Where to Play Golf in Hong Kong: Public and Private Courses Guide | GOLFTEC Hong Kong

For a city of more than seven million people, Hong Kong has remarkably few golf courses. That is part of what makes golf here special, and part of what makes it frustrating. If you are new to the game, new to Hong Kong or just trying to get out more often, here is a practical guide to where you can play.

The Public Option: Kau Sai Chau

The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course is the only public golf course in Hong Kong. It sits on an island off Sai Kung and is reached by a short ferry ride. There are three 18-hole courses:

• North Course - a Gary Player design, par 72
• South Course - a Gary Player design, par 69 and a little shorter
• East Course - par 72, with some of the most dramatic coastal views in the city

Kau Sai Chau is one of the busiest golf facilities in the world, so weekday tee times are much easier to get than weekends. Players need to register and provide proof of handicap before booking, so leave time for that before your first round. Check the course's official website for current green fees, which vary by course, day and residency.

Private Clubs

Most of Hong Kong's other courses belong to private clubs, including:

• The Hong Kong Golf Club - with its historic courses at Fanling and a 9-hole course at Deep Water Bay
• Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club - a spectacular clifftop course on the Clearwater Bay peninsula
• Discovery Bay Golf Club - hillside golf on Lantau with views across the water
• Shek O Country Club - a small, exclusive course on the south side of Hong Kong Island

Access to private clubs generally means membership, playing as a member's guest, or reciprocal arrangements through another club. Visitor policies change, so it is always worth contacting the club directly.

Golf Just Across the Border

Many Hong Kong golfers also play in Shenzhen and elsewhere in the Greater Bay Area, where there are far more courses and tee times are easier to find. It is a popular option for weekend golf, particularly for golfers who want to play more often than Hong Kong's courses allow.

Make Every Round Count

With limited courses and high demand, the typical Hong Kong golfer plays less often than they would like. That makes preparation more important, not less. Turning up to a hard-won tee time after three weeks without touching a club is how good rounds turn into long ones.

This is where indoor practice becomes valuable. At GOLFTEC Hong Kong in Admiralty, you can work on your swing with a coach, practise with launch monitor data and keep your game sharp between rounds, regardless of the weather or how busy the courses are.

Getting Ready for Your First Round

If you have not played a full course before, a few things will make your first round far more enjoyable:

• Be able to make consistent contact and move the ball forward with most of your clubs
• Have a basic understanding of golf etiquette and pace of play
• Get your handicap sorted in advance if the course requires it
• Practise your short game, because that is where most shots are lost

Book a Swing Evaluation at GOLFTEC Hong Kong and let us help you get course-ready, wherever you plan to play.