A round in Asia

Golf, and golf tourism, is on the rise. Michaela Black examines the sport’s popularity in Asia and finds four top courses.

Research released towards the end of 2022 shows golf has surged in popularity in the Asia-Pacific region. Including Oceania, there are more than 24.6 million golfers in the region – and that number continues to climb. It’s no surprise then, to find that Asia is home to a number of impressive golfing venues. Here are four clubs set to deliver premium golfing experiences to players of the sport.

1. Saujana Golf & Country Club – Malaysia

Malaysia is home to over 200 golf courses, and Saujana Golf & Country Club (SGCC) is one of the best, offering two 18hole golf courses: the Palm Course and Bunga Raya Course. Both are exquisitely designed for championship play, crafted by renowned golf course landscape architect Ronald Fream. SGCC has been consistently awarded as Malaysia’s No. 1 Golf Club and is one of the 100 Best Golf Resorts in the world.

The par 72 courses sprawl over 400 acres of Bermuda Fairways and Bermuda Tifdwarf green, with scenic views. The Palm Course is nicknamed “The Cobra” for its challenging layout. It’s beautiful, with mature palm trees covering the expanse, gentle undulating fairways, deep ravines and lightning-fast greens, but don’t let that deceive you. One of its holes, the 172-yard par three second hole, is rated as the Most Difficult Hole in Malaysia. If you’re looking for a challenge, this is it.

The Bunga Raya Course, on the other hand, is nicknamed “The Crocodile”. It features beautiful rolling landscapes and serene pools, adding new dimensions to the game. Consisting of a wide expanse of water and undulating greenery, the course recently underwent renovation, with the new layout design by E&G Parslow. Upgraded features include top-of-the-range golf course technology, Bermuda 419 fairways and Mini Verde Greens.

2. Black Mountain

Golf Club – Thailand

There are more than 250 golf courses within the Kingdom of Thailand, testament to the sport’s growing popularity. One of the recognised best is Black Mountain Golf Club, located 2.5 hours south of Bangkok and situated close to the beach resort of Hua Hin, a long-time vacation spot of the Thai royal family.

The East and North nines form the original 18-hole layout at Black Mountain Golf Club were laid out by Phil Ryan of Pacific Coast Design to cater for championship and resort-style golfers. The nine-hole West course opened for play somewhat later. Six sets of tees means the course is accessible for all levels of player.

Built at the base of a large dormant volcano, the scenery here is spectacular, with rolling terrain and plenty of elevation changes. Creeks are incorporated into the design and distinctive native red grass frames many of the holes. Aquatic hazards are plentiful, the most memorable including the lake surrounding the island green at the par four 4th and the waterfall to the left of the green at the short 11th hole. Many think the East’s long par five 6th is the signature hole at Black Mountain. Played from tees benched into a hillside, it’s downhill all the way to a putting surface that sits behind a sizeable lake.

The clubhouse overlooks the 9th and 18th green of the championship courses. There is also a full practice facility: a grass and mat driving range, chipping green with bunker, and practice green.

3. Hidden Grace Golf Club – China

The growth of golf in China has been immense, with China experiencing the greatest increase in participation of all of the Asian nations. During the Cultural Revolution, golf was banned, only being allowed to return in 1985. The first golf course in China was built in 1984 and now there are around 500 courses across the country and a steadily growing number of players.

One of China’s most exclusive members-only clubs is Hidden Grace Golf Club, formerly known as Genzon Golf Club. Located in Shenzhen, the 36-hole championship golf course has become a venue for international tournaments, including the Shenzhen International and the Volvo China Open. In 2019, the club became the first European Tour Destinations golf course in China. That’s not Hidden Grace’s only first either – the club was certified by GEO (Golf Environment Organization) in October 2020, one of the first clubs in China to receive this certification, bringing it in line with the international standard in terms of sustainability.

Hidden Grace Golf Club was originally designed by Neil Haworth, one of North America’s leading golf course architects. Both the A and B Courses are set around an enormous internal lake, Dragon Lake, which also dominates the view from the clubhouse and is integral to the composition of both layouts. Each course starts on the inland side of the main entrance road, but works its way back to the central property and ends with closing holes set right alongside the banks of the lake, making it a picturesque course to play.

The highlight of the course is the clever use of the lake within design and the routing. With the exception of the first three holes, the opening 12 loop counter-clockwise around the perimeter of the property, before doubling back and playing clockwise along the northern bank. The 15th, 16th and 17th holes occupy an island within the lake, while the 18th returns to the clubhouse along its eastern shore. The flow between holes creates a sense of harmony, or perhaps even grace.

4. Laguna National Golf Resort Club – Singapore Golf is also on the upswing in Singapore, with major tournaments being held in the country on the back of a surge in the sport’s popularity. Despite the country being highly urbanised, 20 golf clubs have carved out enough space to keep the sport growing.

Laguna National Golf Resort Club is a prominent club in the local and regional golf scene, and has been since its inauguration in 1993. As one of Singapore’s premier golf and country clubs, Laguna National boasts two 18-hole championship courses, both of which have won prestigious accolades and hosted several international championships, including the recent DP World Tour Singapore Classic. Andy Dye set out the original 18-hole Masters layout and returned to construct the World Classic course. Billed as “Asia’s Toughest Test”, this stadium course features more than 250 bunkers. The Masters Course at Laguna National, on the other hand, is slightly more forgiving. It is a thoroughly modern, American-style course. Four large lakes define the topography and they influence play on 12 of the holes, making it a challenging course with plenty of water to keep golfers thinking as they play.

There are several course highlights, including the postage stamp green at the 7th, said to be the smallest in Asian golf, and the putting surface on the 13th reputed to be the largest on the continent. Laguna National also has several cuttingedge facilities and services for players, including the 50bay Laguna Practice facility, offering players an innovative session on virtual courses; Laguna Putting, a well-designed nine-hole putting course; and Leadbetter Golf Academy. n

For more information, see www.europeantourdestinations.com