Cambodia - Vietnam Golf & Culture Trip

The world-class Faldo designed Angkor Golf Resort is the best golf course in Cambodia and by a wide margin. The six-time major winner, Nick Faldo himself, received a blessing from local monks and then opened the golf course in December 2007, his first golf course in Cambodia. The Angkor Golf Resort brings Cambodia squarely onto international golf destination map.

Tess, fairways, and greens are all maintained as what you would expect from a Faldo designed, and managed the golf course. The latest Paspalum turf ensures excellent year-round playing conditions.

The Siem Reap golf course is a fair test of golf for all players and requires thinking and strategy on every hole to score well. For example, the strategically placed bunkers and water hazards are tricky, but easily seen from each tee box. The greens have plenty of subtle undulations, and they reward and encourage a variety of approach shots. On the other hand, each holes difficulty can be moderated daily by specific pin positions, easy or challenging. Furthermore, various tee box locations allow for both low and mid-handicappers to choose the right course length for their game.

The final three holes make up some of the most challenging, but fun, holes on the Angkor Resort golf course. The par-5 16th is a 588 monster that is probably not reachable in two shots except for very long hitters. The angle of the green together with the water on the left of the hole poses a real challenge for those wishing to get their approach shots close. A cautious lay-up, away from the hazard, on the second shot will leave a tough pitch over a deep bunker to a shallow green. Hole 17 is the longest par three on the course and plays to a green guarded by water on the right side. The back pin locations, in particular, will demand a very well hit accurate tee shot.

The 440 yard par-4 finishing hole is as good as they come and will undoubtedly lead to some dramatic finishes, a Faldo signature! The slight dogleg to the left sees water running down the left side affecting both the tee shot and the approach. The best tee shot must challenge the water on the left to open up into the green.

The Angkor Resort golf course is sure to offer enjoyment for all players and will have golfers coming back time and time again. Don't miss Angkor Golf Resort's 300-meter long driving range; a great practice facility to tune up before your next round! The Angkor Golf Club is the place to play on all Cambodia golf holidays.

The Sofitel-managed Phokeethra Country Club is one of the best courses available in Cambodia. The golf course hosted the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic and 2010 Cambodian Open. Major renovations in 2018 keep the course standards to those set when they first opened.

Tan Son Nhat Golf Course is a public golf course located 4 kilometers from the center of Ho Chi Minh City and one of Saigon's most popular courses. Built across 156 hectares, the 36-hole course borders the Tan Son Nhat Airport – the busiest in Vietnam.

Nelson & Haworth Golf Course Architects designed a top course out of the surrounding flattish land. Significant earth mounding, many water hazards, large bunkers, and undulating greens characterize every hole. Paspalum turf used on the tees, fairway, rough, and greens ensure top year-round playing conditions. The Saigon golf course is a modern city layout, and Vietnam's most populated city's skyline is viewable from practically every hole.

As well as being the most convenient to play in the city, the course conditioning is consistently great during both dry and wet seasons.  Offering four nines is a considerable advantage when it comes to course maintenance and playability. Each nine is equally challenging and well-maintained.

Course A plays away from the clubhouse and in an area designated for apartments, villas, and an on-site hotel. Course B, C, and D all start at the clubhouse. C and D Courses are more demanding off the tee, whereas A and B Courses require more strategic play than length and accuracy. The par-5's play long and mainly into the wind. Avoid the greenside bunkers on the par-3's for scoring opportunities. All the greens have extreme undulation and, while on the slow side, are still good fun to play.  The fairway bunkers can be pretty problematic, but an errant tee shot deserves to be penalized.   

Standout holes on each nine include hole six on the A Course. The par-4 has water all down the left side and fairway bunkers placed at landing areas. Strategy is important as a perfect drive is needed to reach a green that slopes front to back.  Hole three on the B Course is a short par-4 with a fairway bunker and a dogleg fairway to the left.  It's preferable to lay back off the tee and have a full club into the smallish sloping and well-protected green.  The final hole on the C Course is a reachable downwind par-5. Two solid shots get on the green. However, avoid the bunkers 230 yards off the tee and the creek fronting the green. The best hole on Course D is the fifth. This par-3 plays over water, ensuring any mishit is wet. The undulated green is tricky, especially if putting from a different tier as the pin.

The Tan Son Nhat clubhouse is one of the largest in Asia and can accommodate golfers and large banquets, weddings, and other official functions for up to 5,000 guests at a time. The on-site restaurant serves tasty Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, and western dishes at very reasonable prices, with Korean dishes as the specialties.

One of the interesting features at Tan Son Nhat is night golf. Play carries on past midnight and might be a good way to settle bets or as an alternative to the Saigon nightlife.

Other faculties, including a pro shop, driving range, chipping and putting areas, locker rooms, and changing areas, are all first-rate. Tan Son Nhat Golf Club runs under the supervision of the Vietnam Ministry of Defense. Golf carts are mandatory and relegated to cart paths only, although prices are reasonable, and golfers can still walk the fairways while caddies drive. Speaking of caddies, they are all male army recruits with an excellent service mindset, though limited English skills.

Anyone golfing in Saigon should have a hit at Tan Son Nhat.  High-quality golf courses close to town are a rarity these days and won't be around forever.

The Long Thanh Golf Club offers 36 holes in the former rice paddies and scenic countryside surrounding Saigon. The Ho Chi Minh City golf course is located 30 kilometers north of the city on a bluff with unobstructed views of the Vietnamese capital.

The Twin Doves Golf Club offers a 27-hole international standard championship members golf course. Located 1.5 hours from Saigon, the Twin Doves parkland course separates Luna, Mare, and Sole into three nines. The Saigon golf course is one of the best-conditioned layouts in the Saigon area and uses Paspalum turf and extensive landscaping.