Orient is a chain of clubs located in most of the major cities in China, and this one just opened up in early 2007. The club is situated on the Cotai Strip - between the islands of Taipa and Coloane - about 20 minutes from the ferry pier ($70-80 in a taxi).

I have not been to Macau just over a year and was surprised to see so many new developments: the Fisherman's Wharf, the giant Venetian Hotel etc.....going up all over the place. Is now the right to time to invest in some property, or have I already missed the boat?

Orient's aim is to provide good golf courses, not luxuriously decorated clubhouses (and good on them for that). However, this particular one is good and nicely furnished. Facilities include: restaurant, locker room cafe and balcony. The view from here is pretty interesting. There's also a hot bath inside the changing room.

Although it's very flat, Orient manages to hold interest the whole way around thanks to its variety. There are dogleg rights, dogleg lefts, straightaway holes. There is also a good blend of short and long holes. A personal favorite of ours is the ninth - a delightful short par-four that can be reached with a big drive. Watch out for the lake short of the green though!

The par-threes here are also very strong, especially in the wind which tends to blow pretty steadily regardless of the time of day...

Play Movie........

First-class. So far so good, it seems. The greens were a touch slow when we visited but they rolled beautifully. Fairways were nice too. Ah, that Paspalum really sits the ball up nicely.

Very good. They come from Zhuhai. Mine spoke English very well indeed; I was very impressed. We understand they all undergo an extensive training program before being let loose on golfers. It shows.

Okay, so Orient Macau doesn't occupy the most naturally beautiful of locations - check out the enormous Venetian Hotel nearby - but it's much more interesting that in at first appears. Eagle. 5/07