Travel

The Streamsong Experience

Published

7 years ago

Oct 26, 2019

Johnny Newbern

Streamsong Resort is in the middle of nowhere. I didn’t know that was possible in Florida, but a flight into Tampa Bay and then an hour or so drive to the center of the state gets you there. The middle of nowhere. Swamp and sand. Dunes and gators. One windmill and three world-class tests of golf. The remoteness is actually a great thing because it separates you from everything else going on in your world. You stand on a tee box, look around and see golf. Only golf. If that’s your focus, Streamsong fits the bill.

I was there in mid-October for a golf trip with three of my best friends. I had seen all the pictures on instagram and read several articles, so I was really looking forward to seeing these courses in person. I knew very little about the lodging or restaurant accommodations, however. I did not leave disappointed.

We flew into Florida from Fort Worth, Houston, Dallas, and Nashville and shared an Uber from the Tampa airport to the resort. The ride cost about $120 but the resort does offer a more expensive shuttle service option, which we utilized on our way back to the airport. Due to the remoteness of the resort, calling for an Uber is somewhat difficult for the return trip to Tampa.

Streamsong Black

We arrived on property with only minutes to spare for our 2 p.m. tee time on Streamsong Black so our Uber driver dropped us off at the clubhouse. The Streamsong property is essentially three buildings separated by swamp and dunes-land: the main lodge, the Red/Blue Course Clubhouse and the Black Course Clubhouse. A shuttle bus service runs regularly between the three, getting you where you need to go swiftly and easy.

The Black Course clubhouse is modern and predominately walled with large windows and metal posts, providing incredible views both inside and out. The building comes equipped with a nice sized pro shop, stocked mostly with gear with the Black Course logo. Bone Valley Tavern, the on-site restaurant, is a gastropub with plenty of TV screens for game watching. The bar is huge and well-stocked. The views of the course and sunset complete “BVT” as an ideal post-round dinner spot. And that is exactly what we did when we walked off the Black.

Black Course proshop

Black Course Clubhouse

Streamsong is primarily for walking golfers, but carts are available upon request. However, in order to get a cart, they require the use of a forecaddie as well. Cart rentals will run you $35 per man and a fore-caddie is $100 for the foursome. We decided to walk each round of our trip, but if I were to suggest the services of a fore-caddie or caddie for any round, it would be for Steamsong Black.

The rounds at Streamsong aren’t cheap by any standard, but the particular time of year can certainly make or break a budget weekend trip. In October, they weren’t overly crowded, either. We saw plenty of other golfers but didn’t spend much time waiting on shots. And, the pro shop staff was more than accommodating if we wanted to push back our tee times a bit. Honestly, everyone we met that worked at Streamsong was incredibly friendly and professional.

The Black is a par 73 design by Gil Hanse and the newest of the three resort courses, having only opened in 2017. Everything on this course is big. The fairways, the bunkers, the green complexes, the undulation–all big. I would say that the greens are tricked up, but I was told that the preferred language at the resort is to say that the Black greens “have character.” A caddie could do wonders for you and if you do decide to splurge for one, again, I’d do it here on Black.

The large features do present some breathtaking views. Golf here is beautiful.

Several holes require blind shots into those large greens, which can be frustrating if this is your first time playing the course. Blind shots into greens with character might turn good shots into bad ones once you walk up and see the end result. We only played this course one time, but I imagine a second loop around would’ve been a completely different experience.

The windmill, which is the course logo, can be seen from pretty much everywhere on the course. It’s a cool reminder that you’re at Streamsong playing one of the top courses in the nation. A welcomed reminder for me as I struggled most of the day to figure out exactly where I should be hitting my ball on this links-style track. The greens here run a little slow but that makes sense due to the severity of their slope. Any faster and they would be downright not fun. But that’s links golf.

The Black course is the longest of the three at Streamsong, playing 7,331 yards from the tips with more room to stretch it out if they wanted. Length is the obvious advantage here but course knowledge is perhaps even more important. If you can read these greens and find your two putts, you will have a tremendous leg up on your playing partners. With that said, the fairways are HUGE. Which is actually fun as hell. Grip it and rip it on every tee box.

The par-5 closing hole is absolutely fantastic. If you can find a way to play the Black in the afternoon, maybe for your discounted replay round of the day, the walk down the final fairway as the sun is dropping–magic. A good drive will leave you with a challenging but doable long iron or metal into this green under regulation. It’s a carry over water, which is rare on the Black, but the glass clubhouse serves as an inviting backdrop for the approach. Birdie 18 and then head to the tavern for a cold beer and to watch the sun go down. Ain’t nothing better.

View back down 18 fairway

A two-acre putting course called “The Gauntlet” surrounds the Black clubhouse, offering even more post round fun with a beer in hand. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at the Bone Valley Tavern and the Thai chicken wings are no joke. One of the great things about Streamsong is that each clubhouse can serve as your all-day hangout spot for each round. If you are on the Black course in the afternoon, for instance, you can get there early to hit balls, have lunch (the lobster rolls from the snack stand on the course was incredible), play 18, get back for beers and the gauntlet, use the locker room to freshen up and then have dinner. No real need to head back to the hotel room if you don’t want to.

After dinner, we did finally make it to the main lodge for check-in. The resort hotel itself is quite large, with several restaurants on-site and a rooftop bar called Fragmentary Blue. We got into our rooms, showered and changed and then headed up for one final drink before bed. The bar was lively and they had a full array of top-shelf liquors. The rooftop patio offers great night time views of the neighboring pond, full of alligators, I’m sure.

Frag Blue Bar

Streamsong Red

Day two of our trip was a 36 hole doubleheader beginning with breakfast at P2O5, the lobby restaurant. They offer a solid breakfast buffet or full menu…much needed before a full day of walking close to 15 total miles. Then you hop on the shuttle and head for the Red/Blue Course shared clubhouse.

Hotel Restaurant in main Lobby. Solid breakfast.

Main Hotel/Lodge

The Red/Blue clubhouse is big, equipped with the main pro shop, locker room with day lockers and showers, and a surprisingly phenomenal steakhouse called Fifty-Nine. Same situation at this clubhouse, though. If you want to spend all day here away from the resort, you can easily do so. Showers on-site and all you’ve got to do is ask the pro shop for a key to a guest locker and they will hook you up.

Blue/Red Clubhouse

Blue/Red Proshop

The Red course is incredible. There’s no other way to say it. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw delivered another home run here, and for a number of different reasons. First, it’s fair. The 2012-built course plays to 7,148 yards from the back tees with several of the tee boxes elevated, offering tremendous views. In fact, there aren’t many holes out there that play longer than the scorecard indicates. The Red does present a bit more trouble (water, tall grass, etc.) than the other two courses, but the fairways are wide enough to avoid the bad stuff on every hole without much stress.

The Red absolutely provides the best scenery on property. It weaves in and out with the Blue Course, as both tracks share property lines, but the Red’s use of dunes and marsh gives you some truly phenomenal Florida golf holes. By contrast, the Black feels more desolate. The fairways on Black are surrounded by natural waste bunkering rather than tall, lush grass that waves in the wind. For my eye, give me the Red course all day long.

Number 1 Tee on Red

Length just isn’t as important on the Red Course. Though Coore/Crenshaw don’t punish long hitters, there are several holes that reward the best decision off the tee instead of the longest drive. Accuracy and smarts are prioritized here. Like so many other of their designs, the fairway bunkers often can be found right in the landing zone of a good drive. Swing hard with the big stick and try to carry it or play it smart just short? Decisions like this make golf fun.

And the best part about those decisions is that you know what the choices are when you are standing on each tee. The designers laid it all there in front of you. No blind shots to tricky greens. No hidden bunkers behind dunes. It’s all in front of you. You see the options and you decided which route to take. Brilliant. Hitting the shot is another thing entirely, but Mr. Coore and Mr. Crenshaw didn’t hide anything from you here on the Red Course. Your first time around will be just as fun as your tenth. And I would absolutely love to play this course ten more times.

Some of the bunker complexes are ginormous. The kind of bunkers that make you say “wow, I hope I don’t hit it in there.” The land on which Streamsong is built provides some great soil and sand for these types of bunkers. But there were some green-side bunkers that were a little too “natural” for my group’s tastes, however. Weeds and pebbles present. And I get it…it’s a links course and manicured conditions just isn’t the name of the game here. Maybe I’m just soft. Still, I can’t say enough how much I enjoyed my overall experience on the Red.

Golf Digest’s most recent “Top 100 Greatest Public Courses in America” lists the Red Course at number 19. Comparatively, Streamsong Blue comes in at number 24 and the Black is ranked number 32. Not a bad little three-course weekend for you bucket-listers.

My new friend Carmen. First-class Marshall.

BBQ Stand at the Turn. Pit out back.

Blue Course

The Blue Course is happy mix of both Red and Black, which is funny to say since it was also built in 2012. The fairways and greens aren’t quite as large as they are on the Black Course, but many of the greens are just as severe. Just a classic Tom Doak design, in fact. If you’ve played any of his other tracks, you know what I mean. His trademarks are unmistakable. Hidden pins tucked just over false fronts are a regular occurrence. A second shot course, for sure.

#1 Tee on Blue

The first tee of Blue sits on top of a massive sand dune, immediately giving you the best view you will have of the course all day. In front lays the inviting fairway, setting the table for what to expect the rest of the day. Tee shots are easy, but don’t miss on your approach. If you look behind and to each side, you can see several holes on both the Blue and Red Courses, including the signature par three 7th hole on Blue. Just phenomenal views. And the clubhouse sits comfortably nearby, wishing you good luck with sunny reflections off its dark tinted windows.

It’s clear that Doak wanted to set the tone with that first tee shot. Leave your bag at the bottom of the hill because its a no joke hike up to the tee. The view makes it worth it, but don’t be in a rush. I absolutely had to catch my breath a bit before hitting my drive.

Hidden Flag tucked behind fairway mound. Classic Doak.

The Momma Gator

The Blue is a par 72 that plays 7,176 yards from the tips. None of these Streamsong courses are necessarily short, but the links-style of play does allow for firm fairways and lots of roll. I didn’t hit many shots with my 56* loft at all. There just isn’t much need off of the tight lies. In fact, some of the groups best shots came from 7 iron bump and runs. I gotta admit, it is fun to watch one of those shots maneuver the contours of a big, Doak green and nestle in close to the hole.

The par three 7th is a special hole. By far the most memorable hole of the Blue Course, and probably the entire Streamsong property, it is a full carry over alligator-infested water to a green that is beautifully framed by dunes and bunkers. It could play as long as 203 yards, but the elevated tee shot provides some confidence. And the hole is just so much better from back there. To get to the green, you leave your bag at the bottom of the hill and cross a long bridge with only your putter (hopefully.) Once you’ve holed out, you walk back across and up to the next tee. The feeling on that green, isolated and surrounded by hills and water, was unlike anything else on site. Like I said, it’s a special hole.

Par-3 7th green. Signature hole on property.

Many of the holes on the Blue course don’t have as much tall grass and sandy dunes as the Red, giving it more of a similar feel to the Black. It’s true links-style golf and not nearly as strategic as the Coore/Crenshaw design. While I think the Red course makes you think more on your tee shots, the Blue allows you to swing a bit more freely. The strategy comes into play with your approaches into these greens and course knowledge could definitely benefit you in that regard.

The closing hole on Blue is a long and tough par four headed back to the clubhouse. Two dunes frame the fairway and gives the hole a much grander feeling than several of the previous holes. It’s probably the best finishing hole of the three courses and I would imagine Doak is proud of it.

We finished up our round and headed into the clubhouse for dinner at Fifty-Nine, which serves a beyond good steakhouse-style menu. Shared sides, three huge NY strips and one order of chicken was just what we needed. The showers and locker rooms on site were just enough to make us feel comfortable for dinner and the service was excellent. I wouldn’t miss a chance to eat at Fifty-Nine if you are planning your Streamsong visit.

Streamsong Overall

Streamsong needs to be on your list. It has a lot of the same qualities of Bandon Dunes, but it’s much easier to get to for many of us. The golf courses are unique enough from one another to present you with different challenges and feelings each round while still giving you that satisfaction of knowing you’re on a top track in the nation. The hotel and amenities are as good here as you’ll find at any similar type golf resort. Probably even better. The food is fantastic and the rooms were large and comfortable.

Poolside hitting mat to floating green.

There are tons of things to do outside of golf (that’s not my thing…sorry) as the resort also offers fishing, clay shooting, and archery. There is also a pretty amazing lakeside swimming pool, something I haven’t seen offered at the Bandons or Sand Valleys of the world. It’s clear that Streamsong is trying to separate themselves from other buddy trip golf destinations by offering things to do other than 36 holes each day. And I can respect that. But if golf is your only focus, Streamsong checks all those boxes as well.

I loved the Red Course. That was easily top of the rankings for me. The blind approaches to greens with character on the Black Course frustrated me, but looking back on my round, I have began to appreciate that uniqueness of the course more and more. I would rank it second and Blue would be third. I think Blue had some of the best individual golf holes of the trip (#7 & #18) but there were times in which I think the course dragged on a bit. Definite highs and lows on Blue. But the highs are really high.

What’s funny is that my buddies ranked them differently. And adamantly so. One in our group swears up and down that Black is the best course on site but it no doubt fits his game the best. We spoke to several other resort guests and they each had their own favorites as well. There is something for every golfer at Streamsong. It is absolutely worth the visit to middle-of-nowhere, Florida.

If you want help planning your next golf experience or just have any questions about some of mine, reach out to me on Twitter or Instagram and shoot me a message. I look forward to hearing from you!

Courses

Fairways & Getaways: Discovering a tropical golf gem in Indonesia

Published

9 months ago

Aug 22, 2025

James Chang

If you’re a golf equipment enthusiast, you may already know that the US, followed by Japan and Korea, are the three biggest golf markets in the world. But if you delve a little bit deeper, you’d be amazed to find out how popular golf is in Asia in general.

Golf’s popularity in Asia has never been stronger. From Japan’s long history with the game to Korea’s high-tech indoor simulators, the sport has carved out a distinct identity across the region, especially with golf tourism. For decades, Thailand and the Philippines have been popular golf travel destinations for us in the Eastern hemisphere. More recently, the golf scene in Indonesia has also seen a rapid rise. With a growing community of homegrown golf influencers and its own major golf retail chains stocked with the latest gear from around the world, the game of golf is no longer just imported — it’s thriving on its own terms.

With state-of-the-art golf stores and facilities like Asia Golf and influencers abound (@evansetiawan90lf), Indonesia golf scene is booming.

Located a stone’s throw across the strait from Singapore, Batam in Indonesia is a popular golf destination for golfers in Singapore, Malaysia, and of course, Korea.

Batam is located just a short 30-minute ferry ride from Singapore, but it also has a direct flight to and from Korea, which made the travel plans all that much easier for me. So when the chance came to experience Indonesian golf firsthand, I jumped at the opportunity to join my friends for some quality golf and sightseeing.

Below is my account of discovering Batam’s very own Palm Springs Golf & Country Club (real name!)—an under-the-radar resort that proves Asia’s growth in golf is as much about quality as it is about enthusiasm.

Not to be confused with the more famous US counterpart, Palm Springs G&CC in Batam is a great golfing experience.

The Layout

Palm Springs is a 27-hole championship course with three distinct nines—Palm, Island, and Resort—each with its own flavor. The Palm Course is the sternest test, winding between rainforest and sea with steep greens and strategic hazards. The Island Course plays through mangroves an doglegs, demanding accuracy with every swing, while the Resort Course is the most forgiving, with generous fairways, rolling elevation, and gentle greens that let you breathe a little easier.

I played all three during my trip, and what struck me most was how different each course played, yet how seamlessly they flowed together. One round I’d be battling mangrove-lined fairways, and the next I’d be standing on a tee box looking straight out at the South China Sea, across the sea towards Singapore.

One of the many “signature holes” to be enjoyed at Palm Springs. Singapore can be seen just to the left corner.

Diverse golf experience from seaside views to tropical jungle and mangrove forests can be seen.

Each golfer is paired with a caddie and power cart to roam the course and enjoy the surrounding scenery.

The Experience

The greens here surprised me. Official stimp numbers of 2.8–3.0 meters (9.2~9.8 feet) felt faster in reality, thanks to subtle undulations and deceptive slopes. Staying below the hole became essential to help with my struggling putting stats, and the mere thought of rolling into the greenside bunkers triggered an involuntary sweat response.

Don’t be fooled by “resort golf” moniker as the Palm course offers more than enough challenge for the better golfers.

Rough was no joke as the ball tended to nestle down all too snug for my taste and skills!

I couldn’t quite place the type of grass on the greens, but suffice to say it kicked my butt all three rounds.

The type of grass found here are not what I was used to in Korea and the US. I found myself thinning way more shots for fear that the club head would not be able to escape the turf. The rough was also clingier than a debtor who hasn’t been paid in months and clawed at my irons and wedges with a vengeance.

The number of bunkers also made me wary on most holes. On my first loop around the Palm Course, I think I found one on almost every hole, whether it be a huge fairway bunker or a high-lipped trap towards a pin sloping away from me. The upside was that I was getting fairly good with my sand wedge towards the end of my trip, though if it could talk I’m sure it’d ghost me.

Then there were the monkeys. Yes, monkeys. On one par-4, I stood over my ball and looked up to see a troop of them, young and old, perched in the trees, watching intently. I swear one cocked its head in disappointment as I yanked my drive into the mangroves. They make for tough critics.

Bunkers were found aplenty on all three courses.

Whether guarding the green or impeding my ball from the fairway, the bunkers added to the overall scenery of the course.

I didn’t expect monkeys to be on hand to judge my swings, but they were a fun distractions. Be careful not to leave phones and wallets unattended though.

Clubhouse & Facilities

The clubhouse feels more like a resort hotel than a golf facility—two pro shops, dual restaurants (including a dedicated Korean buffet and an Indonesian dining hall), a ballroom, VIP lockers, sauna, gym, and more.

Classic Southeast Asian architecture from the entrance and throughout the clubhouse. All walkways are covered in case of the occasional squalls that blow through unexpectedly.

The club is said to have over 200 caddies to host large scale tournaments and events, including weddings and galas.

Practice facilities are top-tier, too. The driving range points out over the water, with floating targets, and the putting green near the first tee rolls true. I warmed up with a few putts, thinking I had the pace dialed in—only to have my very first birdie attempt scream by the hole a good 10 feet. The greens here demand respect… lesson learned.

Practice facilities were quite good, and also had a practice hole for serious golfers to hit everything from drivers, irons, wedges and putts.

The practice shots can be aimed at specific targets, including floating ones.

Accommodations

I based at Batam View Beach Resort, just 10 minutes from the course and 25 minutes from the airport. A four-star property, it delivered all the essentials—ocean-view rooms, pool, fitness center, and post-round massages (though pricier than in town).

The Batam View Beach Hotel was close by to the course and accessible by a shuttle on call. Quiet and peaceful with good food, service, and a live band in the evenings made for more than a golf trip.

One detail I really appreciated was the late checkout option on weekdays. For about $30–40, I could shower, change, and relax until 10 pm before heading to the airport. On weekends, when that wasn’t possible, our operator booked us into a nearby condo suite overlooking the 9th hole. Sitting on the balcony with a cold drink, watching other groups finish their round, wasn’t a bad way to end the trip.

You can also stay at the golf condo nestled right on the course, overlooking the island course.

Private and cozy with a small kitchen, shower, and Netflix.

Golf is just a wedge away from the golf condo and apartments.

Local Flavor

Aside from championship golf, Batam’s seafood scene is worth the trip alone. At a popular restaurant recommended by our guide, we walked a good mile out onto the open sea to a restaurant perched on stilts above the water. The local delicacy of chili crabs and black pepper shrimps were amazing in taste and freshness, and the perfect complement to the local beer. Another popular delicacy I tried was gong-gong, a small sea snail delicacy that locals ate like we snack on peanuts. I wasn’t sure at first, but by the third bite I was hooked on the dipping sauce.

After dinner, we wandered through the local night markets to the sights and scents of sizzling skewers, tropical fruit stands, and chatter of locals enjoying the balmy yet slightly cool tropical evening. The scene was completely different from the greens and fairways earlier that day, but the experience on the whole was just amazing.

The walk out to a floating restaurant was as great as the food served.

The atmosphere was casual and inviting, with some actually fishing over the side of the restaurant.

The local cuisine was spot on to my taste with a diverse menu for the even the most adventurous gourmet.

Final Thoughts

Palm Springs in Batam may not yet have the global name recognition of other Asian resorts, but it checks all the boxes of strategic golf, first-class facilities, comfortable lodging, and a taste of local culture.

For me, it turned out that the trip wasn’t just about golf. While sweating over a six-foot downhill putt with monkeys judging from nearby is unforgettable, so was the delight in or cracking open a chili crab on a wooden deck in the middle of the ocean, lounging by the pool with a local beer, and the kindness shared by the locals every step of the trip.

If you’re ever headed to Singapore and want more than city lights and shopping, be sure to bring your clubs and look into a short ferry ride across the strait. Batam’s Palm Springs G&CC is a tropical golf gem that deserves a spot on your Asia travel list.

Travel

3 money-saving tips for your golf trip

Published

2 years ago

Jun 3, 2024

Josh Post, Golfbreaks

When it comes to saving money on your golf trip, there are no shortage of suggestions. We’re leveraging our expertise to present you with a trio.

Travel during the off-season
Choose the right destination
Book a rental home/villa

Travel during the off-season

Every golfer enjoys playing in ideal weather and course conditions: sunny and warm with manicured fairways and rolling greens. However, playing in such conditions can come at a premium price which is why you should consider booking your golf trip during the off-season. Off-season golf trips give golfers the opportunity to play amazing courses without the high price tag of peak season and courses are usually quieter so you will be able to enjoy your round without feeling rushed!

Here’s a quick breakdown of the off-season by destination:

Florida, Scottsdale, Vegas, and Palm Springs. If you can take the heat, you will get the lowest prices of the year when you travel during the summer months (June – September). Make sure to book your tee times early so you can enjoy your round before the heat of the day and enjoy an afternoon to chill by the pool or explore the local attractions!

North Carolina, South Carolina, and Alabama. The Southeast states usually have mild weather during the winter months (mid-November to mid-March) with temperatures in the 50s/low 60s, but you can still play great golf at a fraction of the cost.

Choose the right destination

Every golfer in the world dreams of playing bucket list golf courses like TPC Sawgrass or Pebble Beach, but it can be a sticker shock when it comes to the cost. If you’re looking to get the best bang for your buck, there are plenty of other golf destinations to choose from. Two of the best value destinations for a golf trip are Orlando, FL and Myrtle Beach, SC. Both destinations offer a wide variety of courses, hotels, and resorts so that you can play more rounds of golf and stay on budget!

Here are some customer-favorite golf itineraries from Orlando and Myrtle Beach:

Barefoot Resort – Four courses and villa accommodations all onsite

Orlando Golf Tour – Hotel stay in the middle of the action and play the area’s popular courses

Myrtle Beach Golf Tour – Oceanfront villa accommodation and your choice of over 100 courses to play

Omni Orlando at Championsgate – Beautiful resort with two courses onsite and a range of accommodation options

Book a rental home or villa

One of the lesser-known secrets to getting good value on your golf trip is to book a rental home or villa. While hotel rooms might seem more convenient, a rental home gives you more space to stretch out, the option of cooking your own meals (save money on the pricey restaurant bills), and a comfortable “home away from home.” Many of the golf resorts across the country have rental homes or villas onsite so you don’t have to leave the property to play golf. If you’re looking to go to one of the bigger golf destinations (Scottsdale, Palm Springs, Orlando, and Myrtle Beach), there is an abundance of rentals to choose from.

Here are some of the top picks for rental homes and villas:

Villas at Kiawah Island Golf Resort – From comfortable villas to luxurious homes, this fantastic resort is ideal for groups of all sizes

Encore Resort at Reunion – Centrally located to many of the courses in Orlando, you’ll have a choice of 4-13 bedroom homes — perfect for large groups

Myrtlewood Villas – With two golf courses onsite and many more a short drive away, you will have plenty of golf to choose from

Scottsdale Homes and Condos – Choose from hundreds of rentals from across the city with great golf just a short distance away

Editor’s note: This article is presented in partnership with Golfbreaks. When you make a purchase through links in this article, GolfWRX may earn an affiliate commission.

19th Hole

The biggest golf resort you never knew (but should)

Published

2 years ago

Feb 9, 2024

James Chang

As a Korean-Canadian and an avid golfer for over 35 years, I am fortunate to have played on many beautiful golf courses in the West and the Far East. I still have a boatload of courses like Pebble Beach and St. Andrews on my bucket list, but I came to learn that Asia had plenty of such places to visit as well.

I have recently had the good fortune of playing the iconic Blackstone Golf Club at Mission Hills Resort in China, which is consistently ranked as one of the best courses in Asia. Blackstone is particularly famous for hosting the Tiger Woods vs. Rory McIlroy exhibition ‘The Match at Mission Hills’ in 2013. The event brought international attention to the sprawling luxury resort and boosted the level of interest in the game in the region.

Before delving into my amazing experience at Blackstone Golf Club, here is a little bit of information about the best golf resort you may never heard of.

Tiger and Rory faced off at the very course I was at in 2013. Don’t worry, I won’t spoil it by telling you who won.

The Best Golf Resort in The World?

Mission Hills Golf and Resort is located in the southern part of China on Hainan Island, which is about the size of Maine. Often referred to as the Hawaii of China, its tropical location gives the island year-round sunshine with temperatures between 75~90°F in the winter and 60~75°F in the summer. Along with dozens of other notable golf resorts and courses on the Island, the resort is a popular destination for golfers from Asia, Europe, and as far away as Australia and New Zealand.

Mission Hills first opened its doors in early 2010 with the aim of becoming the best resort in the world. I’m not sure if they achieved their goal, but before you smirk at their ambitiousness, Mission Hills is currently listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the World’s largest golf resort with a total of 10 world-class golf courses. That is an astounding 180 championship-class golf holes in one resort! The courses are designed by the talented Schmidt-Curley Design team who are behind some of the best courses in Asia and around the world.

The Blackstone Golf Club is considered the “crown jewel” course at Mission Hills Resort and gets its name from the plethora of black lava rock that is found all over the course as part of its beautiful charm. But don’t be fooled by its rugged beauty, as the monster-long Blackstone has hosted several World Cup of Golf championships (guess who teamed up for the US to win in 2011?) and the annual World Ladies Championships. It also hosts the annual World Celebrity Pro-Am attended by an amazing A-list of screen stars, pro golfers, and elite athletes from around the world.

So yeah, the course is quite good.

On top of that, the resort holds another world’s best distinction, with a total of 168 different hot springs and pools within the resort. Unfortunately, I was too immersed in playing golf to take advantage of a good hot soak, but it will be on the top of my list to do with my whole family next time.

Now, let’s take a close look at what the Blackstone course was all about, and keep in mind that the course descriptions and opinions are all my own from experience and perspective.

The early morning view outside the hotel room overlooking the course and resort is breathtaking

Greens

The green condition was quite superb, albeit a bit slow from Western standards. According to the caddie, the green speed was measured at about 2.9 meters, which translates to about 9.5 on the stimp meter. A speed of 7 is considered to be slow, and the average PGA Tour event is said to be about 12, so for us average folk the greens were rolling well.

The green size is quite large with nearly 5700 square feet average in size with less-than-subtle undulations and big rolling plateaus. The pins were placed slightly towards the front left of the green this day, and the approach shots were challenging for us amateurs to stuff close. The ball rolled straight and true to where it was aimed, and I only had myself to blame for missed short putts.

I don’t know if its an Asian thing, but we seem to have many courses with big greens and sometimes ridiculously big undulations and plateaus on them. We even have bunkers in the middle of the green, sometimes!

Fairways

Unlike many of the Korean courses I’m used to, the fairways are lush and readily yielded nice dollar-sized divots from well-struck iron shots into the greens. The course itself is huge and it was reflected in the long wide fairways stretching from tee to green.

Most of the fairways seemed to be free of readily noticeable trouble areas, meaning that what you see was what you got. However, upon close inspection, there were many subtle undulations which caused the stance to be slightly uneven at address. It wasn’t like St. Andrews level of fairway undulations, but it was there.

Also, the big prominent fairways bunkers often came into play and caused me to consciously aim away from them, which left longer approach shots into the green. We were somehow feeling confident this day and were playing from the blue tees. And for a guy who averages 240-yard drives on my best days, those small detours inevitably added 1-2 clubs more to the next shot.

Fairways were rolling nicely but were still a bit damp due to the sporadic short rain bursts.

Most fairways were quite wide, though it didn’t keep our balls from escaping into the jungle.

Rough

Truth to tell, the rough wasn’t all that intimidating, as it was only modestly long, and the wide fairways pushed the rough back considerably. As it wasn’t tournament season and the course was set up to mostly cater to vacationers, it made sense not to make the rough too punishing.

Beyond the rough was mostly deep jungle-like vegetation, which made it next to impossible to hit the ball out of, let alone find it in the first place. Thanks to our amateur ball-striking abilities, however, we easily overpowered the hapless wide fairways to appease the jungle gods with our many golf balls.

The rough is almost non-existent from tee to green, except for a little bit around the bunkers and extreme sides of the fairways. The course is very long, so I guess they want golfers to relax and not get high blood pressure?

Fairway and 1st-cut rough

Bunkers

Blackstone had no shortage of fairway and greenside bunkers to daunt the average golfer. The many fairway bunkers were often quite large, and despite the mostly wide fairways, some were placed just at the right (?) places to catch drives that strayed left or right off the tee. Standing on the tees, the presence of so many bunkers was aesthetically pleasing yet intimidating at the same time.

The bunkers were meticulously raked and pristine, with the sand looking visually heavy but being very soft. Maintaining the bunkers to this level of readiness cannot be easy, as there are 10 courses at this resort! Even if there were just two bunkers per hole, that’s still 360 sand traps to rake and prep each day! Add to this the fairways and greens, not to mention the decorative foliage, the level of course maintenance at this level is quite mind-boggling.

I also don’t recall seeing any flat bunkers, as most seemed to have a healthy amount of incline at the front to make it harder to move the ball forward a long way. The greenside bunkers were also deeper and usually presented an upslope lie, and the shots had to have some climb to escape from them. If you have trouble hitting the ball straight, be sure to sharpen your bunker play when you visit Blackstone.

With the frightening number of bunkers at Blackstone, I only managed to get into two of them. I even managed to get up and down on one of them.

Bunkers and blackstones aplenty.

Despite being only the second time in a bunker, this one on the 18th cost me a devastating double bogey.

Tee To Green

Blackstone’s monstrous 7808 yards should satisfy most golfers’ urge to go all out on their shots. From the blues, it was still a challenging 6722 yards, and I don’t mind saying it felt longer than that all day.

Most of the pins can be seen from the tee box, and despite some slightly rolling fairways, Blackstone is a mostly-level parkland course without any significant drop or rise in elevation. Sprawling over a huge area of land, the holes do not double back in parallel but stretch forward through dense foliage, making for a scenic ride in the golf cart. One thing I also appreciated was the leisurely pace of play. The group ahead and behind were not visible for nearly the entire round, despite our less-than-quick pace of play.

From tee to green in its entirety, the course was in amazing shape and condition. The unexpected tropical golf experience was nothing short of amazing, and if I had to make a comparison to some of the other memorable tracks I’ve visited, the Hoakalei Country Club and Turtle Bay Resort (Palmer design) in Hawaii come to mind, along with Korea’s own Haesley Nine Bridge Club, which consistently ranks as one of the best courses in Asia.

The pictures below don’t do justice to the course, but I’m sure you’ll get the idea.

The sky was particularly blue and the course beautiful; so much so that my foursome didn’t seem to mind carding doubles and triples over and over again. What a joy.

For us short-hitters, we had to aim for the middle of the many bunkers and hope for the best.

If I had a dollar for every time one of us wished we owned a penthouse in one of the many condos dotting the resort…

Many holes are carved right through a lush jungle with a huge modern condo looming in the background.

Cluster bunkers are to be avoided at all costs.

The view from the 1st hole tee at Blackstone.

Looking like a pro in front of the picture board at the 18th tee… then promptly topping a drive 100 yards out. At least I looked good on camera.

Caddies & Carts

Unlike most courses in the West, golf clubs in Asia require each golfer to play with a mandatory caddie and golf cart. Also, if you each decide to have an additional caddie to help hold the umbrella, it can make for a sizeable group of 12 (greens keepers would be tossing in their beds in the west)! So how do the caddies move if you’re driving a power cart, you ask? They simply hop onboard the back of the buggy.

On this day, we ‘only’ had four caddies to attend our play, and they were fantastic. Despite my initial concerns, the language barrier was not an issue as they were conversant in all the needed terminology in English and Korean. This was a pleasant surprise, as I was able to ask more about the course to help my play, and there was always Google Translate.

The caddie fee was 500 yuan each, which is about $70 US. They were highly professional and quick on their feet, and I could tell that the resort had gone to good lengths in training the caddies (said to be 2000 in number!) to make the golfing experience enjoyable for their international guests.

Each foursome of caddies had a ‘master caddie’ that led the other three and acted to translate longer dialogues as needed. They had a good knowledge of the course and general breaks on greens. But don’t expect them to be like the actual caddies like for the pros. They are mostly for offering simple advice on reading greens, cleaning and handing over your clubs, and helping you to find your balls.

Not gonna lie… having a personal caddie wait on your every shot was nerve-wracking at first.

Resort & Facilities

Mission Hills Haikou has a 500-room hotel with several fine-dining restaurants and high-end boutiques within the main wing and the adjoining annex. They also have a shopping mall within the hotel featuring global brands like Taylormade, Adidas, and Skechers, along with a slew of high-end golf brands to luxury watches and whiskies.

The view from my room on the 9th floor was something to write home about, along with the impeccable services. Truth to tell, I had previously heard several horror stories of less-than-friendly services which led me to refrain from visiting China prior. That must’ve been a different country, as Mission Hills pulled out all the stops to impress and awe its visitors, and it certainly worked on me. We were treated like kings on and off the course, and the hotel personnel was on hand to assist us everywhere we went.

The entire resort complex was like a huge labyrinth of spas, pools, shops, and golf courses. They nearly had everything, including an incredible hotel buffet and several ethnic cuisines, a nightclub and karaoke, and an entire museum-like wing dedicated to the many celebrities and pro golfers that have played here. I could have stayed for hours simply looking at their vast collection of golf memorabilia. My golf buddy called it a golf heaven on earth, and I couldn’t agree more.

Again, the pics won’t be able to fully capture the experience, but they’ll give you an idea of the enormous size and quality of the place.

Spic and span to receive guests after a long hiatus during COVID-19, I bet.

I stayed in a nice-sized suite on the 9th floor with a good view overlooking the resort and course.

The tub is actually quite big and probably could fit three of me in it comfy.

The hotel service had complimentary ramen and beers, along with the local fruit.

Early morning view out the window showed the course shrouded in ground fog.

I wasn’t planning to do any swimming when I initially packed for the trip. Next time.

The pool behind the main hotel had sandy beaches!

A huge maze of trails and covered walkways branching off to a vast number of pools, hot springs, and saunas.

The morning buffet was one of the best I had in a while, with a full line up of both Asian and Western foods.

A sign at the entrance of the buffet showed the daily condition of the 10 golf courses.

Hotel Shops & Amenities

The shops inside the lobby were all high-end as well as ones I didn’t think to expect like the NBA-themed shop, Hennessy whiskey and Tabasco hot sauce shops!

Then there were dozens more shops in a whole other building next to the hotel, lined with the palm prints of celebrities and stars. The sheer size and scale of Mission Hills was outrageous.

Trip Overview

Hainan is a tropical Island in the South China Sea and can get quite hot and humid during the summer monsoon season. By plane, it took 4.5 hours from Korea to Hainan.

Interestingly, Hainan Island is designated as a tourist zone by the Chinese government and does not require a visa prior to arrival. It is issued when you arrive at the airport and go through customs.

During the end of 2023 when the trip took place, COVID-19 restrictions were largely over and there were the simplest of checks (1-2 minutes) using a machine to detect any virus before entering and exiting the airport.

The resort itself was only about a 15-minute bus ride from the airport. For those who travel often to Asia, they’ll know that courses and resorts can be up to two hours from the airport.

A brief warm-up on the range and armed with complimentary golf balls, we were off to the first tee.

True to its name, the course had stone walls and fences made from the igneous black lava rock.

Except for the absence of the sound of waves, the ambiance reminded me of courses in Hawaii.

Loved the open skies and the awesome panoramic views!

Be sure to pack some strong sunscreen and sports drinks or salt candy. The tropical climate can get quite hot and humid at midday.

Blackstone plays to par 73 and 6722 yards from the blue. I was happy with the score especially when the caddies told me it was the best they’ve seen in a while, LOL!!!

It looked like they were planning to build even more courses and condos. These folks sure like to think big.

Wall-to-wall memorabilia on display from past majors, champions, and legends of the game. So this is where all those signed Masters flags were!

The three-day stay went by all too fast… (T^T)

As part of the package, we were also shown to the largest duty-free shop in Asia. These guys have a thing for being the biggest, grandest, and most opulent; and it was awesome.

It seemed as if every brand of luxury was represented here, and it would’ve taken hours to see it all. If your partner is into this kind of stuff, leave them at home in case they get in the way of your golf.

A final meal at a popular restaurant before heading to the airport. Can you guess the menu? Yup, Chinese, but like nothing you see in the West. It was all delicious to boot.

Met a new friend while waiting for the limousine bus to take us the rest of the way. Even these guys were BIG.

After a rather simple and quick immigration and boarding process, we were safely on our way home to Korea. I have to give credit to the authorities for making the immigration/airport customs process simple and quick. Sometimes everything can be great, only to be ruined by a last-minute glitch or hold-up at the airport, and there were none.

A short nap and back in Seoul. I can’t wait to go back again soon with the whole family to jump in the hot springs. Now if I can only find a way to go visit Pebble Beach and St. Andrews similarly, I’m set. Wish me luck.