Golf clubs in Southeast Asia

The wonderful thing about golf clubs in China is they are so new most clubs allow a walk-in element. This is near impossible at most elite European or American clubs. Shanghai Silport has hosted the Volvo China Open for the past five years and will host it again in November. Each Wednesday and Thursday, the 27-hole club offers a 520 yuan (HK$490) package that includes transport, caddie, a round of golf and even lunch for women players. Tel: 512 5748 1111; www.silportgolf.com.

Santi Bhirombhakdi, owner of the Singha Beer empire, recruited designer Robert Trent Jones II to realise his dream golf course in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Santiburi Country Club has become one of Asia's best-conditioned courses. Its northern location provides relatively cool conditions, making it ideal for golf, while the dramatic fairways follow the natural landscape, with huge trees and even bigger water hazards. Tour operator www.golfthink.com is offering a 7,940 baht (HK$1,500) package that includes two nights in the five-star Dusit Island Resort, breakfast and two rounds of golf. Regular green fees are 1,000 baht on weekdays. Tel: 053 662821 28.

This is an ideal venue for a quick golfing escape. The course, adjoining the Westin Resort Macau, boasts a layout carved from Coloane Island with huge elevation changes, small, tight greens and sweeping vistas. The club annually hosts the game's top players at the Macau Open and its 225-yard 17th hole is one of the best par threes in Asia - the tee is about 50 metres higher than the green. The Westin Resort is offering a good-value stay-and-play package for HK$1,370 on weekdays and $2,270 at weekends. The price includes a sea-view room and a round of golf. Tel: 853 871 111; www.westin-macau.com.