The Heart of China

Great golf awaits in Yunnan province

The risk-reward ninth at the Lake Course, Spring CityWHERE TO PLAY

KUNMING

Spring City Resort ****1/2

If you only have time for one day’s golfing in Kunming make sure it’s at Spring City. Of the two immaculately conditioned courses at this exceptionally well-run resort, we rate Nicklaus's Mountain layout slightly ahead of Trent Jones's Lake. But really, they’re both first-class. The Mountain Course rises gently through towering glades and uses its natural terrain to its fullest. Fairly generous fairways and large greens make this perfectly playable for the recreational golfer, although a ravine-fronted green at the closing hole ensures an exacting finish to what is arguably the finest course of its type in China. Despite being shorter than the Mountain, the slightly newer Lake course is probably a less forgiving if more spectacular test. Relatively narrow and undulating landing areas place the onus on accuracy, while dramatic greenside bunkering and strong elevation changes add a definite wow factor. The incredibly scenic 486-yard par-five ninth, which runs along the banks of Yang Zong Hai Lake, might look like a birdie hole on paper, but like many of the holes here, pars are well-earned.

Yardage: 7,453 (Mountain); 7,204 (Lake). Par: 72.
Architects : Jack Nicklaus (Mountain), 1996 ; Robert Trent Jones Jr. (Lake), 1998.
Access: 40mins from airport
Contact: www.springcityresort.com

 

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Written by Alex Jenkins

Click here to see the published article.

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