Golden Sands Golf Resort (North Course)

About

The Nicklaus North Course at Golden Sands Golf Resort, measuring a championship fit 7,445 yards, was created by Nicklaus Design, and is already being touted as, “truly authentic golf, a heritage course for a heritage city.” It has been set up by Nicklaus to be, “the toughest golfing challenge in Vietnam.” As such, the course is reported to be 10 shots harder than any other course in the country. The golf, part of the Golden Sands City development located only 20 km East of the Imperial City of Hue, is sculpted into the natural, undulating dunes topography of the area, offering widows to the ocean throughout the whole round. The classical characteristics of the layout include broad, fast rolling fairways, huge greens, and distinctive torn-edged bunkering that typifies the heritage derived from original links courses where golf began over 600 years ago. The resort includes a modern clubhouse equipped with locker rooms, dining options, and a pro shop. A driving range is available for warm-up and practice sessions. The course's design and coastal location mean that wind conditions can significantly influence play, making each round a unique test of skill.

Course details

• Championship
• Links
• Resort
• 18 Holes
• Par 72
• 7,072 yards
• Designed by Jack Nicklaus
• Established in 2024
• Bermuda

Amenities

• Accommodation
• Bar
• Driving Range
• Golf Shop
• Lessons
• Locker Rooms
• Practice Facilities
• Practice Green
• Relaxing Lounge
• Restaurant
• Spa
• Club Rental
• Caddies
• Golf Carts
• Shoes Rental

Course guide

Front

Back

Hole 1 · Par 4

Opening par 4 with a generous landing area; the ideal tee shot carries the right fairway bunker to leave a clean angle into a green guarded mainly by sand on the left.

Favour the right half of the fairway off the tee to open up the safest approach line.

Hole 2 · Par 4

A strategic par 4 using natural humps and contours to feed balls toward different pin locations on the green.

Use the fairway slopes to work the ball toward the day’s hole location rather than attacking directly.

Hole 3 · Par 4

A bold drive over the left fairway bunkers is rewarded with a clear view into an elevated green ringed by sand front-right and back-left.

Take on the left fairway bunkers from the tee if you want the best look at the raised green.

Hole 4 · Par 4

The shortest front-nine par 4 is heavily bunkered, playing up to a right-front elevated green that slopes down from right to left, with much of the left side hidden from the lower fairway.

Prioritise accuracy from the tee and use the contours to feed approaches into the correct half of the green.

Hole 5 · Par 3

The first and most demanding par 3 features the course’s only water hazard running along the left; the receptive green is mainly challenged by slopes and sand to the right.

Aim to the safer right side of the green and avoid challenging the water left unless the pin demands it.

Hole 6 · Par 4

A strong par 4 where driving far enough down the fairway avoids right-side bunkers and shortens the approach.

Commit to a solid, aggressive tee shot to clear the right fairway bunkers and set up a birdie chance.

Hole 7 · Par 5

The shortest par 5 invites risk–reward play, with three bunkers down the left, five more crossing the lay-up zone, and a narrow, domed green.

Decide on the tee whether to lay back short of the crossing bunkers or challenge them to reach the green in two.

Hole 8 · Par 3

A demanding par 3 to a green with a raised middle section, where shots can be repelled short or run long into trouble right; three set-back bunkers and strong contours offer both help and punishment.

Use the green slopes thoughtfully, but avoid all three bunkers as recovery from them is especially difficult.

Hole 9 · Par 5

A scoring par 5 heading back toward the clubhouse, where an excellent drive is challenged by a large, deep bunker that protects the ideal line.

Shape your tee shot to stay clear of the deep fairway bunker and keep the hole a genuine birdie opportunity.

Hole 10 · Par 4

A shorter par 4 that can play downwind from the west, but two deep central fairway bunkers and trouble right make the drive and lay-up demanding to a narrow, well-defended green.

Favour the left side away from the central bunkers and accept a slightly longer but safer approach into the narrow green.

Hole 11 · Par 4

The narrowest fairway on the course with out of bounds to the right and strong westerly winds often in play, leading into a green closely ringed by four bunkers and a tricky front edge.

Keep the tee shot low and tight to the right edge of fairway to hold position and open up the green.

Hole 12 · Par 4

The longest par 4 on the North Course plays alongside a chain of right-hand bunkers, then into a double green where the first bunker sits 25 yards short and must be carried.

Use the right side to shorten the hole, but be sure your approach has enough carry to fly the front bunker.

Hole 13 · Par 3

A short but exposed par 3 where wind is a factor, framed by bunkers front-right and front-left and two more at the back, with slopes at the rear-right that can be used to access back-left pins.

When the pin is back left, land the ball on the back-right slope and let the contours feed it across the green.

Hole 14 · Par 4

A short par 4 playing straight toward the sea, where a drive up the left over a fairway bunker and near out of bounds sets up a simple pitch into a lion’s-mouth style green opening from the left.

Aim left over the fairway bunker for the best angle into the open front of the green, but be mindful of out of bounds.

Hole 15 · Par 5

A scenic par 5 with the sea on the left and a wide landing area, where positioning toward the left half of the fairway provides the best line for the remaining play.

Enjoy the wider tee shot but favour the left side to keep the best angle for your lay-up and approach.

Hole 16 · Par 3

The final long par 3 is the longest of the set, but the green is receptive and fronted by a lower apron over two-thirds of its surface, helping balls run on.

Use a solid, committed swing and land the ball short into the lower front to let it release onto the green.

Hole 17 · Par 5

The second-longest par 5, with the left side of the fairway dotted by bunkers, leaving ample room for a safer tee shot to the right.

Play conservatively to the right side off the tee to stay clear of the string of left fairway bunkers.

Hole 18 · Par 4

The closing par 4 offers a wide fairway but is scattered with bunkers down the left and deep traps in the centre; approaches must navigate bunkers right and a long, narrow trap guarding back-left pins with a fall-off into a chipping hollow.

Play safely right of the central bunkers unless you are confident carrying them to gain the best angle into the green.