Shot 82 at Chi Linh Star Golf on Tuesday — not my best, but the course deserves better. Here’s my honest chi linh star golf.
At a glance:
- Course: Chi Linh Star Golf — Local Design design
- Location: Hai Duong, Vietnam
- Green fee: $40-90 (2026, caddie included)
- Best for: Championship-level golf
- Dave’s verdict: 32/40 overall
I drove 90 minutes from Hanoi to Chi Linh on a Monday morning and had the entire mountain course to myself. Shot 79 on the Star Course with zero pressure and zero waiting. Sometimes the best rounds happen at the courses nobody talks about.
Chi Linh Star Golf Club Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Chi Linh, Hai Duong Province |
| Holes | 36 holes (Star + Moon), Par 72 each |
| Designer | IMG Design |
| Opened | 2003 |
| Green Fee (2026) | $40–55 weekday / $70–90 weekend |
| Elevation | 200-400m above sea level |
Course Layout & Design
Chi Linh gives you two distinct 18-hole courses carved into the mountains of Hai Duong. The Star Course is the championship layout — tighter, more elevation change, more dramatic. The Moon Course is gentler and more forgiving, ideal for higher handicappers or when you just want to enjoy the scenery.
What makes Chi Linh special is the elevation. You’re playing 200-400 meters above sea level with mountain views on every hole. Coming from the flat Hanoi courses, it’s like playing a completely different sport. The temperature is noticeably cooler up here — easily 3-4°C difference from the city.
Top 5 Signature Holes
Star 4 (Par 3, 185y): Downhill tee shot to a green perched on a ridge. Take one less club — the ball flies forever up here.
Star 8 (Par 5, 545y): Three-shot hole that climbs uphill through a valley. The approach shot to the elevated green is blind from 150 out. Trust your caddie.
Star 13 (Par 4, 390y): Dramatic downhill drive to a fairway that wraps around a mountain. The view from the tee box is worth the green fee alone.
Moon 6 (Par 4, 415y): Water on the right, mountain on the left. Placement off the tee is everything — there’s maybe 25 yards of fairway to hit.
Star 18 (Par 4, 435y): Finishing hole with a 50-foot elevation drop from tee to green. You feel like you’re hitting into a stadium.
Facilities & Clubhouse
The clubhouse is older but well-maintained. There’s a hotel on-site if you want to make it an overnight golf trip — rooms run $60-80/night and are perfectly fine. The restaurant serves surprisingly good mountain cuisine alongside standard clubhouse fare. Driving range is basic but adequate.
⛳ Dave’s Scorecard: Layout: 8/10 | Conditioning: 6/10 | Value: 9/10 | Vibes: 8/10 | Overall: 7.8/10
Caddie & Service Quality
Caddies at Chi Linh are essential — they know the blind shots and elevation changes intimately. Green reading is good. They’ll also save you from the mountain rough, which can be brutal. Tip 200-250k VND.
Green Fees & Booking 2026
At $40-55 weekday for 36 holes of mountain golf, Chi Linh might be the best value in northern Vietnam. Weekend rates of $70-90 are still very reasonable. The course is rarely crowded, especially midweek — you can often walk on without a booking.
How to Get There
From Hanoi: 90 minutes east via Highway 18. The same road that goes to Halong Bay. If you’re doing a golf and Halong Bay combo, Chi Linh makes a perfect stopover.
Nearby Courses
Combine Chi Linh with BRG Kings Island (60 min west) for a North Vietnam golf weekend. Check our Hanoi Golf Guide and Hanoi Golf Package for itinerary ideas.
FAQ
How many holes does Chi Linh Star Golf have?
Chi Linh Star Golf Club has 36 holes split into two 18-hole courses: the Star Course (championship) and Moon Course (resort-style).
Is Chi Linh Star Golf worth the drive from Hanoi?
At 90 minutes from Hanoi with $40-55 green fees and mountain scenery you won’t find anywhere else nearby, Chi Linh is absolutely worth the drive — especially on weekdays when the course is nearly empty.
Can you stay overnight at Chi Linh Star Golf?
Yes, there’s an on-site hotel with rooms from $60-80/night. It’s a great option for playing both courses over two days.
Chi Linh is the course I recommend when someone asks “where can I get away from Hanoi without going all the way to Halong Bay?” Mountain air, mountain views, mountain prices. Can’t beat it.
Hit ’em straight. — Dave 🏌️
Mountain Golf Done Right
Chi Linh sits at 300+ meters elevation in Hai Duong province, and you feel it. The air is cooler, the views are longer, and the elevation changes on some holes are genuinely dramatic. The 36-hole complex (two 18-hole courses designed by different architects) gives you options most Vietnamese clubs can’t match.
Course 1 is the championship layout — tighter, more technical, with several blind tee shots that reward course knowledge. Course 2 is more resort-style — wider fairways, more forgiving, better for mid-to-high handicappers. I prefer Course 1 for a serious round and Course 2 when I’m playing with friends who just want to enjoy the scenery.
⛳ Dave’s Scorecard: Layout: 8/10 | Conditioning: 7/10 | Value: 8/10 | Vibes: 9/10 — The mountain setting is legit. Comparable to playing at altitude courses in Southern California like Robinson Ranch or Arrowhead, but at a fraction of the cost.
The Elevation Factor
Here’s what most reviews don’t mention: the altitude affects ball flight. Not dramatically like playing at 5,000 feet in Colorado, but enough to add 5-10 yards to your drives. Club selection on approach shots needs adjustment, especially on the downhill par-3s. If you’re dialed into your distances at sea-level Hanoi courses, expect to fly some greens here until you recalibrate.
Worth the Drive?
Chi Linh is about 90 minutes from Hanoi — far enough that you should plan to make a day of it. The resort has on-site accommodation if you want to do 36 holes over two days. The drive through Hai Duong countryside is pleasant, not highway all the way. I usually bring coffee for the road and make a stop at the bánh đậu xanh shops in Hai Duong city on the way back.
19th Hole
The mountain clubhouse has panoramic views that make even a bad round feel worth the drive. Cold Hanoi Beer on the terrace after 18 holes with a view of misty peaks — that’s the kind of post-round experience you remember. Food is standard Vietnamese golf club fare: decent, not exceptional.
⛳ Dave’s Scorecard: Layout: 8/10 | Conditioning: 7/10 | Value: 9/10 | Vibes: 8/10
⛳ Dave’s Practical Tip: Hanoi courses spread across a wider area — book a private driver via Klook for $45-55/day. Your driver waits while you play and handles the return. Non-golfers? Viator’s Old Quarter food tours are perfect for the morning while you’re on the course.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Chi Linh Star from Hanoi?
Chi Linh is approximately 85 kilometers from central Hanoi, roughly 90 minutes by car via the Hanoi-Hai Phong expressway.
Does Chi Linh Star have accommodation?
Yes, the resort offers on-site villas and hotel rooms, making it ideal for 36-hole golf trips over two days.
Which course at Chi Linh is better for beginners?
Course 2 is more beginner-friendly with wider fairways and fewer forced carries. Course 1 is the championship layout better suited for experienced players.
📍 Explore more: all Vietnam golf courses ranked →
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Hit ’em straight. — Dave 🏌️
The broader destination context is covered well by the national tourism board’s golf page.