| Whether you're an old pro, an amateur, or a rank | | | | Whether it's for business or pleasure, you won't |
| newbie, you'll find a place to play the game of golf | | | | have to look too hard to find a good course, |
| almost anywhere in Asia. From Singapore to | | | | wherever you may be. In legendary golfer Tiger |
| South Korea, golf has gained tremendous | | | | Woods' ancestral home, Thailand is rich with very |
| popularity both as a relaxing pastime, and as a | | | | well-developed and well-played golf courses, |
| way of forging tight business connections. | | | | offering a very high quality environment at low |
| Some of the best golf courses in the world are in | | | | cost. In many of the Thai golf resorts, the |
| places like Thailand and Singapore, with incredibly | | | | pleasures don't stop at golf alone, with extensive |
| beautiful and challenging courses adjacent to | | | | opportunities for elegant meals, traditional |
| luxurious resorts. Besides the golf itself, the | | | | massage, and the ultimate in relaxation. |
| surroundings are incomparable. Even in major | | | | Finding Golf Everywhere |
| congested cities, golf courses are set in gorgeous | | | | Even in less-developed areas like Cambodia, you |
| surroundings, often just out of town in a relaxing | | | | can find some place to play, so don't forget to |
| countryside setting. Many have been created by | | | | bring your clubs when you go to Siem Riep to |
| world-famous designers with consultation by some | | | | see the magnificent Angkor Wat. India too, with is |
| of the game's most prestigious players, creating | | | | rapidly emerging economy, has a newfound |
| courses that stand out among all others. You'll find | | | | respect for the game of golf, and courses are |
| all the amenities of the American course and then | | | | starting to spring up to accommodate the |
| some, with excellent clubhouses, restaurants, and | | | | country's rapidly emerging middle class. |
| spa facilities. If you're golfing your way through | | | | And regardless of politics, golf still persists-and |
| Southeast Asia, the heat may be stifling, but | | | | Communist countries are no exception. Vietnam |
| you're never too far away from a relaxing glass | | | | has opened itself up to trade and tourism, and |
| of cold tea, and a comfortable place to sit in the | | | | yes, you can find a good game there too. Despite |
| shade for a while and enjoy the tropical scenery. | | | | the country's war-torn past, Vietnam is a beautiful |
| You'll find the service to be second to none, and | | | | country with incredible scenery and wonderful |
| in some of the courses, you'll enjoy seeing some | | | | hospitality. It has become a popular tourist |
| things you'd never expect at a Western golf | | | | destination, and the Vietnamese are very |
| course. If you're playing near the jungle, you may | | | | accommodating. The surroundings are varied but |
| just hear a high-pitched, two-tone cry off in the | | | | always exotic. And three hours or so outside of |
| distance, and if you get a little closer, you'll see a | | | | Ho Chi Minh City, you'll find one of the top ten |
| gecko crawling around the green. In Thailand, | | | | courses in Asia, right along the coast of the South |
| some golfers have been known to see a monitor | | | | China Sea. |
| lizard on the course from time to time-but if you | | | | When you visit India, you'll be pleasantly surprised |
| do, don't look at it, it's considered bad luck! | | | | by the vast array of golf courses, and in fact, |
| Seal the Deal at the Course | | | | India has had a long-held fascination with the |
| Golf has always been considered a | | | | game ever since the early part of the 19th |
| "businessperson's sport," but it is even more so in | | | | century. New golf courses spring up on a regular |
| Asia simply because of the business culture. In | | | | basis, and the game is enjoyed by a surprisingly |
| most Asian countries, business is transacted on a | | | | large diversity of people from all walks of life in |
| much more personal level than in America. In | | | | India. |
| Japan for example, it is very important to make a | | | | Golf Holiday Tours |
| personal connection with someone before | | | | If you're a golf fanatic, you don't have to miss |
| conducting business or making a deal. It's never | | | | your favorite game while on holiday. Several tour |
| "just business" when you make a business trip to | | | | operators offer fantastic golf vacations that are |
| an Asian country, and if you go with a hard-edged | | | | all-inclusive. No need to worry about finding out |
| attitude of getting right down to business, you | | | | where to go or how to get there, your tour |
| won't get far. More deals get made on the golf | | | | operator will take care of all the details for you. |
| course there than in the conference room, and | | | | And if you're lucky, you may just find a tour |
| your Japanese counterpart will want to know you | | | | package that gets you into some of the more |
| on a personal level before signing any contracts. | | | | exclusive clubs. |
| This may take place over a few nights at | | | | Part of the Package |
| restaurants and bars, a geisha house, and more | | | | Wherever you go in Asia, incorporating golf into |
| often than not, a round of golf. | | | | your vacation is a wonderful way to see the |
| Many of the best courses are private, with open | | | | country. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to |
| golfing limited only to a couple days a month. But | | | | incorporate golf into your family vacation or your |
| chances are, if you are on a business trip, your | | | | business trip, because of the incredible popularity |
| Asian counterpart will have a membership, so | | | | of the game and the wide selection of available |
| you're in luck. If business isn't part of your | | | | courses. Also, many of the courses offer |
| agenda, don't worry, there are still plenty of | | | | extensive amenities, and are close by to cultural |
| options-and if you sign up with the right tour | | | | centers, special events, and other prime tourist |
| guide, you may even still be able to get inside | | | | destinations. Golfing on holiday in Asia doesn't |
| some of those exclusive private clubs. And the | | | | mean you have to spend time away from the |
| public courses are often equally stunning and | | | | family-many of the courses are part of very |
| beautifully designed, with greens fees that | | | | large resorts that include a little bit of everything |
| compare quite favorably to those in America. | | | | for everyone. |