Tianjin Yangliuqing Golf Club

About the club

Often overshadowed as a golf destination by nearby Beijing, Tianjin, which literally means "the Heavenly Fort", has seen a remarkable number of new courses open their doors in the attractive countryside surrounding the city in recent years. Located to the west of the city, this 36-hole complex lies close to Yangliuqing, a celebrated Ming Dynasty-era town known as the birthplace of some of the nation's most famous artists, and is arguably the best in the immediate region. The C+D loops of nine here, which were designed by the American pair of Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley (the ghost architects on a great many of the courses at Mission Hills in Shenzhen), are the highlight. Open since the summer of 2007, this combined layout measures over 7,400 yards and is set amongst rolling terrain lined with willow, poplar and locust trees. A far more playable test from the forward tees, the forested course is generally wide off the tee, but with rugged, almost minimalist-style greenside bunkering and large contoured greens featuring run-off areas, which catch even the slightest, misjudged approach. Only adept exponents of the game will be rewarded!