Nanjing Zhongshan International (Mountain & Lake) - China

The course at the Nanjing Zhongshan International Golf Club is a hilly course, developed at the foot of the mountain, Zhongshan. The club has three 9-hole courses; the Mountain, Lake, and Valley which was added in 2010. I highly recommend playing the 18-hole Mountain and Lake course combination. The Mountain course has both large elevation change and long distance, requiring strong power play. The Lake course has ponds coming into play and there are many cleverly placed bunkers, urging players to focus on accuracy. The green and fairway maintenance is nice. The panoramic view of Zhongshan can be enjoyed as a wonderful addition to the overall experience.

The par 5 545-yard 2nd is a signature hole, the par 3 200-yard 17th in which the fairway is divided into two by a creek. Off the tee, players will notice that approaching the fairway on the right can shorten the overall distance of the hole. However, with the creek on the left and a forest on the right, players must also bear in mind the narrow fairway. Most choose the left wide fairway, and then the hole will become a double dogleg, first turning to the right before bending again to the left. With an over-the-creek second shot, players should pay particular attention to the left pond which is semi-blind. The par 3 200-yard 17th is aesthetically beautiful as well as tough because seven bunkers surround the island green, which slopes down gently from the green center to the back.

The par 4 460-yard 9th and the par 4 435-yard 18th are quite strong holes. Players can see the magnificent clubhouse behind both greens. To read more about Nanjing Zhonshan International GC, click here to visit my website.