Shenzhen Golf Club

Shenzhen Golf Club (SGC) is one of the first golf clubs in China, established as early as in 1985. It is also the closest club to Hong Kong as it only takes 10 minutes on a taxi and about 20 RMB from the Huang Gang Border.

The club has traditionally been the haunt of many Japanese and Korean members - indeed the original A/B Course was designed by 'The Tower' Isao Aoki. Nelson & Haworth, who designed Century Seaview, Xili, Sheshan International in Shanghai among others, were given the task of revamping the A/B course as well as adding the newer C course. Excellent job they did too!

The club (A/B Course) was the venue for the 2006 Volvo China Open, which England's Paul Casey won after a playoff with fellow countryman Oliver Wilson.

Tees and fairways were sublime on the A/C Course. The greens, while better than most, had just been cored but were still running well, if a little slow.

For a golf course with no rough, SGC is a remarkably tough proposition. The reason? Incredibly unforgiving greens.

Although it's not recommended, you can afford to spray it off the tee quite a bit without losing a ball, but if you stray too far off the cut grass you'll likely be stymied behind one of the beautiful lychee trees that flank the generous fairways. Bunkers too play their role but the fairway traps are relatively easy to extract yourself from.

The same can't be said of the greenside bunkering - like the greens they are severe (& numerous) so it's a good idea to brush up on the short game before venturing out. The undulations on the greens could leave you looking a little silly if your chips and pitches aren't precise.

The club's setting, in the heart of Shenzhen, is magnificent. All in all, it's a tremendous course and a definitely 'must-play' for anyone serious about their golf. Okay, so it's pretty pricey, but I'd prefer to play this course once than numerous other cheaper courses twice.

Best course in Shenzhen? Without a doubt.

Tough, but brilliant. Superb setting, amid Shenzhen's skyscrapers, adds to what is undoubtedly a quality track. I'll be back for sure. Super convenient. How much are memberships again?
Albatross.