When you talk about golf Chinaalmost always the name Mission Hills jumps forward. This is not just a golf club, but a vast, multi-faceted leisure and sports empire whose footprint and ambition extends beyond the Chinas passion for ‘big projects’, but a deeper desire to place China on the world stage of luxury sports and travel.
From vision to reality: the birth of Mission Hills
The story begins in the early 1990s, when Dr. David Chu, a Hong-Kong– born entrepreneur, determined to create a unique golf destination China had seen. He acquired land on either side Shenzhen And Dongguan in Guangdong Province – at the time farmland and forest – and began converting it into a huge golf resort complex.
In 1992, Mission Hills formally opened. The first 18 holes were put into use and soon Dr. Chun the talents of Jack Nicklaus to design one of the flagship courses. Over time, more designers joined: Greg Norman, Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, José María Olazábal, Vijay Singh, David Leadbetter, Ian Poulter / Justin Rose and others.
By 2004, the resort had expanded to 10 courses and 180 holes, setting a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest golf club. Over the years it has grown even further. Today, the Mission Hills According to some sources, the Group’s main complexes in the Guangdong/Greater Bay Area plus the Hainan resort total nearly 22 courses and 396 holes.
But Mission Hills is more than just volume. The ambition was always to merge sports, luxury, entertainment and tourism, and it has largely succeeded.
Mission Hills in Guangdong: Shenzhen / Dongguan
The original and flagship complex is located in the city Guanlan (观澜), in the Shenzhen-Dongguan corridor Guangdong Province. Strategically, it is located in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which connects to Chinas broader plans to integrate these economically dynamic cities.
The Shenzhen/Dongguan complex (often referred to as “Mission Hills Shenzhen”) currently features 12 courses: 11 full-length championship courses plus one par-3 course. Each of the championship courses was designed by a different golf icon. Some highlights from these courses:
- The World Cup coursedesigned by Nicklaus, was the first in China to receive accreditation from the US PGA Tour for major competitions.
- The Faldo Stadium CourseOpened in 1999, it is critically acclaimed and serves as a focal point for youth development and regional events.
- The Norman courseattributed to Greg Norman, is one of the more challenging layouts, with long holes and demanding rough courses.
- The The coursedesigned by Ernie Els, it weaves through diverse terrain and offers a balanced challenge of strategy and shotmaking.
In addition to golf, the complex houses a luxury clubhouse, spa facilities, tennis centres, driving ranges and residential development. The China-focused ambitions also include large-scale mixed-use developments: ‘Mission Hills Centreville’, an extensive HOPSCA complex (hotel, offices, parks, retail, conventions, apartments) adjacent to the golf courses, is intended to anchor the resort’s lifestyle appeal. Mission Hills also maintains reciprocal relationships with elite golf clubs around the world, making membership more than just local access. It’s worth noting that while visitor reviews are generally positive about the scale and ambition, some raise practical complaints, including the distance between courses, air quality and consistency of service.
Mission Hills in Hainan: the tropical anchor
A critical piece of the Mission Hills network is his Hainan presence, known as Mission Hills Haikou (on Hainan Island). Because in many parts of China golf courses were restricted by legal limits after the early 2000s, Hainan (officially a free trade port and special zone) provided breathing space for new developments. Located about 10-15 kilometers south of Haikou Located in the city and conveniently close to Haikou International Airport, the resort covers approximately 20 km² and features 10 championship courses.
What makes Haikou especially intriguing are the volcanic terrain, tropical landscape and wetland ecosystems. The courses wind around lava rock formations, mature lychee forests, jungle interstices and vast swamp areas.
A notable layout is the Blackstone Coursedesigned by Brian Curley. The route emphasizes natural integration: fairways and bunkers transition into lava rock waste areas; height differences are dramatic. Another is the Lava fields coursewhich can extend as much as 7,475 yards from championship tees and is characterized by large waste bunkers and open vistas.
The resort is not just for golfers: it offers a full range of amenities such as a 5-star resort hotel, spa, mineral springs (one of the largest in the world) Asia), shops and restaurants in the Centerville area, and a water park. From an events perspective Haikou has organized prominent tournaments. For example, in 2011 the Omega Mission Hills World Cup took place here, where the American team won. More recently, the 2025 Hainan Classic, a stop on the DP World Tours Asian Swing is held on the Blackstone Coursewith significant prize money and ranking points at stake.
Experiencing Mission Hills: A Golfer’s Impressions
To visit Mission Hills is to face both greatness and challenge. The distances between courses can be significant, so logistical planning is essential. The quality of greenery, service and landscaping is often praised, although the sheer scale sometimes dilutes the intimacy and local attention.
In HainanEspecially the tropical light, island breezes, dramatic height differences and lively races ensure unforgettable rounds. The integration of spa, mineral springs, shops and non-golf facilities adds to the holiday feeling. Visitors often remember the mineral springs, spa treatments and themed hot springs as highlights beyond the gulf itself.
Tournaments at the resort offer golfers and fans the opportunity to see top-level play in a picturesque, relaxing setting. For example, the upcoming Hainan Classic 2025 will shine a global spotlight on the world Blackstone Coursehighlighting its challenges and beauty.
In summary
Mission Hills in China is more than a golf destination: it is a daring marriage between sport, business, tourism and placemaking. From the daring beginnings Guang Dong through his tropical outpost in Hainan, embodies it Chinas desire to anchor global luxury and experience brands on its territory. For golfers, it offers an unparalleled palette of courses, terrains and design philosophies. For observers, it poses fascinating questions about scale, sustainability and how leisure can shape region and identity.
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