Your Insider's GOLF guide
IN Saigon Since 2008
SAIGON INSPIRATION ACTIVITIES GOLF
SAIGON INSPIRATION ACTIVITIES GOLF GOLF IN SAIGON
Golf enthusiasts in Saigon/HCMC do not need to take long trips to the Highlands or coastal cities just to play the game they love. Less than two hours away are some of the most exciting courses in the country. Accompanying these courses are some excellent resorts for golfers that wish to play consecutive days in a row, or enjoy the scenery and relax from city life.
Considered by golfasia.com as the best course in the south, Long Thanh Golf Club & Residential Estate or the Twin Dolves Golf Course is a 36-hole golf course (consisting of the Hill and Lake courses) situated in peaceful countryside. Both courses are designed to test the ability of everyone from beginners to more advanced players, although the Lake’s flatter fields cater more towards less experienced golfers while still offering a challenge. The clubhouse here is considered one of the best in the country, with ample services and amenities.
Forty-five minutes out from the city center golfers will find Vietnam’s first international championship course, Song Be Golf Resort. A challenging feat for even experienced players, this walking course is considered one of the most difficult in the country. Built-in 1994, Song Be houses a modern clubhouse with facilities that overlook the ocean and dunes for resting golfers.
The Bluffs is an 18-hole course situated by Ho Tram Resort Casino Vietnam, so golfers not only get an excellent, Greg Norman-designed golf course, but nine eateries at the casino resort, a plush clubhouse with its own dining facilities, and one of the best course layouts in the South. Play in a natural setting twined with Oceanside dunes and natural obstacles like coastal winds that challenge even adept players. The casino resort offers free transportation for the two-hour ride over from the city center.
The Vietnam Golf & Country Club is only 17 kilometers away from the city but is located on an impressive 300 hectares of land and consists of two championship courses. Courses were created using minimal land alteration and feel quite natural. For more information on this excellent course, read the extensive description here.
Only ninety minutes out, golfers will find the Dong Nai Golf Resort. If you are a lover of gorgeous backdrops and plenty of amenities, this 27-hole golf course will impress.
There are many more excellent golf courses throughout Vietnam, but some of the best are located just outside of Ho Chi Minh City, with plenty of lavish amenities, local and international F&B facilities, and courses shaped around Vietnam’s natural beauty.
SAIGON INSPIRATION ACTIVITIES GOLF 7 TOP TIPS FOR GOLFING IN VIETNAM
Vietnam has been developing excellent golf courses for a number of years and now with two of them being recognized in Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses, there’s never been a better time to take advantage of the lack of tourists and try out the fantastic facilities for yourself!. Whether you’ve been playing for years or have never swung a club before, here are 7 Top Tips for what to expect when Golfing in Vietnam.
1) All golf courses in Vietnam are of good quality.
There are now around 80 courses across the country, most being semi-private and designed by the best golf architects in the world. The Bluffs in Ho Tram, was designed by Greg Norman and is generally considered to be the best course in the country. However, Cam Ranh Links, another course designed by Norman, is building an excellent reputation for being a fabulous course in the south of the country, whilst BRG Kings Island Golf Resort near Hanoi is considered one of the most beautiful courses in South East Asia.
2) The Caddies are wonderful!
At Vietnamese golf courses, caddies are mandatory, so make the best use of them. Most will speak English and want you to enjoy them, plus learn more about you. Don’t forget to give them a tip at the end of the round, because their salaries are low and they rely on tips to supplement their income. A minimum of $10 (220.000 VND) is the norm and more if they have done well. They will point out hazards and other places not to hit the ball and they will be disappointed if you hit offline or miss a putt.
3) Timing is Everything
The best time to book tee times is early in the week, or after 2 pm. As the golf clubs are members clubs, they will be really busy at weekends or there may be a tournament being played. It pays to check with the golf club or their website to see what offers they have. It also gets incredibly hot, especially around 12 noon, so make sure you have lots of water and put on plenty of sun cream.
4) Try Before You Buy
All golf clubs will have rental clubs and shoes. Some clubs will offer premium sets at a higher price. As most courses have a driving range, it is also advisable to hit some balls before you tee off. Diamond Bay, Nha Trang, has a range where you hit golf balls to the sea and it is well worth the experience of trying this out.
5) Dress to Impress
There are no municipal golf courses in Vietnam available yet, therefore, strict dress codes are in force. This means no tee shirts and properly tailored shorts; each golfer must have their own set of clubs – no sharing – and soft spike golf shoes. Being aware of these rules saves embarrassment and extra costs. However, it is well worth shopping at the golf shops, as they will have a great supply of logoed shirts for sale. They will also stock golf balls, tees, gloves and golf balls.
6) Make the Most of All of the Facilities
The clubhouse (or 19th hole as it is often termed) is a great place to relax, drink and eat after your round of golf. There is nothing nicer than an ice-cold drink after your game. Golf clubs will also have changing and shower facilities and some will offer Jacuzzi and steam rooms and even a spa. The restaurants will offer local and international food at very reasonable prices.
7) Enjoy Yourself and Take It All In
Whether you are a seasoned pro or just starting out, make sure you take time to just enjoy playing on Vietnam’s spectacular golf courses. Most courses are very playable and situated in wonderful locations so each round gives you an opportunity to take in some of the sights of this wonderful country.
Danang has three golf courses near the sea and at Vinpearl, Nha Trang, every hole boasts stunning ocean views. Other inland courses are surrounded by forests and mountains where there may be exotic wildlife to be seen. Royal Golf Course in Ninh Binh province is the home of many hunting birds, with hawks and eagles soaring around in the breeze.
There are snakes on most courses but they will not bother you, as they tend to hide away in the deep undergrowth. If you hit your ball offline, then send the caddie to look for it!
SAIGON INSPIRATION ACTIVITIES GOLF THE BLUFFS, ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREAT COURSES
What a year it has been for the team at The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip! Vietnam’s newest Golf Course caused a stir when it opened in October 2014, being quickly voted the Best New Golf Course in the World at the World Golf Awards at Quinta do Lago in Portugal, in November. Since then the course has hosted the Ho Tram Open 2015, which was won by Sergio Garcia.
Now it has been honored again. Golf Digest has placed The Bluffs in “The World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses”. In its award, Golf Digest likens the course to Jupiter Hills in Florida, no bad accolade, possibly due in part to that is where designer Greg Norman now spends most of his time.
The Bluffs is a truly magnificent course. It is challenging and beautifully designed making the best of what nature had already provided. Long Par fives and tricky par threes are the hallmarks here. The Bluffs run over and around huge sand dunes, offering an elevation difference of 55 meters. The wind plays a major role in the challenge.
Always strong, the prevailing direction changes depending on the time of year. The wonderful Par 3 4th, was virtually built by nature; Norman apparently simply said, “Put some grass on it”. At the commencement of Norman’s involvement, he said that along with Doonbeg in Ireland, he rated it as, “One of the two best I’ve ever had the privilege to work with.”
The Club House and Restaurant offers players excellent dining choices with wonderful, panoramic views of the course, the hotel and the East Sea. The whole golfing experience here is unparallelled in Southeast Asia. Blessed with the magnificent course the resort also has a superb 500+ room hotel and casino. Players can stay in opulent style, play golf by day and either play the tables or eat and drink in one of 10 quality restaurants at night.
Being named in the top 100 by one of the big players in World Golf media is a tremendous accolade and one of which the whole team at The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip is proud of.
