Golf in China

Featuring the worlds largest golf club in Mission Hills Golf Club, Shenzhen, Golf in China is set to become one of Asia’s most popular golf destinations. For more information check out:

Whilst there are claims that the game was invented by the Chinese in the tenth century, during the Cultural Revolution, Golf in China was banned for being associated with British colonialism and the decadent bourgeoisie. After 1984, however, several courses have popped up around the country. Nowadays there are about 180 golf clubs in China. Generally, handicap cards are not required to play on courses in mainland China however, they are required within Macau and Hong Kong.

As the China golf courses in Asia are fairly busy, the main requirement is to keep up the speed of play. Don’t be surprised to be tailed by a marshal if you don’t. Due to its proximity to Hong Kong, Shenzhen has many golf courses. Noble Merchant and Sand River are very close to each other, a 20 minute taxi ride from both Lo Wu and the Shekou ferry terminal. Noble Merchant is a very forgiving course, good for beginners.

At 216 holes, the Mission Hills Golf Club, outside the city of Shenzhen, China, is rated by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest golf club. By itself, that claim to fame doesn’t mean very much, but a look at the list of designers of various 18 hole sections of the course will tell you that this is an exceptional club by anyone’s standards. Here are a few names attached to Mission Hills various tracks: Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Annika Sorenstam, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, Nick Faldo, Jose Maria Olazabal, David Daval, Jumbo Ozaki, and David Leadbetter.

Come to China to see some of history’s greatest monuments, some of the finest geography there is, to enjoy great food, to soak up some ancient culture, and especially come to spend some quality time with your new Chinese girlfriend, but if you want to get a little golf in while you’re here, you’d better plan on an extra 12 days, because at 18 holes a day that’s how long it will take you to play this magnificent golf club.

The game of golf in China is gaining popularity in leaps and bounds, and like anything else, when the Chinese take a liking to something they quickly make it their own, so don’t be surprised to find Chinese professional golfers ranking among the best in World Cup of Golf events in years to come. And don’t be surprised if soon China has as many golfers and golf courses as any country in the world because Mission Hills Golf Club is just the beginning.