GOLF IN HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM

Ho Chi Minh city is better known for its shopping adventure especially for teenagers and their mummies, forGolf Resort,daddies they go and check out the golf courses. There are a few good ones around 50 km radius of the city, Vietnam Golf and Country Club, Long Thanh Golf resort, Song Bae Golf Club and Twin Doves Golf Club but as driving is slow, we must allocate ample time to reach the golf course.

Twin Doves Golf Club is located in the Binh Duong Province, takesa bout 45-60 minutes drive from the city. It has 27 holes called Luna, Mare and Sole.Luna course to me was easily the best amongst the three layout. Golfing rates on weekdays about USD 60 per pax.

GOLF IN HANOI,VIETNAM

October was hot and warm in Vietnam, both in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh and great for golf. I was tempted to have a few rounds during my recent trip to both cities in October, 2014. In Hanoi, I played the Hanoi Golf Club located close to the airport so that we could play immediately after arriving at the airport.

A sweet thing waited for us at the airport with a Mercedes Commuter van and after loading our tools, off we went to the club which was nearly 45 minutes drive from the airport, GOD blessed Vietnam drivers for going so slow, not allowed to exceed 60 km/hour they said, Communist country loved their population.

Arriving at Hanoi golf Club and booked our tee-off times with the help of our golf agent, very little English was spoken. As we were hungry after the flight from KL, we entered the restaurant only to find nothing 'halal' there so we bought some bread instead and bottled drinks.

I did not take many photos of the golf course but it surely a great course to play,

The journey to the city and our hotel in Hanoi was tiring and we reached about 8 pm. We have a group dinner at the Hanoi Club where they have a driving range and people hit balls into the lake, the food was nice as the master chef was from Johore Bahru, so did have a great halal food there.

FINNA GOLF CLUB, SURABAYA

I have been to Surabaya Indonesia many times on work related trip and played a few rounds of golf there namely at Ciputra Golf Club, Graha Family Golf Club and Bukit Darmo Golf. there are two other less popular golf clubs, the 18 holes Par 3 course at Pakuwon Golf and Family Club and Ahmad Yani Golf Club, a walking course. There are 2 other golf courses located further away from the city, about 70 minutes drive from city centre and these 2 courses are Taman Dayu Golf Club and Finna Golf Club located near the mountains and resort village of Tretes.

On my recent trip to Surabaya in May 2014 I was able to take time off from work to travel to Finna Golf Resort with some friends. The journey took us to the direction of Malang and Pasuruan and exiting the highway at Sidoarjo. People said Finna Golf Club would be very cool but we felt the opposite, quite hot...

So off we went to play golf...

So what's so great about playing golf in Indonesia ? Was it the course, cheaper rates or anything else? The best kept secret amongst golfers is all about the caddies...they are beautiful and seductive ( on the golf course..), can't blame them as they will do that and expect a fat tip from you after the games. So what is a few hundred thousand Rupiah for a 4 hour companionship? Hehehe..check out these photos?

NEW KUTA GOLF CLUB, BALI, INDONESIA

Taking the 777-200 aeroplane is much better than AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Bali and reached there in about 3 hours. The Ngurah Rai International Airport is a pretty busy airport but quite modern and relevant to modern day travellers. There were 16 people in the delegation and 3 missed the plane in Kuala Lumpur so they have to take the next scheduled flight to Bali, cannot blame them as they were all first time overseas travellers.

We stay away from town centre at the place called the Pecatu Indah Resort about 30 minutes drive from the airport and near the KLAPA New Kuta Beach. We stayed at the Lorin New Kuta Hotel apparently quite cheap at IDR 480,000 nett including breakfast. For dinner we went to the beach and have seafood dinner at the famous Jimbaran Bay located on the Jimbaran beach. The food was quite nice but pretty expensive, this was to be expected as Bali is a commercial town with a lot of tourists.

After the morning trip to several Agarwoods and Sengon plantations about 2 hours from the hotel, we played golf in the afternoon at the New Kuta Golf Club. It was quite expensive as the club charged foreigners USD 170 per golfer inclusive of twin sharing buggy and lady caddies. The golf club is located by the sea and wind factor certainly added to the difficulty of playing this championship course. From the blue tee it played 6,000 metres. It once hosted a LPGA event back in 2009.

It was a very good golf outing for all of us but didn't managed a good score, the best was +2 over net score by Nordin Bren who played a handicap 24. I played +4 over 92 gross for a 18 handicapper, never mind the scores we enjoyed the golfing experience.

We flew to Surabaya in the evening...

GOLF IN PATTAYA, THAILAND

Many years ago, me and my golf buddy Razak boarded the AirAsia flight to Bangkok and traveled down to the beach town Pattaya and spent a few days golfing.

The AirAsia flight from KLIA to Bangkok return trip cost us RM 280. On arrival in Don Muang (DMK) airport Bangkok, we took a taxi to Pattaya and cost us RM 120 per trip and the journey took about 2 hours. We checked in at Areca Lodge for RM 120 per night, the rooms were booked through Sawadee.com. 

There are 26 golf courses within 40 km radius of Pattaya! During the 5 days 4 nights there, we played at Laem Chabang GC designed by Jack Nicklaus, Khao Kheow GC designed by Pete Dye, the Pattaya Country Club and the Burapha Golf Club. 

Opposite the hotel, there was a Pub called Kromberg, a meeting place for golfers. There is a notice announcing the venue and date where you can register your name to play golf at that particular course, then other Pattaya resident golfers who are interested will put their names. Once the participants are confirmed, they will determine the fares incurred by each golfer who shared the transport charges. Easy...but the locals don't play on weekends. The transport to and from golf courses ranged between RM 12 to RM 20 per person depending on location. Green fees ranged from RM 60 to RM 170 and cart fee about RM 60 twin sharing. Add some tips for caddies RM 15-RM 20 would be acceptable. For easy conversion THB 100 equal RM 10. 

The town is busy at night with guys with Harley Davidson bikes or other huge bikes rode the street near the beach. For me and my friend, a trip to the many foot massages outlets, for THB 200 per 1 hour session. 

Meals for Muslims a bit tough, not many Muslim restaurants to be seen at town centre. But I survived with plenty of fruits, breads and eggs. Eating at the hotel is the best.. 

Laem Chabang International Country Club

This is my pick of the courses in Pattaya. 27 holes of great beauty. we really enjoyed the experience which this course offers. Its presentation is fantastic. beautifully mowed fairways with lovely greens and well maintained bunkers.

It has the most beautiful clubhouse with great views from the balcony. Change rooms are excellent. The caddies are generally excellent but my caddy complained of the heat, she was rather pretty and afraid the sun might darken her skin.  When in Pattaya, put this course on the top list as this is a must play course and I am sure you will enjoy and remember your golfing here for a long time.

There are many drinking huts where cold drinks are available...

large bunkers to test your skill...

and lakes too...

and ever smiling caddies...loved their job I guess!