Top 15 Best Golf Courses in Asia 2026
Most people’s list of “greatest courses” is just a highlight reel of what they’ve seen on TV Augusta, Pebble Beach, or St. Andrews. Those are obvious choices, but they aren’t the only ones. There are courses across Asia that are just as impressive, even if they don’t get the same airtime in the West.
This guide covers the spots in Asia that actually live up to the hype. I’ve looked at layout, the local landscape, and how the courses actually play to put this list together. Whether you’re looking for a championship-level challenge or just a place with a view that makes the green fees feel worth it, these are the destinations that should probably be on your radar.
Must-Play Golf Courses in Asia in 2026
Sentosa Golf Club – Serapong Course, Singapore
Sentosa Golf Club – Serapong Course
If you’re golfing in Singapore, the Serapong at Sentosa is the heavy hitter. It’s been around since the early 80s, but they recently redid the whole thing to sharpen the layout and improve the turf. What really sets it apart is the backdrop, you have the city skyline on one side and the massive container ships passing by on the other.
At over 6,600 meters, it’s a big course. It was the home of the Singapore Open for over a decade, which tells you everything you need to know about the difficulty level. It’s essentially a trophy magnet at this point; it’s been ranked as the best in Singapore and Asia by pretty much every major golf magazine, and the World Golf Awards just named it the best in Asia again in 2023. It’s challenging, but the views of the harbor make the harder holes a bit more bearable.
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Hirono Golf Club, Japan
Hirono Golf Club
The Hirono Golf Club, which is sometimes called the “Pine Valley of Japan,” is a private and exclusive golf course near the port city of Kobe. Charles H. Alison designed the course in 1932, but during World War II it was used as a runway, which caused a lot of damage. But thanks to Toyohiko Inui and Osama Ueda, who used Alison’s original plans to fix it up, and Martin Ebert, who brought it back to life, the course is now as beautiful as it was before.
The course is only 6,925 yards long from the back tees, but it is a very hard test of golfing skills. This shows that careful planning can make things harder without having to use a 7,500-yard monster course. The Hirono Golf Club is one of the best golf courses in Asia. It has hosted major Japanese championships, including the famous Japan Open.
Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club, Hong Kong
Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club
The Clearwater Bay Club is the most interesting of the many great golf clubs in Hong Kong. This golf course is often called “Hong Kong’s Pebble Beach” because it is located on a fishhook-shaped peninsula that sticks out into Clearwater Bay. The views from all sides are worth the trip alone.
Many of Asia’s best golf courses are located here along the beautiful coast, and for good reason. Asian Golf Monthly named The Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club the best course in Hong Kong because of its beautiful setting. Golf Digest also included two of its holes, the 3rd and 14th, on its list of the 38 best holes in all of China.
The club has a diverse and lively golfing community, with over 3,000 members from all over the world. Also, even though it was built in 1982, the course just had a major renovation that made it better than ever.
South Cape Owners Club, South Korea
South Cape Owners Club
The South Cape Owners Club is a new group that started in 2013. Kyle Phillips designed this beautiful course, which is on Namhae Island, which is just off the southeast coast of South Korea. It sits on a dramatic cliffside property and offers golfers stunning views of the ocean from all eighteen holes. This 18-hole, par 72 golf course is only 6,685 yards long, but it has cliffs and a lot of other obstacles that make it a tough test for any golfer.
The 14th hole has a 135-meter par 3 that will leave you speechless, and the 16th hole is a tough 204-meter hole. Both have beautiful greens by the water that are surrounded by tall cliffs, making for a memorable experience for players. South Cape Owners Club is one of the best golf courses in Asia. It has a unique mix of natural beauty and golfing challenges.
The Els Club Teluk Datai, Malaysia
The Els Club Teluk Datai
Ernie Els is a great player who has won four major tournaments. He is also one of the best player-turned-designers in the world, making beautiful golf courses all over the world. He just opened The Els Clubs, a group of even more exclusive golf facilities that show off his style in everything from the clubhouse to the menu (which currently has three great venues).
The Els Club Teluk Datai is located in a large 8,000-acre (3,200-hectare) nature preserve. When it opened, it was named Malaysia’s most beautiful course by the World Golf Awards. The course winds through old rainforests and ends at the edge of the beautiful Andaman Sea. The course’s signature hole is a par-3 that goes over a rocky ocean inlet, which leaves a lasting impression on everyone who plays it.
The course is full of tropical plants and monkeys that like to play there. Troon Golf, a world leader in luxury golf services and course maintenance, takes care of it. Carts are included in the green fees for your convenience and comfort, and caddies are available for an extra fee.
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>>> Check out more must-play golf courses in Malaysia rather than the Els Club Teluk Datai.
Ba Na Hills Golf Club, Vietnam
Ba Na Hills Golf Club
About 25 minutes inland from Da Nang, Ba Na Hills Golf Club is hidden in the foothills. Luke Donald designed it, and for the last six years it has been the “Best in Vietnam.” In 2021, it even made it to number five in all of Asia. This course is all about the views of the mountains and the jungle behind it, unlike the beachside courses in the area.
You can make the par-72 course as hard or as easy as you want. From the professional tees, it’s a monster at 7,857 yards, which is one of the longest in the area. There are four other sets of tees, including the whites, which are about 6,000 yards long, so even casual players can use them. The variety is what makes it so appealing. The hilly terrain makes each hole feel different, and the changes in elevation keep things interesting from start to finish.
Nine Bridges Golf Club, South Korea
Nine Bridges Golf Club
Nine Bridges is a private club on Jeju Island, and many people say it’s the best golf course in South Korea. Ronald Fream and David Dale, the designers, wanted to make a course that looks like a Scottish highland course but plays like an American one. It is at the foot of Mount Hallasan, which is South Korea’s tallest mountain, and it is in a pine forest. It feels much more private than most island courses because it is higher up and has mountains in the background.
The name is a bit of a local legend, but there are only eight real stone bridges that cross the water hazards. The “ninth bridge” is a way to talk about the bond between the club and its members. The club has been a bit of a trendsetter for Korean golf since it opened in 2001. It was the first in the country to host the LPGA. It has bent grass fairways and is always in perfect shape, which is why it is always ranked as one of the best in Asia.
Tokyo Golf Club, Japan
Tokyo Golf Club
The Tokyo Golf Club, fondly known as “Little Edo,” has a long and interesting history. It was founded in 1913 and moved twice before settling on its current site. Komyo Ohtani, who learned how to design golf courses in England, originally came up with this beautiful par 71 18-hole course. Later, Gil Hanse expertly oversaw the restoration of the course. The Tokyo Golf Club does a good job of keeping its par by making the course challenging in a number of ways, even though it isn’t very long by today’s standards.
This course is only open to members, so only a few lucky people can play here. The two green complexes on each hole, called Asaka and Chichibu, are one of the course’s most famous features. As you get closer to the elevated greens, the fairways get narrower and the rough gets very hard, making it necessary for players to be very accurate. In this beautiful place, skill and accuracy are the most important things for a good round of golf.
Yokohama Country Club, Japan
Yokohama Country Club
The East and West courses at Yokohama Country Club, which opened in 1960, were both designed and built by architect Takeo Aiyama. The West course was the site of the famous 1978 Japan Open, which is a big deal. In 2014 and 2015, Coore and Crenshaw led a major renovation of the West Course. They rebuilt the old double greens and replaced them with single greens.
The West course has a unique par 3 “19th” hole that sets it apart from other great golf destinations. This special edition lets players break any ties that might happen after the normal round over the 18-hole layout. Golfers enjoy playing a short hole on their way to the locker room, which makes their experience even better.
The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip, Vietnam
The Bluff Ho Tram Strip
Greg Norman designed the Bluffs Ho Tram Strip, which opened in 2014. It is the second course he designed in Vietnam. It’s about 80 miles southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. The layout is on a coastal plateau with big sand dunes and sandy loam soil. This makes it feel more like a traditional links course than most other courses in the area. The World Golf Awards now say that it is the best course in the country.
The course is 7,007 yards long and has a par of 71. The length is not the only problem; the wind along the coast can change how a hole plays from one hour to the next. It was the first place in Vietnam to have both a high-end golf course and a casino resort. You don’t really need to leave the property once you get there because there is a 5-star hotel and about ten restaurants to choose from.
>>> You may also like: 10+ Best Golf Courses in Southern Vietnam 2026
Shanqin Bay Golf Club, China
Shanqin Bay Golf Club
Shanqin Bay is a hidden gem on the southeast coast of Hainan Island, not far from Bo’ao. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw are known for their minimalist designs that follow the natural shape of the land. This is the only course in China they designed. The site itself is pretty amazing. It used to be a military outpost on a rocky stretch of coastline. The US designers and the Chinese developers worked together to turn it into a world-class golf course.
The design is a mix of different styles. Some holes are like regular sand dunes, while others are built right on the edge of cliffs and deep chasms. The terrain is always changing, and the wind from the South China Sea is a big part of it. It’s not an easy walk or game. It has become one of the most popular tee times in Asia because it is so private and the landscape is so beautiful. It’s one of those rare places where the scenery is more memorable than your score.
Hoiana Shores Golf Club, Vietnam
Hoiana Shores Golf Club
Hoiana Shores is on the beach south of Hoi An. Robert Trent Jones II’s first project in Vietnam is this one. It plays like a real links course because it is built on a huge stretch of dunes. The fairways give you a great view of the Cham Islands, and there aren’t many trees or buildings in the way of the water.
It has a par of 71 and is just over 7,000 yards long. The choice of turf – Zoysia fairways and Bermuda greens, is good for the tropical climate and the salty air. The back nine is where it gets interesting, even though the whole course is open and sandy. The shoreline is right next to holes 15 through 17. The 16th hole is probably the most famous on the property. It runs next to the water, and if the wind is coming from the sea, it can make a normal par 4 very hard. The weather is rough and windy, which makes it feel more like a traditional Scottish course than a typical Southeast Asian resort.
Ayodhya Links, Thailand
Ayodhya Links
Most golfers only see places like Ayodhya Links in pictures. This club in Thailand is only open to people who have been invited. It opened in 2007 and is meant to be as exclusive as possible. When it hosted the World Club Championship in 2016, it got a lot of attention from around the world. This really solidified its place as one of the best courses in the area.
A 70-acre lake is the main feature of the course, but the real story is how hard it is. At 7,639 yards, it’s a monster from the championship tees. It’s well-known for being long; almost every par 4 is over 400 yards, so you’ll be hitting long irons into greens all day. There are 79 bunkers on the property, and the greens are known for being very fast and uneven. The place is fancy and well-kept, but the golf is meant to be hard.
TPC Kuala Lumpur Golf Club, Malaysia
TPC Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club
TPC Kuala Lumpur is in the middle of the city, just 20 minutes from the center. People in the area still call it the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. The West Course is the main attraction, even though the complex has 36 holes. If you only play one round here, the West is the championship layout that you see on TV.
They finished the West Course in 2008, and the upkeep is basically the best in Malaysia. From 2010 to 2015, it hosted the Malaysian Open every year, so it was made to test pros. The course is well-kept and polished, and the greens are always fast. The details, like the bunkers and the quality of the turf, are much better than at most clubs. Because of where it is, the West Course is always busy, but the quality of the course makes it worth it.
Kawana Resort (Fuji Course), Japan
Kawana Resort (Fuji Course)
The Fuji Course at Kawana Resort is like Japan’s version of Pebble Beach. Charles H. Alison designed it in 1936, and it takes about two hours to drive there from Yokohama. The layout is famous for being on a volcanic plateau. You play the round on the edge of huge cliffs that look out over the Pacific Ocean. If the weather is clear, you can usually see Mount Fuji in the background.
It’s a traditional, beautiful course, but it’s very hard to play. The greens are often higher than the holes, and the holes go through thick, old woods that don’t leave much room for mistakes. It has a lot of history, too; it hosted the Eisenhower Trophy in 1962 and was the home of the Fuji Sankei Classic for a long time. Even though newer courses have taken the spotlight away from many older ones, Kawana is still thought to be one of the top two or three places to play in the country because of how different it is.
Conclusion
Asia is home to a plethora of remarkable golf courses, but the ones we’ve selected truly stand out with their rich histories. These exceptional courses have earned their place as the best in Asia, not just for their heritage but also for their impressive size. So, if you find yourself in any of these Asian countries, be sure to explore these extraordinary gems! Don’t hesitate to contact us now to plan perfect Asia golf holidays with several golf games at these notable golf courses in Asia.
Read more:
- Best Golf Resorts along the Coast in Southeast Asia 2025
- Which Country Has the Most Golf Courses in the World?
- Top 15 Toughest Golf Courses in the World
FAQs
Are golf carts required in Asia?
In many Southeast Asia courses, carts are included and often mandatory due to heat an terrain. Walking is more common in Japan, though policies vary by club.
Is it easy to book tee times at top golf courses in Asia?
For public and resort courses, booking is straightforward online or through hotels. For private clubs, access is limited and usually arranged via golf tour agencies or member connections.
Are there any dress code differences across Asian countries?
Yes. Japan and South Korea tend to be stricter, often requiring jackets in clubhouses and more formal attire. Southeast Asia is slightly more relaxed, but proper golf wear is still expected at some more high-end courses.
Can non-golfers visit or accompany players?
Most clubs allow non-golfing guests in clubhouse areas, restaurants, and resorts. Scenic destinations like Kawana Resort Fuji Course are especially appealing even for non-players.
I played Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore last year, and it was in amazing condition. Totally worth it, though a bit pricey. Are there other world-class courses in Asia that feel more budget-friendly?
Dear Giovanna,
Thank you for sharing your experience! If you’re looking for destinations that offer the same high standards but with more budget-friendly options, there are some fantastic alternatives across the region.
In Vietnam, courses like Ba Na Hills Golf Club in Da Nang and The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip near Ho Chi Minh City are renowned for their stunning designs and affordable green fees compared to Singapore. In Thailand, Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin and Red Mountain in Phuket consistently rank among Asia’s best, while still offering very reasonable stay-and-play packages. For those interested in Cambodia, Phokeethra Country Club in Siem Reap pairs championship golf with easy access to Angkor Wat, making it both unique and great value.
We’d be delighted to help you put together a tailored golf holiday that balances top-notch playing conditions with affordability, including accommodations and transfers. Feel free to contact us anytime, and we’ll recommend the best destinations based on your preferences and travel plans.
Best regards,
GolfLux Team