Gallery: Meet Misson Hills’ Full Size Crazy Golf Course
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Mission Hills Golf Resort in China has started work on what will surely be one of the most incredible golf courses in the world.
In short, the host of the WCG Champions event is in the process of building the world’s first full size crazy golf course.
Holes will include a 400-yard long tee-to-green reproduction of the Great Wall of China, a par-3 over a valley of terra cotta warriors, a hurricane-themed par-3 where fans at the tee whip the player’s body and make standing over the ball a difficult task and a par-5 that weaves through towering Mayan ruins.
“The beauty of this project is that, unlike mini-golf on artificial turf, this is played at full-scale, with your regular equipment, on real turf tees, fairways, rough, sand and greens” stated Brian Curley of Schmidt-Curley Design.
“Where other courses frame holes with trees, rocky hillsides, lakes, etc., this course will be surrounded by “stuff” that brings unique visuals. Players, however, will need to negotiate the course and execute shots and putts just like any other course”.
Curley added: “To most people, golf courses start to look alike. Some play easier or more difficult, but the subtle changes associated with different styles goes unnoticed with most. There is nothing subtle about this design, and I have spoken to many people in the golf industry who believe it will be a huge success, especially in China where the traditions of golf do not hold the same weight as, say, Long Island or the Monterey Peninsula, let alone St. Andrews, the home of golf.”
The ‘Icon’ course will be one of 10 courses at Mission Hills and Dr. Ken Chu, Chairman of the Mission Hills Group, said: “We see this as a fun alternative that families, novices, and kids will want to play while on holiday in sunny, warm Haikou.
“Golf is a very conservative and tradition-filled sport, yet there have been many calls in the industry to make the game more ‘fun’” states Chu. “Our intention is to take the call for change to the extreme.
“It may not be everybody’s cup of tea and the purists may cringe, but we feel many players will seek out this new adventure and, while here, play our other wonderful courses”.
Construction is set to begin this summer with anticipation of an opening in about a year or more.
