EMERGING GOLF MARKETS

From its origins in Scotland, and early twentieth century expansion in Western Europe and the United States, golf continues to reach new markets throughout the world. Newer markets, including China, elsewhere in Asia, plus North Africa and the Middle East, have their own unique considerations for golf course development.

LATEST NEWS

New Faldo Design course to open in Qiddiya in 2026
Qiddiya Investment Company
News | Mon 21 Jul, 2025

New Faldo Design course to open in Qiddiya in 2026

Eighteen-hole layout has been laid out near the Tuwaiq Mountains in Saudi Arabia

New golf course takes shape as part of US$280m project in Zimbabwe’s capital
Harris Kalinka
News | Wed 02 Jul, 2025

New golf course takes shape as part of US$280m project in Zimbabwe’s capital

The Hills Luxury Golf Estate is a development by WestProp and includes a Peter Matkovich 18-hole layout

Savan Resorts in Laos nears opening of Nicklaus Design short course
Nicklaus Design
News | Mon 30 Jun, 2025

Savan Resorts in Laos nears opening of Nicklaus Design short course

New nine-hole par-three layout includes an island green and can be lit for night golf

Nine holes take shape at Timehri Sands in Guyana
Miller Golf Design Group
News | Wed 18 Jun, 2025

Nine holes take shape at Timehri Sands in Guyana

Construction of first nine, designed by Jason Miller of Miller Golf Design Group, is expected to be complete by early 2026

New Faldo Design course opens at Silk Path club in Vietnam
PGA Silk Path Dong Trieu Golf & Country Club
News | Fri 04 Apr, 2025

New Faldo Design course opens at Silk Path club in Vietnam

Eighteen-hole public layout has been created as part of a US$60m development east of Hanoi

Mackenzie & Ebert designs new course for Puerto Rico resort
The Boundary
News | Tue 04 Mar, 2025

Mackenzie & Ebert designs new course for Puerto Rico resort

Shaping is in progress at Moncayo, a luxury development that covers 1,100 acres

Golden Sands resort on Vietnam’s east coast ready to open
Nicklaus Design
News | Mon 19 Aug, 2024

Golden Sands resort on Vietnam’s east coast ready to open

The first of two 18-hole courses has been completed on a sandy site along Vinh Xuan beach

Poland’s Karolinka Golf Park reopens with an 18-hole layout
All Golf Services
News | Wed 24 Jul, 2024

Poland’s Karolinka Golf Park reopens with an 18-hole layout

Grzegorz Marcinków and All Golf Services revamp existing nine and add nine new holes

Trump International Golf Club Lido opens in Indonesia
Jacob Sjöman
News | Wed 24 Jul, 2024

Trump International Golf Club Lido opens in Indonesia

Ernie Els course is located at MNC Lido City, a new destination two hours south of Jakarta

Construction begins on Benin’s first ever golf course
Jeremy Pern
News | Fri 17 May, 2024

Construction begins on Benin’s first ever golf course

Jeremy Pern routes West Africa design around sacred grove and voodoo shrines

Brian Curley’s Shura Links announced on Red Sea island
Curley-Wagner Golf Design
News | Tue 07 May, 2024

Brian Curley’s Shura Links announced on Red Sea island

New course in Saudi Arabia being developed in line with GEO Foundation OnCourse methodology

New Gary Player course takes shape in Montenegro
Gary Player Design
News | Mon 29 Apr, 2024

New Gary Player course takes shape in Montenegro

Construction of opening nine is progressing on rocky site overlooking the Adriatic Sea

New Brian Curley course opens at Stone Highland in Vietnam
Schmidt-Curley Design
News | Tue 12 Dec, 2023

New Brian Curley course opens at Stone Highland in Vietnam

Architect has designed two 18-hole layouts on mountain terrain for the Hanoi project

La Réserve opens for play at Heritage ahead of Mauritius Open
Jacob Sjoman
News | Mon 27 Nov, 2023

La Réserve opens for play at Heritage ahead of Mauritius Open

Peter Matkovich and Louis Oosthuizen design is recognised for habitat restoration

LATEST MAGAZINE

GOPHER WATCH

Gopher Watch Competition – July 2025
Gopher Watch, News | Adam Lawrence

Gopher Watch Competition – July 2025

Which course has Sandy the gopher visited this month?

FEATURE ARTICLES

Stonehill: A new level for Thai golf
Jason Michael Lang
On site | Richard Humphreys

Stonehill: A new level for Thai golf

Kyle Phillips has transformed some desolate mud land north of Thailand’s capital into one of the country’s best golf courses

New frontiers: an interview with Cynthia Dye McGarey
Dye Designs
Interview | Richard Humphreys

New frontiers: an interview with Cynthia Dye McGarey

Richard Humphreys speaks with the American architect about her experience of designing the only golf course in Iraq, and more

From Wausa to the world
Dan Blankenship
Opinion | Addison DeHaven

From Wausa to the world

Addison DeHaven discusses the career of Dan Blankenship, designer of 18 golf courses in Brazil.

Grand sand designs
Istockphoto.com
Feature | Toby Ingleton

Grand sand designs

Toby Ingleton finds out about the origins of the game in Saudi Arabia, and what the future holds.

Ayla Oasis: Dealing with extremes
Opinion | Joe Betulius

Ayla Oasis: Dealing with extremes

Joe Betulius discusses how Profile Products helped to establish the Greg Norman layout in Jordan.

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