Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club

Overview: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Golf Club is an extreme mountain course in Lijiang's Ganhaizi valley, set beneath the snow peaks at roughly 3,100 metres above sea level. Nelson & Haworth designed the 18-hole, par-72 layout, with 8,548 yards from the professional tees. The altitude changes ball flight enough to affect every club choice, while the landscape alternates between high plateau, open meadow and mountain-framed fairways.

History: The course opened in 2001 and became known for its combination of altitude and length. Nelson Haworth credits China's leading golfer Zhang Lian-wei with on-site input, while other course references identify the design team as Nelson & Haworth. The club's setting close to Lijiang and the Jade Dragon range made it a distinctive destination course from the beginning.

Did You Know? The fifth hole is a par five of 711 yards from the back tees, one reason the course has been recorded as the world's longest regulation 18-hole layout. At 3,100 metres, however, the ball travels farther than at sea level, so raw yardage does not tell the whole story.