Emerging Golf Courses in Southeast Asia: The Future of Global Golf Travel
Golf is increasingly becoming one of the fastest growing tourism – sports industries in Southeast Asia. With diverse landscapes from sea, mountains, tropical forests to plains and cultural heritage, this area not only attracts regular tourists but also attracts the international golf community.
In recent years, a series of emerging golf courses in Southeast Asia have come into operation, combined with high-class resort services, contributing to making this region the new “golf paradise” of the world. Let’s go through this article to discover the new golf destinations in Southeast Asia and the reasons why they are gradually making the region an ideal place for golfers, reinforcing the rise of Southeast Asia tourism.
Why is Southeast Asia gradually becoming an attractive golf destination?
Ideal climate and landscape: Due to the humid tropical climate year-round, golfers in Southeast Asia can play in relative comfort, almost without regard for time or weather. Furthermore, the change of scenery among islands (Phu Quoc, Phuket), hilly and mountainous regions (Da Lat, Chiang Mai), and primitive forests (Cambodia, Laos) offers unique fairways, a major draw for Southeast Asia golf tourism.
Competitive costs: Playing golf in Southeast Asia is often cheaper than traditional destinations in Europe or America, while the quality of service is increasingly approaching international standards. This makes this area an attractive choice for both professional golfers and high-end tourists, strengthening the appeal of golf expansion in Southeast Asia.
Green Fee Comparison
Participation of legends in the golf field: Famous designers such as Greg Norman, Jack Niklaus, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els,… have continuously made their mark in Southeast Asia. Having golf courses bearing the brands of these legends not only enhances prestige but also turns the region into a dream destination for the international golf community.
Golf – resort model boom: Potential and prominent emerging golf courses in Southeast Asia are often associated with 5-star resorts. Beachfront villas, conference centers, spas and high-class cuisine. This model embodies the luxury lifestyle that defines Southeast Asia golf tourism.
National tourism strategy: Vietnam, Thailand and other countries in the same region have identified golf as a strategic tourism product to attract international visitors. International airport infrastructure, highways along with investment incentive policies are being expanded, helping golfers access these destinations more easily and fueling golf expansion in Southeast Asia.
Growing golfer community: The number of domestic golfers in Southeast Asian countries is also increasing rapidly thanks to the expansion of the middle and upper classes. This is the driving force that helps the golf market in the region have a sustainable foundation, not only depending on international tourists.
Emerging Golf Courses in Southeast Asia
Vietnam
PGA NovaWorld Phan Thiet
PGA NovaWorld Phan Thiet
- Location: Located in the Novaworld Phan Thiet tourism and resort complex, about 2.5 hours drive from Ho Chi Minh City, this is a strategic location to attract domestic and foreign visitors.
- Design: Designed by Greg Norman with 36 holes including Ocean Course and Garden Course. Ocean Course fully exploits the windy coastal terrain and natural sand dunes, while Garden Course has a greener and more pleasant style, suitable for many golfers.
- Facilities: There is the first PGA academy in Vietnam, a modern practice course, a luxurious clubhouse with a system of resorts, villas and entertainment facilities right in the complex
- Highlights:the first PGA-standard golf complex in Vietnam, expected to turn Binh Thuan into an international golf destination and one of the most talked-about new golf destinations in Southeast Asia.
>>> Curious about this course? Check PGA NovaWorld Phan Thiet to explore all the details and plan your visit.
Eschuri Vung Bau Golf
Eschuri Vung Bau Golf
- Location: Located at Vung Bau beach, north of Phu Quoc island – known as the “sea paradise” of Vietnam. This area has both preserved the wildness of the sea and is strongly developing high-end resort tourism, creating a great advantage for the golf course.
- Design: The course is designed in an eco-friendly manner, utilizing the natural landscape including ocean, sand and forest in the design. The course has a diverse topography, with a combination of open coastal fairways and shady, green areas. Giving you a challenging but relaxing experience.
- Facilities: Eschuri Vung Bau Golf has an international standard 18-hole golf course, a luxury clubhouse, a 5-star resort, a spa and restaurants classified as high-end to measure international standards. Moreover, the golf course also focuses on providing a complete golfer experience, from playing golf, to relaxing, to exploring the local culture and cuisine.
- Highlights: Thanks to its location in one of the most famous tourist destinations in Vietnam, Eschuri Vung Bau Golf has attracted the attention of international golfers since its launch. The green, environmentally friendly design also helps the course become different in the global sustainable development trend and strengthens the golf expansion in Southeast Asia.
>>> Don’t miss the chance to explore Eschuri Vung Bau Golf Resort – see details and book your tee time at Eschuri Vung Bau Golf Resort.
Van Lang Empire Golf Club
Van Lang Empire Golf Club
- Location: Located in the Northern midlands, Phu Tho province – the cradle of Hung King culture. Just over 1 hour from Hanoi, the course is easily accessible for Northern golfers, while providing a space to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
- Design: The golf course is built to international standards, with winding hilly terrain creating natural fairways and many challenging shots. The design harmoniously combines modern elements with the natural landscape of the midlands, bringing a different golf experience.
- Facilities: The project includes a comfortable clubhouse, luxury resort, diverse sports – entertainment and culinary services. In addition, high-class accommodation facilities help golfers combine a golf trip with a weekend or short vacation.
- Highlights: Van Lang Empire Golf Club is not only a new golf course, but also has special cultural – historical elements associated with the land of the Hung Kings. This helps the course quickly make a difference and is expected to become one of the new golf destinations in Southeast Asia golf map.
>>> Step into the exciting world of this scenic golf by checking out Van Lang Empire Golf Club to explore everything you need for an unforgettable golf experience.
Golden sands golf resort
Golden Sands Golf Resort
- Location: Located on the coast of Quang Binh, famous for Phong Nha – Ke Bang cave and pristine beach. This is an advantage that helps the golf course easily combine with exploration tourism and beach resorts.
- Layout: Golden Sands is designed in the typical links style and takes advantage of the white sand coastal setting. Although the fairway is reasonably wide, it provides a challenge because of the sea breeze, making for a similar experience to the world-famous links courses of Scotland.
- Service: The project will also include a coastal resort, resort villas, a contemporary clubhouse, a spa, and a series of luxurious restaurants and bars which make an impressive not only golf course, but a high-end resort complex.
- Highlights: Golden Sands is one of the rare courses in Vietnam that fully exploits the advantage of “golf on white sand coastal”. This uniqueness makes the course quickly attract the attention of golfers looking for a new experience, different from traditional courses.
Thailand
Robinswood golf club
Robinswood Golf Club
- Location: Located near the center of Bangkok, only about 30 minutes from Suvarnabhumi International Airport, this golf course is especially convenient for international guests. This makes Robinswood quickly become an ideal choice for golfers combining business and entertainment.
- Design: With a modern style with spacious green space, the fairways are designed to balance technical elements and relaxation. This course is suitable for both professional golfers and new players.
- Facilities: The course has a comfortable clubhouse, international restaurants, a conference center and many MICE support services. This makes Robinswood an ideal space for corporate events and tournaments.
- Highlights: With a central location and the development orientation of MICE combined with golf, Robinswood is becoming a new “meeting place” for international businessmen and golfers when coming to Bangkok.
Stonehill Golf Club
Stonehill Golf Club
- Location: Situated in Pathum Thani province, approximately a 45-minute drive from Bangkok, Stonehill has the benefit of being close to the capital while still preserving a tranquil space and natural vegetation.
- Design: This is one of the most premium new golf courses in Thailand, containing a classy landscape design that considers every detail on the ground with respect to terrain and vegetation to deliver the experience of sophistication. With wide fairways, strategic bunkers and high-speed greens, even professional golfers will be satisfied.
- Facilities: Luxurious Clubhouse with modern architecture, rich culinary services, changing rooms and mini resort for VIP guests. The course also has a modern practice area, suitable for organizing major tournaments.
- Highlights: As soon as it opened, Stonehill was chosen to host the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok 2022, which helped the course quickly become famous and ranked among the most prestigious golf courses in the region.
>>> For those looking to experience one of Thailand’s most prestigious courses, visit Stonehill Golf Club to explore its stunning design and plan a perfect round of golf.
Philippines
Mimosa Plus Golf Course
Mimosa Plus Golf Course
- Location: Located in Clark Freeport Zone, just about 1 hour drive from Manila, Mimosa Plus takes advantage of the infrastructure of the Clark Special Economic Zone, which is planned to be modern and convenient.
- Design: The course was redesigned from an existing course, but completely transformed with a beautiful green landscape, lakes throughout, and a variety of terrain. The design proves to be adaptable to various golfing skills of players, from beginners to pros.
- Facilities: Featuring 36 golf holes, a modern clubhouse, a luxury resort with five-star accommodation, restaurants and a myriad of recreation options – this is the hallmark of Mimosa Plus as a great destination for golfers and their families.
- Highlights: Being located in the Clark area – a rapidly developing destination for tourism and commerce – helps Mimosa Plus quickly become known as one of the most attractive new golf destinations in Southeast Asia.
Cambodia
Vattanac Golf Resort – West Course
Vattanac Golf Resort – West Course
- Location: Situated just outside the capital, Phnom Penh, in the Vattanac Golf Resort complex, the golf course is easily accessed from the city center. Therefore, the course is accessible for domestic and international golfers.
- Design: Designed by Nick Faldo, the West Course features tropical scenery and represents a seamless blend of Khmer heritage buildings, such as a small Angkor Wat and pagodas. Thus, the course is more than just a golf course but also a cultural destination and attraction.
- Facilities: Including a new 18-hole course, a luxury clubhouse, a 5-star resort, luxury restaurants, and conference and entertainment facilities. This is one of the most modern golf complexes in Cambodia.
- Highlights: The West Course not only offers a classy golf experience, but also makes a difference by integrating cultural elements into every design detail. Thanks to that, it quickly becomes a new golf icon of Cambodia and attracts international golfers.
>>> Experience world-class golf at Vattanac Golf Resort – West Course and enjoy its unique blend of luxury facilities and Khmer-inspired scenery.
These courses exemplify how new golf destinations in Southeast Asia are diversifying the region’s tourism offerings and cementing its global reputation.
Golf Courses Promised to Make a Strong Impression
In addition to the emerging courses that have come into operation, Southeast Asia is witnessing the emergence of “blockbuster” golf projects that have made a splash since their announcement:
Khoai Chau Golf & Resort Complex (Vietnam)
A 990-hectare project, a collaboration between Trump Organization and Kinh Bac City. This will be one of the largest golf-resort-urban complexes in Southeast Asia, including an international golf course, resort, hotel, and commercial area. The participation of Trump Organization has made this project the center of global attention since its announcement.
Bay 19 Golf Course – The Bay of Lights (Cambodia)
The first coastal golf course in Cambodia to meet USGA standards, designed by Greg Norman. Bay 19 is located in The Bay of Lights complex – a super coastal resort, entertainment and tourism project. Since its announcement, the course has created a great attraction for the international golf community thanks to its coastal location, modern design and vision to become a new “golf icon” of Cambodia. Bay 19 is positioned as a future iconic emerging golf courses in Southeast Asia.
With the dual rise of golf and massive-scale projects fueling golf expansion in Southeast Asia, the region is rapidly establishing itself as a global golf hotspot. Unique landscapes, affordable luxury, world-class course design, and integrated resort experiences make Southeast Asia golf tourism a defining trend in the international sports-tourism market.
From courses already in operation such as PGA NovaWorld Phan Thiet, Stonehill, Vattanac West Course, to giant-scale projects such as Khoai Chau Trump Complex or Bay 19 Golf Course, this region is entering a new era – where golf is not only a sport, but also an international-class tourism and resort experience. Contact us today to discover the rising golf courses across Southeast Asia and plan your next unforgettable golf experience!
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