The Beijing Grand Canal Golf Club is owned by the Beijing Tourism Group and managed by the Grand Hotel, Beijing. The hotel can easily arrange your tee time and transportation to the course. The course is located by the Tongzhou Canal, 30–40 minutes from the city center — close enough to the Third Ring Road that you can play before or after your flight at the Beijing Capital Airport (PEK). Rental clubs are available; and the large clubhouse, designed to mimic an imperial temple of heaven, has restaurants, a pro shop and full locker facilities.
The course, designed by Peter Deng, offers a moderate challenge for players and an opportunity to enjoy the serenity of the countryside away from the bustle of Beijing.
Staff from the Grand Hotel, Beijing whisked me off to the course in an Audi A6L, where I met the course manager who quickly set me up with a locker. I told the driver it would take four hours to play 18 holes, and he said he would be back at 6 p.m., which was only three hours. (Clearly, he knew better than I that they play golf quickly in Beijing; I walked the entire course in three hours.) I met my caddy, Quin (pronounced ‘‘Chin’’), and off we went, doing our best to keep up with the groups ahead of us and not slow the rate of play.
Hole 3 (199 yards, par 3)
After disastrous play on Hole 2, I hoped I could redeem myself on the third. A large pond lies between the tee box and the hole which, of course, I had to clear. My caddy toyed between clubs; I selected a lower iron, as he was still getting used to my game. I shocked him and hit a near-perfect ball to the left side and below the pin. Quin cleaned and placed my ball for the putt, carefully reading it for me — a ritual repeated on every hole. Unable to put enough gusto into my stroke, I walked away with par.
Hole 4 (528 yards, par 5)
We finally caught up to the foursome in front of us and had to wait. While standing on the tee box, I waved to the workers who had been replacing the sod on the forward tee box. About 10 of them — men and women — were waiting to resume work until I teed off. I told Quin to tell them I was a PGA pro from America, but he gave me a curious look, not understanding my joke. I repeatedly asked Quin for the proper aim, and he assured me the best advice was to cut the corner and slightly slice the ball in the direction of the dogleg. Once the fairway was clear, I turned to my audience and said, “Watch this” with a smile. They smiled back, and then I drove my best ball to the exact landing per Quin’s advice. The workers cheered! Unfortunately, my next shot, hit with my trusty 3-wood, went out of bounds left and I ended up with a double bogey. Quin knew I was no pro.
Hole 7 (363 yards, par 4)
This is where I introduced my Chinese caddy to the term mulligan. On his advice, I tried to cut the corner of this dogleg left, caught some willow tree branches and rolled into a pond. My second tee shot was to the right side of the fairway, into the rough of the adjoining hole. I was joined by a fellow golfer; he passed through quickly, never to be seen again. Hence, the speed of play in China — perhaps related to the country’s continual economic growth. My approach to the green was a clean shot back into play, but I hit the left side of the green and rolled off. I was left with a chip to the green and 2-putted for a bogey. Quin was not impressed.
Hole 8 (201 yards, par 3)
What crazy person designed this hole? The tee box is tucked away on the right side and the view of the hole is through overhanging tree branches! I had to get this image out of my mind as I teed up. Quin contemplated the club selection — a 5- or a 4-iron? We selected the 4, and I sailed a straight (unusual for me) shot to the green just below the hole. Quin said, “Birdie?” Alas, I 2-putted for par.
Hole 12 (557 yards, par 5)
This is a difficult and long par 5, with out of bounds on the left and, as it was spring, beautiful flowering pear and apple trees on the right. Off the tee box there is a pond which should not come into play on the right. I drove my ball past the pond, landing on the right side of the fairway. I took a moment to take a picture and smell the blossoms of the flowering trees. My second shot — a clean 3-wood hit — landed me within 115 yards to the green. Unfortunately, I chipped up short and landed in the sand trap in front of the green and, after “playing in the sand,” carded a triple.
Hole 14 (171 yards, par 3)
For some reason I was tearing up the par 3s, not my usual style. This par 3 was as challenging as the others, with its large gully between the tee box and the fairway. Still, no effect; I again hit a near-perfect ball, landing in front and bouncing on the green.
Hole 16 (412 yards, par 4)
I had a difficult time with this hole due to a series of errors that started with my drive. This straightforward hole requires a ball driven from the tee box to the right side of the fairway. The hole is tucked into the left side and well bunkered. I took my ball way left and landed among trees. I felt I had a once-in-a-lifetime shot to the green, but Quin insisted I punch out, which I did. From here I had a simple sand wedge to the green, which hit fat and landed in the trap, making par or bogey impossible.
Hole 18 (417 yards, par 4)
A nice finishing hole, No. 18 requires you to drive your ball left center of the fairway before the hole doglegs right. I, of course, took another approach and landed on the right side in the rough near the fairway sand traps. I felt confident that I could hit my 3-wood and clear the trees in front of me and land on the left side of the green. Quin reluctantly agreed, and I nailed my ball on the left ridge and 2-putted for par, power-fisting with Quin in jubilation.
Beijing Grand Canal Golf Club
Hugezhuang, Tongzhou District
Beijing 101118, China
tel 86 10 8958 2988
Read This Next
All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All

Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedSeptember 2023
Sep 23, 2023When the Sun Goes Down, the Party Begins on Mykonos
There is something magical about sipping a glass of local wine while watching the sun slip into the Aegean Sea as the afterglow tinges traditional, white-washed Cycladic houses with glorious shades of rose, purple and gold. Ancient Greeks believed Helios, the Sun God, caused sunsets by driving his fiery chariot into the sea. Standing at water’s edge in Mykonos, watching the sky slowly turn from purple to inky black, you almost believe it.
Sponsored Content
IHG® Business Edge: A Better Way to Travel
Many small- and medium-sized businesses face time and budget constraints when organizing corporate hotel travel for employees. To address this problem, IHG® Business Edge emerged as a cost-free business travel solution for small- to medium-sized enterprises, offering travel managers exclusive access to enticing perks, handpicked educational resources and comprehensive company travel metrics. IHG Business Edge connects our loyal customers to our portfolio of 5,800 hotels and resorts across 18 brands in more than 100 countries.
Daily
Sep 22, 2023Portraits of Some of Europe’s Most Unique Museum Shops
The prospect of a post-visit treasure hunting session inside the shops of landmark museums such as the Louvre in Paris, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and The British Museum in London can be irresistible. However, some of Europe’s smaller and more unusual museums boast retail spaces with a surprising “wow” factor, often as well-curated as the galleries.
Daily
Sep 22, 2023Hyatt Has Much in Store for North America Through 2025
Hyatt Hotels recently announced plans to add more than 30 new luxury and lifestyle hotels and resorts to its U.S., Canada, Latin America and Caribbean portfolio through 2025. These new hotels and resorts span many of Hyatt Hotels’ brands including Park Hyatt, Dream Hotels, Thompson Hotels and Destination by Hyatt.
September 2023
Sep 22, 2023Cruise Alaska for Awe-Inspiring Adventures to Delight All Ages
I hadn’t even made it to my first cup of coffee when I got an early phone call from my sister, who lives two time zones away. “OMG, Kristy, Patsy Cline came on twice while I was driving the kids to school today,” she laughed. “You know what that means, right?” We both gasped and then instantly began singing the lyrics to “La Bamba,” an inside joke we’d shared since our family’s Alaskan cruise decades ago when we, unintentionally, won the ship’s karaoke contest among a sea of Patsy Cline tributes.
Great Bring-Alongs for Fall Adventure Travel
Daily
Sep 21, 2023The Lancaster Hotel Review
eFlyer Reviews
Sep 20, 2023eFlyer News
Sep 20, 2023The Woodward Geneva Partners with Swiss International Air Lines for Culinary Journey
The Woodward Geneva and Swiss International Air Lines recently launched a new collaboration to transport passengers to the counter of Michelin-starred restaurant L’Atelier Robuchon. As part of the SWISS Taste of Switzerland inflight culinary program, the partnership provides Business and first-class travelers on SWISS long-haul flights departing from Geneva and Zürich carefully curated menus inspired by the restaurant.
Sponsored Content
Dream a Little Dreamliner: Air Tahiti Nui Brings The Islands of Tahiti to the Air
From the moment you step onboard Air Tahiti Nui’s Tahitian Dreamliner, you will be transported to The Islands of Tahiti. The French Polynesian carrier considered every detail to awaken its passengers’ senses, creating the feeling you are already on the Islands while 30,000 feet in the air.
eFlyer News
Sep 20, 2023Nobu Hospitality Enters Egypt with 2 Luxury Hotels, Restaurants and Residences
In partnership with Nobu Hospitality, SODIC, Egypt’s leading real estate developer, recently announced plans on the expansion of the Nobu brand in Egypt. This expansion entails the development of luxury hotels, branded residences and the acclaimed Nobu restaurant.
ShareThis