Tag Archives: bunker

Golfing in Hanoi

15 Mar

It was my first time being in Hanoi, Vietnam, for golf–all these years mostly in Thailand–and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The three rounds of golf had been so enjoyable as the weather was perfect for being outdoors and the company fun. With such lovely cooling weather, I did not feel tired after each game, and for once, foot massages were unnecessary for this golfing trip.

The golfing experience was most pleasant, and I hardly broke out a sweat even though it was buggy on track for the first two games. I even had to don my long-forgotten Skins innerwear because it was 18 degrees Celsius for the morning first game! Brr, but nice. It was only the third game that the buggies went on course.

Our first game was at Long Bien Golf Course – a lovely course, but the bunkers were killers. You know my distress when it comes to bunkers, so I shall not elaborate further on the few bunker horrors that occurred.

Conveyor belt to send the golf bags down to the buggies below!

The second game at Thanh Lanh Valley Golf & Resort was equally enjoyable. Although we teed off only at 9.30 am, it was not hot. The final course was at the South Course of Legend Valley Country Club. I felt this was the most scenic and breathtaking course among the three golf courses, with limestone hills surrounding the golf course.

Red tee at Thanh Lanh

It was so new that the course was not even available on the Garmin watches of several friends. Thankfully, my golf app, Hole 19, showed the course details on my Apple Watch, albeit without indexes. It didn’t matter at that point because I had distances to have better course management than the others.

Legend Valley

Our bus had to battle the traffic packed with big and small vehicles to get to the golf courses daily. Words are hard to describe the volume of motorbikes on the road. You have to be there to experience it.

Haphazard traffic!

Of all the three courses, each one had its appeal. I thought the Legend Valley was the best experience, even though there was a lot of water in play. And the bunkers were strategic on the fairways and greenside to trap you. The fairways were so firm that every tee-off shot landed and rolled for extra distance. I loved it!

The downside of the golf clubs was their lack of souvenirs, like ball markers, golf balls, and towels, available for purchase. On the other hand, with nothing to purchase for memory, this is a perfect excuse to return to play the courses again! Golfing in Hanoi, what an experience.

Bunker Horrors

30 May

Golf is one funny and challenging game. When you think you are playing well, it goes downhill. Then there are all sorts so woes from the tee to the green. There will be the usual chipping yips, putting issues, and sand bunker shots.

Last week’s game was an eye-opener. The replacement driver turned out better than expected, which was nice. But it was the bunker horrors that put a dent in the overall game. I have not played sand bunker situations for a long time already. Generally, I avoid them and tend to do well managing myself out there.

But last week, it was a different script. I went into eight bunkers, hitting five in a row on the front nine and raking up nine shots to get out. What had just happened? It was as if a magnet was pulling my balls into the bunkers! It wasn’t aggravating anymore but plain ridiculous, and I could only laugh about it. How else to deal with the misery?

One thing for sure, I had left my Cleveland Smart Sole Sand Wedge out of my bag, thinking I hardly use it for my games. And it was usually the case, hardly used. But after that episode, the club was back in my golf bag!