Cover From picturesque vistas to challenging courses, here are some of the best golf courses in Asia you'll want to play on (Photo: The Club at Nine Bridges / Facebook)
From picturesque vistas to challenging courses, here are some of the best golf courses in Asia you'll want to play on (Photo: The Club at Nine Bridges / Facebook)
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From picturesque vistas to challenging courses, here are some of the best golf courses in Asia to tee off at
When it comes to golf courses, no two are built the same. In Asia, you’ll find a plethora of unique courses that promise to challenge all aspects of your golf skills. What’s more, these stunning courses offer breathtaking scenic views to take in between rounds.
Head to Japan to play some of the most private golf courses designed by legendary golfers. Or, visit Hainan, for Shanqing Bay, the only course in China that’s been ranked in the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World. Closer to home, find Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Course, a beautifully designed course overlooking downtown Singapore.
From the most exclusive to the most challenging, here are some of the best golf courses to visit in Asia.
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1. Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Course, Singapore
The winner of the World’s Best Golf Course title at the World Golf Awards (WGA) in 2023, Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Course is an 18-hole masterpiece originally designed by Ronald Fream. A staple in the Singapore golf community, the course stretches 6,765 metres in length and is designed with fairway mounding and lakes with stone-lined walls. Here, you’ll get to play a game against the backdrop of downtown Singapore.
2. Hirono Golf Club, Japan
Designed by legendary golfer Charles Alison, this private golf course is considered one of the top three courses in Japan. Measuring 7,069 yards, the 18-hole course has a timeless layout with well-manicured fairways, strategically placed bunkers and ominous long holes. The challenging course is nestled amongst beautifully lush forests and rolling hills.
3. Kawana Hotel Golf Course’s Fuji Course, Japan
Opened in 1936, this popular course takes advantage of the site’s wonders, offering breathtaking views of Mount Fuji and the Pacific Ocean. Over the years, the impressive course has earned local and international acclaim for its dramatic slopes, beautiful views and deep bunkers. Its 15th hole offers one of the most scenic views, with a par 5, 480 yards long, running downhill between clifftops and dense foliage.
4. The Club at Nine Bridges, South Korea
Situated at the foot of Mount Halla, Nine Bridges has made a name for itself as one of the most exclusive private courses both in Korea and around the world. Located on Jeju Island, the nature-friendly course comprises two 9-hole courses: Creek Course and Highland Course. The former offers deep green fairways, generous landing zones and over 100 bunkers while the latter features holes surrounded by maple, oak and kryptomeria trees.
5. Shanqin Bay Golf Club, Hainan China
The only golf course in China ranked in the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World, this exclusive 18-hole course is bordered by the sea and overlooks the Zhengmen Sea. Find natural yet strategically placed long and short holes alongside sparse fairway bunkering, dense vegetation and narrow greens. The 18th hole is its most iconic, with a 309 yard par 5 that requires precise accuracy. The club is also home to a driving range, bunker practice area and putting greens designed to imitate the course itself.
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Amanda Goh was the former senior writer for Tatler Singapore.
