The first course I played was the Greg Norman-designed Da Nang Golf Club. I was welcomed by Phil Wright, the head professional, an Aussie lad from Melbourne, which gave me a chance to get a dig in about the Ashes; and Howie Roberts, a Welsh lad - both quality guys. Phil showed me around the course both days I played. Phil caddied for Ian Baker Finch while he was on tour and was his bagman at Augusta, but missed out on carrying his clubs when he won the Open at Royal Birkdale. He is training the caddies here, so by the time you decided to make the trip, you know they will be well worth the recommended tip.
You have a choice of four different tees to play from ranging from 7,160 yards from the Shark tees, to 5,684 yards from the Reds. The first is a nice gentle opener, a slight dogleg right of 407 yards from the Shark tees, the tee shot is played over a ridge and if you catch the down slope you will have little more than a wedge in. This is where the fun starts, the most important shot is your shot into the green, if you are on the wrong side of some of the ridges that run through the green, you will have little chance of two-putting.
Top: The signature par 3, 16th hole. Above LtoR: 9th, 11th and 12th holes
All the greens here are tough and if you put your ball in the wrong position you are looking at three putting if not more, that’s why a lot of emphasis is placed on the pin position card that you are given at the beginning of your round. I would recommend you take a lot of notice of it before you play your second shot, some greens are 40 yards deep, which depending on pin position, could be the difference between playing an 8-iron and a 4-iron into the green.
Stand-out holes for me were all the par threes, I really didn’t think there was a weak one among them and the signature 16th hole, at 148 yards from the Shark tees, is truly breath-taking. With the ocean waves crashing on the shore and the Chem mountains as a backdrop, you need to make sure you keep focused, as again position on the green is vital. Make sure you look out for the Viet Cong pillbox between the 16th green and the 17th tee.
There are some great par 4s on the course and all the tee shots just inspire you to play well. I really don’t want to name just a few holes, because they all deserve a lot more detail than I can give you here.
The Danang Golf Club reminded me a lot of the tracks around Liverpool and the North West coast of England and in particular Formby, but with more sand dunes and bunkers. The tight-cut grass on the fairways and the way the ball sits up, just waiting to be picked off, as well as the whispery grass around the bunkers, will make anyone who loves links golf feel right at home.
Above: Putting green and looking down the 10th hole from the clubhouse
