Golf in Vietnam has taken off with more than 40 golf courses in Danang, Saigon, Hanoi and other locations. Of these, it is the Danang golf courses that are the biggest drivers of golf tourists to Vietnam. A quick glance at them easily suggests why. Golf in Danang is set in incredible landscapes – making it an incomparable feast both visually and golf experience wise. Hilly rainforest landscape, natural water bodies, sandy dunes and sensational sea-vistas are all part of the offering. Hoiana Shores, Laguna Lang Co, Bana Hills, BRG Danang Golf Club, Montgomerie Links, and Vinpearl Nam Hoi An is the current lineup. They comprise a total of 7 – 18 hole layouts with facilities to match and impress the international golfer.
Hoiana Shores
Robert Trent Jones Jr is the latest of the big names to stamp their class on the Danang golf scene. Hoiana Shores, which opened for play in the second half of 2019, is possibly the best of all golf in Danang. At least, that is what the reviews it has received seem to suggest. The links style course built alongside the South China Sea offers a treat that is simply too hard to beat. Both for the visual and the golf experience. Being part of an integrated resort with luxury hotels and entertainment, Hoiana Shores also makes for an excellent stay and play option.
Ba Na Hills Golf Resort
If you were to pick a golf course in Danang, unique in character, Ba Na Hills definitely fits the bill. Luke Donald could not have asked for more than this jaw-dropping setting, when entrusted with his first golf course design. He made brilliant use of the landscape to come up with a beauty – a thrilling ride not to be missed. The first few holes scarcely provide a hint, even as you sense elevation changes being the order of the day. The 4th and 5th par 5s is where the true character of the course comes into being and follows steadily so. The rustic magnificence is best displayed on the back 9 with a series of extraordinary holes, most notably the 11th, 12th and 16th. The golf course is floodlit on all of its 18 holes, which is a bonus if you are teeing off late.
Laguna Golf Lang Co
We may have mentioned Ba Na Hills as being unique. True as that is, it cannot and should not replace the Sir Nick Faldo designed Laguna Golf Lang Co. The longer drive to Lang Co must not be a reason to miss this golf course in Danang. Blessed with rainforest, mountains, river, streams, undulating land, sea and beach, this is simply golf heaven. It is easy to be distracted by the raw beauty of the place, but ironically that’s what the golf course is all about. The design incorporates all the natural elements, with holes playing to accentuate the features of the land. The result is a rustic hinterland experience, a true test of golf with emphasis on accuracy and strategy.
BRG Danang Golf Resort (Dunes Course)
Greg Norman put to use a glorious site to create a truly memorable golf experience at the Danang Golf Club. This starts on the first tee itself, where you are greeted with a linksy landscape. At that point you know why this course is referred to as the Dunes course. Making your way around the bunkers and sandy wastes is the name of the game especially in the first nine. And then the course seems to change character, much in tune with the script of a change in landscape. The finish, starting from the signature 16th, adds to the drama at yet another fine Danang golf course.
Montgomerie Links
Designed by Colin Montgomerie, this is the first of Danang golf courses to open and has been going strong ever since. Montgomerie Links is inspired by the traditional links golf courses of the British Isles that Colin Montgomerie grew up on. The pot style bunkers that guard the fairways and greens are clearly reminiscent of that region. And yet, the dense vegetation and plentiful water-bodies give you a sense of playing in a traditional parkland golf course. The design and the layout offer a lot of appeal to many returning players for golf in Danang
Vinpearl Nam Hoi An
Vinpearl Nam Hoi An is another option for golf in Danang, While the golf course still needs to mature to capture the imagination of golfers, it holds true promise. Plenty of bunkers, some that run very long are the overarching theme. Large sandy wastes which are quite typical of the region are also a consideration in shot making. Memorable holes include the par 5, 5th and the dog-leg right 10th hole. Layout apart, the golf course is in great condition, with the rest of the facilities to match. If you are staying in Hoi An this is an easy choice, situated at just a 15-minute drive away.
BRG Danang Golf Resort (Nicklaus Design)
This is the second of the golf courses at the BRG Danang Golf Resort with Nicklaus Design as the course architects. While the first 9 holes of the golf course have been open since 2018, the full 18 became functional only in 2020. The course is an example of a Bulkhead design, owing to the wooden bulkheads used to separate water and sand hazards. This is the first such design in Asia, reminiscent of the Florida courses, where the bulkhead materials have in fact been imported from. BRG Danang Golf Club offers night golfing, making it more comfortable to play golf in Danang during the hot summer months
