Golfing at Kunming's Stoneforest International Country Club

Day 3 started with earnest expectations. We are going to play the much touted Stoneforest International CC. After a hearty bfast, we started off at 10am for the one hour journey to Stoneforest by chartered mini bus. The cost of transportation came to RMB200 per head for the 8 of us. The clubhouse was so so but the grass of the driving range was immaculately maintained. Here you could really have a good guage of your carry and roll distance distance! After registration, we eagerly proceeded to the first tee box of the A course that we were informed is the best of the 3 courses and reserved for members play. We had 2 golfers to each buggy but were each allocated a caddy. At the tee box, we were told the bad news...the greend had just been hollowthined! It was too late to change to another course as our 1st flight had already teed off. So no choice. The course was unlike any other that I have played. I noted that the trees planted on the course were still young and small and provided no shade but and it made the krast stone "pillars" stood out like sentinels guarding the fairways and greens. Quite an unusual sight. The fairways were well maintained but the sandy greens were very bumpy and slow. We cursed our luck and felt we did not get the full value of our RMB1000 green fees to play here. I also noted that at the half way house, there wasn't much choice of food. I had to settle for instant noodle while my flightmates took fruits and boiled eggs only. The weather that day was warm and we could play without our woolen vests. At the end of the round, we had our late lunch at the clubhouse and it was then we found out that our info was incorrect. The best course that is resreved for members is C course whilst the A course is the championship course. Next time, must check course conditions with the registration counter first!!! Well, it was still an experience to play this unique course that is located in a heritage site.

Next review - Wanda Golf Club, Kunming City.

P/s : Having problems sending with photos attached, Not sure why. Tried sending the photos separately but also failed. Anyone can help explain what could be the problem? Did not encounter this problem in my earlier two posts.

Stone Forest is absolutely beautiful. Majestic views and interesting course layouts.

Played there last month....Course A is much more challenging than B. Unfortunately C is only meant for members so can't access.

If you want even tougher course, try the Meadow Lakes, a link course nearby the airport. This is by far the most difficult course around Kunming.

Let's see how you rate Wanda...To me it's just an average course.

Was told that Mission Hills will be managing 5 or 6 other new courses near Kunming, not sure when will they open.

Hi gofnut, freedrop, cic81,

First trip, will be going Kunming next week and playing at Stoneforest and Sunshine.

How is the weather ? Cold? Will it be ok to wear bermudas just like in Singapore?

Thanks !

Kunming's weather is quite mild, at this time should be 15-25 degree, depending on precipitations. You can wear bermuda, but a wind breaker and rain jacket will be wise. I usually will wear a warm cotton T shirt underneath and play in short sleeves and bermuda, plus an easily removable wind breaker. Daytime temperature can go up to 27 C so not cold at all.

But if you are not used to cold weather teeing off early morning (can be low teen like 12-13 C) , then long pants, long sleeves polo will be better.

If you need someone to book the course for you, call Samantha Zhang, she specialises in golf booking in Kunming. Tel: 0871-6357-3760 and can get better rates than you book yourself online.

Concur with Freedrop's comments. Remember the air there is very dry so do us lotion! Enjoy!

Hi freedrop, Gofnut,

Thanks for the advice guys.

And thanks for the contact.

We have already book through local tour agency for 1 round at Stoneforest and 1 round at Sunshine.

Contact will be handy for the next trip!!!