ARCHITECTS
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Course Report
Golf Magazine ranked Shanqin Bay among the top 100 courses in the world, but in 2017 Chinese authorities planted thousands of saplings along the signature 17th fairway to create a windbreak, prompting the club to install a temporary par-3 hole.
About
Shanqin Bay Golf Club, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, occupies a spectacular coastal site on Hainan Island, China. This par-71 layout navigates cliffs, dunes, beaches, and jungle-like valleys with minimal artificial shaping, offering strategic challenges amplified by sea winds. Ranked among the world's top courses, it blends natural drama and ocean vistas in a groundbreaking design for Chinese golf.
Caddie Tip
Favor fades on several holes like the 11th par-3; avoid going long on the downhill 3rd where the slick green matches the slope. On windy coastal stretches, club up for sea breezes that turn short holes demanding. Prioritize positioning over distance on ridge greens like the 18th.
The Main Challenge
Sea winds transform the 6,900-yard layout into a formidable test, especially on cliffside par-4s like the 15th and closing stretch. Ridge-top greens demand precise approach angles, while dunes, chasms, and blind shots over ridges penalize errant play. Short par-3s like the 8th across gullies require carry control amid dramatic terrain.
The Good
Golfers rave about the dramatic coastal setting with endless sea views, cliffside holes, and natural undulations that create varied, strategic play. The firm, slick greens and pristine conditions elevate every round, making it feel like a secluded paradise blending jungle, beach, and ocean vistas unmatched in Asia.
The Not So Good
Government intervention disrupted the original 17th hole by planting trees along the fairway, altering its pure links character and requiring a temporary par-3 workaround. Limited public access as a private members club restricts play for tourists, and remote location demands planning for travel and accommodations.
Signature Hole:
#
17
The stunning par-4 17th, often called the signature hole, veers right along the beach to a long, narrow green. Previously bunkerless with pure coastal drama, it now features trees planted by authorities as a windbreak, yet retains its allure as a strategic test over sandy terrain with ocean on one side.
Clubhouse
Luxurious clubhouse boasts breathtaking South China Sea views, fine dining restaurant, halfway house, locker rooms, and showers. High-end amenities cater to members with elegant lounges perfect for post-round relaxation in a serene coastal setting.
Practice Facilities
Exceptional practice facilities include a full driving range, bunkers for short-game work, and putting areas to sharpen skills amid ocean views. Ample space allows focused warm-ups on the seaside Paspalum turf matching the course.
Dress Code:
Prestigious
No dress code enforced. All attire is permitted.
Collared shirts not required. Clean, athletic or golf-appropriate casual wear is acceptable.
Collared shirts required. No denim, gym wear, or overly casual clothing.
Collared shirts must be tucked in; no cargo or athletic shorts. No hats indoors.
Elite club standards; jackets required indoors, no changing shoes in the parking lot, and specific attire rules based on the area of the facility.
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