At the Seaside: Ria Bintan / Indonesiah “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 many multi-day packages which include transportation, greens fees and accommodation. There’s even a package just for couples for those who dream of romantic golf vacations. www.riabintan.com. Stats: 27 holes (18 hole Ocean Course, 9 hole Forest Course), par 72, 6195 yards. Stay: Club Med as the closest place to stay near the courses, but packages are also offered that include lodging at the Nirwana Resort Hotel. True golf addicts can also check in to the Banyan Tree Bintan which features its own 18 hole seaside golf course designed by Greg Norman (www.banyantree.com/bintan).

The Everything Course: Mission Hills / Shenzhen, China 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 of them are open every day, so check schedules before making plans. Mission Hills cleaned up at the 2008 Asian Golf Monthly Awards, the Oscars of golf, winning “Best Golf Resort in Asia.” In 2007 it was selected to be host of the next 12 Omega World Cup tournaments, insuring that the big names in golf will get to know Shenzhen very well. For those not quite up to par with the golfing greats, head to the Mission Hills David Leadbetter Golf Academy. www.missionhillsgroup.com. 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 make use of the largest tennis center in Asia, and the spa, with four locations, is also Asia’s largest! Rooms start from RMB1,280 per night.

Teatime after Tee Time: Cameron Highlands, MalaysiaThis challenging public course in northern Malaysia may not be as well known as Asia’s many celebrity-designed private clubs, yet its unique surroundings make it unmissable. The course features streams, tricky greens and thick rough. 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 (www.cameron-highland-destination.com). Stats: 18 holes, par 71, 6678 yards. Stay: Many of the hotels and restaurants in the area have a decidedly British slant. Located adjacent to the course, the Smokehouse Hotel is a Tudor style guesthouse which serves English cuisine and afternoon high tea. The Cameron Highlands Resort features colonial luxury with four post beds and daily high tea with scones and fresh strawberry jam, as well as not-so-colonial flat screen satellite TVs and a spa.

Best in Shanghai: Sheshan International Golf Club / 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 golf club has hosted the HSBC Champions Tournament, which has had some of the biggest names in golf like 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 ginko trees. www.sheshangolf.com. Stats: 18 holes, par 72, 7143 yards. Stay: The golf club runs a Tuscan style villa, with rooms starting at RMB600, 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.

Paradise on the Green: Laguna Phuket Golf Club, Thailand Thailand is covered in great golf courses, and this one, just 20 minutes from Phuket International Airport, is the top of the list. The Max Weber and David Abell designed course features undulating fairways, lagoons, coconut groves, palm trees, tropical flowers, and both sea and mountain views. Golfers shouldn’t 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 (www.lagunaphuketgolf.com). Stats: 18 holes, par 71, 6654 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 green fees, and free use of the free shuttle bus that runs out to the clubhouse.