Whether you’re an old pro, an amateur, or a novice, you’ll find a place to play golf almost anywhere in Asia. From Singapore to South Korea, golf has grown in popularity as a relaxing pastime and as a way to forge close business ties.
Some of the best golf courses in the world are found in places like Thailand and Singapore, with stunningly beautiful and challenging courses alongside luxurious resorts. In addition to golf itself, the environment is incomparable. Even in congested major cities, the golf courses are in magnificent surroundings, often outside of the city in a relaxing rural setting. Many have been created by world-renowned designers with advice from some of the game’s most prestigious players, creating courses that stand out from the rest. You’ll find all the comforts of the American countryside and then some, with excellent clubhouses, restaurants and spa facilities. If you’re golfing in Southeast Asia, the heat can be sweltering, but you’re never too far from a relaxing glass of iced tea and a comfortable place to sit in the shade for a while and enjoy the tropical scenery. . You will find the service to be second to none and on some of the courses you will enjoy seeing some things you would never expect on a western golf course. If you’re playing close to the jungle, you might just hear a high-pitched, two-tone scream in the distance, and if you get a little closer, you’ll see a gecko crawling across the green. In Thailand, some golfers have been known to spot a monitor lizard on the course from time to time, but if you do, don’t look at it, it’s considered bad luck!
Seal the deal in the field
Golf has always been considered a “businessmen’s sport”, but it is even more so in Asia simply because of the business culture. In most Asian countries, business is conducted on a much more personal level than it is in the United States. In Japan, for example, it is very important to establish a personal connection with someone before conducting business or making a deal. When you take a business trip to an Asian country, it’s never “just business,” and if you go in with an inflexible get-it-done attitude, you won’t get very far. More deals are made on the golf course than in the conference room, and your Japanese counterpart will want to get to know you on a personal level before signing any contracts. This can take place over a few nights at restaurants and bars, a geisha house, and in most cases a round of golf.
Many of the best courses are private, with open golf limited to just a couple of days a month. But chances are, if you’re on a business trip, your Asian counterpart has a membership, so you’re in luck. If business isn’t part of your agenda, don’t worry, there are still plenty of options, and if you sign up with the right tour guide, you might even be able to get into some of those exclusive private clubs. And the public courses are often just as impressive and beautifully designed, with green fees that compare quite favorably with those in the United States.
Whether for business or pleasure, you won’t have to look far to find a good course, wherever you are. The ancestral home of legendary golfer Tiger Woods, Thailand is rich in well-developed and well-played golf courses, offering a very high-quality environment at low cost. At many of Thailand’s golf resorts, the pleasures are not limited to golf alone, with ample opportunities for fine dining, traditional massages and the ultimate in relaxation.
Find golf everywhere
Even in less developed areas like Cambodia, you can find somewhere to play, so don’t forget to bring your clubs when you go to Siem Reap to see the magnificent Angkor Wat. India too, with its rapidly emerging economy, has a new respect for the game of golf, and courses are beginning to spring up to accommodate the country’s emerging middle class.
And regardless of politics, golf still persists, and communist countries are no exception. Vietnam has opened up for trade and tourism, and yes, you can find some good game there too. Despite the country’s war-torn past, Vietnam is a beautiful country with incredible scenery and wonderful hospitality. It has become a popular tourist destination and the Vietnamese are very accommodating. The surroundings are varied but always exotic. And three hours or so outside of Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll find one of Asia’s top ten courses, right along the coast of the South China Sea.
When you visit India you will be pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of golf courses and indeed India has had a great fascination with the game since the early 19th century. New golf courses spring up regularly, and the game is enjoyed by a surprisingly large diversity of people from all walks of life in India.
golf vacation trips
If you are a fan of golf, you should not miss your favorite game during your vacation. Several tour operators offer fantastic all-inclusive golf vacations. You don’t have to worry about where to go or how to get there, your tour operator will take care of all the details for you. And if you’re lucky, you might find a tour package that takes you to some of the most exclusive clubs.
part of the package
Wherever you go in Asia, incorporating golf into your vacation is a wonderful way to see the country. You’ll be surprised how easy it is to incorporate golf into your family vacation or business trip, due to the incredible popularity of the game and the wide selection of courses available. Additionally, many of the courses offer extensive amenities and are close to cultural centers, special events, and other major tourist destinations. Playing golf on holiday in Asia doesn’t mean you have to spend time away from family – many of the courses are part of very large resort complexes that include a little bit of everything for everyone.