The best golf courses in Asia

Geography and culture don’t get much more diverse than in Asia, especially when it comes to golf. The style of golf from one country to the next—even from one region to the next—can vary as much as the cuisine. Even separating out the major golf markets of Japan, South Korea and China (as we’ve done by listing their rankings apart from the rest of Asia), the range of architecture, settings and outlook on how the game is played is remarkable—there’s no comparing an environment like that of the Himalayan Golf Club in Nepal with the tropical backdrops of the Philippines or Malaysia, or the oceanfront dunes of Vietnam.

That said, for all its admirable size and variety, the Asian continent overall lacks the architectural power of North America, Europe and Australia. Just 10 courses from all Asian countries make our latest World’s 100 Greatest Courses ranking, with Hirono Golf Club in Japan leading the way at No. 26. From countries outside of Japan, China and South Korea, there are only three representatives: The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip in Vietnam (No. 68); and Amata Spring Country Club in Thailand (98). Part of the reason for this is the historical headstart of other countries in golf development—aside from Japan, most of the courses in the Asia country-by-country rankings did not exist 40 years ago. It also speaks to the predominantly Western outlook and tastes of our course ranking panel, further reflecting how golf culture differs in each part of the world: These individual rankings of courses highlights the favorite styles of golf in each country, which don’t always align with American or British ideals. That should be celebrated. Whatever the reasoning, golf in Asia is strong, and the ceiling for future development is nearly limitless.

We urge you to click through to each individual course page for bonus photography, drone footage and expanded reviews. Plus, you can now leave your own ratings on the courses you’ve played … to make your case why your favorite should be ranked higher.

Editor's Note: Our Best Courses in Asia ranking is part of Golf Digest's rollout of the Best Courses in Every Country. Check back over the next few weeks for more of our rankings of the best golf around the world.

Afghanistan

1. Kabul G. Cse., Kabul

Azerbaijan

1. National Azerbaijan G.C., Baku
2. Dreamland G.C., Baku

Bangladesh

1. Kurmitola G.C., Dahka

Bhutan

1. Royal Thimphu G.C., Thimphu

Brunei

1. Empire Golf Course, Bandar Seri Begawan
2. Brunei Golf & Country Club, Bandar Seri Begawan

Cambodia

1. Vattanac Golf Resort (East), Phnom Penh
2. Vattanac Golf Resort (West), Phnom Penh
3. Angkor G. Resort (Faldo), Siem Reap
4. Garden City G.C., Phnom Penh
5. Phokeethra C.C., Siem Reap

China

30. Wind Valley Golf Club (Public)
29. Weihai Point Hotel & Golf Resort
28. Heshan Golf Club
27. Beijing CBD International Golf Club
26. Lake Malaren Golf Club Shanghai (Masters)

VIEW THE FULL RANKINGS FOR CHINA HERE.

Christmas Island

1. Christmas Island G.C., The Settlement

Cocos Islands

1. Cocos Islands G.C., West Island

Hong Kong

1. Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau (North), New Territories
2. Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau (South), New Territories
3. Clearwater Bay G. & C.C., New Territories
4. Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau (East), New Territories
5. Hong Kong G.C. (Eden), Fanling
6. Discovery Bay G.C. (Ruby and Diamond), Lantau Island
7. Shek O C.C., Hong Kong
8. Hong Kong G.C. (New), Fanling
9. Hong Kong G.C. (Old), Fanling

India

1. Delhi G.C. (Lodhi), New Delhi
2. Karnataka Golf Association G.C., Bangalore
3. DLF Golf and Country Club, Gurgaon
4. Jaypee Greens G. Resort, Greater Noida
5. Classic G. Resort, New Delhi
6. Kalhaar Greens and Blues Golf Club, Ahmedabad
7. Bombay Presidency G.C., Mumbai
8. Royal Calcutta G.C., Calcutta

Indonesia

1. Royale Jakarta G.C. (West/South), Jakarta, West Java
2. Ria Bintan G.C. (Ocean), Lagoi, Bintan
3. Bali National Golf Club (pictured), Nusa Dua, Bali
4. Damai Indah G. (Bumi Serpong Damai), Jakarta, West Java
5. Damai Indah G. (Pantai Indah Kapuk), Jakarta, West Java
6. Imperial Golf Klub, Banten
7. Parahyangan Golf Club, West Java
8. Rancamaya Golf & Country Club, Jakarta, West Java
9. Riverside G.C., Bogor, West Java
10. Emeralda G.C. (River/Lake), Bogor, West Java
11. Rainbow Hills G.C. (Forest/Mountain/Stone Hill), Bogor, West Java
12. Pondok Indah G.C., Jakarta, West Java
13. Taman Dayu G.C. & Resort, Pasuruan, West Java
14. New Kuta G., Jimbaran, Bali
15. Gunung Geulis C.C., Bogor, West Java

Japan

15. Narita Golf Club
14. Abiko Golf Club
13. Kawaguchiko Country Club
12. Taiheiyo Club: Gotemba
11. Yokohama Country Club (East)

VIEW THE FULL RANKINGS FOR JAPAN HERE.

Kazakhstan

1. Nurtau G.C., Almaty

Kyrgyzstan

1. Maple Leaf G. & C.C., Bishkek

Laos

1. Lakeview Vientiane Golf Club, Vientiane
2. Long Thanh-Vientiane Golf Club, Dongphosy

Macau

1. Macau G. & C.C., Ilha de Coloane

Malaysia

1. The Els Club Desaru Coast: Valley
2. Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club: East
3. Kota Permai Golf & Country Club
4. The Els Club Teluk Datai 7.315
5. Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club: West
6. Saujana G. & C.C.: Palm
7. Sungai Long Golf & Country Club
8. The Els Club Desaru Coast: Ridges/Lakes
9. Templer Park Golf & Country Club
10. The Mines Resort & G.C.
11. Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club
12. Forest City (Nicklaus)
13. Royal Selangor G.C.: New
14. Glenmarie Golf & Country Club: Valley
15. The Els Club Desaru Coast: Coast/Lakes
16. Royal Selangor G.C.: Old
17. The Els Club Desaru Coast: Coast/Ridge
18. Forest City (Classic)
19. Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club
20. Palm Garden G.C.

Maldives

1. Villingili G. Cse., Villingili Island

Mongolia

1. Mount Bogd G.C., Ulaanbaatar

Myanmar

1. Pun Hlaing G.C., Yangon

Nepal

1. Gokarna Forest G. Resort, Kathmandu
2. Himalayan G.C., Pokhara
3. Royal Nepal Golf Course, Kathmandu

North Korea

1. Pyongyang G. Cse., Pyongyang

Pakistan

1. Royal Palm G. & C.C., Lahore

Philippines

1. Santa Elena Golf Club, Makiling, Santa Rosa, Laguna
2. The Orchard G. & C.C. (Palmer), Dasmarinas, Cavite
3. The Orchard G. & C.C. (Player), Dasmarinas, Cavite
4. The Country Club, Santa Rosa, Laguna
5. Manila Southwoods G. & C.C. (Legends), Carmona, Cavite
6. Sherwood Hills G. & CC
7. Anvaya Cove G.C., Central Luzon
8. Mimosa G. & C.C. (Acacia/Lakeview), Clark Air Base, Angeles City, Pampanga
9. Eagle Ridge G. & C.C. (Nick Faldo), Cavite
10. Riviera Golf Club (Langer): Langer, Cavite
11. Tagaytay Midlands G.C.
12. Mimosa G. & C.C.: Mountainview, Clark Air Base, Angeles City, Pampanga
13. Mt. Malarayat Golf & Country Club
14. Manila Southwoods G. & CC: Masters, Carmona, Cavite
15. Wack-Wack G. & C.C. (East), Manila

Singapore

1. Sentosa G.C. (Serapong)
2. Sentosa G.C. (New Tanjong)
3. Tanah Merah C.C. (Tampines)
4. Laguna National G. & C.C. (World Classic)
5. Singapore Island C.C. (Millennium/Peirce/Forest)
6. Laguna National G. & C.C. (Masters)
7. Tanah Merah C.C. (Garden)
8. Singapore Island C.C. (Bukit)
9. Marina Bay G.C.
10. Seletar C.C.
11. National Service Resort & C.C. (Changi)
12. Orchid C.C. (Dendro/Aranda/Vanda)
13. Singapore Island C.C. (Bukit*) (course currently undergoing renovations, scores based on pre-construction)
14. National Service Resort & C.C. (Kranji)
15. Sembawang C.C.

South Korea

15. Seowon Valley Country Club
14. Namchon Country Club
13. Whistling Rock Country Club (Temple/Cocoon)
12. Pinx Golf Club (West/East)
11. Blackstone Jeju

VIEW THE FULL RANKINGS FOR SOUTH KOREA HERE.

Sri Lanka

1. Victoria G. & C. Resort, Kandy

Taiwan

1. Sunrise G. & C.C., Yangmei
2. The Orient G. & C.C., Guishan
3. Miramar G.C.C., Linkou
4. Ta Shee G. & C.C., Daxi
5. Yung Han G.C., Luzhu
6. Palm Lakes Resort, Chayi
7.National G. & C.C Yuanli
8. Nanfong G.C., Nantou
9. Nan Yi G.C.C., Guanmiao
10. Lungtan G.C., Longtan

*Courtesy of Golf Digest’s affiliate in Taiwan

Tajikistan

1. Sogdiana G.C., Dushanbe

Thailand

1. Amata Spring C.C., Chonburi
2. Ayodhya Links G.C., Ayutthaya
3. Alpine Golf Club, Bangkok
4. Siam C.C. (Old), Pattaya
5. Ban Rakat Club (Ballyshear), Bang Bo
6. Black Mountain G.C., Hua Hin
7. Chiangmai Highlands G. and Spa Resort, Chiangmai
8. Alpine Golf Resort, Chiangmai
9. Thai C.C., Chachoengsao
10. Siam C.C. (Rolling Hills), Pattaya
11. Siam C.C. (Plantation), Pattaya
12. Bangsai Country Club, Ayutthaya
13. Lam Luk Ka C.C. (East), Patumthani
14. Chee Chan Golf Resort, Chon Buri
15. Siam C.C. (Waterside), Pattaya
16. Blue Canyon C.C. (Canyon), Phuket
17. Nikanti G.C., Nakhon Pathom
18. Lam Luk Ka C.C. (West), Patumthani
19. Banyan G.C., Hua Hin
20. Laem Chabang International Country Club (B&C), Chon Buri

Uzbekistan

1. Tashkent Highlands G.C., Tashkent

Vietnam

1. The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip, Ba Ria, Vung Tau ★
2. Hoiana Shores G.C., Hoi An
3. Laguna Lang Co, Lang Co, Da Nang
4. Legend Danang GC (Norman), Da Nang
5. Legend Danang GC (Nicklaus), Da Nang
6. Ba Na Hills G.C., Da Nang
7. Montgomerie Links, Da Nang
8. BRG Kings' Island G. Resort (Lakeside), Hanoi
9. KN Golf Links, Nha Trang
10. Sky Lake Resort & G.C. (Lake), Hanoi

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