Highland golf in Southeast Asia
Golf in Southeast Asia is usually associated with warm coastlines, palm-fringed fairways and tropical breezes. Yet across this region, there are golf destinations that defy expectations. In the highlands, where the air is cool and mountain views stretch endlessly, a different kind of golf awaits.
High-altitude golf courses often located between 800 and 1500 meters above sea level, bring a refreshing change for those who seek a unique playing environment. The ball travels farther, the fairways are framed by pine trees and mist and the silence of nature adds a calm rhythm to each round.
From the cool valleys of northern Vietnam to the tea-covered hills of Malaysia and the volcanic slopes of Indonesia, highland golf courses in Southeast Asia have become a ideal destination for travelers who appreciate both sport and scenery.
Playing golf at higher elevations offers clear performance benefits and a more enjoyable environment. Reduced air density helps the ball fly farther, giving most players an extra 5 to 10 percent of carry distance without changing their swing. The cooler temperatures make long rounds easier and more comfortable compared to lowland or coastal areas.
High altitude courses also deliver a distinct playing experience. The landscapes include pine forests, misty hills and low noise levels, creating a calmer and more focused round. Many highland golf destinations integrate golf with wellness facilities, spas or eco resorts, making them ideal for travelers who want both nature and relaxation in one trip.
Below is a selection of outstanding highland golf courses in Southeast Asia, each chosen for its elevation, landscape and character.
Vietnam
Sapa Grand Golf Club is a new and highly distinctive addition to Vietnam’s high altitude golf landscape. Located near Sapa town, the course faces the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, one of the most dramatic natural backdrops in the country. The high elevation and cool temperatures create an atmosphere similar to alpine golf.
The design incorporates strong elevation changes with tees set high above valley fairways, allowing long and visually impressive drives. Several holes are positioned along ridgelines, offering wide views of terraced rice fields and deep valleys. The par 5 third hole is a standout, where golfers hit from a high tee directly toward a cloud filled valley.
On clear days, the peak of Mount Fansipan appears in the distance, giving the course an almost cinematic quality. On misty mornings, the atmosphere becomes quiet and ethereal, making every round feel different. Sapa Grand Golf Club is positioned as a full experience destination, with planned activities such as trekking, cultural village visits and scenic viewpoints, giving golfers a complete mountain adventure.
Sapa Grand Golf Club
Yen Bai Star Golf and Resort is located near the Thac Ba Lake area in the northwest of Vietnam, surrounded by low mountains and calm highland scenery. While the elevation is not as high as Dalat or Tam Dao, the cooler temperatures and natural surroundings still give the course a refreshing mountain feel.
The layout features wide fairways that encourage confident tee shots. However, several holes require thoughtful positioning due to changing winds and water hazards connected to the lake. Holes that run alongside Thac Ba Lake often offer sweeping views but challenge golfers with unpredictable breezes. Hole 14, a par 4 played from an elevated fairway with the lake as a backdrop, is a highlight.
The resort includes lake view villas, spa services and recreational facilities that make it suitable for both long golf stays and family trips. Visitors often combine their rounds with exploring ethnic minority villages, trekking nearby valleys or boating on Thac Ba Lake, creating a balanced highland getaway.
Yen Bai Star Golf and Resort
About an hour’s drive from Hanoi, Tam Dao Golf & Resort is located at an altitude of nearly 1,000 meters above sea level. The course was designed by IMG, stretching across the natural slopes and valleys of the Tam Dao mountain range.
The surrounding landscape is green forest and mist, providing cool air all year round. The course terrain has steep slopes, narrow fairways and high greens, creating challenges for all levels of players.
The most famous hole here is the par-3 10th hole, requiring a shot over a deep ravine to a small green nestled in the middle of the mountainside, an unforgettable moment of golf above the clouds. It is a moment that many golfers consider a specialty of Tam Dao.
The accompanying resort includes a modern clubhouse, driving range, villas and restaurant. With a convenient location and mild climate, Tam Dao Golf & Resort is always a favorite destination for golfers in the North, especially in the summer.
Tam Dao Golf & Resort
Not far from Tam Dao, Thanh Lanh Valley Golf & Resort is one of Vietnam’s emerging mountain view golf courses. Designed by the legendary Nick Faldo, the course features a blend of mountains and natural lakes.
The fairways follow the poetic Thanh Lanh Lake and then wind up the pine-covered hillside. Each hole has a different height and wind direction, forcing players to carefully consider each shot. Faldo aims to design a respect for the terrain, taking advantage of the existing terrain instead of interfering too much with nature.
The resort complex here includes a lakeside hotel, private villas and a luxury spa. With a cool climate, peaceful scenery and only about 70 minutes from Hanoi, Thanh Lanh is becoming a prominent destination for golf in the northern highlands.
Thanh Lanh Valley Golf & resort
Located at the foot of Ba Na Mountain, about 30 minutes from the center of Da Nang, Ba Na Hills Golf Club is one of the most prestigious golf courses in the Central region. The course was designed by former world number one golfer Luke Donald and operated by IMG.
The course has an average altitude of about 700 meters, with natural terrain of many steep hills and views towards the green mountain range. Ba Na Hills is highly appreciated for the diversity of golf holes, fast greens and a rare night lighting system in the mountainous area.
Modern clubhouse, international standard services and cool climate all year round make Ba Na Hills Golf Club continuously honored as Best Golf Course in Asia. This is also an ideal choice for tourists to combine golf and resort in Da Nang.
Ba Na Hills Golf Club
>>> For more details about this course, check out Ba Na Hills Golf Club, one of the most highly rated highland golf courses in Southeast Asia.
Dalat Palace Golf Club sits in the heart of Dalat at around 1500 meters above sea level. Built in the 1920s, it retains a classic European charm. Cool air, pine forests, and rolling hills create a unique highland atmosphere in Southeast Asia.
The course follows the natural contours of the hills, with gently curving fairways and fast, subtly sloped greens. Accuracy is needed on many holes due to tree-lined fairways and natural drop-offs. The par 3 sixth hole is particularly memorable, with a high tee shot down into a pine-filled valley.
Morning mist often blankets the course, clearing to reveal vibrant green hills. The vintage clubhouse and dining facilities enhance the nostalgic alpine experience, making Dalat Palace a signature highland golf destination in Vietnam.
Dalat Palace Golf Club
Thailand
Nestled in the hills of eastern Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Highlands Golf Course is one of Northern Thailand’s most popular destinations. About 45 minutes from the city center, the course is set on high ground with sweeping views of the valley and mountains.
Designed by Schmidt-Curley Design, the 27-hole course features wide fairways, elevated tees and intricate greens. Every hole offers something different, from gentle beginnings to more dramatic, high-altitude finishes that truly capture the spirit of golf above the clouds.
The resort has a full range of facilities, including a spa, villas and restaurants. Guests often combine golf with cultural tours, visiting temples, coffee plantations and national parks. Thanks to its year-round pleasant climate, Chiang Mai Highlands is consistently ranked among Thailand’s top golf courses.
Chiang Mai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort
>>> For a complete golf and stay experience, explore the Chiang Mai 5-Day Golf Package, a perfect way to enjoy golf above the clouds at Northern Thailand’s most scenic courses.
Red Mountain Golf Club, located in central Phuket, Thailand, is a standout hilltop course that makes full use of the island’s former tin mine terrain. The 18-hole, par 72 layout features fairways winding through hills, valleys, and striking red cliffs.
Several holes, including the par‑3 17th, challenge golfers with tee shots from elevated positions down to lower greens, offering a true “golf above the clouds” experience. The surrounding tropical forest and morning mist add a peaceful, scenic backdrop to every round.
The resort offers a modern clubhouse, restaurant with course views, driving range, short-game area, and golf carts. Red Mountain combines challenging, elevated terrain with luxury amenities, making it an ideal hill course on Phuket.
Red Mountain Golf Club
Indonesia
Located near Bandung at an altitude of about 900 meters, Giri Gahana Golf & Resort is surrounded by tea plantations and green forests. The course was designed by Graham Marsh, with 18 holes that blend with the natural landscape of the plateau.
Wide fairways, multi-level greens and strategically placed sand traps create an experience that balances challenge and relaxation. From the high tees, players can look far into the distance, admiring the vast mountain ranges and grasslands.
The accompanying resort offers villas, restaurants and outdoor activities. Bandung’s cool, flower-filled climate also adds to its charm as one of the most picturesque highland golf courses in Southeast Asia.
Bandung Giri Golf & Resort
>>> For the ultimate round, visit Bandung Giri Gahana Golf & Resort to explore a standout mountain view golf course in Indonesia.
Merapi Golf is located at the foot of Mount Merapi, not far from Yogyakarta city. This is one of the most impressive golf courses in Indonesia.
The course was designed by Thomson, Wolveridge & Perrett, taking full advantage of the hilly terrain and the view straight up to Mount Merapi. The fairways wind around the slopes, alternating between forests and valleys. The volcanic soil helps the grass stay green and well-drained.
On a clear morning, players can clearly see the volcano towering against the sky, creating a rare scene. Both majestic and peaceful, Merapi Golf is one of the natural destinations for a golf above the clouds experience in Southeast Asia.
Merapi Golf Yogyakarta
>>> Experience stunning volcanic scenery at Merapi Golf Yogyakarta, a remarkable mountain view golf course in Southeast Asia.
Malaysia
Located at an altitude of about 1,600 meters, Cameron Highlands Golf Club is one of the most classic golf courses in Malaysia. The course dates back to the British colonial period, bringing a classic European style to the tropics.
The narrow fairways, winding through tea plantations and green valleys, require precision rather than power. Tall pine trees, morning mist and a cool climate make players feel like they are in Europe.
There is often a light mist in the mornings, which when cleared, reveals a green valley and small farms. Nearby is the peaceful town of Tanah Rata, famous for its tea, strawberries and quaint cafes.
Cameron Highlands Golf Club is the perfect choice for those looking for a quiet, traditional and highland golf courses in Southeast Asia.
Cameron Highlands Golf Club
>>> Play amidst cool mist and scenic hills at Cameron Highlands Golf Club, a highlighted destination for golf above the clouds in Southeast Asia.
Highland golf courses in Southeast Asia are generally playable all year round, but the best time is from November to April, when the weather is dry and the skies are clear.
Northern Vietnam and Northern Thailand have a cool dry season from December to February, which is perfect for golfing. Meanwhile, Central Vietnam and the Malaysian highlands maintain a pleasant climate even in summer.
If you like misty scenery and lush green grass, you can choose the beginning of the rainy season. If you want clear skies and gentle sunshine, winter is the perfect choice.
Highland golf courses in Southeast Asia offer a distinct difference from coastal courses. The cool air, majestic scenery and smart design make for a memorable journey for every player. From the misty valley of Tam Dao, the tranquil Thanh Lanh lake, to the slopes of Mount Merapi and the Cameron Highlands, each golf course is a unique experience.
For those looking for a combination of sport, nature and relaxation, highland golf is the perfect choice. If you need help planning a high-altitude golf trip or choosing the right course for your itinerary, feel free to contact us for personalized recommendations.
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