Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

Asian Golf Travel Nation - February 2013

Dear Golf Travelers,

Greetings from Asia and welcome to the latest issue of the Asian Golf Nation, the source for news breaking information about golf in Asia.

When in Asia, do as the locals do. On February 10, Asians across the region will usher in the Year of the Snake. To golfers around the world, I wish you "Gong Xi Fa Cai". May the Snake bring you good health, happiness, and many birdies!

This year I see an emerging trend in golf travel. Instead of golfers going to one destination for their whole trip, they are spending at least part of their holidays beyond the usual course line-ups. For example, our UNESCO World Heritage Golf Tour, Vietnam Golf Trail, and Thailand Golf Expedition are gaining in popularity as round-trip tours for golfers want to combine golf at undiscovered courses with learning about new destinations, experiencing exotic cultures, and exploring new countries. This is in contrast to just a few years ago where golfers insisted on simply spending their mornings on the golf course and afternoons on the beach. (Of course a few days of golf at a beach resort at the end of every trip are still most welcome!)

For this, we are enhancing our products, as well as creating new innovative programs to meet with these changing trends so as to give you authentic and unique golf travel experiences all across the region.

Moreover, on our side we continue to enhance our capabilities to insure you of industry leading service. Ms. Hoang Lan came on board in January as our General Manager in Danang Vietnam. Having over 10 years as a hotelier, she brings a wealth of capability to our Vietnam operations and management team. Welcome aboard Lan!

In Thailand, Khun Passakorn Roddej (Maew) joined our reservations and operations management team. Khun Passakorn comes from Laguna Phuket Golf Club and will drive service excellent and golfer satisfaction to a level that is normally associated only with 5-star resorts or above. As for me, this newsletter is being written in fact as I am travelling to the USPGA Show. I will report on the show and my views on the state of the golf industry next month when I return. See you when I get back!

In the meantime, we are still in the peak golf travel season so be sure contact us as soon as you know your travel plans so we can secure your preferred tee times and confirm your rooms at the best golf resorts.

As always there are many golf 'happenings' around the region so with that, I invite you to enjoy this edition of the Asian Golf Nation.

Visit Golfasian Today!

Vietnam
Hue:You thought that the only golf courses in Vietnam's central coast were the Danang Golf Club and Montgomerie Links in Danang right? Well last month I played the newly opened Laguna Lang Co Golf Club in Vietnam's Hue Province. Initially I was told it would take me 2 hours or more to reach the golf club from Danang or Hoi An, and I was not looking forward to the drive. However, using the new tunnel linking Danang and Hue it took only 77 minutes door-to-door from my Hoi An hotel to the Lang Co clubhouse. Was the drive worth it? For fear of offending my Danang friends, I won't say this course is the best of the 3 area courses, but it really is. Everything about the Laguna Lang Co golf experience is first class and the course just might be on the most impressive site of all. Now with 3 courses in full operation every golfer travelling to Vietnam's Golf Coast must play them all. Let me know what your favorite is.

Saigon: Jeongsan Country Club is a new 18-hole Ron Fream designed layout on its own island in the Dong Nai River. Originally I was told the commute from the center of Saigon would take 2 hours including highway and ferry boat. However, after asking around I was able to arrange a private speedboat from the central Saigon pier cutting the journey to only 30 minutes. This makes Jeongsan the "easiest to get to" Ho Chi Minh City golf course. The layout features well-guarded greens, fairway pot bunkers, and a good variety of holes. Conditions are already very good, but give the course a few more years for the newly planted trees to grow and really enhance the scenery and challenge. Some English speaking staff would also be helpful, so make sure you go with a guide.

Malaysia
Johor: In Malaysia's southernmost state, the Ernie Els Design team is busy developing two new golf courses. The first is a 27-hole course called Desaru Coast, a 17 kilometer beach site on the west coast of Johor. Desaru Coast is scheduled for completion in 2015. At the same site the Els' design team is providing technical services for a Vijay Singh designed 18-hole course. In addition, the former Datai Golf Club on the resort island of Langkawi in northern Malaysia is undergoing renovation by the same Els design team. Located in the Andaman Sea and facing Thailand's Phuket, the course is scheduled to reopen later this year. With famous designers and architects at work, these 2 beach resorts could emerge as Malaysia's newest and best golf destinations in the years ahead.

With that I would like to once again thank those of you who have golfed with us recently, it was nice seeing you and I hope your trip was memorable one.

Remember, while the offerings are many, the choice is yours, and golf in Asia is waiting for you.
Whatever your budget, preferred style of travel, or how small/large your group, we are glad to work with you and suggest a golf package that meets all of your needs.

Contact the Asian Golf Experts at [email protected].

Until the next newsletter, happy golfing and I hope to see YOU in the area very soon!

Mark Siegel
Managing Director of Golfasian

Visit Golfasian Today!

In this Issue

Regional Golf News

Golf Coast Vietnam

Featured Golf Course - Danang Golf Club, Vietnam

Featured Resort - Fusion Maia Da Nang

Golf Trip Idea: Vietnam Golf Trail

Golf Travel Testimonials

Golf Tournaments

Hua Hin's Hidden Golf Gem: Kaeng Krachan Country Club

Golfing Tips by Ian Morgan - Hybrid Clubs

Golfasian Trade/Roadshows

Previous Newsletters

Subscription Offer

You get our Asian Golf Newsletter!! PLUS free access to the latest THAILAND GOLF INSIDER TIPS, a 15 page special report, and you will also be eligible for other great member offers from Golfasian.

Another good reason to be registered on the Golfasian mailing list!

Asian Golf Monthly

Now in its 12th year, Asian Golf Monthly is firmly established as one of the world's most prominent English-language magazines on golf.
It is unique as the only global title with an Asian perspective. Read more about how Asia's best players and destinations have grown from strength to strength on the global stage.

Golf Lessons

Share Newsletter

Privacy

We take the privacy of our clients and partners very seriously and will not sell or redistribute your sensitive information.

Golf Travel Partners




We are Member of
















Golf Tours









Golf Courses









Golf Planner




Golfasian auf Deutsch

Golfasian en français

Golf Coast Vietnam

The Golf Coast Vietnam encompasses the coastal cities of Danang, Hoi An, and Hue and is home to Vietnam's best golfing.

Danang is Vietnam's third largest city and is famous for its white sand beaches of "China Beach" (home to many GI's some 50 years ago).

Hoi An is a unique UNESCO World Heritage site that boasts an Old Town which looks much the way it did when Hoi An reigned as one of the region's premier trading ports in the 17th Century.

Hue was Vietnam's Imperial Capital up until the 19th century and much of the remains can be seen throughout the city.

The region also boasts some of the best beaches in Asia, numerous excellent resorts, and three world-class designer golf courses, the Greg Norman designed Danang Golf Club, the Nick Faldo designed Laguna Lang Co Golf Club, and the Colin Montgomerie designed Montgomerie Links Vietnam.

These courses, combined with beautiful beaches and iconic tourist destinations makes the Golf Coast of Vietnam region an idyllic golfing destination.

Featured Golf Course - Danang Golf Club, Danang, Vietnam

The Danang Golf Club opened in 2010 and immediately leapt to fame being recognized as one of the 15 best new courses in the world by USA GOLF magazine. The following year Danang Golf Club was voted the 2011 best new golf course in Asia by the readers of Asian Golf Monthly.

The Dunes Course is built on the sandy loam soil of China Beach, a place where history is revered as much as golf.

Featured Hotel - Fusion Maia Da Nang, Vietnam

Set on the pristine while beach of Danang, Fusion Maia Da Nang offers Vietnam's first all-inclusive spa resort for golfers. All spa services are included assuring you of a daily golf massage at no additional cost. Fusion Maia's design was inspired by that of Forbidden City of Hue. Every villa at Fusion Maia includes a private pool and a private garden.

Worried about missing breakfast due to your tee time? Breakfast is served at any time and any place. These are just a few of the steps Fusion Maia takes to make truly special golfing holidays.

Golf Trip Idea: Vietnam Golf Trail

The Vietnam Golf Trail is a Golf Lifestyle Experience™ journey includes Hanoi, Halong Bay, Danang/Hoi An, Dalat, Phan Thiet and Saigon. All of Vietnam's top golf courses from north to south are included on the golf trail package.

The Faldo designed Ocean Dunes Golf Club in Phan Thiet as well as the award winning Dalat Palace Golf Club in the temperate highlands of Dalat are two of the featured golf stops.

[Vietnam Golf Trail Detailed Itinerary...]

Golf Travel Testimonials

Golfasian,

Thank you again for planning and delivering on an excellent and memorable golf trip. This is the second time I have used your services and can't wait for the next trip already. The planning process was easy and upon arrival or departure there was always a driver and guide ready and waiting. It made the whole trip stress free and it certainly didn't hurt that the golf was exceptional.

Thanks again,

Josh B.
USA, January 2013
[Read more golf travel testimonials]

Golf Tournaments

All Nations Cup - February 2013
Date: February 22 - March 02, 2013 | Location: Pattaya, Thailand

Hua Hin Amateur Golf Week - March 2013
Date: March 03 - 09, 2013 | Location: Hua Hin, Thailand [Find out more]

Pattaya Amateur Golf Week - March 2013
Date: March 10 - 16, 2013 | Location: Pattaya, Thailand [Find out more]

World Schools Golf Challenge - March 2013
Date: March 31 - April 05, 2013 | Location: Hua Hin, Thailand

Phuket Amateur Golf Week - July 2013
Date: July 21 - 27, 2013 | Location: Phuket, Thailand [Find out more]

Pattaya Amateur Golf Week - October 2013
Date: October 19 - 26, 2013 | Location: Pattaya, Thailand [Find out more]

Chiang Mai Amateur Golf Week - October 2013
Date: October 26 - November 03, 2013 | Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand [Find out more]

Best of the Blog Thailandgolfzone.com - Hua Hin's Hidden Golf Gem: Kaeng Krachan Country Club

Faldo's New Course Opens in Vietnam

Everyone knows the best regarded Hua Hin golf courses are Banyan Golf Club and Black Mountain Golf Club. How about other Hua Hin golf courses for the more adventurous?

Located an hour north and 40km inland from Hua Hin in the Thai Kaeng Krachan Estate lies what might just be Hua Hin's least known, most under rated and best valued golf course? The 27 hole Kaeng Krachan Country Club is hardly known by the locals, no less Thailand golf holidaymakers.

[Read the entire article]

Other golf stories can be found at the Thailand Golf Zone, Vietnam Golf Zone and Phuket Golf Zone where there are over 600 other original articles dealing exclusively with golf in Asia and golf travel.

I would love to hear about any golf tips that any of you may have developed for getting the maximum enjoyment from your golf trips, and can incorporate some in future articles. Therefore if you have any golf tips or suggestions you would like to share, please let me know by dropping me an email.

Subscribe to our RSS Feed.

Golfing Tips by Ian Morgan - Hybrid Clubs

When you are deciding what clubs to take on your Thailand golf package, a good tip would be to leave your long irons at home. The grass is very strong to protect itself against the heat, and often the fairway woods and the Hybrids go through the grass a lot easier than the long irons.

[Read more Golf Tips Articles]

If you have any other questions regarding golf tips to help you with your game email us at [email protected] and we will reply in upcoming newsletters

For more golf tips visit www.golfthink.com

Meet Golfasian at these Trade/Roadshows/Fam-Trips

Golfasian has a full schedule of tradeshows and roadshows during the next few months.

You can find us at the following events:

April 29 - May 02, 2013 - IAGTO Asia Golf Tourism Convention (Pattaya, Thailand)
November 11-14, 2013 - IGTM (Costa Daurada, Spain)

Arrange an appointment with Golfasian at one of these exhibits.

About Us & Contacts

If any reader would like to suggest a topic to be covered or better yet contribute materials, photos, or even commissions an article please contact us by e-mail, we welcome the help.

Licensed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), License No: 14/00515
Licensed by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, License No: 79-302/2011
Recommended by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO)
Member of Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA)

Golfasian Co., Ltd.
Unit 1105, 29 Bangkok Business Center
Soi Ekamai, Sukhumvit 63 Road
Klongtan Nua, Wattana
Bangkok 10110 Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2 714 8470
Fax: +66 (0) 2 714 8471

Golfasian Vietnam Co., Ltd
5th floor, HAN Building
301 Tran Hung Dao Street
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Tel: +84 (0) 8 3838 6510
Fax: +84 (0) 8 3838 6537

Toll Free US/Canada: 1-866-550-2284

E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.golfasian.com

The #1 Golf Experts in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos & Myanmar!