Chi Linh Star Golf & Country Club

East of Hanoi on the way to Halong Bay

The Chi Linh Star Golf & Country Club features 27 holes of challenging international standard golfing. The golf club, one of the newest in Vietnam, opening in late 2003, and is located about half way between Hanoi and the popular Halong Bay. Chi Linh Star Golf & Country Club played host to the first professional golf tournament in the north of Vietnam, the 2004 Carlsberg Masters Vietnam at which time the pure beauty of the layout was recognized by both golf professionals and amateurs alike.

Chi Linh Star Golf course was designed and constructed by Independent Golf Course Services a well known Australian firm who have also completed golf courses in Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and China. The golf course is constructed in a beautiful valley on rolling forested hills, with several creeks, lakes, and natural water hazards.

A large natural lake in the center of the course ensures that water comes into play on many of the holes. For example, several holes feature tee-shots with water carries and others play to island greens formed by the lakes many capes and bays. For those playing well through the round, be forewarned, the final hole is nothing less than a 680 yard (yes that is correct and not a typo) uphill par 5. So make sure you have some reserve power and do not let up until you are safely in the club house sipping a cold one with your mates.

The par 4 380 yard second hole is also one of the best at Chi Linh with a long carry to an elevated well guarded green needed to par this hole. Other memorable holes are the par 5 fifth which features side hill lies all the way down the right side of the fairway and that large lake mentioned earlier down the left side.

Playing conditions at Chi Linh Star are well kept year round. Tiff Eagle grass greens insure smooth and fast putting surfaces similar to those of other prestigious golf clubs in the region (e.g. Thai Country Club in Bangkok). Tee boxes and fairways are a Bermuda variant developed specifically for Hanoi's changing temperatures. The thick rough, particularly when left to grow long, will present a constant challenge even for the most accomplished of golfers.

Whether for a day trip from Hanoi, or merely stopping by on the way to or from Ha Long Bay, Chi Linh Star is the proverbial must play for a great round of golf.