Unleash your inner Tiger Woods at Asia's best golf courses. by Sienna Parulis-Cook

Mission Hills | Shenzhen, China

The Everything Course
This mother of all golf resorts—with no fewer than 12 celebrity-designed 18 hole courses spanning 25 sq. kilometers—is the largest golf club in the world. The courses were all designed by well-known golfers such as Vijay Singh, Annika Sorenstram and Chinese pro Zhang Lianwei. Not all are open every day, so check schedules before making plans. Mission Hills cleaned up at the 2008 Asian Golf Monthly Awards, winning “Best Golf Resort in Asia.” In 2007 it was named as host of the next 12 Omega World Cup tournaments, insuring that the big names in golf will get to know Shenzhen very well. Those not quite up to par with the golfing greats will head to the David Leadbetter Golf Academy. Stats: 216 holes. Stay: The five-star Mission Hills Resort is the place. As if having the largest golf resort in the world wasn't enough, hotel guests also enjoy the largest tennis center in Asia, and the spa is also Asia's largest! Rooms start from ￥1,280 per night.

Sheshan International Golf Club | Shanghai

Best in Shanghai
Just 30 minutes outside the city, Sheshan is the perfect place for a weekend getaway, fresh air and, most importantly, great golf. Since 2005, the club has hosted the HSBC Champions Tournament, which has had some of the biggest names in golf, such as Vijay Singh and Tiger Woods. The Nelson and Haworth course features large swaths of natural forest potted with man-made lakes. Nature lovers head to the national forest park nearby (the only one near Shanghai), but those focused more on their swing can appreciate the trees, too, as the fourth hole boasts two 1,000-year-old ginkos. http://www.sheshangolf.com Stats: 18 holes, par 72, 7,143 yards. Stay: The golf club runs a Tuscan-style villa, with rooms starting at ￥600, which includes use of the country club and health club. The Sheshan Meridien is highly recommended with its two pools and plasma TVs, but be aware that golf packages here include green fees at the Tianma golf course, not Sheshan International.

Laguna Phuket Golf Club | Thailand

Paradise on the Green
Thailand is covered in great golf courses, and this one, just 20 minutes from Phuket International Airport, tops the list. The Max Weber and David Abell designed course features undulating fairways, lagoons, coconut groves, palm trees, tropical flowers and sea and mountain views. Golfers should not get too distracted by the beautiful scenery, however, as the course and its many water traps mandate careful club selection. The club also has an award-winning clubhouse, a pro shop and a Golf Academy http://www.lagunaphuketgolf.com. Stats: 18 holes, par 71, 6,654 yards. Stay: Stay in one of the six luxury hotels located within the Laguna Phuket resort complex: Banyan Tree Phuket, Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Laguna Beach Resort, Allamanda Laguna Phuket and Laguna Holiday Club Phuket Resort. Guests here get discounted greens fees and use of the shuttle bus that runs to the clubhouse.

Ria Bintan | Indonesia

At the Seaside
“Ria Bintan is among the most beautiful and playable courses in the world,” veteran golfer Gary Player once enthused. But then again he did design it and so may be a little biased. The readers of Asian Golf Monthly, however, agree with him, last year voting the club's Ocean Course the best course in Indonesia. From the clubhouse you have panoramic views of the ocean, and you can stroll along white sand beaches once you've packed up your clubs for the day. Since the course is a mere 45 minutes by ferry from Singapore, it's perfect for weekend trips and the club offers multi-day packages, which include transportation, greens fees and accommodation. There is even a package for couples who dream of romantic golf vacations. http://www.riabintan.com Stats: 27 holes (18 hole Ocean Course, 9 hole Forest Course), par 72, 6,195 yards. Stay: Club Med is closest to the courses, but there are other packages that include lodging at the Nirwana Resort Hotel. True golf addicts can also check into the Banyan Tree Bintan, which features its own 18 hole seaside golf course designed by Greg Norman http://www.banyantree.com/bintan.

Cameron Highlands | Malaysia

Tea Time after Tee Time
This challenging public course in northern Malaysia may not be as well known as the many celebrity-designed private clubs in Asia, but its unique surroundings make it unmissable. Cameron Highlands developed as a holiday destination during British colonial days thanks to its mild climate, and tea growing was soon introduced to the area. The golf course looks over tea fields and a strawberry farm, giving it one of the most unique views in Asia. At US$26 for 18 holes it is also extremely affordable. Players are advised to book a morning round, as afternoon rains are frequent http://www.cameron-highland-destination.com. Stats: 18 holes, par 71, 6,678 yards. Stay: Many area hotels and restaurants have a British slant. Located adjacent to the course, the Tudor style Smokehouse Hotel serves English cuisine and afternoon high tea. The Cameron Highlands Resort features colonial luxury with four-post beds, high tea with scones and fresh strawberry jam, as well as not-so-colonial flat screen satellite TVs and a spa.