Mongolia, a new frontier for golfers

Stay in luxury hotels in the vibrant, modern capital city or traditional cottage-style tents in the mountainous countryside, the backdrop to some fine golf courses.

Mongolia as a destination is a new frontier for tourism and golfers. A huge, peaceful country which combines a welcoming ambience, glorious scenery and a bustling capital.

Arrive at Chinggis Khaan International Airport just outside of the capital Ulaanbaatar, a city of some 1.5 million people where modern shopping malls and glass skyscrapers have sprung up in recent years alongside traditional centuries-old architecture.

Surrounding the city, you can tour the vast steppes, rugged mountains and shimmering lakes of Bogd National Park, and the endless sand dunes, canyons and red cliffs of the Gobi Desert.

Places to stay

The city boasts high-end major hotel chains and options include the Shangri La Ulaanbaatar, Novotel Ulaanbaatar, The Blue Sky Hotel & Tower, and Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace.

For a true adventure, you might want to stay in a traditional yurt or ‘ger’, a round, felt-covered tent. Not far from the city, HS Khaan Resort Hotel offers a luxury version of this experience in a remote wilderness of endless prairies with views of the Himalayas. Circular individual cottages inspired by traditional ger tents come with the modern-day comforts and amenities you’d expect at a top hotel.

Golf courses

Mount Bogd Golf & Country Club – Located in a valley of the Bogd Khan mountains, less than 20 km from Ulaanbaatar. Opened in 2013, it’s a par-72 British-like links course which organically integrates itself into the natural environment with water hazards, natural streams, bunkers, and dramatic elevation changes.

It’s been built to championship standard, using Kentucky bluegrass for the fairways and T1 bentgrass for the greens. There’s a driving range, pro shop, equipment hire and guests have access to a restaurant and a spa. In the winter, the area becomes a popular ski resort.

Chinggis Khaan Country Golf Club – Located 50 km away from the city at Terelj National Park, one of the most visited national parks in Mongolia with its forested alpine mountains. This naturally scenic golf club was established in 2007 and is open between April and November, outside of which the weather is too cold and snowy to play.

Riverside Golf Course – A beautiful 18-hole golf course set by the Tuul River, around a 40-minute drive from Ulaanbaatar. It has possibly the best kept and truest greens in Mongolia and there’s plenty of natural obstacles scattered throughout, presenting a challenge to even the most skilled golfers. The nearby mountains present an incredible backdrop.