Golf is currently one of the fastest growing industries in China. Golf courses are being built at a startling pace. There are more than 400 golf courses in China and about 100 are under construction. The majority of golf courses are concentrated in the wealthy or temperate eastern and southern provinces, such as Guangdong, Hainan and Yunnan. Big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen also boast many courses. China Highlights has listed for you golf courses considered to be the best in China. Contact us for a customized tour.
1. The Dunes at Shenzhou Peninsula
- Location: Wanning, Hainan Island, South China
- Designer: Tom Weiskopf
The Dunes at Shenzhou Peninsula was ranked the third place among Top 10 New International Golf Courses in 2010 by U.S Golf magazine. The magazine describes, "This gently contoured Tom Weiskopf design is built entirely on natural sand. Among the enticements are artfully sculpted bunkers and transition areas, boulder outcroppings and several memorable holes along the South China Sea, including the drivable par-4 15th and the rugged par-4 16th which hugs a wide, empty beach, with waves loudly lapping at the right side."
2. Spring City Golf & Lake Resort
- Location: Kunming, Yunnan Province, Southwest China
- Designers: Jack Nicklaus (mountain course) and Robert Trent Jones Jr. (lake course)
Kunming City boasts cool and temperate spring-like weather all year round. With a stunning lake view and mountain backdrop, Spring City Golf and Lake Resort is a premier integrated golf resort consists of luxury villas and two championship golf courses (mountain course and lake course). Both courses have received over 80 world class awards in the past decade, and is a venue for several major tournaments and corporate meetings. US Golf Digest awarded the Lake Course as "100 Best Golf Courses outside the United States".
3. Mission Hills Shenzhen
- Location: between cities of Shenzhen and Dongguan, South China
- Designers: 12 world top golf players
Mission Hills China is China's top rated golf and leisure resort, and the world's largest golf club according to the Guinness World Records in 2004. It is also the host, promoter and underwriter of several major golf tournaments, including the Omega Mission Hills World Cup from 2007 to 2009, and Asian Amateur Championship. It now has 12 courses, each designed by a different top golf player in the world, including Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and David Leadbetter.
4. Jinshi Golf Club
- Location: Dalian, Liaoning Province, Northeast China
- Designers: Peter L.H. Thompson and Zhu Zongying
Also known as Dalian Golden Pebble Beach Golf Club, it is China's first waterfront golf course is located on the picturesque and dramatic peninsular coast line of Dalian near Huanghai Sea. With beautiful natural coastal landscape, excellent design and unique hill features, Jinshi Golf Club was listed into the world's top ten courses and seven paths were listed into world top 100 paths in the second year after its opening
5. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club
- Location: Lijiang, Yunnan Province, Southwest China
- Designer: Neil Haworth
It is located at Ganhaizi at the foot of the stunning Jade Dragon Snow Mountain near Lijiang ancient town. It is one of the most unique golf courses in China with location near snow mountain and ethnic villages. The golf course is situated at 3100 meters above sea level, and was designed with 18 holes; with par 72 spreading 8,548 yards in length - a new world record. The weather at the golf course is moderate and pleasant for all seasons.
6. Sheshan International Golf Club
- Location: Shanghai, East China
- Designer: Nelson & Haworth Design
Sheshan International Golf Club is Shanghai's first and most exclusive private golf club. The club boasts a world-class championship course and clubhouse. Since 2006 the course hosts the annual WGC-HSBC Champions, which is a World Golf Championship event. Asian Golf Monthly 2008 Awards named it the Best Maintained Course in Asia, Best Championship Course in Asia and Best Clubhouse in Asia.
7. Mission Hills Haikou
- Location: Haikou, Hainan Island, South China
- Designer: Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley
Mission Hills Haikou currently has three 18-hole championship golf courses. Drawing inspiration from iconic international designs, the courses are perched on a bed of ancient lava rock, highlighting the area's volcanic origins and creating a truly unique golf environment. Players of all skill levels will enjoy the variety of layouts featured at Mission Hills Haikou.
8. Pine Valley Golf Resort & Country Club
- Location: Beijing, North China
- Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Pine valley golf club is the first by-invitation-only golf club in China, featuring world class course design, private club space and international standard management team. It offers stunning views of Badaling Great Wall and the surrounding mountains. Pine Valley was the venue for the inaugural Volkswagen Masters and Johnnie Walker Classic.
9. Dragon Lake Golf Club
- Location: Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, South China
- Designer: Dick Davidson
The large Scottish style golf club is back-dropped by a lush rolling mountain range with trees scattered around. It is surrounded by Dragon Lake. The combination of the picturesque landscape and a golf course fully immersed with the natural environment provides a perfect escape from the city hustle and bustle while allowing you to swing to your heart's content.
