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The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip
Located approximately 120 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City on Vietnam's southern coastline, this unique links masterpiece was handsomely created amongst towering sand dunes and native grasses by former world number one and Hall of Fame golfer Greg Norman. With the entire meticulously conditioned course built on a coastal plateau with elevation changes and sweeping panoramic views, it is no surprise that the layout was just rated 74th on Golf Digest's Top 100 golf courses worldwide.
Your golfing adventure begins from Ho Chi Minh City with a scenic two hour ride in a luxurious bus outfitted with reclining seats, refreshments, and complimentary wifi provided from the resort. As you travel down and the southern coastline appears, so does the majestic 5 star Grand Ho Tram Strip Resort with its 150 rooms, casino, restaurants and entertainment outlets. Once reaching your room you are treated to extraordinary views of the sea as well as the emerald fairways weaving through the dunes beckoning you to come play.
Be careful not to book too early of a tee time as this resort offers you the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in and an impressive buffet breakfast including your traditional pancake and omelette station as well as local delicacies such as grilled octopus, sushi, and tropical fresh fruit.
When it's time for you to head over to the course you are picked up and shuttled to the clubhouse which is situated up the plateau offering you gorgeous views of the course and surrounding area. As you enter the clubhouse you are immediately greeted by the smiling hostess who welcomes you and escorts you over to the locker room area. While in the locker room be sure to check out locker number one, as it has a glass door with some Greg Norman's memorabilia including a signed tour bag and golf clubs.
Once changed and ready to play you walk downstairs to the nicely stocked golf shop to check in for your round. If you decided not to bring your own clubs on your vacation, fear not as Bluffs Ho Tram Strip offers you brand new Titleist clubs including a Scotty Cameron putter. Leaving the golf shop you are greeted by your smiling caddie and taken over to the all grass range which also features the Robert Rock Golf Academy. The range features greens to aim at as well as a large undulating practice green, chipping area that resembles all the lies and scenarios you may encounter around the greens, and a practice bunker with the same consistency of the sand on the course. It is also here you find out the courses true defense as you get your first taste of the ever present seaside wind.
Arriving up at the first hole you are treated to more gorgeous views of the resort and sea as this downhill par four is perched up on the plateau. Selecting the line off the tee is crucial as this elevated tee shot will definitely be effected by the winds. Speaking of the winds, they will come at you from one direction half the year, and then turn around and come from the complete opposite direction for the other half. With this knowledge in hand, the Norman team gives you generous fairways framed amongst the dunes to aim at and closely mown areas around the green complexes offering you a variety of shots to try and get up and down if the wind moves your approach shots offline. The stunning TiffEagle greens are large with a true and fast roll yet full of challenging undulations and subtleties that your experienced caddies will be on hand to offer their invaluable knowledge.
The golf course is very unique for the area, offering you a links layout that reminds you more of the classic links of the British Isles than tropical South Vietnam which plays on near perfect fairways that seem to dance around the seaside dunes and native grasses and well maintained bunkering. The course plays alongside as well as up and down the coastal plateau offering about 50 meters in total elevation change. The windswept 15th green is located at the highest point giving you picture perfect 360 degree views of the area.
The entire course is a true golfing experience as it meanders gently amongst large dunes, beautifully framing and penal bunkering, uphill, downhill, and side hill lies testing your skill, and the wind constantly playing games with your mind and concentration. However, it is not only the wind trying to distract you, but panoramic views seem to greet you at every turn. Greg Norman mentioned during the grand opening that this is one of his favorite designs, and as you wander around this pristine layout, you have to agree with him.
The 18 hole, par 71 course gives you a fantastic mixture of holes with devilish par threes, a drivable par 4, and risk reward par 5s. As you are admiring the layout and its conditioning and vistas, you may feel the notion that you have seen it before, as this course hosted some of the worlds best players for the inaugural Ho Tram Open won in a playoff by Spain's Sergio Garcia.
The course can challenge the best tour players or your average weekend golfer as it offers you a variety of tee decks, generous fairways, and space around the large greens. This unique windswept seaside links is an experience unlike any other Vietnam course and combine this with its five star hotel, golf academy, and dramatic views, The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip is a must play during your holiday.
Course Details
18 hole, Par 71
Designer:Greg Norman
For More Information
Tel: +(84) 64 378 8666 ext. 8662