Myanmar - Rd 2 Mandalay
Image by Sharon Ang from Pixabay
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Marker Map
Course Info
Insurance
Flights
Tours
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Itinerary -
Yangon 7N (1st night / 3 courses / 1 rest / 2 courses)
Mandalay 5N (2 courses / 1 rest / 2 courses)
=13N / 9C
When -
Apart from December to February it can be 40 C and makes the golf far less enjoyable even with a cart.
June to October is the monsoon season and has the most rain. Burning season can be a problem too which can occur from January onwards but is usually late February, March.
So it looks like December is the ideal time. Why not celebrate Christmas here. It's very relaxing without all of the usual responsibilities. Just treat yourself to anything you want for the day. What could go wrong 😂
Highlights -
Turning back the clock to the old Asia - Although a lot of modern buildings have been springing up in Yangon in recent years it hasn't kept pace with its highly touristed neighbours. It is another face of S E Asia that needs to be seen. See if you can work out why this is different to all other Asia cities.
on Mandalay Hill along with numerous temples and pagodas.
Mandalay the old Royal Capital - was bombed flat in WWII
Famous -
Covered with the gold hijacked from the sacking of Ayutthaya
Bogyoke Aung San's House (museum) -
Aung San Suu Kyi's dad and Father of the Nation who was assassinated in 1947 along with another 8 members of his cabinet.
from the outside only
go for a stroll in Mandalay
the dissident comedy troupe who are only allowed to perform for foreigners. Their lampooning of the junta cost two of them 7 years in jail. They drew straws to see who would deliver the controversial jokes. The lucky one Lu Maw avoided all of that hardship.
Visa -
Asian countries get 14 - 28 days visa free (apart from India and China). All others will need to get a visa. You can get them online or at the Embassy and you will get 28 days which can be extended for up to 14 days for a fee.
Airports -
Yangon International Airport (RGN) -
Has direct flights around Asia. It is most easily accessed from Bangkok, Singapore or Dubai.
Mandalay International Airport (MDL) -
Has direct flights to Bangkok, Singapore and Yangon.
About -
Thanks to Burma being a part of the British Raj it's no stranger to the game of golf. There are roughly 130 courses scattered around the country. In many parts of Asia golf is a relatively new thing, but not here. The Thayet Golf Club north of Pyay opened up in 1887.
Try to organise the trip through these people.
Fly into Yangon settle into your hotel then start exploring. Some thought has been put into the order of the courses but play them in any order you like. A rough plan would be play 3 courses, have a day off to see the sights then play the last two. Catch the sleeper train to Mandalay, arrive early morning, move in to hotel then head out for a round of golf. Play the next day, then a day off to look around and then the final two courses. This would take 2 weeks with you flying out on day 14. See Transport below. ⬇️
Stay -
Yangon -
Pan Pacific Yangon *****
Mandalay -
if you want something flash with a pool stay at the
Mecure Mandalay Hill Resort ****
Or if you want a boutique hotel closer to the action go for the
or Shwe Ingyinn Hotel Mandalay ***
Rooftop bar
Courses -
YANGON-
Yangon Golf Club
Established in 1909 but constantly renewed to provide a good experience for golfers. 25 mins away it is run as a not for profit organization. There are several long tee shots over water and many other hazards lying in wait. The course hosts the Asian PGA Tour.
Pun Hlaing Golf Club
Excellent course designed by Gary Player opened in 2000 and 12 kms from the city. It has hosted the Myanmar masters and the Myanmar Open. It was built on paddy fields at the confluence of the Hlaing, Pun Hlaing and Yangon rivers. So there is a fair bit of water on the course but there is plenty of room to stay out of trouble. Great city views including the famous Shwedagon Pagoda. Facilities are first class, so it is worth having a few beers at the 19th overlooking the 18th.
YCDC aka Yangon City Golf Resort
40 mins away YCDC has 2 x 18 hole courses. One is flate and wide while the other is narrow with trees.
Dagon Golf City
15 mins away and opened in 2018. Built on an old fish farm it is scattered with small lakes. It is also littered with fairway bunkers. Tiny greens and large greenside bunkers add to the challenge. One has a large red monkey in it. A nod to the year construction started. The club house facilities are akin to a 5***** hotel.
Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club
Another beauty half an hour north of the city. Opened in 1995 each hole is unique and once again there is no shortage of water on the course.
MANDALAY -
Yay Dagon Taung Golf Resort
Set in the foothills about a half an hour drive this is known as the waterfall course. It has 27 holes and it opened in 1996. The mountain scenery, temples and pagodas make it a very pleasant and relaxing course to play. There are no carts so you'll be walking.
Shwe Sar Yan Golf Resort and Country Club
Scenic course on a river bend 40 minutes from Mandalay
Myotha National Golf Club
The best course in Myanmar and one of the best in Asia. From the back tees at 7,315 metres it's also one of the most difficult. From the front tees it actually plays easier for short hitters. A great effort was used to create 18 individual and memorable holes. It has landscapes similar to Arizona with cliffs, canyons and 40 metre changes of elevation. There are no signature holes as they are all good but there's a couple of par 3's you'll want to get your camera out for. One is an island green made from rocks removed from all of the other holes and the other is surrounded by a natural canyon for 270 degrees. Another hole has its own waterfall. Even though you can walk the course it is long and hot and you've paid for the buggy anyway in your green fees. You can leave the paths and drive straight up to your ball here which is a bonus.
Shwe Mann Taung Golf Resort
Very handily located on the hill overlooking the palace. It is a story of two 9's - south (Front 9) and the north (Back 9). This course is from colonial times and each 9 has been renovated at different times 2014 and 2017 respectively. This means different turfs to add to the challenge. There are some great views to be had of Mandalay from the back 9. There are lights here so you can play at night but you'll miss the views. A nice short trip back to the bars for your last night.
Eat -
Mohinga is the National dish -
popular for breakfast but can be eaten anytime. It is a bowl of curried fish and noodle soup Burmese style with many garnishes. Some broths are thicker than others.
(Lahphet Thoke) - delicious and healthy. Order some with every meal.
RangoonTea House -
fantastic milk tea with deep and shallow fried snacks and Shan Noodles. What could be better. Small cups so you'll probably need to order two. Authentic Burmese and cocktails
Street Food - big variety
YANGON
meat on a stick
Royal cuisine and cultural show aboard the majestic Gold Karaweik bird apperaring to float on Kandawgyi Lake
MANDALAY
The Golden Duck
Aye Myit Tar - Curries
Sundowners -
The Thiripyitsaya Sky Bistro -
icy cold beers with a view
The 19th at Pun Hlaing Golf Club
the highest bar in Yangon
Mandalay Hill
19th, 20th etc -
YANGON -
Have a cocktail and a Cuban cigar (The local ones are very good too, as are the cheroots) at the Strand Hotel.
for live Country and "Western"
Chinatown 19th St aka BBQ Street - meat stcks and cheap beer al fresco style
Win Star Beer Station - BBQ and cheap beer
Silver Oak Cafe and Restaurant -
Ice Cream Parlour and Rock Club
Zero Zone Roof Top Beer Garden - BBQ Buffet and live music
Most late night clubs are in 5***** hotels.
MANDALAY -
Beer station with live music
BBQ and icy cold beers
live music in the garden
Side Trips -
YANGON -
Bogyoke Aung Sang (Scott's) Market
MANDALAY -
reconstructed in the 90's
Cultural Show at Mintha Theatre
Don't miss -
The Moustache Brothers in Mandalay
Transport -
Hire a 9 or 14 seat Minivan with driver in Yangon to meet all your needs. You could catch the overnight sleeper train to Mandalay for a local experience and get another Minivan and driver waiting for you at the train station.
Or you could drive up via Bagan and spend a night and some sightseeing around the Pagodas. Or you could fly up and have another van pick you up at the Mandalay International Airport.
You might have to book some of the travel through a local travel agent on Yangon. They can do all of your bookings (train, plane, vans etc) and meet you at the airport when you arrive. Internet is very slow in Myanmar and it can be a real headache trying to organise things. A good travel agent is worth their weight in gold.
Tips -
Get a Golf Travel Bag and check the baggage limits before you get your flights.
Hiring clubs is very expensive and you'll enjoy playing with your own clubs much more.
Bring lots of socks, shorts and shirts
Get your driver to fill up an esky / cooler full of beer and ice and do your laundry while you are golfing.
Use your van for side trips and to get dropped off where you want to start your nights out.
Don't forget to tip your caddy and buy them a few drinks on the way around.
Always take a change of clothes and have a shower after the game.
Take plenty of golf clothes and get your driver / host to do everyone's laundry while you're playing.
Take some baby powder with you and use it liberally in your shoes.
It gets really hot in the hot months - consider a cart and umbrella - you can always pick them up after the front 9
Budget -
Myanmar is still quite cheap for food, beer, transport and the higher end hotels are great value. The golf should be cheaper than what you pay at home. Vans and drivers aren't that cheap but you'll be splitting the costs. This would be one of the cheaper golf trips if not the cheapest.
Extra -
See Bangkok and Singapore in 'Cities', Ngapali and Inle Lake in 'Honeymoons' and Bagan and Kalaw in 'Hotels'.
