Shek O Country Club in Hong Kong

Tucked away on the southeastern coast of Hong Kong Island, Shek O Country Club (香港石澳乡村俱乐部) is one of Hong Kong’s most exclusive and private golf clubs. Established in 1925, the club is renowned for its old-world charm, highly selective membership, and its unique clifftop setting overlooking Big Wave Bay (大浪湾). With a membership of only a few hundred, it remains one of the city’s most prestigious and mysterious golf clubs.

History & Prestige

From its founding, Shek O Country Club has been a retreat for Hong Kong’s most influential residents. In the colonial era, it was a favored social hub for taipans of British trading houses such as Jardine Matheson (怡和) and HSBC (汇丰). Today, it remains the domain of Hong Kong’s business elite, including prominent property owners and international executives.

The membership process is famously strict: applicants must either own property within Shek O’s exclusive estate or hold leadership positions in multinational corporations, followed by a rigorous approval process that can take months.

Among Shek O’s 23 luxury villas, the owners include some of Hong Kong’s most notable tycoons. Notable residents and members include Peter Woo (吴光正), Chairman of Wheelock, and Richard Li (李泽楷), son of business magnate Li Ka-shing (李嘉诚). In 2015, Pony Ma (马化腾), the founder of Tencent, reportedly purchased Villa No. 13 for HKD 480 million.

Location & Setting

Address: 15 Shek O Road (石澳道15号), Shek O, Southern District, Hong Kong

Telephone: +852 2809 4458

Perched on the cliffs of Shek O Peninsula (石澳半岛), the club overlooks the turquoise waters of Big Wave Bay. The surrounding area is among Hong Kong’s most scenic — a peaceful enclave far removed from the bustle of Central.

Nearby lies the famous Dragon’s Back Trail (龙脊郊野径), voted by TIME Asia in 2004 as one of the world’s best urban hikes. This combination of lush hillsides and sweeping coastal views makes Shek O one of Hong Kong’s most picturesque retreats.

Golf Course

Layout & Design

Par: 65

Length: 4,665 yards

Unique Hole Structure: 11 par-4 holes, 7 par-3 holes, no par-5 holes

The course is unusual in its configuration — short, compact, and quirky by modern standards. Its front nine measures 2,175 yards and features five par-3 holes, while the back nine stretches 2,261 yards with only two par-3 holes.

Front Nine: Stunning ocean views from almost every hole, with dramatic clifftop scenery that excites players from the start.

Back Nine: More confined, set in narrow mountain valleys. The 10th hole plays downhill into a gorge, while only the final 18th hole reopens to sweeping sea vistas.

Playing Experience

Shared Fairways: Limited land means that certain holes cross over or share fairways. For example:

• Holes 1 and 2, as well as holes 3 and 5, cross each other.

• Holes 3, 5, and 8 share the same large fairway, requiring players to wait and coordinate.

• Holes 15 and 16 share a single fairway, creating a frequent bottleneck.

Greens & Hazards: Greens are generally small and not overly challenging, but conditions vary. Few water hazards and bunkers exist, making the challenge more about space and navigation than obstacles.

Course Condition: The front nine is usually better maintained than the back nine. Shared fairways and temporary tees (used after typhoon damage) can reduce play quality.

Signature Holes

Hole 3 (Par 4): A scenic fairway with shared space, where timing and awareness are essential.

Hole 10 (Par 4): A dramatic downhill drive into a secluded valley.

Hole 18 (Par 4): A finishing hole with panoramic ocean views, a reminder of Shek O’s spectacular location.

Facilities & Clubhouse

The clubhouse, perched at the highest point of the course, is a charming English-style building that reflects the club’s colonial heritage. Facilities include:

Main lounge and reception hall

Golf shop and locker rooms

Indoor and outdoor dining areas

Bar and terrace seating with sea views

Small kiosks and refreshment stops

The atmosphere is intimate, refined, and designed to preserve exclusivity.

Membership & Access

Type: Private, strictly member-only

Eligibility: Ownership of designated Shek O property or multinational corporate leadership, followed by approval from the estate committee

Guest Play: Only possible by invitation from a member, or occasionally through charity tournaments hosted by the club

Because of this exclusivity, Shek O Country Club is one of the hardest golf courses in Hong Kong to access. For most golfers, playing here is considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Practical Information

Getting There

Public Transport: From Shau Kei Wan Station (筲箕湾站), take New World First Bus No. 9 to Shek O Village (石澳村), then walk 10 minutes.

By Car: Shek O Road is narrow and partly single-lane; parking is very limited.

Nearby Attractions

Shek O Village (石澳村): A colorful seaside community with photogenic streets and a laid-back vibe.

Shek O Beach (石澳泳滩): A popular destination for sunbathing, swimming, and surfing.

Dragon’s Back Trail (龙脊郊野径): One of Hong Kong’s most famous hikes, offering spectacular views of Shek O Peninsula and beyond.

Final Impression

Shek O Country Club (香港石澳乡村俱乐部) is a rare blend of heritage, exclusivity, and natural beauty. While its course design may not rival modern championship layouts, its mystique, history, and setting make it an icon of Hong Kong golf. For those fortunate enough to play here, it’s less about the scorecard and more about the privilege of experiencing one of Asia’s most private and storied golf sanctuaries.