A bevy of new and global-standard golf courses ups the game quotient in China, finds Paul Mooney
While the golf around the world is experiencing a turndown due to the economic crisis, the sport is enjoying a resurgence in China. A bevy of new golf courses with amazing scenery – designed by golf greats such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Greg Norman – is springing up throughout the country. China’s state-of-the-art links have also attracted world-class golf competitions such as the HSBC Champions Tournament in November and the Omega World Golf Championships through 2018.
Here are six of the best places to swing a club in China.
JADE DRAGON SNOW MOUNTAIN GOLF CLUB
WHERE IS IT? In tourist paradise Lijiang, Yunnan province.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Located 3,100m above sea level at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, with gentle pine-covered hills, mountain streams and snow-capped peaks serving as a backdrop, this has to be one of the world’s most spectacular golf courses. The weather is pleasant year-round, the air is clean and the humidity low.
The 18-hole course, designed by Neil Haworth, is the longest in the world, stretching 7,816m. But this is not a problem as in the thin Himalayan air, everyone here hits the ball some 20 percent further.
CONTACT Ganhaizi, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lijiang, Yunnan, tel 86 888 513 1888, 86 888 516 3666, www.ljxsgolf.com (Chinese language only)
PRICES Weekdays CNY650 (US$95), weekends CNY730 (US$107)
CLUB HIRE CNY200-600 (US$29-88)
CLUB HOURS 7.50am-7pm
MINIMUM HANDICAP No
FACILITIES 18 holes (par 72, 7,816m) and a driving range.
AFTER THE GOLF The clubhouse was built using local crafts and artefacts, giving the facility a unique ambience. Take advantage of being in the area to explore Lijiang, a rustic old canal town with wonderful traditional Naxi architecture and culture, and Tiger Leaping Gorge with its breathtaking views.
CHUNGSHAN HOT SPRING GOLF CLUB
WHERE IS IT? Zhongshan City, Guangdong province, just two hours from Hongkong or Macau by fast ferry.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Chungshan Hot Spring Golf Club was the first modern golf course to open in China (1984) and it’s also the only club to boast courses designed by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. With the exception of the incredibly long par 4, 1st (394m), the Palmer Course is short with an emphasis on hitting the ball straight rather than being able to push it several hundred metres. The layout is not overly challenging. There are few bunkers and the terrain is somewhat flat. That said, there are a number of holes that manage to surprise. The fairways are also quite narrow.
The Nicklaus Course is considered by many to be the best all-round test of course in China. Unlike the Palmer course, the Nicklaus is long and wide (par 71-72, 3,072m) and has lots of water, hundreds of bunkers and many rolling hills. According to one golf expert, “number 18 is one of the greatest finishing holes anywhere”.
CONTACT Sanxiang Commune, Zhongshan City, Guangdong province, tel 86 760 8669 0055, www.cshsgc.com.cn
PRICES Weekdays CNY550 (US$80), weekends CNY680 (US$99) with a member only; caddie CNY145/175 (US$21/25), cart CNY165/220 (US$24/32)
CLUB HIRE 18 holes CNY200 (US$29), nine holes CNY130 (US$19)
CLUB HOURS Weekdays 6am-8pm, Saturday-Sunday 6am-10.30pm
MINIMUM HANDICAP None
FACILITIES Two 18-hole courses: Palmer Course (par 71, 5,929m) and Nicklaus Course (par 72, 6,396m). The Palmer Course has a lake driving range, while the Nicklaus has an all-turf range and three practice holes for warming up.
AFTER THE GOLF Players have access to a Spanish hacienda-style clubhouse, meeting room and multi-function room. After your round, try the tennis courts, hot spring pool, steam sauna, spa bath and massage area.
MISSION HILLS
WHERE IS IT? Shenzhen, a 30-minute drive from Hongkong.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Mission Hills, with its 12 courses (18 holes, par 54-72 ranging from 2,188m to 6,693m), is the largest golf complex in the world. The club’s 12 courses have been designed by golf giants such as Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo, David Leadbetter and Annika Sorenstam. Mission Hills has hosted more than 30 international tournaments, including the 1995 World Cup of Golf and the Tiger Woods China Challenge. The Jose Maria Olazabal Course will hold the Omega World Golf Championships through 2018.
The Norman Course is a combination of style and nature. The front nine holes run through mountain ridges and the hillside, while the last nine holes trek through a valley. The narrow fairways, edged by long grass and thick forest vegetation, have given the course the distinction of being the toughest in Asia.
CONTACT 1 Mission Hills Road, Shenzhen, 86 755 2802 0888 ext 33333, www.missionhillsgroup.com
PRICES Weekdays CNY1,710 (US$250) for members or guests of the resort onsite, including caddy, cart, locker fee and green fees; weekends CNY2,130 (US$312)
CLUB HIRE CNY220 (US$32) per set
CLUB HOURS 6.15am-midnight
MINIMUM HANDICAP None
FACILITIES 12 18-hole courses, a 64-bay floodlit driving range and two natural turf ranges with multi-tiered playing surfaces. The club is home to the David Leadbetter Golf Academy.
AFTER THE GOLF The Mission Hills Resort and Spa is a 315-room, five-star property attached to the sprawling clubhouse. It boasts the largest pro-shop in Asia, a badminton hall, swimming pools, gym and a spa at the adjacent country club. Seven restaurants and a bar are also available.
SHESHAN GOLF CLUB
WHERE IS IT? A 20-minute drive from downtown Shanghai.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? The challenging 18-hole Nelson & Haworth layout has a total length of 6,529m. The course has been built to as high as 20m to add interesting shot variations to the fairways, which are wide and rolling. The course, which is covered with some 10,000 exotic trees, has wonderful views.
A 1,000-year-old ginkgo tree graces hole four, while on the left of the par 3 number 4 is an ancient canal, filled with old sampans moving slowly towards the village at the bottom of the mountain. Holes 16 and 17 traverse a 50m-deep rock quarry and offer views of the historic Catholic Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan, which was built in 1857.
Just last month, Tiger Woods led an array of golf greats at the HSBC Champions Tournament.
CONTACT 1999 Linyin Avenue, Sheshan National Holiday Zone, Shanghai, tel 86 21 5779 8088, www.sheshangolf.com/en
PRICES Weekdays CNY1,080 (US$158), weekends CNY1,580 (US$231)
CLUB HIRE Taylormade CNY600 (US$88), Calloway CNY450 (US$66)
CLUB HOURS 6am-7pm
MINIMUM HANDICAP 26
FACILITIES A golf academy, driving ranges and pro shop.
AFTER THE GOLF Besides the 18 holes (par 72, 6,529m), the 145.68ha property also comprises villas, townhouses and mansions built in French, Spanish, Tuscan and “Palazzo” architectural styles as well as The Lodge, a boutique hotel. There are tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a pro shop, a posh health club and conference centre. Try the Vita Spa after a hard day on the links.
SPRING CITY GOLF AND LAKE RESORT
WHERE IS IT? An hour’s drive from Kunming.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Situated on the banks of the Yangzong Lake, this golf resort boasts mountain and lake views in a beautiful year-round spring climate. Golf Digest in the US ranked Spring City Golf the number one golf course in China.
The Mountain Course was designed by Jack Nicklaus, while the Lake Course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Measuring longer at 6,815m than the Lake Course (6,587m), the Jack Nicklaus Mountain Course, an 18-hole
par-72 course, is framed by pine trees and rock outcroppings complemented by wonderful views of the mountain and lake. The main features here are elevated tee boxes and bentgrass-covered greens, generous fairways, and a good number of bunkers and grassy hollows that will pose an interesting challenge to golfers.
CONTACT Tangchi, Yiliang, Kunming, Yunnan province, tel 86 871 767 1188, www.springcityresort.com/home.aspx
PRICES Guests staying at the resort: weekdays CNY620 (US$90), weekends and the eve and day of public holidays CNY810 (US$118); others: weekdays CNY1,640 (US$240), weekends and the eve and day of public holidays CNY1,940 (US$284).
CLUB HIRE Taylormade CNY200-300 (US$29-US$44).
CLUB HOURS 7am-7pm
MINIMUM HANDICAP None
FACILITIES Two championship golf courses, Mountain Course (par 72, 6,815m) and Lake Course (par 72, 6,587m), and the golf academy.
AFTER THE GOLF A luxurious clubhouse, beautiful lodges, excellent Chinese and Western dining and a wide range of recreational facilities. If you have time, visit the nearby Stone Forest, a remarkable set of karst formations.
SUN VALLEY SANYA GOLF RESORT
WHERE IS IT? Located 30 minutes from the Sanya Phoenix Airport and 20 minutes from the city of Sanya on Hainan Island.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Overlooking Yalong Bay Basin, Sun Valley – which is shaped like a dragon’s claw – features a beautiful winding river, 98 bunkers and lush green surroundings. Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, this is considered one of the top 10 courses in China. The development spans almost 200ha, including the island’s most challenging 18th hole – a 757m monster that is China’s only par 6. You can also test your clubs on the Lakes Nine Course or Mountain Nine Course, each with challenging bunkers, rolling fairways and amazing views.
CONTACT Yalong Bay National Resort District, Sanya City, Hainan, tel 86 898 8856 4488, www.sunvalleygolfresort.com
PRICES Daily CNY1,200 (US$176); cart CNY200 (US$29), caddy fee CNY200 (US$29).
CLUB HIRE Mizuno CNY250 (US$36)
CLUB HOURS 6.30am-7pm
MINIMUM HANDICAP None
FACILITIES 27 holes (par 73, 7,875m), putting green, driving range and a pro shop.
AFTER THE GOLF The main facilities at Sun Valley golf resort include Chinese and Western dining, a club bar, sauna and billiards. Hainan, a tropical island at the southern end of China, also has crystal-clear waters and long stretches of golden beaches.
