Shanghai Golf Guide: Top Courses & Itineraries 2026/2027

A Shanghai golf tour puts five championship courses within 90 minutes of the city centre — from the 36-hole parkland of Kunshan Sun Island Golf Club (太阳岛高尔夫球场), voted Shanghai's #1 course, to the Pudong skyline backdrop of Tomson Golf Club (汤臣高尔夫球场), host of the BMW Asian Open. Between them, Silport Golf Club (斯尔顿高尔夫球场) — seven-time home of the VOLVO China Open — Lake Malaren Golf Club (马勒湖高尔夫球场) with its Where2Golf 4-plus rating, and the coastal Palmbeach Seaview Golf Club (棕榈滩海景高尔夫球场) on Fengxian Bay round out one of Asia's most varied and underestimated golf circuits. The courses are diverse, the water town pairings are world-class, and the city makes a compelling base.

Yaso Trip, your professional local travel agency based in China, handles course access, tee time bookings, private transfers, and the sightseeing combinations that make a Shanghai golf trip genuinely memorable. This guide covers each course in detail, the best time to visit, practical logistics, and the Yaso Trip itinerary options to match your schedule — whether you have three days or five.

Why Play Golf in Shanghai?

Shanghai Tomson Golf Club

Shanghai Lake Malaren Golf Resort

Shanghai is China's most international business destination, and its golf scene has evolved to match — attracting major European Tour events and drawing course designers of the highest calibre. As of 2026, the greater Shanghai area hosts more than 25 championship courses, making it one of China's most golf-dense urban regions.

• Course variety in a compact geography. Parkland, championship links-style, coastal, and semi-private club layouts all exist within 90 km (56 mi) of Pudong International Airport. Three courses lie near Kunshan's Dianshan Lake (淀山湖) — a 90-minute drive from the city — and can be efficiently combined into a multi-day circuit.
• A world-class competitive pedigree. Silport Golf Club hosted the VOLVO China Open seven times. Tomson Golf Club hosted the BMW Asian Open. Lake Malaren Golf Club hosted the BMW Masters Championship (European Tour). Few city-based golf destinations of this size carry that kind of tournament record.
• Genuine course exclusivity. Tomson Golf Club is accessible via agency arrangement rather than walk-in booking. Yaso Trip handles this access for clients — reaching courses that independent travelers simply cannot book.
• Water town pairings that no other golf city offers. Play Kunshan Sun Island in the morning, then spend the afternoon at Tongli Water Town (同里古镇), a UNESCO World Heritage garden town with over 1,000 years of history. Play Silport in the morning and pair it with Zhujiajiao (朱家角), known as the "Venice of Shanghai." The golf and culture combination is genuinely seamless here.
• Year-round playability with clear peak seasons. Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) offer the best conditions; courses stay open through summer with occasional heat management.
• Business travel compatibility. Every course is reachable from central Shanghai by private transfer in under 90 minutes. A two-round golf day leaves time for a Pudong dinner — or a Bund sunset walk.

The Top Shanghai Golf Courses

1. Kunshan Sun Island Golf Club (太阳岛高尔夫球场) — Shanghai's #1 Course

Kunshan Sun Island Golf Club sits at the top of Shanghai regional rankings and has held that position consistently — voted Shanghai's #1 and one of China's top-five courses. It is the most accessible of the featured courses for visiting golfers, open to the public and well-practised at hosting international visitors.

Kunshan Sun Island Golf Club Shanghai

Kunshan Sun Island Golf Club Shanghai

Fact Panel

• Location: Kunshan (昆山), Jiangsu — approximately 90 km (56 mi) / 1.5 hr from central Shanghai by private transfer; also accessible via Kunshan South high-speed rail station
• Layout: 36-hole complex — Classic View (9 holes, 3,416 yards), Lake View (9 holes, 3,465 yards), Island View (9 holes, 3,413 yards) — played as 18-hole rotational rounds; plus 30-bay driving range, pitching and bunker area, and 18-hole mini-golf
• Par / Difficulty: Par 72 (18-hole combination); fairways are relatively straight and unobstructed — the pin is typically visible from the tee, which plays well for mid-handicappers as well as scratch golfers
• Designer: Robin Nelson & Neil Haworth
• Visitor Access: Public — visitors welcome, no membership required
• Style: Parkland with natural lakes, low hills, and mature tree lines
• Best For: All ability levels; particularly strong for visiting golfers who want full practice facilities alongside their round
• Sightseeing Pairing: Tongli Water Town (同里古镇, UNESCO World Heritage) or Zhouzhuang Water Town (周庄)

The course makes full use of the Kunshan lakeland terrain. Each of the three 9-hole loops frames a distinct landscape — classic parkland on the Classic View, open water on the Lake View, and an almost island-like exposure on the Island View holes. The overall environment is quiet and well-maintained, and the practice infrastructure (30-bay range, short game area, mini-golf) means arriving early for a warm-up session is genuinely worthwhile.

For a full-day itinerary, the Sun Island + Tongli combination is the most polished Yaso Trip offering in this article. Play 18 holes in the morning, then spend the afternoon at Tongli's Retreat & Reflection Garden (退思园), a UNESCO World Heritage Site; walk the Three Bridges (三桥); and explore the stone-bridge lanes of one of China's best-preserved water towns — all within a 20-minute drive of the course.

Play Sun Island with Yaso Trip

1 Day Shanghai Golf and Sightseeing Tour to Kunshan Sun Island Golf Club and Tongli Water Town

Tour Route：Shanghai-Kunshan

Tour Type：Day Tours / Golf Holiday

1 Days

4 Places

View Detail

2. Silport Golf Club (斯尔顿高尔夫球场) — Home of the China Open

Silport Golf Club has earned a reputation that extends far beyond Shanghai — hosting the VOLVO China Open seven times earns a course the right to call itself the China Open's spiritual home, and Silport does exactly that. Its 8th hole is recognised as one of China's 18 famous holes.

Shanghai Silport Golf Club

Shanghai Silport Golf Club

Fact Panel

• Location: Dianshan Lake Town (淀山湖镇), Kunshan, Jiangsu — close to Sun Island Golf Club; approximately 85 km (53 mi) from central Shanghai
• Layout: 36-hole course — 18 holes on application (visitor-accessible); 18 holes reserved for members
• Par / Length: Par 72, 6,609 yards (visitor course)
• Designer: Bob J. Martin, Nicklaus Group (Nicklaus Design)
• Visitor Access: On application via Pro Shop — Yaso Trip pre-arranges access, handling all tee time coordination for clients
• Style: Natural winding landscape with undulating fairways and changing elevation — "up-and-down" design rather than flat parkland
• Best For: Mid to low handicappers who want a course with genuine tournament pedigree
• Sightseeing Pairing: Zhujiajiao Ancient Town (朱家角, "Venice of Shanghai" — 1,700-year history, Fangsheng Bridge, Yuanjin Buddhist Temple, canal boat rides)

Silport's course designer drew from the rolling Kunshan landscape to build fairways that reward precise placement over raw distance. The undulating terrain means that a ball left in the wrong position off the tee faces a difficult approach from an awkward lie — exactly the tournament-calibre challenge you would expect from a seven-time China Open venue. The 8th hole, with its demanding green complex and surrounding water, is the signature moment in a round.

Access is the one consideration. Silport's visitor course is available on application rather than walk-in, and securing a tee time independently — especially as an international visitor — requires advance coordination. Yaso Trip handles all bookings directly as part of any Silport itinerary; clients arrive at the clubhouse ready to play.

The Silport + Zhujiajiao combination makes for one of the most photogenic golf days in the Shanghai area. Zhujiajiao, a 1,700-year-old water town preserved in Ming and Qing Dynasty (1368–1911 AD) architecture, is a genuine highlight: the Fangsheng Bridge over the main canal, the climb to Yuanjin Buddhist Temple for a panoramic view of the town, and a slow canal boat ride past old residences and shops are all within walking distance of the town entrance.

Play Silport with Yaso Trip

1 Day Shanghai Silport Golf Tour with Zhujiajiao Water Town

Tour Route：Shanghai-Zhujiajiao Water Town in Shanghai

Tour Type：City Tours / Day Tours / Classic China Tours / Golf Holiday

1 Days

1 Places

View Detail

3. Tomson Golf Club (汤臣高尔夫球场) — Exclusive Pudong Access

Tomson Golf Club is Shanghai's most centrally positioned championship course — located in the heart of Pudong (浦东), 20 minutes' drive from Pudong International Airport, Hongqiao Airport, Nanjing Road, and Lujiazui (陆家嘴). It hosted the 2006 BMW Asian Open and represents an investment of over $100 million USD across its 1.4-million sqm site.

Tomson Golf Club Pudong Shanghai

Tomson Golf Club Pudong Shanghai

Fact Panel

• Location: 1 Longdong Avenue (龙东大道), Pudong New Area (浦东新区), Shanghai — 20 min from Pudong Airport, Hongqiao Airport, Nanjing Road, Lujiazui
• Layout: 18-hole, par 72, 7,200+ yards
• Designer: Shunsuke Kato
• Visitor Access: Semi-private — accessible via agency arrangement; no membership required. Yaso Trip holds direct booking access for clients.
• Style: Championship parkland; small, fast greens (pace of play rating approximately 8.5–9.0); 1:1 caddie-to-buggy ratio throughout
• Best For: Low handicappers and golfers who want the prestige of a major-event venue inside the city
• Signature Feature: Extensive water hazards throughout the course — as of a recent renovation, the former sand bunkers have been replaced with shimmering water features; in sunlight, the water catches the light across multiple fairways, adding a distinctive visual experience to each round

Yaso Trip's team describes the updated Tomson course this way: where sand bunkers once framed the fairways, water features now catch the Shanghai sunlight — 粼粼水景 (shimmering water surfaces) that turn an already handsome course into something closer to a living garden. It is the detail that visitors who expected a straightforward championship layout consistently notice first.

The greens are the tactical centre of a Tomson round. Small surfaces and a fast pace demand precision approach play; a conservative strategy on approach almost always scores better than an aggressive one. The caddies — one assigned per buggy — are knowledgeable about club selection and green reads.

Access is the main consideration for international visitors: Tomson does not accept direct walk-in bookings and operates on a semi-private basis. Yaso Trip handles this access through established agency arrangements. If you want to play Tomson on your Shanghai trip, booking through Yaso Trip is the straightforward path.

Book a Shanghai Golf Itinerary Including Tomson

5 Days Shanghai and Suzhou Golf Tour

Tour Route：Shanghai-Suzhou-Lingering Garden (Liu Yuan) in Suzhou

Tour Type：Classic China Tours / Nature Tours / Golf Holiday

5 Days

3 Places

View Detail

4. Lake Malaren Golf Club (马勒湖高尔夫球场) — Shanghai's Top-Rated Course

Lake Malaren Golf Club holds the highest rating of any visitor-accessible course in Shanghai on Where2Golf's independent assessment (4-plus, "must play" standard), and its tournament record justifies that standing. The club hosted the BMW Masters Championship (European Tour) and operates two full 18-hole layouts designed by golf's most recognised names.

Shanghai Lake Malaren Golf Resort

Lake Malaren Golf Club Shanghai

Fact Panel

• Location: Baoshan District (宝山区), northern Shanghai — approximately 30–45 minutes from central Shanghai by private transfer
• Layout: 36 holes across two distinct courses:
  • Masters Course — 18 holes; redesigned in 2010 by Jack Nicklaus II (Nicklaus Design); hosted the European Tour BMW Masters Championship
  • Forest Course — 18 holes; original design by Peter Thomson
• Par / Length: Par 72 per course; total course length varies by tee (contact for current yardage)
• Designer: Jack Nicklaus II (Masters Course redesign, 2010) and Peter Thomson (Forest Course)
• Visitor Access: Visitors welcome — no agency arrangement or membership required for the standard booking process
• Style: Two contrasting layouts — the Masters Course has an open, strategic design suited to target golf; the Forest Course runs through mature tree corridors with tighter fairways
• Best For: Golfers looking for Shanghai's highest-rated visitor experience; groups wanting to play two contrasting layouts in a single club visit

Lake Malaren is the course for golfers who research before they book. Its Where2Golf 4-plus rating places it above better-known names like Tomson and Silport on independent quality grounds — and the Nicklaus II / Thomson design combination on a single property is genuinely unusual. The Masters Course, in particular, plays differently depending on pin position and wind; it rewards course management and rewards a return visit.

Yaso Trip currently has resources at Lake Malaren but does not yet operate a dedicated packaged product for this course. If you want to include Lake Malaren in your Shanghai golf itinerary — as a standalone day, alongside Tomson, or as part of a multi-course circuit — contact the Yaso Trip team directly for a customised arrangement.

5. Shanghai Palmbeach Seaview Golf Club (棕榈滩海景高尔夫球场) — Coastal Alternative

Shanghai Palmbeach Seaview Golf Club (棕榈滩海景高尔夫球场) occupies a setting unlike any other course in the Shanghai area — on the golden coastline of Fengxian Bay (奉贤湾) in the southern Fengxian District (奉贤区), with the South China Sea framing the course's edge. At 7,191 yards, the layout is no shorter than the city's championship courses, and the seaside terrain introduces natural elements — sea breeze, coastal light, open horizon — that inland parkland courses cannot replicate.

Fact Panel

• Location: Fengxian Bay Resort Area, Fengxian District (奉贤区), southern Shanghai — approximately 50–70 min from central Shanghai by private transfer
• Layout: 18-hole, par 72, 7,191 yards
• Style: Seaside / coastal resort course
• Visitor Access: Open to visitors — contact for current booking arrangements
• Best For: Golfers looking for a distinctive coastal experience outside the standard Kunshan/Pudong circuit

Like Lake Malaren, Palmbeach Seaview is not yet part of a Yaso Trip standard package. If the coastal setting appeals — particularly for non-golfing companions who would benefit from the Fengxian Bay resort environment — contact the Yaso Trip team for a customised itinerary.

Shanghai Golf Courses at a Glance

Practical Logistics

Best Time to Play Golf in Shanghai

Spring and autumn are the optimal seasons for golf in Shanghai (上海). As of 2026, demand in these peak windows runs high — tee times at Silport and Tomson should be secured at least two weeks in advance, and four to six weeks ahead for Golden Week or May Day holiday periods.

Getting to the Courses

All five courses lie within 90 minutes of downtown Shanghai by private transfer. Tomson is the only course inside the city proper; the two Kunshan courses sit close enough together to combine on consecutive days.

Drive times assume normal traffic via expressway. Rush-hour departures from central Shanghai can add 20–30 minutes to the Kunshan and Fengxian routes.

Yaso Trip provides private transfers to and from all courses as part of any golf itinerary. Driving to the Kunshan courses independently requires a Chinese driving licence or an international permit processed through a Chinese authority — most international visitors opt for private transfer.

Caddies, Equipment & Course Practicalities

As of 2026, rental sets at Shanghai's top-tier courses are generally well-maintained and include standard irons and woods — confirm with Yaso Trip at time of booking for the specific brands available at your chosen course. Bring a light rain layer for spring and autumn rounds — afternoon showers, particularly in April and May, are common in the Shanghai area.

For an accurate cost breakdown tailored to your group size, dates, and preferred courses, contact the Yaso Trip team for a custom quote.

Dress Code

All five courses require collared shirts and prohibit denim. Soft spikes are standard; metal spikes are not accepted at Tomson or Silport. Bring a light rain layer for spring and autumn rounds — afternoon showers, particularly in April and May, are not uncommon in the Shanghai area.

Sample Shanghai Golf & Culture Itinerary

The following itinerary is based on Yaso Trip's 5-day Shanghai and Suzhou Golf Tour, which combines a round at Kunshan Sun Island Golf Club with cultural highlights across Shanghai and Suzhou (苏州).

Book the 5-Day Shanghai & Suzhou Golf Tour

5 Days Shanghai and Suzhou Golf Tour

Tour Route：Shanghai-Suzhou-Lingering Garden (Liu Yuan) in Suzhou

Tour Type：Classic China Tours / Nature Tours / Golf Holiday

5 Days

3 Places

View Detail

Also available as a standalone day tour: Sun Island Golf Club combined with Tongli Water Town (同里古镇) is bookable as a single-day itinerary from Shanghai — play 18 holes at Kunshan's top-ranked course in the morning, then explore Tongli's UNESCO-listed Retreat & Reflection Garden (退思园), the Three Bridges (三桥), and Gengle Hall (嘉荫堂) in the afternoon.

1 Day Shanghai Golf and Sightseeing Tour to Kunshan Sun Island Golf Club and Tongli Water Town

Tour Route：Shanghai-Kunshan

Tour Type：Day Tours / Golf Holiday

1 Days

4 Places

View Detail

Tips & Cautions

• Book tee times at Silport and Tomson well in advance. These courses have limited availability for visitor slots, particularly in spring and autumn. A two-week lead time is the minimum; four weeks is recommended for peak-season play. Yaso Trip handles all bookings — contact us before finalising your travel dates.
• Start rounds early at Kunshan. Sun Island and Silport sit in the Dianshan Lake basin, which attracts morning mist between late September and March. An 8:00–9:00 AM tee time clears the mist while leaving the afternoon free for a water town visit. In summer, early starts also manage heat — the Kunshan area runs warmer than coastal Shanghai.
• Factor in the Tomson green pace. With a pace rating of approximately 8.5–9.0, Tomson's greens play fast relative to most Asian courses. Golfers who typically play on slower surfaces benefit from spending 15–20 minutes on the practice green before their round.
• Combine Sun Island and Silport across consecutive days. Both courses sit near Kunshan's Dianshan Lake area, approximately 85–90 km (53–56 mi) from Shanghai. Staying one night in Kunshan or nearby Suzhou between the two rounds cuts daily transfer time significantly and allows a more relaxed itinerary.
• The water town pairings are genuinely efficient. Tongli and Zhouzhuang are both within 20–30 minutes of Sun Island Golf Club. Zhujiajiao is roughly 30–40 minutes from Silport. These combinations are not compromises — the towns are excellent, and the logistics work cleanly with a morning round.
• Non-golfers are well-served. Each course pairing has a sightseeing component that stands on its own. The Bund and Lujiazui are next door to Tomson. If travelling with a non-golfing companion, the Shanghai pairings make the overall trip viable for mixed groups. See our guide on non-golfer activities at China's top golf destinations for more.

Why Travel With Yaso Trip for a Shanghai Golf Tour

Golf tour with Yaso Trip

• Access to courses that don't accept walk-ins. Tomson Golf Club does not accept direct bookings from the public; access requires an agency arrangement. Silport's visitor course requires advance application and coordination with the Pro Shop. Yaso Trip holds established arrangements at both, meaning clients reach the first tee without the booking uncertainty.

• Tee times managed across all courses in a single booking. Coordinating tee times, private transfers, water town entry tickets, and hotel arrangements across a multi-day Shanghai golf itinerary involves multiple moving parts. Yaso Trip handles this as a single package — one point of contact, one itinerary, no logistics overhead for the traveller.

• Custom itineraries for Lake Malaren and Palmbeach Seaview. Neither course is yet part of a standard Yaso Trip product, but Yaso Trip has resources at both. If your ideal Shanghai golf circuit includes the highest-rated course in the city (Lake Malaren) or the only coastal layout (Palmbeach Seaview), contact the team to build a custom itinerary around your preferred courses and dates.

• Shanghai cultural expertise alongside the golf. The water town pairings — Sun Island + Tongli, Silport + Zhujiajiao — are genuine dual-highlight days. Yaso Trip guides handle both the golf club transitions and the water town entry, so the day flows rather than requiring the golfer to navigate between two different experiences.

Shanghai's golf circuit is among the most varied and internationally tested in China — five championship courses with different styles, multiple world-class tournament pedigrees, and water town pairings that make every golf day a fuller travel experience. Yaso Trip makes every course accessible, handles the logistics, and can build the itinerary around your specific courses, dates, and group.