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The Norman course at the Mission Hills Golf Club is a magnificent hillside
course that blends in beautifully with the surrounding environment. Despite
having no ponds, lakes, or ocean holes, the course still offers true an
aesthetic beauty and enjoyment. However, despite its beauty, the course
itself can be very challenging. The rough can be very thick, thick enough
to lose golf balls, bunkers are strategically placed throughout the course,
and finally the greens are elevated and steam-bun typed. All of these
factors will require players to make accurate shots and approaches. This
course not only requires patience, but a lot of golf balls. Players should
make sure to stock up before playing here. The holes between number ten
to eighteen are very tough as the tight fairways tread though the ravines
with various traps and hazards.
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The opening hole is a relatively straight par four. If players hit their
tee shot ball into the roughs that guards both sides of the fairway, the
second shot will be very tough. A rough on the right sector and a large
bunker on the left surround the green. In addition, the green severely slopes
from back to front, so an approach shot from behind the green will be extremely
difficult. |
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| The fourth hole is a short but challenging par three with an
over-a-ravine tee shot. The deep green is guarded by a sharp drop-off on
the right. In order to get the ball on the green, the player’s shot must
be precise since the green due to the fact that the width is very narrow
as it is only a little over 10 yards. |
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The sixth hole is a slightly downhill par three with a wonderful view from
the teeing ground. The hole consists of several bunkers and a green that
is double tiered and slops a little from back to front. |
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| The seventh hole is a somewhat straight par five. Both the
player’s tee and second shots will be downhill. However, on the third shot,
players will be facing a gentle uphill. The bunker guarding the green is
relatively deep so players must make sure to keep an eye out for it. |
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A relatively straight and long par four that has a slightly uphill second
shot. Both distance and accuracy are required in order to get the ball on
the green. |
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A very long par four with a slight dogleg bend to the right. The tee shot
must travel over the water and a carry of 220 yards is needed to reach the
fairway. The second shot is gently uphill. There is a large bunker that
protects the front side of the green. Players should try to avoid this bunker
at all costs. Be aware that when the ball lays up on the second shot, the
landing area is narrow. The green is small and elevated; therefore an accurate
approach shot is needed. Unless players can drive 270-280 yards, it is difficult
to reach the green in two shots. |
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| A relatively short and straight par four that is on a slightly
downhill slope. The landing area off the tee is tight. There are bunkers
that guard both sides of the green. Since there is nothing that blocks the
view behind the green, the green itself gives the impression that it’s floating
like an aircraft-carrier. |
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A very long par five that is designed in the shape of the letter “S”.
The first dogleg is to the left with the second dogleg curving to the
right. Distance and accuracy are required off the tee. On the second shot,
players should aim towards the left half of the fairway. This will make
the approach shot easier. Finally, the green is elevated and surrounded
by bunkers so players should approach with caution.
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Another relatively straight par four. The extreme downhill tee shot will
require accuracy since the landing area is quite narrow and consists of
hazards on both sides. The approach shot will be slightly uphill and the
three bunkers placed on the right side of the green is something to be cautious
of. |
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| A straight and very long par four with the slightly downhill
second shot. Again, both accuracy and distance are needed on this hole.
The green surface has subtle undulations, so putting is also challenging. |
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| A par five that consists of a dogleg to the right with the
downhill tee shot. There are two separate creeks that cross the fairway;
therefore precise shots are needed to ensure that your ball will reach the
green. |
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The course is one of five that were competed in Dungguan in 2003 and
2004. There is a hotel located next to the clubhouse. As for directions,
it takes twenty minutes from Shenzen Mission Hills in Shenzhen by a shuttle
bus. Furthermore, in order to play on the black tees, players will need
to show a starter a handicap certificate of seven or below.
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As of 2004, Mission Hills GC is the world’s biggest golf complex with
10 courses with a total of 180 holes overtaking the huge Pinehurst resort
in North Carolina, which has eight 18-hole courses. The picture shows
the 10 designers who are either world-famous players or teaching professional.
The 10 courses are designed by Jack
Nicklaus, Vijay
Singh,
Nick Faldo, Jumbo
Ozaki, Ernie
Els, Annika
Sorenstam, Rose
- Poulter, Jose
Maria Olazabal, David
Leadbetter and Greg Norman. In addition, two courses were added in
2007 (the Pete Dye Course and Zhang Lian Wei Couse) so now the club currently
holds 12 courses with a total of 216 holes.
Other courses designed by Greg Norman in Asia are Nirwana
Bali GC, Laguna
Bintan GC, River Side GC, & Tering Bay G&CC in Indonesia,
Thana City GC in Thailand, Danang GC & The
Bluffs Ho Tram Strip GC in Vietnam, Splendido Taal GC in the Philippines,
Kai Kou (Xiamen) GC in China,
Shirasagi GC in Japan and Jade Palace GC in Korea.
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1st Par 4 421 yards (2)