Tom Clarke, The Daily Telegraph, May 13, 2013
CHINA
White Stone Hot Spring Golf Club
This is the newest course on tropical Hainan Island, set among rolling hills, with several holes situated on the shores of a picturesque reservoir. 7,011 yards, par 72 ( schmidt-curley.com ). The island has two airports, with direct flights from Asian hubs. Information: travelchinaguide.com
MALAYSIA
Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club
The European Tour travels here for the annual Maybank Malaysian Open, this year won by Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand. The club’s two courses, four miles from Kuala Lumpur itself, were redesigned in the late 2000s; the West course is tight and strategic, while the East course is made up of naturally landscaped parkland. West: 6,952 yards, par 72. East: 6,420 yards, par 71 ( klgcc.com ). Malaysia Airlines ( malaysiaairlines.com ) flies to Kuala Lumpur from London Heathrow. Information: golftourismmalaysia.com
CAMBODIA
Grand Phnom Penh Golf Club
Designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 2011, Grand Phnom Penh sits at the heart of the new city development, just 15 minutes from the airport. The course is generous from the tee but challenging around the greens, with numerous water features. 7,243 yards, par 72 ( grandphnompenhgolf.com ). Direct flights from Asian hubs. Information: golfincambodia.com and tourismcambodia.com
INDIA
Kharghar Valley Golf Course
Only the second public course in India, Kharghar Valley opened in 2012 with nine holes, and there are nine more to follow in the next six months. An hour’s drive from Mumbai, in the foothills of Kharghar, the course is surrounded by waterfalls, ponds and streams. 7,137 yards, par 72 (cidcogolfkharghar.golfgaga.com). Several airlines fly direct from London Heathrow to Mumbai. Information: indiagolftours.com and incredibleindia.org
SINGAPORE
The Legends Golf & Country Resort
Conveniently located in Sedenak, about 40 minutes’ drive from Singapore, the Legends resort has two courses by big-name designers. The Jack Nicklaus course opened in 1997, followed in 2009 by Arnold Palmer’s nine-hole layout, with its spectacular tropical flora and landscaping 3,637 yards, par 36 ( legends-resort.com ). Singapore Airlines, Qantas and British Airways all fly direct to Changi Airport from London Heathrow. Information: yoursingapore.com