Yacht docks and tees: an in-depth evaluation of Zhuhai’s palace-level golf course, opening a new life of “blue-green amphibious”
For Hong Kong boat owners who know how to enjoy life, the blue of the ocean and the emerald green of the grass are the perfect complementary colors in the leisure spectrum. When the yacht docks at Zhuhai Jiuzhou Port for maintenance or resupply, instead of waiting aimlessly in the city, grab your bag and drive to a world-class golf course that is only a 30-40 minute drive away. Zhuhai, known as the “City of a Hundred Islands”, is also a “golf town” in southern China.
Compared to the expensive membership threshold of Hong Kong courses, difficult public tee times and compact fairway design, Zhuhai’s courses are known for their “master design”, “wide views” and “one-on-one caddy service”. This article will provide you with an in-depth analysis of the top courses in Zhuhai that are worth swinging at, helping you plan a perfect Yacht & Golf trip.
1. Zhuhai Golden Gulf Golf Club: A Scottish-style links challenge
If you’re a fan of traditional Scottish Links, Golden Bay Golf Club is definitely your first choice. Designed by eight-time European Tour champion Colin Montgomerie himself, the course is a mecca for many Hong Kong golfers.
- Course Features: Golden Bay boasts a standard 27-hole design, with 18 of which are tournament-level. The most notable feature of the course is its open, flat but trap-filled layout. The designer cleverly used the wind and native water system by the sea to create a challenging hitting environment.
- Challenge Point: The wind here is an invisible adversary. In strong winds, choosing the right rod size is crucial. In addition, the course is covered with uniquely shaped “pot-shaped bunkers”, which test not only your skills but also your saving strategy once you fall into it. The wide fairways seem friendly, but in fact they are murderous, and the long grass area is extremely punishing.
- Suitable for: Mid-to-high handicap players who enjoy challenging the wind and enjoying pure hitting.
2. Zhuhai Lakewood Golf Club: A duet of mountains and lakes
If Jinwan is the son of the wild wind, then Cuihu is an elegant landscape painting. Located at the foot of the Phoenix Mountains, Emerald Lake Golf Club, designed by “Jaws” Greg Norman, has two 18-hole courses with very different styles – “Mountain Course” and “Lake Course”.
- Mountain Course: Built on the mountain, with huge ups and downs. The fairways are narrow and have many blind holes, requiring precise landing point control. Standing on the tee at a high place, you can overlook the stunning scenery of the entire northern part of Zhuhai, which is visually striking.
- Lake Course: Water obstacles are the main theme here. The lake surrounds the green, which is delicate and beautiful, but the accuracy of the irons is extremely high, and if you are not careful, you will “go into the water”.
- Supporting Experience: After a comprehensive renovation in recent years, Cuihu’s clubhouse facilities have reached international five-star standards, with changing rooms, restaurants, and lounge areas offering a luxurious feel, making them ideal for business entertainment or family leisure.
3. All-round comparison of golf experiences between the two places
Why are more and more Hong Kong boat owners choosing to “swing north”? In addition to the freshness, it is also about the difference in the overall experience:
| Experience the | dimensionHong Kong public/private stadiums | Zhuhai Top Stadium (Jinwan/Cuihu). |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty of | bookingIt is extremely high, public venues need to be reserved by phone, and private venues require expensive memberships | Relatively easy, you can book and hit immediately on weekdays, and a little earlier on holidays |
| Caddy Services (Caddy). | scarce, mostly self-service carts or shared caddies | One-on-one professional caddies are standard, providing line reading and club selection advice |
| Playing rhythm | Compact, there are often patrols urging, and the front and rear groups are close | to each otherCalmly, with reasonable serve intervals, enjoy the fun of slow sports |
| Transportation | You need to drive or take a taxi | From Jiuzhou Port or Port, it takes about 30-40 minutes to reach directly by private car |
4. Practical advice for “self-driving yacht + golf” players
To perfectly combine sailing and golf, time management is key. It is recommended that boat owners adopt the “Tee-off morning strategy”:
- Day 1 Afternoon: Arrive in Zhuhai on the yacht and complete the berth docking and joint inspection procedures. Enjoy a seafood feast in Zhuhai in the evening, and check into a yacht or nearby hotel.
- Day 2 AM: Book a tee time at 8:00 a.m. Zhuhai has fresh morning air and suitable temperatures. After playing 18 holes, it was about 12:30 noon, just in time to have lunch at the clubhouse.
- Day 2 Afternoon: Return to the yacht for a simple rinse and set sail back to port, or head to the Wanshan Islands to continue the sea fishing trip.
Want to get Zhuhai Golf Course traffic guide and fairway map?
We have compiled a detailed “Transportation Map from Jiuzhou Port to Major Stadiums” and “Stadium Difficulty Coefficient Table” to help you easily plan your itinerary.
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