The Heart of China

Great golf awaits in Yunnan province

The stunning Jade Dragon Snow Mountain course in LijiangWHERE TO PLAY

LIJIANG

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club ****1/2

Occupying one of golf’s most dramatic sites, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club, named after the mystical peak that rises majestically above it, has to be seen to be believed. Routed across hills at an elevation of some 10,000 feet (oxygen bottles are provided in the golf carts for those prone to altitude sickness), the course is one of the highest in the world—and also one of the longest. From the members’ blue tee, the course measures an awesome 7,700-plus yards—but here’s the thing: in Lijiang’s crisp, thin air you too can drive the ball like Tiger. Twenty-percent yardage increases with the driver (tee it up high!) are standard, meaning length is less of a factor than you might think. The course really comes to life on the back-nine with a series of demanding dogleg holes flanked on all sides by mountain pines. As an experience, Jade Dragon ranks up there with the very best.
Ancient City Golf Club, a pleasing Joe Obringer-designed layout fifteen-minutes from the centre of Lijiang, is the city’s only other course and worth a visit if time permits.

Yardage: 8,548. Par: 72.
Architect: Nelson & Haworth, (2001).
Access: 20mins from Lijiang Old Town
Contact: www.ljxsgolf.com (Chinese only).

 

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Written by Alex Jenkins

Click here to see the published article.

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