Located close to Guangzhou International Airport (20 mins), Holiday Islands is one of Guangdong's newest clubs and is designed by Liang Guo-kun who is also responsible for the very good Junan Country Garden GC and Shenzhen Green Club.

Like most courses in Guangdong, Holiday Islands is part of a larger commerical project which includes a magnificent clubhouse and a 200 room hotel. The rooms here are certainly among the best in the province which is just as well because at 2 hours from the HK/Mainland border - it makes a lot of sense for HK golfers to stay the night.

Excellent - Reception Restaurant Proshop Locker Room Everything is brand new and tastefully done (for China anyway).

At over 6,800 yards from the regular blue tees this course is very long! Fortunately, the fairways are very generous and while there is rough, you really have to be hitting it wildly to find it.

Water is also much in evidence but, again, if you're hitting it well, it shouldn't really in play. The exception to this is at the club's signature hole - the par 3, 4th. With its wide but shallow island green this is one of the region's most spectacular holes and it will take a well-struck mid iron to find its heart.

The course also features a lot of undulation (more so on the back nine) and more often than not you'll be faced with some interesting lies on the fairways. On the higher parts of the course, wind plays a big factor as well so hitting one extra club to the greens might well pay dividends. The putting surfaces are some of the biggest in the province and feature some tricky (not outrageous) slopes so prepare yourself with a good half an hour on the practice green before teeing off.

Overall, this course suits long hitters and good putters. I have a feeling John Daly would feel right at home here. If you're not built like the 'Wild Thing' taking a step down to the white tees is not a bad idea.

Another 18 holes is under contruction and should be ready to open in the middle of 2006.

Mr Liang - the course acrchitect- actually specialises in landscape design and the layout is defined by some very attractive trees and shrubs.

Sep 2005: The condition is generally very good: the exception are the tees which feel like you're playing in the desert. Greens are running nicely.

Hole by Hole Descriptions

Photos (Sep 2005)

Overall: Excellent off-course facilities, enjoyable (if a bit long) course with a good mix of holes. Shame it's so far away but then again it's worth staying the night and playing twice. Even more so when the new course opens. EAGLE - Sep 2005.