Hong Kong Golf Club at Fanling

Nestled in the tranquil countryside of Sheung Shui (上水) in Hong Kong’s New Territories (新界), the Hong Kong Golf Club at Fanling (香港高尔夫球会·粉岭球场) is the birthplace of golf in the city and one of the oldest golf institutions in Asia. Established in 1889, this prestigious private members’ club has been the stage for some of the region’s most important tournaments, including the Hong Kong Open (香港高尔夫球公开赛), Asia’s longest-running professional sporting event.

Covering nearly 180 hectares of lush fairways, ancient trees, and manicured greens, Fanling offers an exclusive golfing experience that blends history, tradition, and world-class competition.

The Hong Kong Golf Club is a private golf club. It is home to the Hong Kong Open, a tournament co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.

Founded in 1889 as the Royal Hong Kong Golf Club, the Club originally played in Happy Valley, a location shared with many other activities. As the Club expanded, the need for a more permanent home was addressed with the building of a small 9-hole course at Deep Water Bay, before the Club eventually moved to its current location in Fanling,[1] most of which is leased from the Hong Kong government. According to the Club annals, the Deep Water Bay location opened in 1898; and the 18-hole Old Course was completed in 1911. To expand the facility, in 1968, the Club negotiated the lease of around 30 acres of land at Beas River with which it expanded the Eden Course into a full 18-hole championship course. The 'Royal' was dropped from the name of the club in 1996, in advance of the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China.

The Club paid a one-off premium to lease the land, and is wrongly labelled to pay only a peppercorn rent annually. In 2012, the Club paid HK$1.9 million for rent and HK$3.2 million for rates.[3] In Year 2013/2014, the Government Rent Payable is HK$2,538,000.

Quick Overview

• Founded: 1889 (as Royal Hong Kong Golf Club; renamed in 1996)

• Location: 1 Fan Kam Road (粉锦公路), Sheung Shui (上水), New Territories, Hong Kong

• Courses: Three championship 18-hole layouts (Old, New, and Eden)

• Membership: ~2,500 (individual and corporate)

• Land Area: ~180 hectares

• Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM

• Access: Members and invited guests only

• Website: Hong Kong Golf Club

A Historic Legacy

Founded in 1889 during Hong Kong’s colonial era, the club was originally known as the Royal Hong Kong Golf Club (皇家香港高尔夫球会). For decades, it served as the center of golfing life for expatriates and local elites.

In 1996, the club dropped the word “Royal” from its name, embracing a more modern identity while still preserving its heritage. Its clubhouse architecture, centuries-old trees, and traditional etiquette give Fanling an atmosphere of timeless elegance.

Today, Fanling is both a symbol of Hong Kong’s sporting history and a modern golf hub that continues to attract world-class players and tournaments.

The Courses

Old Course (旧球场)

• Opened in 1911, making it one of the earliest championship courses in Asia

• Par 71, with tree-lined fairways and natural undulations

• Known for its charm, tradition, and intimate connection with Hong Kong’s golf heritage

• Venue of past Hong Kong Ladies Open tournaments

New Course (新球场)

• Par 70, designed to complement the Old Course

• Longer, more strategic, and often combined with the Old Course for international competitions

• Narrow fairways and deep bunkers test accuracy and course management

Eden Course (伊甸场)

• Par 70, a more links-inspired layout with rolling fairways

• Natural hazards and breezier conditions make it a favorite among members who want variety

• Provides a distinctly different playing style from the other two layouts

Together, the three 18-hole courses make Fanling a rare club in Asia with 54 championship holes.

Tournaments & Global Recognition

The Hong Kong Open (香港高尔夫球公开赛)

• First held in 1959, making it Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event

• Co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the European Tour

• Prize purse of USD 2 million

• Attracts top international golfers, including Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, and Patrick Reed

• Highlight: Patrick Reed (USA) won the 63rd Hong Kong Open in November 2024

LIV Golf Hong Kong (LIV 高尔夫香港站)

• First hosted at Fanling in March 2024

• Prize purse: USD 25 million

• Drew crowds from 29 countries and regions

• Put Hong Kong on the global LIV Golf calendar

Honors

• In 2015, Fanling was named one of the “World Platinum Clubs of the World”, ranking 67th among the world’s top 100 private golf clubs

Membership & Exclusivity

Fanling is one of the most exclusive clubs in Asia, with approximately 2,500 members.

• Individual Memberships: Non-transferable, with waiting lists exceeding 20 years

• Corporate Memberships: Valued at approximately HKD 16.8 million (when reissued in 2019)

• Strictly members and guests only, making access highly coveted

The exclusivity ensures that the courses remain pristine, uncrowded, and private—hallmarks of a world-class members’ club.

Facilities

Beyond golf, the club provides a full suite of luxury amenities:

• Elegant Clubhouses: Classic interiors with lounges, bars, and fine dining

• Golf Academy: Coaching for all levels, from beginners to elite players

• Practice Facilities: Driving ranges, putting greens, and short-game areas

• Event Spaces: Hosting tournaments, weddings, and corporate events

• Member Services: Shuttle buses from Fanling MTR Station (粉岭站) and concierge assistance

Role in the Community

Promoting Youth Golf

The club runs initiatives like “Golf in Schools (高尔夫进校园)” and junior training academies, nurturing future talent. By 2025, it will play a role in the Greater Bay Area Games (粤港澳大湾区全运会), strengthening golf as a key sport in Hong Kong.

Tourism Impact

During the 2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong, local hotels saw over 600 additional room nights per night, boosting tourism, hospitality, and F&B businesses across the New Territories.

Social Prestige

For over a century, Fanling has been a social hub for Hong Kong’s business leaders, politicians, and international guests.

Recent Developments

In 2023, the Hong Kong SAR Government reclaimed 32 hectares of Fanling’s land for public housing projects. While controversial, the move left most of the courses intact, ensuring that major international tournaments can still be hosted at the club.

Fanling continues to adapt to modern pressures while maintaining its golfing heritage and prestige.

Visiting Fanling

• Address: 1 Fan Kam Road (粉锦公路), Sheung Shui (上水), New Territories, Hong Kong

• Transport: Take the MTR to Fanling Station (粉岭站), then a short taxi ride or the club’s shuttle bus

• Access Policy: Private; only members and invited guests may enter

• Opening Hours: 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Why Fanling is Special

The Hong Kong Golf Club at Fanling (香港高尔夫球会·粉岭球场) is more than a golf course—it is a living museum of Hong Kong’s sporting history. With three championship courses, a legacy dating back to 1889, and tournaments that draw the world’s best, Fanling remains a rare jewel in Asia’s golf landscape.

For those lucky enough to step onto its fairways, Fanling offers not just golf, but an experience of tradition, prestige, and timeless beauty.

Chinese Name:香港粉岭高尔夫球俱乐部 (18洞)
Chinese Address:香港新界粉岭1号
Tel:852-2670-1211