of water before reaching the greens, so don’t relax too soon.
Address: 88 Jiangzhuang, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China.
Contact: tel 86 10 8463 8888, fax 86 10 84633779, email [email protected]
Price: For guests, playing 18 holes, it costs CNY720 (US$89) on weekdays and CNY1,120 (US$138) on weekends and holidays; 9 holes costs CNY360 (US$44) on weekdays and CNY560 (US$69) on weekends and holidays. Rates include green and caddy fees. Night course lighting surcharge is CNY120 (US$15).
Can I rent clubs? CNY200 (USD25) for a set of clubs. No shoes rental available.
Club hours: 0530 to 2100 daily.
Handicap requirement: 36 or better.
Facilities: An 18-hole par 72 course at length 7,040 yards, of which nine holes are flood lit. Other facilities include a 60-lane driving range, golf shop, fitness centre, sauna room, indoor swimming pool and tennis courts, bridge room, billiard room, cigar bar and a five-star clubhouse.
After the golf: The Chinese and western restaurants are excellent. There are plenty of recreational options to finish off the night. (Our favourite is to soak in the pool.)
Taiwei Sports Resport
Where is it? Located in Changping District to the north of the North 6th Ring Road. Take Shuitunqiao Changping Technology Park Exit if using the Badaling Expressway, then follow Xingshoulu Road (parallel to the Jingmi canals) eastwards to reach the resort on the left. Or take Xiaotangshan Beiyuan Exit if taking the North 6th Ring Road, follow Litang Road northwards then at junction with Xingshoulu Road turn left (westwards). Watch out for the resort on the right. From the CBD, it should take approximately 45 minutes.
What’s it like? Built and shaped by Chinese, without any foreign involvement. Designer Hao Jianbiao learnt his trade from Japan in the 80’s and has several courses around the country under his belt. Some criticise hole 13 par 5 as being unnecessarily difficult, while others enjoy the challenge for control and precision. The Buddha Cup China Golf Challenge is held here. The only facility around Beijing located on hilly terrain, it spans an elevation of 70m with fairways cutting through lovely old persimmon orchards and tranquil woods.
Address: Xiangtang Wenhua Village, Cuicun Town, Changping District, Beijing, China.
Contact: tel 86 10 6072 5566, fax 86 10 6072 4488, email [email protected], www.taiweigolf.com/bj/index.asp
Price: Guests pay CNY740 (US$91) on weekdays and CNY940 (US$116) on weekends and holidays. Rates include green and caddy fees and clubhouse use.
Can I hire clubs? CNY200 (US$25) for a set of clubs and CNY50 (US$6) for shoes.
Club hours: 0600 to 1640 to 1630 (9 holes starting only at 1630). Closed on Mondays.
Handicap requirements: 40 or better.
Facilities: A challenging 18-hole par 72 course at length 7,010 yards. Other facilities include a driving range, golf shop, fitness centre and a five-star clubhouse with 30 luxurious suites.
After the golf? Plenty to do. There is a choice of Chinese or western cuisine, but the barbecue in the open garden is more interesting to do. Enjoy a sauna or massage. The beauty salon may come in handy for those needing to spruce up for an important meeting afterwards.
Grand Epoch City Golf Garden
Where is it? It’s connected by a network of expressways east of Beijing and is 50km from the city and 70km from the port city of Tianjin. But don’t sweat – take a taxi or club shuttle. From Beijing International Airport, the ride is about 25 minutes.
What’s it like? The facility is part of a huge development project – recreating Beijing during the Ming and Qing dynasties – that consists of deluxe hotels, club houses, convention halls, exhibition centres, shopping arcades and even a film studio. Be warned that the course is not easy as it appears. Watch out for the undulating landscape, dispersed water hazards and bunkers while approaching the greens. A flood-lit course allows playing after dark.
Address: Anping Economic & Technology Development Zone, Tongzhou District South, Beijing, China.
Contact: tel 86 316 8588888, fax 86 10 8056 6937.
Price: Visitors pay CNY780 (US$96) on weekdays and CNY1,080 (US$133) on weekends and holidays. Prices cover green and caddy’s fees as well as a facility maintenance charge.
Can I hire clubs? CNY200 (US$25) for clubs and CNY50 (US$6) for shoes.
Club hours? 0620 to 1600 (9 holes only starting 1600). Open daily. Night course is opened only during special occasions.
Handicap requirements: None unless during competitions.
Facilities: Main Course, designer Jim Wilchire, 18-hole par 72, length 7,139 yards. In addition, there is a 3,590 yards long nine-hole par 36 flood-lit night course. Other facilities include a driving range, golf shop, bridge room, fitness centre and a deluxe hotel.
After the golf? Chinese and western cuisine are available at the club restaurants.
LongLongxi Hot Spring Golf Club
Where is it? In Daxing district southwest of Beijing. Take the Jingkai Expressway and get off at Longgezhuang Exit. Follow the road for 2km before turning right at Guaxiang Bridge. Then it’s another 1.6km ahead. From the CBD, a car ride should take about an hour.
What’s it like? Surrounded by watermelon fields as far as the eye can see, thus offering perhaps the most authentic rural environment of all Beijing’s golf clubs. Opened not too long ago, it’s been receiving good feedback from those who’ve enjoyed the delightful experience of playing in the midst of pear orchards and white poplar groves. Responsible for the course is the Australian company LCW Golf Design. We find the number 9 hole most interesting because it offers a choice of two fairways. While one appeals with the comfort of ease and guarantee of in-regulation performance, the other seduces with brilliant scores at the risks of losing the ball to the foliage that narrow in onto the fairway. Longxi is ideal for a quiet and thoroughly indulgent game.
Address: Guaxianglu Road, Longgezuang Town, Daxing District, Beijing, China.
Contact: tel 86 10 8928 2288, fax 86 10 8928 1155
Price: For visitors, it’s CNY580 (US$72) on weekdays and CNY680 (US$84) on weekends and holidays. Rates include green and caddy fees. And there’s a facility management fee of CNY50 (US$xx) too.
Can I hire clubs? CNY120 (US$15) for a set of clubs and CNY30 (US$4) for shoes.
Club hours? 0545 to 2100 daily.
Handicap requirements: No requirement unless during competitions.
Facilities: A 7,119 yards long 18-hole par 72 course. Other facilities include a bowling centre, a hot spring spa, golf shops, Chinese and western restaurants and a hotel.
After the golf? Food served in the restaurants is good. The on-site hot spring baths provide ultimate relaxation. Remember that Daxing District grows the best watermelons in the area, so don’t forget to end the day on a perfect note munching some.
Beijing Willow Golf Club
Where is it? On the east side of the Summer Palace and Kunming Lake. The North 4th Ring Road cuts through the course in between Huoqiyingqiao bridge and Wanquanheqiao bridge. Entrance of the nine-hole course is 1km east of Huoqiyingqiao bridge, while the 18-hole course is on the northern banks of the Kunyu River.
What’s it like? Near the imperial Summer Palace and Beijing’s “Silicon Valley”, Zhongguancun, this club is one of the best known. The reflections of the Wanshou Mountain and the imperial palaces are frequently seen on the surface of water hazards at various holes. Together with the swaying willow trees and winding paths so typical of Chinese gardens, architect Hideo Sasaki has certainly created a unique facility, with the first nine holes brimming with features such as undulating fairways and changing perspectives that require strategic thinking, precision and control. The last nine, however, are grand and wide, demanding strength and power. Caddies are old hands ¬– consult them before deciding your attack on challenging holes.
Address: No 3 Yuanzili , Haidian District, Beijing, China.
Contact: tel 86 10 8262 8899, fax 86 6265 3184, www.willowgolf.net
Price: For guests, playing 18 holes costs CNY1,000 (US$123) on weekdays and CNY1,400 (US$173) on weekends and holidays. Playing the 9-hole course costs CNY540 (US$67) on weekdays and CNY740 (US$91) on weekends and holidays. Prices include green, caddy and general service fees. A night course lighting surcharge of CNY100 (US$12) applies.
Can I hire clubs? CNY300 (US$37) for a set of clubs and CNY50 (US$6) shoes.
Club hours? 0530 to 2100 daily.
Handicap requirements: None unless during competitions.
Facilities: An 18-hole par 72 course at length 7,202 yards and a flood lit 9-hole par 36 course at length 3,634 yards. Other facilities include a driving range, two luxurious clubhouses, restaurants, bar, sauna room, fitness centre, tennis courts and a large golf shop.
After the golf? Both the Chinese and western cuisine are excellent as is the service.
Huatang International Golf Club
Where is it? Within the Yanjiao Economic Development Zone, east of Beijing, 25 minutes by car from Beijing Capital Airport and 35 minutes from the CBD. Take the Jing-Tong Expressway, then change to Jing-Ha Expressway, exiting immediately after passing the Baimiao Toll Station. Follow the road north. The course is situated along the eastern banks of the Chaobai River.
What’s it like? Following architect Graham Marsh’s plan, the facility has developed into a self-sustaining golf community. Here, anything related to the sport can be obtained such as a vacation home, classes and paraphernalia. The 18-hole course was not only built to international championship standards, but is also versatile enough to accommodate and address all levels of players’ skills.
Address: Sanhe Yanjiao Development Zone, Beijing, China.
Contact: tel 86 10 6159 8888, fax 86 10 6159 3922, email [email protected], www.huatang-golf.com
Price: Visitors are allowed to play only on weekdays at CNY770 (US$95) for an 18-hole game. Rate includes green and caddy fee as well as a 10% service charge. Lately, a special package of CNY330 (US$41) is offered ladies playing on Mondays and includes an 18-hole game, lunch and transportation.
Can I hire clubs? CNY180 (US$22) for a set of clubs and CNY40 (US$5) for shoes.
Club hours? 0600 to 1600 daily.
Handicap requirements: None unless during competitions.
Facilities: An 18-hole par 72 championship course at length 6,899 yards and a driving range. Other facilities include a golf academy, golf shop, beer garden, clubhouse, lodges, swimming pool, tennis courts, restaurants and coffee shop.
After the golf? Chinese and western cuisine are served at the restaurants. Fresh beer at the beer garden is a good treat after the game.
