Golf Courses in Shenzhen, China

Shenzhen, a dynamic metropolis in southern China, is not only renowned for its technological innovation and rapid urban development but also for its world-class golf courses. These courses offer golf enthusiasts a chance to enjoy the sport amidst beautiful landscapes, combining the tranquility of nature with the excitement of the game.


Mission Hills Golf & Country Club stands as a colossal golfing complex that straddles the border between Shenzhen and Dongguan. Spanning over 10 square kilometers, it holds the distinction of being the world's largest golf complex. Established in 1994, it has become a mecca for golfers globally. The club boasts an impressive array of 12 world-class championship courses, each designed by some of the biggest names in the golfing world from five continents. For example, the World Cup course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, is a par-72, 7294-yard layout that hosted the World Cup of Golf in 1995, significantly putting Mission Hills on the global golfing map. The Els (Savannah) course by Ernie Els, the Ozaki (Canyon) course by Jumbo Ozaki, and the Vijay course by Vijay Singh are among the other notable ones, each with unique characteristics. The Vijay course, for instance, features a 150-yard beach bunker on the par-4 3rd hole and a green at the par-5 10th hole perched atop a rock wall, creating a challenging yet exciting playing experience.

There are also courses like the Annika course, designed by Swedish champion and World Golf Hall of Fame female player Annika Sorenstam, and the Zhang Lian Wei course, named after China's top player Zhang Lian Wei. In addition to its outstanding courses, Mission Hills offers a wide range of amenities, including over 1,000 caddies to assist golfers, multiple restaurants serving various cuisines, and five-star accommodation facilities for a luxurious stay. The convention and exhibition centre at Mission Hills is even larger than the United Nations headquarters, highlighting the scale and grandeur of the complex.

The Shenzhen Golf Club has a long and interesting history, established in 1982 after being approved by the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, making it the first golf club to be approved for construction in New China. It officially opened for business in 1985 and is located in the central area of Futian District, between Shennan Avenue and Binhe Avenue, with Xinzhou Road to its east and Xiangmihu Road to its west, offering extreme convenience as it is only an 8-minute drive from Huanggang Port. The club originally had an international-standard 27-hole golf course with a par of 108. The longest hole is the 1st hole on the B-field, a 5-par hole stretching 525 yards, where the wide and smooth fairway allows long-drive players to showcase their skills, though large bunkers on both sides of the landing area pose a significant psychological challenge. The 8th hole on the C-field is a 3-par long hole; after a safe first shot on the 520-yard fairway, the second shot faces numerous bunkers on both sides and water hazards, yet the beautiful lake view and greenery create a wonderful fairway landscape. However, the club faced significant setbacks in recent years: its application for land use right renewal was rejected in 2015 when the land use right expired on February 17, shareholders applied for compulsory liquidation at the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court in 2016, the land use right was taken back by the state without compensation in 2018, and the driving range announced its closure in 2023 as it was planned for the construction of the Shenzhen Metro line.

The Longgang Public Golf Course provides an opportunity for the general public to engage in golf, located at No. 188, Bicycle Track Road, Longgang District, Shenzhen. It offers a more affordable option with an average consumption of around ¥660 per person, making it relatively accessible for those wanting to experience golf in Shenzhen. The course layout and facilities are designed to accommodate players of different skill levels, making it ideal for beginners to learn and experienced players to practice.

In conclusion, Shenzhen's golf courses, whether the large-scale and luxurious Mission Hills, the historic Shenzhen Golf Club, or the public-friendly Longgang Public Golf Course, offer a rich and diverse golfing experience. They contribute to the local sports and leisure scene and attract golfers from around the world, adding to Shenzhen's charm as a modern and vibrant city.

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