best golf courses in Laos
As Laos continues to emerge as a sought-after destination for golf enthusiasts, the country’s array of exquisite golf courses is gaining international attention. The 2024/2025 season is set to showcase the top 6 best golf courses in Laos, offering a unique blend of challenging play, stunning landscapes, and the serene tranquility characteristic of this beautiful Southeast Asian nation. In this article, we’ll explore the top-tier golf courses in Laos, highlighting what makes each one a must-visit for any golf aficionado.
Laos Country Club
Laos Country Club, located just 18km from Vientiane, offers a picturesque and challenging golfing experience that has rapidly become a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Recently opened and set against a backdrop of rolling hills, this course is a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, ideal for both practicing your swing and enjoying a peaceful day in nature.
The club’s transformation from the former Youth Garden Golf Course into a high-standard resort golf course is a testament to Laos Resort’s commitment to excellence. As one of the oldest golf properties in Laos, the renovation was not only necessary but also executed with professionalism and attention to detail. The result is a course that blends history with modern amenities.
Golfers at Laos Country Club face the intriguing challenge of water hazards that, while primarily serving an aesthetic and psychological purpose, still add a layer of difficulty to the game. The teeing grounds are thoughtfully designed with water elements that require strategic play, though they don’t demand excessive carrying-over hazards. The course is also known for its generously sized tees, complemented by strategically placed bunkers, challenging golfers to navigate thoughtfully through each hole.
Moreover, the greens are meticulously maintained, ensuring a smooth and consistent playing surface. The absence of foreign grasses invading the greens speaks to the high level of care taken in course maintenance. Beyond golf, the club offers an opportunity to unwind with some of the finest Laotian cuisine, making it the perfect spot to relax after a game before returning to Vientiane for a relaxing evening.
Luang Prabang Golf Club
Luang Prabang Golf Club, situated about 6 km west of Luang Prabang’s town center, offers a unique golfing experience along the South Bank of the Mekong River, set against a backdrop of tropical, forested mountains. This course is a highlight for any golf holidays in Laos, highly recommended for its scenic beauty and challenging layout.
The course’s design takes full advantage of its riverside location, with holes 14 through 17 running parallel to the Mekong River. The 17th hole, a par three, hugs the river’s edge, creating a striking play along the water. The 18th hole, a challenging par four, rises uphill over 375 yards, featuring a 35-foot elevation change and a medium-sized green that slopes 7 feet from right to left across a 75-foot putting surface. The greens are generally moderate to small in size, offering a balanced challenge for golfers.
One of the distinctive features of the Luang Prabang Golf Club is its gentle elevation changes, except for the dramatic 18th hole, making the course enjoyable to walk. The fairways are relatively wide, averaging 35-40 yards, accommodating golfers of varying skill levels. Despite being a relatively new course, it’s continuously evolving and improving.
The course beautifully integrates with the natural terrain, showcasing untouched landscapes. The rough areas surrounding the fairways are maintained to varying degrees, contributing to the course’s strategic complexity. Sand traps guard most greens, and liberal use of fairway bunkers influences tee shot placement on almost all holes, except for the 14th and the par three holes. This thoughtful design makes Luang Prabang Golf Club one of the must-play golf courses in Laos.
Lakeview Vientiane Golf Club
Lakeview Vientiane Golf Club is a golf course within Vientiane City designed to be challenging and fun. Despite being situated in an area with no hills, designers have cleverly created two artificial hills in which players need to carry their ball up before it reaches the hole.
The natural environment of Lakeview Vientiane is pristine, and you can see why it’s one of the most popular Laos golf courses. The undulating greens are framed by a series of lakes, which are in turn surrounded by steep sand bunkers. The Paspalum grass makes for low-maintenance and high-quality playing fields.
The trees that come into play on the course layout make it quite a challenge, yet the service enhancements and other facilities at the Lakeview Vientiane Golf Club put it up to par with international standards.
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Long Thanh Vientiane Golf Club
Long Thanh Vientiane Golf Club is the first 27-hole course in Laos. The original 18 opened in 2012 and the second 18 in 2016. It’s located 1 kilometer from Vientiane, 16 kilometers outside of town, and inside a special duty-free zone. The course layout is mostly flat terrain. There are, however, some man-made mounding features and water hazards to test your skill. It also includes carefully planned bunkers and wide fairways, as well as trees and flowers for a softer atmosphere.
The East Course plays through a series of lakes and forested areas. Greens are protected from water hazards and club selection is important when hitting approach shots. The West Course is more open but has more bunkers and undulated fairways.
The course at Long Thanh Vientiane Golf Club includes a beautiful driving range and two putting greens. The clubhouse is modern and posh, with a large locker room, an international restaurant, and a well-stocked pro shop. You can even play golf here at night thanks to the floodlights on the course. Caddies are all male and while their English is rather limited, their golf knowledge is quite good.
Pakse Golf Club
Pakse Golf Club, located in the heart of Southern Laos, stands as a testament to the growing popularity of golf in the region. This relatively new addition to Laos’ golf scene is set against the scenic backdrop of the Bolaven Plateau, known for its lush landscapes and cool climate, making it an ideal setting for golf.
Spanning across a picturesque landscape, Pakse Golf Club offers a unique golfing experience that combines challenging play with the natural beauty of the surrounding area. The course is thoughtfully designed, featuring a blend of undulating fairways and strategically placed hazards that test the skills of both novice and experienced golfers. The greens are well-maintained, providing a smooth and consistent playing surface that adds to the enjoyment of the game.
One of the highlights of Pakse Golf Club is its integration with the local environment. The course is surrounded by native flora and fauna, adding a sense of tranquility and isolation from the hustle and bustle of daily life. This connection with nature is a core aspect of the golfing experience here, offering a peaceful escape for players.
In addition to its natural beauty and challenging layout, Pakse Golf Club is also known for its warm hospitality. The clubhouse provides a welcoming space for golfers to relax and socialize after a round, with amenities that cater to comfort and convenience. This combination of great golf, stunning scenery, and friendly atmosphere makes Pakse Golf Club a must-visit destination for golf enthusiasts traveling in Laos.
Dansavanh Golf Club
Dansavanh Golf & Country Club offers an exceptional experience that combines the challenge of a well-designed course with breathtaking natural surroundings. Located near Vientiane, this golf club is part of the larger Dansavanh Nam Ngum Resort, nestled beside the serene Nam Ngum Lake.
This golf club is renowned for its meticulous design, which harmoniously blends with the rolling hills and lush greenery of the region. It provides golfers with a variety of strategic challenges, including water hazards and bunkers, that test their skills and decision-making. The fairways are beautifully manicured, and the greens are kept in excellent condition, ensuring a satisfying round for players of all levels.
One of the defining features of Dansavanh Golf & Country Club is its stunning setting. The backdrop of the lake and surrounding mountains creates a tranquil and isolated environment, perfect for those looking to escape the noise and rush of city life. The natural beauty of the area not only enhances the golfing experience but also provides a sense of calm and relaxation.
The clubhouse at Dansavanh is equipped with all the amenities needed for a comfortable and enjoyable visit. From dining facilities that offer a range of local and international cuisine to the warm and welcoming staff, every aspect of the club is designed to ensure a memorable playing experience.
These Laos golf courses exemplify the country’s growing stature as a premier golfing destination. Each course, with its unique blend of challenging layouts, stunning natural backdrops, and impeccable maintenance, offers a distinct experience that caters to golfers of all skill levels. From the serene waterside settings of Luang Prabang Golf Club to the lush, rolling landscapes of Dansavanh Golf & Country Club, these golf courses in Laos are more than just sporting venues; they are retreats into nature, offering tranquility and a break from the everyday. Whether you seek a challenging round of golf, breathtaking scenery, or simply a peaceful escape, these courses deliver it all. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you still cannot decide which golf course to play in this country or want to plan a perfect golf holiday in Laos. Or, if you have ever played at these courses, feel free to share with us your experience by commenting on the box below.
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