The Da Nang–Hoi An area is Southeast Asia's rising golf mecca. Courses shaped by mountain, sea and dunes — utterly different in character — gather within a one-hour radius, letting you tour the work of world-class architects in just a few days. The two leads of this guide are Ba Na Hills (mountain) and BRG Norman (coastal links).
Two courses, opposite golf
Ba Na Hills Golf Club is the only Luke Donald design in Asia — a mountain parkland whose elevation changes and blind shots keep you thinking on every tee, a true strategist's course. BRG Norman, by contrast, is Greg Norman's first seaside links in Southeast Asia, demanding British-style golf that reads the sea wind and firm fairways and runs the ball low. Same par 72, completely different game plans.
| Ba Na Hills — designer | Luke Donald (2016) · only one in Asia |
|---|---|
| Ba Na Hills — character | Mountain parkland · par 72 · ~7,858y · all-18 floodlit |
| BRG Norman — designer | Greg Norman (2010) · first links in SE Asia |
| BRG Norman — character | Seaside links · par 72 · ~7,160y · no OB |
| Distance from city | Ba Na Hills ~45 min (inland) / BRG ~30 min (coast) |
Other championship courses nearby
With time to spare, you can pair these with other courses in the area.
- BRG Da Nang Nicklaus Course — same resort as Norman, designed by Jack Nicklaus. Combine the two for a 36-hole day.
- Hoiana Shores — Vietnam's first Robert Trent Jones Jr. design, a pure-sand dune links. 2019 'Best New Course, Asia-Pacific'.
- Montgomerie Links — a five-star links-style course by Colin Montgomerie.
Every course in Da Nang requires a caddie. There is no self-play or no-caddie option, and you are typically assigned one caddie per golfer (usually female). Your caddie is a real partner — reading distances, lines, wind and strategy. Beyond green and cart fees, budget for the caddie fee plus a separate cash tip. The strategy in the next two chapters all assumes a caddie at your side.
For a 3-day/2-night trip, two rounds at Ba Na Hills + BRG Norman is standard; for 4 days/3 nights, add the Nicklaus (a 36-hole day) or Hoiana. The next two chapters break the two lead courses down hole by hole.