Since golf hit China in 1916, its adoption into most parts of the mainland has risen meteorically and there are now approximately 500 quality courses in the country. Big cities like Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing, and temperate and wealthy provinces like Yunnan, Hainan, and Guangdong have many five-star courses. If you are looking for the best golfing destinations in China to expose you to the finest Chinese culture and architecture, then look no further as below we look at ten courses that will spark your interest, analyzing factors including course quality, landscape, supporting facilities, and course service.
Top 10 Best Golf Courses in China
The Mission Hills Golf Club, Shenzhen
We start with the largest golf course in Asia, The Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen. The top-rated golf and leisure resort spans approximately 20sq km of water and green mountains, designed by recognized golfers such as David Leadbetter, Greg Norman, and Jack Nicklaus. You will enjoy 12, 18-hole championship courses, and it also features facilities like a happy castle for kids, two swimming pools, a five-star hotel, and a tennis court.
Beijing Earls Golf Course
World-renowned designer Mr. Lim Sangha is the brains behind the Beijing Earls Golf Course. The 18-hole course has a grassland lake style on the first nine holes and a forest lake style on the last nine holes, and the 7th and 13th holes link through two water Par-3 putting greens. Facilities include a tennis club, gym, and a Chinese restaurant.
Yangtze River Golf Course, Zhongshan, Guangdong
Zhongshan City’s Yangtze River tourist scenic spot boasts many wonders, and the Yangtze River Golf Course is one of them. The breathtaking design of the course is such that the rivers and the mountains reflect each other, and you will enjoy two 18-hole courses, each with its unique highlights. Facilities include a bowling center, billiards, swimming pools, and tennis courts.
Spring City Lake & Golf Resort
If you are a fan of temperate, cool spring-like weather, head to Spring City Lake & Golf Resort in Kunming City. The Jack Nicklaus and Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed course is one of its kind, boasting a beautiful mountain backdrop and lake view. Of the two championship courses, one is a mountain course, and the other is a lake course, and extra facilities include a sauna and massage center, billiards room, and conference room.
Pine Valley Golf Resort & Country Club
Crowned China’s first by-invitation-only golf club, the Pine Valley Golf Resort & Country Club lives up to its acclaim, boasting an international standard management team, private club space, and world-class course design. You will enjoy scenic views of the Badaling Great Wall, and other facilities include Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Western restaurants, massage and foot baths, and a clubhouse.