Royal Golf Course

⛳ Royal Golf Course — Northern Vietnam's largest 54-hole golf complex spanning 670 ha, set between Yen Thang Lake and primordial limestone mountains in Ninh Binh. The Queen Course was designed by Jack Nicklaus II and honored as "Vietnam's Best New Golf Course 2024". Green fee specials from 1,550,000 VND when booking via WinGolf.

Location

Royal Golf Course is located in Hamlet 4B, Dong Son Commune, Tam Diep City, Ninh Binh Province (bordering Yen Thang Commune, Yen Mo District). The course sits beside the 185 ha Yen Thang Lake, within the core zone of the world cultural and natural heritage area.

Travel distances:

• 🚗 From Hanoi city center: approximately 100–115 km, ~90–120 minutes via Phap Van – Cau Gie – Ninh Binh Expressway.
• ✈️ From Noi Bai International Airport: approximately 2.5 hours via inter-provincial expressways.
• 🏛️ From Trang An World Heritage: ~20–30 minutes.
• 🙏 From Bai Dinh Pagoda: ~25 minutes.
• 🌾 From Tam Coc – Bich Dong: ~15–20 minutes.

The expressway is modern with good road conditions and rarely has prolonged traffic jams, making it very convenient for day trips or weekend getaways.

Design & Architecture

Royal Golf Course is a typical "Mountain & Lake Course", nestled between primordial million-year-old limestone mountains and a massive freshwater lake. The 54-hole complex is divided into three courses with distinct characteristics.

King Course: Opened in 2010, designed by Peter Rousseau (P&Z Development). An 18-hole, Par 72 layout stretching 7,193 yards from the yellow tees — one of Vietnam's longest courses, demanding powerful drives. Fairways wind around Yen Thang Lake with wide, deep bunkers filled with fine white sand. Greenleas Park and Novotek grass imported directly from Thailand.

Queen Course: Honored as "Vietnam's Best New Golf Course 2024", designed by Jack Nicklaus II — inheriting the essence of "Golden Bear" Jack Nicklaus. The "Stone Forest" philosophy: preserving and exposing natural limestone strips right on the fairways and around greens, creating dramatic scenery that is uniquely one-of-a-kind. Uses Zeon Zoysia (fairway) and Primo Zoysia (green) — saving 98% maintenance costs with no toxic chemicals. Notably, the Queen Course is one of few in northern Vietnam with comprehensive lighting for 18-hole Night Golf.

Prince Course: Currently under development, promising to complete a 54-hole world-class complex.

Course Specifications — King & Queen Course

Green Fee Rates 2024–2025

The rates below are reference prices for 2024–2025. Actual prices at the time of booking may vary by season and promotions — WinGolf always provides the best available rates:

Note: Price includes green fee, caddy fee, and shared buggy (1 buggy per 2 golfers). Rates vary depending on King or Queen Course selection.

• 🏌️ Club rental: approximately 900,000 VND/set
• 🚗 Single buggy surcharge: ~436,000 VND (day) / ~636,000 VND (night) for 18 holes
• 🏨 Stay & Play package: usually includes 1 night and 1–2 rounds, saving 20–30% vs. separate bookings

Facilities

• 🏛️ Luxurious Clubhouse: Open architecture with panoramic views of the golf course and lake, capacity up to 350 guests, suitable for gala dinners and corporate events.
• 🛁 Premium locker room: Secure lockers, shower area, sauna, and modern jacuzzi.
• ⛳ Pro Shop: Clubs, bags, shoes, and apparel from renowned brands.
• 🏌️ Driving range & practice area: Dedicated putting and chipping zones.
• 🏨 The Five Villas & Resort Ninh Binh: 37 hotel rooms and 22 luxury villas. Golf View Villas feature 3-story design with open spaces bringing nature right into the bedroom.
• 🍽️ Dining: Restaurant celebrating local culinary essence (mountain goat, crispy rice) combined with Western cooking techniques.
• 🌙 Night Golf (Queen Course): Comprehensive 18-hole lighting system, allowing night golf experience amid artistically illuminated limestone cliffs.

Tips & Strategy

Here are practical tips from WinGolf to help you optimize your experience:

1. Choose the right course for your skill level: High-handicap golfers should start with the Queen Course to get familiar with Jack Nicklaus II's technical design before attempting the 7,193-yard King Course.

2. Experience Night Golf at the Queen Course: This is a "must-try" experience when visiting Ninh Binh. Million-year-old limestone cliffs illuminated under high-pressure lights create a dramatic golfing arena.

3. Read the greens carefully on the Queen Course: Green speed is consistent (stimp ~8–9) but slopes are complex due to natural limestone blocks surrounding greens. Take time to observe breaks with your caddy.

4. Fairway strategy on the King Course: At 7,193 yards long, prioritize safe positioning over maximum distance. Wide, deep bunkers around Yen Thang Lake will punish any inaccurate shots.

5. Ideal tee times: Early morning (6:00–7:00 AM) to enjoy the cool natural lake breeze. If playing the Queen Course, try twilight transitioning into night golf for a unique experience.

6. Consider Stay & Play: At 100 km from Hanoi, a package at The Five Villas combining golf on both King & Queen courses is the optimal choice, saving 20–30% vs. separate bookings.

FAQ

Below are frequently asked questions when golfers book Royal Golf Course.

Do I need to book Royal Golf Course in advance?

Yes, you should book at least 3–7 days in advance, especially on weekends and peak season. WinGolf supports tee time confirmation within 15 minutes.

Does the green fee include caddy and buggy?

Yes, the price includes caddy fee and shared buggy (1 buggy per 2 golfers). For a private buggy, a surcharge of approximately 436,000 VND (day) or 636,000 VND (night) applies for 18 holes.

Does the course rent clubs and shoes?

Yes. Club rental is approximately 900,000 VND. WinGolf recommends bringing your own clubs for optimal performance on this long and challenging terrain.

What is the dress code?

Collared shirts, long pants or golf shorts, and soft-spike shoes are required. Jeans, collarless T-shirts, and regular sports shoes are typically not permitted.

What is the cancellation/change policy?

Free cancellation with 48 hours notice. Cancellations within 24 hours may incur fees or forfeit deposits depending on the package. WinGolf supports flexible rescheduling.

How long is the drive from Hanoi to Royal Golf Course?

Approximately 90–120 minutes by car via Phap Van – Cau Gie – Ninh Binh Expressway (100–115 km). From Noi Bai Airport it takes about 2.5 hours.

Is Royal Golf Course suitable for beginners?

The Queen Course suits all skill levels, while the 7,193-yard King Course is better for experienced golfers (handicap 0–25). Beginners should choose the Queen Course with Jack Nicklaus II's flexible yet technical design.

Signature Holes

Every hole at Royal Golf Course tells its own story, especially on the Queen Course:

Hole 3 — Par 4 (Queen Course): The most difficult hole (Stroke Index 1). The tee box sits on a narrow hilltop, with the line of play squeezed between two exposed rock ranges, demanding absolute concentration from the very first drive.

Hole 4 — Par 5 (Queen Course): Known as the most beautiful hole on the course with a colorful Koi pond to the left of the fairway and cool breezes from Yen Thang Lake. This hole features the most bunkers (5 on the fairway), creating a fascinating layup strategy test.

Hole 9 — Par 5 (Queen Course): The closing hole of the front nine with a green dubbed the "death green", surrounded by rock cliffs, demanding an extremely precise approach shot.

The Five Resort Ecosystem

Royal Golf Course is part of the "The Five" ecosystem operated by Thanh Cong Group, integrating automobiles (Hyundai TC Motor), real estate, and luxury hospitality.

The Five Villas & Resort Ninh Binh: Offers 37 hotel rooms and 22 luxury villas. Golf View Villas feature 3-story design with open spaces bringing nature into the bedroom. The restaurant celebrates local culinary essence (Ninh Binh mountain goat, crispy rice) combined with Western cooking techniques.

Cool climate: Thanks to the massive water surface of Yen Thang Lake (185 ha) and the location just 20 km from the sea, the golf course always enjoys natural breezes that significantly reduce temperatures during hot summer days in northern Vietnam.

How to Book via WinGolf

WinGolf is a trusted booking partner for Royal Golf Course, offering competitive rates and fast confirmation. Just 3 simple steps:

Step 1: Visit wingolf.vn, select "Book Tee Time" and find Royal Golf Course.

Step 2: Choose your date, tee time slot, number of players, and course (King/Queen). The system displays live pricing and available combo packages.

Step 3: Fill in contact details, choose payment method, and receive confirmation via email/SMS within 15 minutes.

For Stay & Play packages, northern Vietnam golf tours, or group bookings, call our hotline 0985 092 088 — WinGolf support is available 24/7.

Nearby Golf Courses

If you want to combine multiple courses on a northern Vietnam golf tour, WinGolf suggests these premium nearby options:

• Trang An Golf & Resort (Ninh Binh) — set within the Trang An World Heritage area, perfectly combining golf and sightseeing, about 20–30 minutes from Royal Golf.

• Legend Valley Country Club (Ninh Binh) — 36-hole Nicklaus Design masterpiece with Integrated Resort ecosystem and Bright Park amusement park.

• Stone Valley Golf Resort (Ha Nam/Ninh Binh) — 27 lakeside holes designed by Greg Norman, suitable for southbound tour routing.

• Tam Dao Golf Resort (Vinh Phuc) — 18 mountain holes with cool year-round climate, ideal for combining golf and relaxation.

• Sky Lake Golf & Resort (Hanoi) — 36-hole complex with international-class design, near Noi Bai Airport, very convenient for international golfers.

WinGolf can design custom golf tours combining Royal Golf Course with the courses above, including transfers, accommodation, and guides if needed.

Book your Royal Golf Course tee time today for the best green fee rates and instant confirmation.