Ocean Dunes Golf Club in Phan Thiet, Vietnam is a "tropical links" golf course, according to designer Nick Faldo. Ocean Dunes is indeed links-like, in that it follows the natural contours the dunes bordering the sea, and the wind whipping off the water sculpts new angles in the sand every morning and afternoon.
Of course, it isn't a true links golf course, what with the Australian pines decorating the slightly rolling terrain, the exotic, non-Scottish fauna (including cactus) and the sounds of Buddhist chanting from the on-site temple. But it is a gorgeous layout, beautifully manicured with the palms swaying in the sea breezes and pink flowers atop glassy ponds, framed by views of distant and ancient volcanic mountains.
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Shacks and thick brush line the route to Ocean Dunes Golf Club.
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Water buffalo are plentiful in Vietnam, but fortunately not on the course at Ocean Dunes.
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ocean Dunes is located in the seaside resort town of Phan Thiet.
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Snakes lurk in the lowlands at Ocean Dunes Golf Club
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ocean Dunes was designed by Nick Faldo.
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ocean Dunes is advertised as a "tropical links" course.
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
The going is narrow on this Ocean Dunes par 3.
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ocean Dunes plays alongside the South China Sea.
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Pink flowers bobbing atop the ponds add an unusual touch to the landscape at Ocean Dunes.
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
A Vietnamese tomb graces the course at Ocean Dunes.
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Water comes into play often at Ocean Dunes.
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Ocean Dunes Golf Club, Phan Thiet, Vietnam
Tim McDonald/GolfPublisher.com
Jason Scott Deegan:
The Accidental Golfer:
Kiel Christianson:
View from Europe: