During its construction, the locals new Hainan Island as “Project 791”, now they and the world know it as Mission Hills Hainan, a staggering engineering feat that only the Chinese would have dreamt up and completed in a time frame that other places in the world would have considered “impossible”.
Set on the island, that was once considered as China´s answer to Hawaii, Mission Hills Hainan is going to be at the centre of the Chinese golf tourism industry with a total of 27 courses, double what Hainan province had before the completion of the mammoth project.
The brain-child of Ken Chu, son of the billionaire business-man responsible for Mission Hills in Shenzhen, the island has been transformed into a golfing paradise, with no expense spared on any aspect of the incredible feat.
It is what could be described as the only golf city in the world, perhaps even the Capital City of World Golf.
It is not just the Mission Hills Club, the largest golf club in the world, that creates such a central hub for golf, there are other courses that reside in the Hainan province, some of which are also very good and well worth a visit.
Most notably the Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Club, located a 30-minute drive south of the city of Lingshui this parkland layout is a superb design by Mark Hollinger. Rated in 2016 as the 4th best course in China Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Club is a great test of golf, offering views out across the bay.
18 holes measuring 7555 yards from the back tees the course is long, but with various tee options any level of golfer can have an enjoyable round here. Club house facilities are good and you will be treated like royalty by the ever attentive and helpful staff.
It goes without saying that the main draw to the region is most certainly The Mission Hills Club, with its 10 courses that really make this the hotspot for golf in this southern part of China.
The clubhouse facilities at Mission Hills are quite simply 5 star, an enormous clubhouse with a myriad of catering options ensures that every golfer will find something to their tastes.
The service you will receive is exquisite, from the moment you drive through the gates to the time you leave.
Each course presents a different challenge, different design and a different atmosphere, something which Brian Curley of Schmidt-Curley design should be praised for.
Hainan Island´s topography was perfect for the creation of the resort and yet each course, distinctive from the next seems to sit perfectly within its surroundings, a true testament to the forethought and planning that went into the creation of Mission Hills Hainan.
Making the most of the coastal location is Shadow Dunes. Huge sand dunes and native vegetation give body and soul to this course which runs alongside the famed beaches of Hainan. The undulating design and some of the largest greens you will ever see put an emphasis on the short game and accuracy.
Crafted on the iconic designs of the Australian Sandbelt courses, hence the name, Sandbelt Trails measures in at almost 7000 metres. The stand out feature of Sandbelt Trails is, unsurprisingly the bunkering. A mix of both formal and wild bunkering creates a wonderful visual treat, and the Eucalyptus trees add to the distinctive look of this course.
If you are a traditionalist and like the old styled golf courses then you must try The Vintage Course, large mature trees create the form for the holes, whilst small bunkers, some of which are deep pot bunkers, protect greens and call for care when playing the approach shot.
Perhaps surprisingly, one of the most dramatic courses is the par 3 Stepping Stone Course, aptly named. “Stepping stones” of green grass and bunkers dissect the black lava rock and thick vegetation to produce a remarkable pitch and putt course that is sure to test. The second of the par 3 courses, the Double Pin course is unique in that is has two pin positions from which to choose, easy or hard, a great option for practising your approach play.
A playful name for a course which is exciting and challenging to any level of golfer, whether beginning looking to start their journey in golf or the seasoned golfer looking to improve their iron play and approach shots.
Curley, responsible for all of the courses here, has without doubt created a collection of 18 fantastic par 3s.
Not a single drop of water can be found on the course, instead the holes are defined by thick vegetation and the black lava rock which punctuates the entire landscape.
From above the pay three gems stick out as bright as green emeralds on the black backdrop of rock creating a visually stunning golf course.
The holes are true target par threes with the longest measuring just 153 yards from the back tees, whilst the shortest is the first. At just 98 yards, you are required to play over the expanse of rock to the small green protected by a large bunker, another feature of this extremely interesting little golf course.
The 3rd is tough, requiring for correct club selection to avoid the huge bunker behind the green.
Hole 5 is again protected by large bunkers, emphasising the need for accuracy, or a goreat sand game to avoid big numbers.
A large bunker to the front of the 10th green and one back is another example of how simple bunker placement can change the way a hole must be played.
The final hole is another cracking par three, again with the protection of some huge bunkers.
Although the theme of greens being protected by bunkers none of the holes are similar nor will you get bored with the challenge that is presented for you.
The greens are small to mid-sized and have a varying degree of undulations, keeping you on your toes throughout.
Not a single hole on this delightful par three course would look out of place on any of the orthodox 18 hole courses at Mission Hills Hainan, in fact some could easily sit in place of the par threes that are present.
Curley has demonstrated, much like his mentor Pete Dye the importance of creating good par three holes to challenge and enhance golf course design.
Well worth playing, don´t miss this if you are ever at Mission Hills Hainan.
As the second of two par three courses at Mission Hills, Hainan the aptly named Double Pin course is a great compliment to the more orthodox 18 hole courses.
You may be excused for thinking that the Double Pin means that there are 2 pins to create 18 holes on this course, in fact it is 18 greens with 2 pin positions to create two options for each hole.
So, if you fancied playing the course twice you would almost be able to play 2 different courses by changing the flag to which you play.
It is a somewhat ingenious idea, which allowed Brian Curley to create what could be considered an academy or beginners course into what could be a great test of approach play for the lower handicapped golfer.
As part of the design Curley has included many trees and colourful plants to create a perfect marriage between the bright flowers and clear blue skies of Hainan, offering an atmosphere unlike any of the other courses at Mission Hills Hainan.
Don´t be fooled by the Double Pin positions, they truly offer a great test of golf, and yet again demonstrate Curley´s ability to design and build stunning par 3s that will test even the very best tour professionals.
The large greens, needed to accommodate the double pins and provide a big enough variation of difficulty are protected by equally large bunkers which provides protection and a strategic headache for those playing to the more difficult pin positions.
Hole distances range from 73 yards up to 159 yards, requiring the golfer to use more than just one or two clubs.
Heavy contoured fairways and fringes lead beautifully into the rolling greens making the Double Pins course easy on the eye.
Many golfers will not appreciate the intricacies of this course, seeing it just as a par 3 course that is not worth the effort to play, but for those that are willing to give it a try, The Double Pin course will delight and challenge from the first tee to the last green.
A great way to enjoy a family game of golf, improve your approach play and course management.
As a tribute to Pete Dye, Curley designed the Stone Quarry Course and it is a stunner.
Railroad tie sleepers are prominent, large waste bunkers and small tricky greens create a true test of golf, on a course that is somewhat overshadowed by the more acclaimed Lava and Blackstone courses. To my mind, Stone Quarry is definite play.
The eastern American style Meadow Links is an open course with the main feature being the geometric shaped, large, grass-faced bunkers. You will find a few clusters of trees here, but the real defence for the course are the large greens.
It could be said that the Preserve Course is the easiest course of the 10 here at Mission Hills Hainan, dense plantations of palm trees provide a backdrop to the holes, whilst large bunkers frame the wide fairways. Visually interesting it is worth a go.
Finally, I should mention the two “flagship” courses of Mission Hills Hainan, Lava Fields a championship quality design and challenging enough for any tour event Lava Fields is dominated by large expanses of black lava rock. 7400 yards of holes are to be mastered if you want to card a good score here. It is almost link-like in feel with wild bunkering and lack of trees.
Blackstone, Mission Hills Hainan is, well a brute, a championship golf course that will chew up the best players on the planet and spit them out without a moment’s hesitation.
It is long, tough and unforgiving, the quality and design is without question, demonstrated by the World Cup of Golf committee choosing the course as host, before it was even completed for play.
The Preserve at Mission Hills, Hainan is a more conventional course design, that is more welcoming to players of all levels and at 6535 yards from the back tees it is a mid-length course, with a goof variety of hole lengths.
It is spread out across a huge expanse of lava rock, which gave Curley the option to make some extremely wide fairways, that are almost impossible to miss.
It is not constructed to the same level as Blackstone or Lava Fields, yet seems to have more of a modern minimalist feel to it, which will appeal to many golfers that are more used to “club golf”.
Wide open, with sculptured bunkers offering some protection to the fairways and greens, The Preserve is a golfer friendly course.
Although golfer friendly it is not to say that there aren´t holes that will test you, the long par 4 12th hole measures in at 427 yards and will require a well struck drive and accurate approach to find the large green.
Curley reputation of designing memorable par 3s is again true here, with the 9th, 11th and 14th really standing out as great hole design.
The 9th is a beautifully designed mid length par 3 at 161 yards, the green sits at an angle to the tee and the bunkers that cross the hole provide enough of a threat to make this a testing challenge.
Another stunning par 3, the 167 yard, 11th requires a well-flighted iron over the quarry to find the putting surface.
As the shortest par 3 on the course, at just 148 yards, the 14th is a real test of a golfer’s nerve. The tee shot must carry the large central bunker, and club selection must be right to find the correct tier of this three-tiered green.
Much like the other “golfer friendly” course, Meadow Links, The Preserve is not a course that will remain in the memory the same way as Blackstone or Lava Fields, instead you are more likely to remember The Preserve as the course you played best on.
A particular design feature that aids golfers is the predominant mounding around the greens, which actually feeds balls back onto the putting surface. So, if you strike the ball consistently here and more or less on line you will have some great opportunities to card a great score.
The Preserve is however one of the prettier courses here, the use of native shrubs and palm plantations give a more enclosed feel to the course and provides shade to the golfer, during the hotter hours of the day. An abundance of ground cover almost hides the lava rock formation, on which the course was built, but this only goes further to enhance the tranquil beauty of this design.Mission Hills Golf Club Hainan is an extravagant concept, it covers a immense amount of land and is a demonstration of Chinese power and grandeur.
While golf is still an elitist sport in China, Mission Hills is targeting this market and with the increase in golf tourism in China it is leading the way.
18 holes measuring 7555 yards from the back tees the course is long, but with various tee options any level of golfer can have an enjoyable round here. Club house facilities are good and you will be treated like royalty by the ever attentive and helpful staff.
\nIt goes without saying that the main draw to the region is most certainly The Mission Hills Club, with its 10 courses that really make this the hotspot for golf in this southern part of China.
\nThe clubhouse facilities at Mission Hills are quite simply 5 star, an enormous clubhouse with a myriad of catering options ensures that every golfer will find something to their tastes.
\nThe service you will receive is exquisite, from the moment you drive through the gates to the time you leave.
\nEach course presents a different challenge, different design and a different atmosphere, something which Brian Curley of Schmidt-Curley design should be praised for.
\nHainan Island´s topography was perfect for the creation of the resort and yet each course, distinctive from the next seems to sit perfectly within its surroundings, a true testament to the forethought and planning that went into the creation of Mission Hills Hainan.
\nMaking the most of the coastal location is Shadow Dunes. Huge sand dunes and native vegetation give body and soul to this course which runs alongside the famed beaches of Hainan. The undulating design and some of the largest greens you will ever see put an emphasis on the short game and accuracy.
\nCrafted on the iconic designs of the Australian Sandbelt courses, hence the name, Sandbelt Trails measures in at almost 7000 metres. The stand out feature of Sandbelt Trails is, unsurprisingly the bunkering. A mix of both formal and wild bunkering creates a wonderful visual treat, and the Eucalyptus trees add to the distinctive look of this course.
\nIf you are a traditionalist and like the old styled golf courses then you must try The Vintage Course, large mature trees create the form for the holes, whilst small bunkers, some of which are deep pot bunkers, protect greens and call for care when playing the approach shot.
\nPerhaps surprisingly, one of the most dramatic courses is the par 3 Stepping Stone Course, aptly named. “Stepping stones” of green grass and bunkers dissect the black lava rock and thick vegetation to produce a remarkable pitch and putt course that is sure to test. The second of the par 3 courses, the Double Pin course is unique in that is has two pin positions from which to choose, easy or hard, a great option for practising your approach play.
\nA playful name for a course which is exciting and challenging to any level of golfer, whether beginning looking to start their journey in golf or the seasoned golfer looking to improve their iron play and approach shots.
\nCurley, responsible for all of the courses here, has without doubt created a collection of 18 fantastic par 3s.
\nNot a single drop of water can be found on the course, instead the holes are defined by thick vegetation and the black lava rock which punctuates the entire landscape.
\nFrom above the pay three gems stick out as bright as green emeralds on the black backdrop of rock creating a visually stunning golf course.
\nThe holes are true target par threes with the longest measuring just 153 yards from the back tees, whilst the shortest is the first. At just 98 yards, you are required to play over the expanse of rock to the small green protected by a large bunker, another feature of this extremely interesting little golf course.
\nThe 3rd is tough, requiring for correct club selection to avoid the huge bunker behind the green.
\nHole 5 is again protected by large bunkers, emphasising the need for accuracy, or a goreat sand game to avoid big numbers.
\nA large bunker to the front of the 10th green and one back is another example of how simple bunker placement can change the way a hole must be played.
\nThe final hole is another cracking par three, again with the protection of some huge bunkers.
\nAlthough the theme of greens being protected by bunkers none of the holes are similar nor will you get bored with the challenge that is presented for you.
\nThe greens are small to mid-sized and have a varying degree of undulations, keeping you on your toes throughout.
\nNot a single hole on this delightful par three course would look out of place on any of the orthodox 18 hole courses at Mission Hills Hainan, in fact some could easily sit in place of the par threes that are present.
\nCurley has demonstrated, much like his mentor Pete Dye the importance of creating good par three holes to challenge and enhance golf course design.
\nWell worth playing, don´t miss this if you are ever at Mission Hills Hainan.
\nAs the second of two par three courses at Mission Hills, Hainan the aptly named Double Pin course is a great compliment to the more orthodox 18 hole courses.
\nYou may be excused for thinking that the Double Pin means that there are 2 pins to create 18 holes on this course, in fact it is 18 greens with 2 pin positions to create two options for each hole.
\nSo, if you fancied playing the course twice you would almost be able to play 2 different courses by changing the flag to which you play.
\nIt is a somewhat ingenious idea, which allowed Brian Curley to create what could be considered an academy or beginners course into what could be a great test of approach play for the lower handicapped golfer.
\nAs part of the design Curley has included many trees and colourful plants to create a perfect marriage between the bright flowers and clear blue skies of Hainan, offering an atmosphere unlike any of the other courses at Mission Hills Hainan.
\nDon´t be fooled by the Double Pin positions, they truly offer a great test of golf, and yet again demonstrate Curley´s ability to design and build stunning par 3s that will test even the very best tour professionals.
\nThe large greens, needed to accommodate the double pins and provide a big enough variation of difficulty are protected by equally large bunkers which provides protection and a strategic headache for those playing to the more difficult pin positions.
\nHole distances range from 73 yards up to 159 yards, requiring the golfer to use more than just one or two clubs.
\nHeavy contoured fairways and fringes lead beautifully into the rolling greens making the Double Pins course easy on the eye.
\nMany golfers will not appreciate the intricacies of this course, seeing it just as a par 3 course that is not worth the effort to play, but for those that are willing to give it a try, The Double Pin course will delight and challenge from the first tee to the last green.
\nA great way to enjoy a family game of golf, improve your approach play and course management.
\nAs a tribute to Pete Dye, Curley designed the Stone Quarry Course and it is a stunner.
\nRailroad tie sleepers are prominent, large waste bunkers and small tricky greens create a true test of golf, on a course that is somewhat overshadowed by the more acclaimed Lava and Blackstone courses. To my mind, Stone Quarry is definite play.
\nThe eastern American style Meadow Links is an open course with the main feature being the geometric shaped, large, grass-faced bunkers. You will find a few clusters of trees here, but the real defence for the course are the large greens.
\nIt could be said that the Preserve Course is the easiest course of the 10 here at Mission Hills Hainan, dense plantations of palm trees provide a backdrop to the holes, whilst large bunkers frame the wide fairways. Visually interesting it is worth a go.
\nFinally, I should mention the two “flagship” courses of Mission Hills Hainan, Lava Fields a championship quality design and challenging enough for any tour event Lava Fields is dominated by large expanses of black lava rock. 7400 yards of holes are to be mastered if you want to card a good score here. It is almost link-like in feel with wild bunkering and lack of trees.
\nBlackstone, Mission Hills Hainan is, well a brute, a championship golf course that will chew up the best players on the planet and spit them out without a moment’s hesitation.
\nIt is long, tough and unforgiving, the quality and design is without question, demonstrated by the World Cup of Golf committee choosing the course as host, before it was even completed for play.
\nThe Preserve at Mission Hills, Hainan is a more conventional course design, that is more welcoming to players of all levels and at 6535 yards from the back tees it is a mid-length course, with a goof variety of hole lengths.
\nIt is spread out across a huge expanse of lava rock, which gave Curley the option to make some extremely wide fairways, that are almost impossible to miss.
\nIt is not constructed to the same level as Blackstone or Lava Fields, yet seems to have more of a modern minimalist feel to it, which will appeal to many golfers that are more used to “club golf”.
\nWide open, with sculptured bunkers offering some protection to the fairways and greens, The Preserve is a golfer friendly course.
\nAlthough golfer friendly it is not to say that there aren´t holes that will test you, the long par 4 12th hole measures in at 427 yards and will require a well struck drive and accurate approach to find the large green.
\nCurley reputation of designing memorable par 3s is again true here, with the 9th, 11th and 14th really standing out as great hole design.
\nThe 9th is a beautifully designed mid length par 3 at 161 yards, the green sits at an angle to the tee and the bunkers that cross the hole provide enough of a threat to make this a testing challenge.
\nAnother stunning par 3, the 167 yard, 11th requires a well-flighted iron over the quarry to find the putting surface.
\nAs the shortest par 3 on the course, at just 148 yards, the 14th is a real test of a golfer’s nerve. The tee shot must carry the large central bunker, and club selection must be right to find the correct tier of this three-tiered green.
\nMuch like the other “golfer friendly” course, Meadow Links, The Preserve is not a course that will remain in the memory the same way as Blackstone or Lava Fields, instead you are more likely to remember The Preserve as the course you played best on.
\nA particular design feature that aids golfers is the predominant mounding around the greens, which actually feeds balls back onto the putting surface. So, if you strike the ball consistently here and more or less on line you will have some great opportunities to card a great score.
\nThe Preserve is however one of the prettier courses here, the use of native shrubs and palm plantations give a more enclosed feel to the course and provides shade to the golfer, during the hotter hours of the day. An abundance of ground cover almost hides the lava rock formation, on which the course was built, but this only goes further to enhance the tranquil beauty of this design.Mission Hills Golf Club Hainan is an extravagant concept, it covers a immense amount of land and is a demonstration of Chinese power and grandeur.
\nWhile golf is still an elitist sport in China, Mission Hills is targeting this market and with the increase in golf tourism in China it is leading the way.
' },Perhaps surprisingly for a tournament golf course, there is no rough, instead the design team wanted to create a soft, natural looking golf course with few sharp lines. Instead they have opted for bunkers that blend perfectly in to the lava rock and fairways that have been designed with surface drainage at the forefront.
\nThis results in rolling fairways that follow the natural humps and bumps of the terrain.
\nAdd to this natural landscape the lava rock outcrops that call for long carries, the contrast between the whites, blacks and greens and Curley has designed a world class golf course.
\nFrom as early as the 2nd hole it is evident the care taken to ensure the course followed the natural terrain. A true 3 shot par 5 that doglegs twice, putting a premium on accuracy and careful planning to leave a short iron approach to the green.
\nThe 518-yard par 4, 4th is probably the most difficult hole on the course. A long carry over a deep ravine is just the beginning, successfully clear the ravine and your ball will have to find the fairway which is protected left by bunkers and a steep slope to the right that will leave a blind approach. A par is always a welcome score on this hole.
\nOf the par 3s the 11th must be the most challenging. 227 yards the hole requires a well struck tee shot to avoid the enormous bunker left. Bail out right and getting up and down is no easy task.
\nThe 681-yard par 5 14th is a brute. A solitary bunker protects the hole, favour the left side to avoid the only other obstacle, a tree some 120 yards short of the green to the right centre of the fairway. The lack of obstacles does not make this hole any easier and a par is a great score.
\nAlso worth a mention is the last, a par 5 that is reachable, if the drive carries the marshland and lava rocks. The green sits perilously close to the water´s edge, adding to the danger of the hole. The smart play is left of the green where the lie of the land can guide the ball onto the putting surface.
',The Blackstone course at Mission Hills on China´s Hainan Island is just one of 10 courses in the Mission Hills complex.
\nBuilt on the black lava rocks the course is an absolute brute. At 7808 yards from the championship tees, length is definitely a big player here if you want to score well.
\nConstructed on a 350-acre site, the course weaves its way through mature trees, jungle vegetation and natural wetlands to create what can only be described as a course designed for the natural terrain.
\nBrian Curley, of Schmidt & Curley design was the designer and has crafted a true test of golfing ability.
\nThe challenge that the courses possesses was never in doubt with the 2011 World Cup being allocated to the course before construction was even completed.
',One of the most pleasing aspects of Lava Fields is the attention to detail, the course is in spectacular condition with well-maintained fairways, super-smooth greens and bunkers that are a pleasure to play from, if you can say that about bunkers!
\nThe most delightful hole on the course, possible even the most delightful at Mission Hills Hainan, is the par 4 6th hole. Downhill, the hole tempts you into going for the green, but anything even slightly right will end up in the lap of the gods as you will find lava rock and a random bounce. Taking on the hole is not for the faint hearted.
\nLava Fields is world class, and has a number of holes that excite, intrigue and delight.
\nThe par 3 10th and 15th are delightful, yet offer much danger for anything but the cleanest of strikes.
\nThe double dogleg par 5 12th is another hole that will remain long in the memory. A three-shot par five you are required to keep on the fairway and strategically plot your way down this hole, avoiding the trouble that lurks.
\nThe 13th is the quirkiest hole on the course with a heavy, almost wild contouring to the fairway leaving a tricky approach to the green.
\nBut it is the finishing holes on both 9s that really bring home the quality of the design. The 9th is a 513-yard par four, testing every single fibre of your golfing ability, with the 18th offering the chance to finish in style and claim the bragging rights. A downhill par five that requires some careful thought on how to approach the hole.
\nLava Fields is an enchanting golf course that will keep you immersed from start to finish. The wider fairways and slightly shorter length makes it more playable for all level of golfer.
',Lava Fields at Mission Hills Haikou has been designed to fit perfectly with its surroundings, yet the surroundings are further complimented by the golf course which is testament to the design by Curley and possibly the reason why I believe it to be the slightly better of the two courses.
\nAt 7475 yards from the back tees, it is more than capable of holding tour events although shorter than its sister course.
\nWithin the design features are the large, rugged and wild bunkers that merge seamlessly with the lava rock to create a visual feast for the eyes.
\nWider and more open, it is slightly more forgiving from the tee, but do not let this lead you into a false sense of security, if you do not bring you’re a-game to the course you will be punished and big numbers will appear on your scorecard.
',Sitting, squeezed between the Stone Quarry and Lava Fields courses, the layout as a complete course is superb, however it appears the course was forgotten in favour of the bigger siblings. It seems a little less loved, but that only detracts slightly from what is a very good course, that could so easily become even better.
\nThe course is consistent in design which for some will make it more desirable than other courses at Mission Hills.
\nThe large bunkers are pristinely shaped and provide the perfect frame for the rolling fairways.
\nIt is the par threes, which Curley is getting a reputation for, that are the real stand out holes on Meadow Links, not a single hole is weak.
\nInstead the holes are, in general forgiving and this will be a big positive for many golfers, especially if they have already played the “big” courses at mission Hills, Hainan. It will come as a welcome relief to be able to reach greens in regulation and have a chance of making some pars.
\nThe 5th, with a staggered bunker design is pleasing both on the eye and the club, coming in at around 140 yards.
\nThe longer 13th is another memorable and tricky par three, over 200 yards in length accuracy is the key to finding this Redan shaped green.
\nIt is shots like, the long carry over the lava to the 4th green and the 16th hole, split by Church pew bunkers and offering a variety of shot options that really make Meadow Links a real pleasure to play.
\nHole 9, sits at an angle to the tee and with the bunkers that sit across the hole it plays more difficult than it looks.
\nTo close a risk and reward hole, played along the lava wall is a great way to finish what should be a highly enjoyable and all round memorable visit to the more traditional golf course of Meadow Links.
',Considered to be one of the more traditional styles of design at Mission Hills Hainan, Meadow Links is similar in style to that of the US Open courses found on the east coast.
\nThe use of native grasses and the care not to require too much earth moving in the construction phase has created a beautiful, gently undulating golf course that is easy on the eye and your game.
\nMeasuring just 6673 yards the Meadow course is not anywhere near as long as the other courses at Mission Hills and it is a welcome sight.
\nShort it maybe, but challenging it still is.
\nBeing more open than the other designs, play is more affected by wind hence the name.
',Spread out over an immense swathe of land, the distance between the holes is actually short, making this an easy walk, through the native shrubs and lava rock formations that are ever present through the Mission hills Golf Club.
\nFor those that travel here to find an authentic blend of Australian sandbelt courses, such as Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath or Victoria, be prepared to be somewhat disappointed as the designers failed to truly capture the strategic beauty and possible dangers of the famous Australian courses.
\nInstead many of the large, sand-flashed bunkers are somewhat out of place, positioned more for aesthetic reasons than to pose issues to golfers when trying to shave a few yards off the hole, which would have been a truer reflection on the design brief of traditional sandbelt courses.
\nIt was an idea too far, and although it does to live up to expectations the course is presented in good order, with large fast greens that will challenge the very best putters and large bunkers that will come into play for many golfers, especially around the greens.
\nUnlike many of the courses in Asia, Sandbelt Trails does not feature any truly memorable holes, instead the holes are all unassumingly good, there are no truly awful holes, just none that capture your imagination.
\nWith exceptionally wide playing areas, the opportunity to attack the greens from various angles is ever present, and it is this that gives this course some sort of enjoyability.
\nThe real test here comes with the inclusion of some very good par 3s, and is the only real indication that the Australian courses had any influence on the design at all.
\nFrom the first tee, you will see a sea of sand, bunkers are dotted all over the hole, requiring a good tee shot and a slice of luck to not end up in one.
\nThe back 9 is much more interesting and challenging than the front with a couple of very good par fours that will test both the tee-shot and approach shots, which is something that lacks throughout the front 9.
\nSandbelt Trails is by no means a poor attempt at golf course design, but, it is a course that seems to have got lost, in its attempt to pay homage to rather more famous and intricately better golf courses.
\nIf you are visiting Mission Hills, Sandbelt Trails is worth a go, even if it is just for a break from the tighter, tougher tests of golf to be found on the other courses here.
',Considered by Brian Curley and the team at Mission Hills Hainan, Sandbelt Trails was modelled on the great Australian Sandbelt courses.
\nA 7297-yard par 72 golf course, Sandbelt Trails provides golfers with a straightforward test of golf that is far from the difficulties posed by the Lava Fields or championship Blackstone courses here.
\nThe use of the natural vegetation and lava rocks provide a much-needed injection of style to this otherwise relatively flat and somewhat drab golf course, in comparison to the design and difficulty of the other Mission Hills Hainan.
',Like many of the links courses found on the east coast of Scotland, Shadow Dunes, unsurprisingly considering its name, is a unique environment of massive sand dunes and native coastal vegetation.
\nIt has created a natural habitat for many native species and virtually no lava rock can be seen.
\nWith all of the effort required to create the form that this course has, credit has to be giving to Curley and his team for such a well moulded creation, and that is exactly what it is, a creation.
\nThe fairways are “rippled” much like those of traditional coastal links, and the greens are simply massive, averaging over 11,500 square feet in size.
\nGet your clubbing wrong to some of these greens and you will be faced with possibly the longest putt you will ever experience.
\nBut it is this variation, diversity and individuality that gives this course its charm.
\nThe only negative would have to be the way the course blends from fairway to green structures, it makes for playing a links-style game almost impossible as the ball needs to be flown onto the greens rather than bumped into them, but this would be a purist’s vision of the design.
\nThe 2nd is a strong hole, a dogleg par four which leads into a monstrously large and undulating towards its centre can create some interesting putts and chips.
\nA 40000-square foot, triple tiered green awaits on the 5th, with some saying that the green would be better suited to either the 7th or 13th hole.
\nI disagree and believe that the 13th hole, as is, is one of the best and unsurprisingly it is a par 3, heavily contoured which fits perfectly into the design and position on the golf course.
\nSome may say that the course has a couple of “mickey mouse” holes on, but it is hard to criticise the design or the construction of the course, considering it took just 3 months to build and complete.
\nGiven time to settle and mature, The Shadow Dunes course, with a few minor adjustments to the contouring will become a firm favourite amongst visitors to Mission Hills, Hainan.
',Mission Hills, Hainan was an ambitious project in the first place, but the course that stands out as perhaps the most difficult and ambitious design of all is the Shadow Dunes Course.
\nNot the longest course at the resort, Shadow Dunes comes in at 6428-yards and has a par of 70.
\nShadow Dunes, arguably has the most character, in terms of design and is the one course that seems to sit apart from the rest.
\nSo what makes this course so different?
\nWell, to begin it required an immense amount of earth moving, placed on top of the volcanic lava formations, to create what seemingly is a natural beachside golf course.
',Winding their way through the ancient volcanic rock formations, the use of railway sleepers, large bunkers and distinctive mounding create a dramatic and pleasing 18-hole golf course that will test every area of your golf game.
\nWith the Dye influence present on almost every hole, the Stone Quarry course is diverse, exciting and challenging.
\nThe amount of carries over volcanic rock may cause some golfers to feel as though they are always battling to find fairways, but the carries ad to the charm of this golf course.
\nA particular delight early on is the long par three 2nd, at 226 yards from the back tees it is another cracking par 3 to join the long list of great par 3s at Mission Hills Hainan. A large sleepered bunker protects the hole.
\nAnother superb feature to this course is the fortified bunker on the 5th ready to gobble up anything short of the green.
\nAs with the majority of Mission Hills, Hainan courses the par threes stand out above, on the back 9 we have three stunning examples, the 11th which flowing sleepered bunkers, the 15th requiring a carry over the volcanic quarry and the devilish 17th a short hole with a green perched precariously.
\nAn incredible design awaits you at the 13th, a short par four, that will confuse and delight in equal measure. A large, triple decker bunker, laced with volcanic rock is confusing to the eye and creates a sense of mystery as to how the hole should be approached.
\nThe green is no picnic either, wide and undulating the green if found successfully will further confuse the golfer, as it is heavily contoured and its width will leave few short or easy putts.
\nThe 6 par threes make this course interesting and although there are no incredible par 4s or par 5s this is still a very good golf course overshadowed by its siblings.
\nDye was a master craftsman and his legacy can be seen in bucket fulls here, and Curley can be pleased with what he has achieved in a relatively confined area.
\nStone Quarry will be the favourite of many and a mickey mouse course to others who prefer to let the big dog eat.
',If you are looking for a Pete Dye design course at Mission Hills Hainan, you won´t find one, instead you will come across the Stone Quarry Course, designed by Brian Curley of Schmidt-Curley design, in honour of his mentor Pete Dye.
\nAnd what a course he has created.
\nNot to the same level as the Blackstone or Lava Fields tracks, but such a good test of golf that you just have to play it.
\nAt just 6029 yards the par 70, Stone Quarry course is short, but as you would expect from a Pete Dye inspired course the challenge lies within the intricacy of the design rather than the length.
',A soft hand has been used to create this scenic and tranquil design that takes the golfer back to the more traditional design of the last century.
\nAn attempt to maintain as much of the natural, mature trees has been made with the addition of geometrically appealing shaping and quirky features to create a truly splendid golf course.
\nFrequent ridging, mounding, large grass faced and deep pot bunkers provide framing to the holes and are a wonderful obstacle to the golfer, though seemingly unobtrusive.
\nThe experience really begins on the first hole, a delightful opening hole that features a plateau green and one that set the scene perfectly for the remaining holes.
\nThe run of par fours from the 5th through to the 7th offer heavily undulating fairways, almost links like, ensuring that the approach shots must be cleanly struck from the somewhat uneven lies.
\nFourteen is a great sweeping, par four that, although mid length will challenge your shot making ability, something that has been lost in recent years.
\nThe essence of this golf course is the emphasis not on booming long drives from the tee, instead it is about creating the best shot to suit the hole and set-up the best angles from which to attack the pins.
\nA superb par 3 awaits at the 10th, whilst the 17th is a great example of a target par 3, miss the green on this 190 or so par 3 and you will be using your fingers to count up your score.
\nSomewhat unusual is the arrangement of holes, with 3 par 5s on the front nine and 3 par 3s on the back to give an outward 9 par of 38 and an inward of 34, but I think this adds character to the course and a good performance on the para 5s of which most are reachable will set up the opportunity of a great score.
\nIt is the design and overall quality that makes The Vintage one of the best of the courses at Mission Hills Hainan, and it has certainly been created to the exacting brief, it is a joy to play.
',As one of 10 courses at Mission Hills, Hainan, The Vintage could not be better named.
\nSitting behind the more famous and well thought of courses of Lava Fields and Blackstone, The Vintage is somewhat overlooked, but with no good reason.
\nIt is a superb design, in a return to a bygone era of golf course design and it plays its part exceptionally well.
\nOne major difference, and the effect the modern era has had on the game, is the increase in length from years past. Measuring in at 7363 yards The Vintage is a tough course to tame.
',Golf in Shanghai
\nThere are so many great golf courses in and around Shanghai that its difficult to mention them all here. The Agile Binhai Golf Club Shanghai is one of the top courses with two international standard courses, one designed by Peter Thomson. Lake Malaren Golf Club Shanghai has hosted the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters for the last 5 years, a competition which has attracted top golfers from around the world. Nine Dragons Admirals Golf Club Shanghai is located about 90 minutes from the city in a beautiful scenic location on the east coast. Sheshan International Golf Club is one of Shanghai\'s most exclusive private golf clubs and is the host course for the annual HSBC Championship Tournament.
\nGolf in Beijing
\nNowhere has the China golfing craze been more evident than in Beijing with new golf courses sprouting up everywhere. Again, no one is sure how many golf course there are in Beijing with some estimates putting the number at around 70 and many of them are illegal.
\nGolf in Yunnan
\nKunming is a leading golf destination in China with 15 courses less than two hours’ drive. The region is also helped by the excellent year-round weather conditions. The pick of the courses is Spring City which sits 1700 metres above sea level. With two championship courses, one designed by Jack Nicklaus and the other by Robert Trent-Jones Lake Course the club is still ranked in the US Golf Digest list of the bdest 100 courses in the world outside the USA.
\nThe Stoneforest International Country Cub covers a huge area with three 18-hole championship golf course all designed by world-famous golf course architect, Brian Curley.
\nGolf in Guangdong
\nGuangdong, the first province to actively promote golf in China, is now home to more than 70 golf clubs lead of course by Mission Hill Golf Club which consists of two resorts – one in Shenzhen and the other in Dongguan, it is the largest golf club in the world with 12 courses, all designed by some the most iconic names in golf.
\nGolf in Hong Kong
\nHong Kong has only six golf clubs with ten golf courses between them these include two public golf courses: Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course with its three courses and Sky City Nine Eagles which is is an executive 9-hole golf course. The Hong Kong Golf Club is the best golf course in Hong Kong and consists of three 18 hole layouts, one of which hosts the annual Hong Kong Open, an event co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tour.
',The growth of golf in China has been incredible and there are generally reckoned to be more than 650 golf courses in China although the Chinese authorities are now cracking down and many golf courses have been forced to close.
\nIt\'s also difficult estimate exactly how many golfers there are in China. Some people think that the number is around several hundred thousand and others think it could be as high as a million. Whatever the true number, one thing is certain and that the number of golfer in China will continue to increase.
\nIt is generally recognised that golf was invented in Scotland but some believe that many years before this the Chinese were playing a game with striking similarities to golf. In the Chinese version of the game players used up to ten different clubs to hit different sized balls made of wood.
',