Golf Courses in Shanghai: Tee Times, Prices & What’s Included (2026)

Shanghai is the only city in mainland China where Tiger Woods competed in an official tournament — the WGC-HSBC Champions at Sheshan International, still ranked China’s best course by Golf Digest. The city’s golf pedigree runs deep: Jack Nicklaus, Peter Thomson, and the same design firm behind Sheshan — Nelson & Haworth — all have courses here. The problem? Most of Shanghai’s top courses are members-only.

This guide covers the 8 courses you can actually book online, with green fees from $117 to $637. We break down what each price includes (caddie, cart, locker), the best months to play (September–October), and the practical details — from Shanghai’s Plum Rain season to night golf availability — that help you plan a round worth making the trip for.

All prices are in USD, pulled from live booking listings as of March 2026, and are subject to change. Where we describe course features, we rely on verified information from the booking platform and publicly available course data.

At a Glance

A quick snapshot before you dive in:

Prices from live booking listings, March 2026. Inclusions vary by club — confirm at checkout.

Shanghai Golf Courses You Can Book Online

Shanghai has around 20–25 courses in its metro area, but many of the best-known — Shanghai Links (Jack Nicklaus Signature), Shanghai Country Club (Robert Trent Jones Jr.) — are strictly members-only. The 8 courses below are the ones you can reserve as a visiting golfer through online booking platforms, with confirmed pricing.

Prices shown are per person for 18 holes. Most listings bundle green fee plus caddie, cart, and locker access. Always confirm inclusions on the booking page before you reserve — policies differ between clubs and can change seasonally.

Value Options: Under $170

These courses get you on a course at Shanghai’s most accessible price points. Solid golf, legitimate layouts, and a fraction of what the premium clubs charge.

Shanghai Yintao Golf Club — from $117

The most affordable bookable option in Shanghai, and one of the closest to the city center — just 18 minutes from Hongqiao Airport. Designed by Peter Thomson (five-time Open Champion), the course has an Australian links-style feel with firm, fast-running fairways across 7,108 meters. Night golf is available for those who want to play after business hours.

One critical detail: Yintao does not accept public bookings on weekends or holidays. This is a weekday-only option for visitors. If your trip falls entirely on a weekend, you’ll need to look at other courses on this list.

Shanghai (Xiehe) Golf Club — from $147

A classic Japanese-style parkland design by Kentaro Sato, operating since 1994 — one of Shanghai’s oldest courses. At 7,131 yards with a course rating of 73.1 and slope of 123, it’s a proper test without being punishing. Night golf available. Located in Jiading District, about 80 minutes from Pudong Airport but more accessible from the western side of the city.

The conditioning reflects that Japanese design philosophy: meticulous maintenance, clean sightlines, and greens that reward precision over power.

Shanghai Huakai Country Golf Club — from $166

The southernmost course on this list, near Hangzhou Bay — and the wind is the defining feature. Coastal exposure means the back nine plays very differently depending on conditions, with 50 bunkers keeping you honest when the breeze picks up. Night golf available.

This is the closest thing to links-style golf you’ll find in Shanghai. If you enjoy playing in wind and adapting your game shot by shot, Huakai delivers that challenge at a reasonable price.

Mid-Range: $170 – $280

A step up in design pedigree, conditioning, and facilities. This is where Shanghai’s golf scene starts to show its championship credentials.

Shanghai Xintianming Celebrity Golf Club — from $174

Designed by Nelson & Haworth — the same firm behind Sheshan International, China’s number-one ranked course. That’s not a minor detail. The routing works with natural elevation changes of up to 18 meters (unusual for flat Shanghai), and the course is built to USGA standards. A full 27 holes across the property, with a 5-star resort integrated on-site.

If you want a taste of Sheshan’s design philosophy at roughly a quarter of the price, Xintianming is the logical choice.

Shanghai Meilan Lake Golf Club — from $217

The standout on this list for tournament pedigree. Designed by Jack Nicklaus II through Nicklaus Design, Lake Malaren hosted the BMW Masters (European Tour) and the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters ($5 million purse, 2011). It’s also Asia’s first Audubon International Silver Signature Sanctuary — meaning the course integrates genuine environmental stewardship into its design and maintenance.

The Masters Course stretches 6,822 yards through a mature parkland setting with water in play on multiple holes. Night golf is available, and the integrated Crowne Plaza makes it a natural choice if you want to stay on-site and play without the commute.

Shanghai Tianma Country Club — from $279

The only course in flat Shanghai with genuine elevation. Located in the Sheshan National Tourist Resort, Tianma uses Sheshan Hill as its backdrop — a visual and strategic element that no other Shanghai course can match. Designed by Australian architect Phil Ryan, the property features 27 holes across three loops on Bermuda grass, totaling over 10,500 yards.

At 35 minutes from Hongqiao Airport, it’s reasonably accessible. The three distinct routings mean you could play different combinations across multiple visits without repeating yourself.

Premium: Over $300

These are the courses where Shanghai’s golf reputation was built. Championship pedigree, premium conditioning, and prices to match.

Shanghai Tomson Golf Club — from $317

The most convenient premium course for anyone staying in Pudong — just 28 minutes from Pudong Airport and the closest bookable course to Lujiazui, Shanghai’s financial center. Designed by Shunsuke Kato (President of the Japan Golf Association), the investment reportedly exceeded $100 million, and it shows.

At 7,343 yards with a course rating of 74.9 and slope of 131, Tomson is the toughest test on this list by the numbers. The course hosted the BMW Asian Open in 2006 (co-sanctioned by the European Tour). Access for visitors is available through online booking platforms.

Sheshan International Golf Club — from $637 (inquiry only)

China’s number-one ranked course (Golf Digest, 2013) and the venue that put Shanghai golf on the world map. Designed by Nelson & Haworth, Sheshan hosted the WGC-HSBC Champions from 2005 to 2019 — a World Golf Championship that brought Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, and the world’s best to Shanghai. McIlroy won the final edition in 2019.

At 7,214 yards with a slope of 139, this is a serious championship layout. Booking is inquiry-based, not real-time — meaning you submit a request rather than getting instant confirmation. Located just 25 minutes from Hongqiao Airport in Songjiang District, near the Sheshan National Tourist Resort.

The price reflects what it is: the most exclusive bookable golf experience in mainland China.

Best Time for Golf in Shanghai: A Season-by-Season Guide

Timing matters in Shanghai — arguably more than in Beijing. The city has a subtropical climate with one major hazard that catches visitors off guard: Plum Rain season.

• Spring (April – May): Warm and increasingly green, with temperatures around 15–25°C. A solid window for golf, though late May can see early rain arriving. Book popular courses ahead — this is when the golf season ramps up.
• Autumn (September – October): The best time to play, full stop. Clear skies, comfortable temperatures (18–25°C), and firmer, faster playing surfaces. Course conditioning peaks during this window. Book well in advance — this is peak season, and tee times at premium courses fill up fast.
• Summer (June – August): Avoid if you can. June and July bring Plum Rain (梅雨, méiyǔ) — weeks of persistent, heavy rainfall that can shut down courses and make playing miserable. August adds typhoon risk and temperatures above 30°C with extreme humidity. If you must play in summer, early morning is your only realistic window.
• Winter (December – February): Cold and damp, with temperatures between 4–12°C. Golf is technically possible on clear days, but don’t plan a trip around it. Some courses have dormant grass during this period.

Dates to avoid: Chinese New Year (January/February — variable), Labor Day week (around May 1–5), and especially Golden Week (October 1–7) — the worst week for crowds and inflated pricing at every course in the Shanghai area.

Air quality note: Shanghai generally has better air quality than Beijing, but it’s still worth checking. IQAir provides real-time readings. Anything above 150, consider adjusting your plans if you have flexibility.

What Your Green Fee Typically Covers

Green fee packages in Shanghai are generally comprehensive — more so than in many Western destinations. Here’s the standard picture, though specifics vary by club.

Most bookings include:

• Green fee for 18 holes
• Caddie (mandatory at most Shanghai clubs)
• Golf cart access
• Locker room facilities

Caddies are part of the Shanghai golf experience, just as in Beijing. They’re experienced, generally helpful with club selection and green reading, and tipping is expected — typically ¥100–200 (around $14–28), paid in cash at the end of your round. The higher end of that range is appropriate at premium clubs like Tomson and Sheshan.

Night golf is a genuine differentiator in Shanghai. Four courses — Yintao, Xiehe, Huakai, and Meilan Lake — have full floodlight systems. If you’re on a business trip and can’t get away during the day, this opens up options that most cities in China don’t offer.

Rental clubs are available at most courses. Quality varies — premium clubs like Tomson and Sheshan tend to have better sets. If you’re particular about your equipment, bring your own or rent from a reputable shop in the city.

The key thing: always check the Included Services section on the booking page. What’s bundled can differ between courses, and even between weekday and weekend rates at the same club.

Before You Book: What Every Visiting Golfer Should Know

A few things that make the difference between a smooth round and unnecessary friction.

Booking & availability:

• Peak season (September–October) fills fast — book 2+ weeks ahead for premium courses
• Weekdays offer better availability, lower prices, and faster rounds
• Yintao ($117) is weekday-only for visitors — double-check before you assume it’s available
• Sheshan ($637) is inquiry-based — submit your request early and confirm before finalizing travel plans

Getting to the course:

• Most courses are 20–70 minutes from central Shanghai by car, depending on location and traffic
• Tomson is the most accessible from Pudong/Lujiazui (~30 minutes)
• Yintao is closest to Hongqiao Airport (~18 minutes)
• Ride-hailing apps (DiDi) work well; screenshot the course address in Chinese for your driver
• Metro doesn’t reach most courses — plan for car transport

On the course:

• English is more common in Shanghai than in Beijing, but don’t count on it at every club. A translation app helps
• Bring cash for caddie tips (¥100–200)
• Dress code: collared shirts, golf trousers, golf shoes. Premium clubs enforce this strictly
• Arrive at least 30 minutes before your tee time

Payments:

• Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate in China. Have an international credit card as backup
• Some courses may accept card payments at the pro shop or restaurant, but cash is safest for tips and extras

Shanghai’s Golf Pedigree: From Tiger Woods to Jack Nicklaus

Shanghai’s golf story is defined by one event: the WGC-HSBC Champions, held at Sheshan International from 2005 to 2019. As a World Golf Championship, it brought the strongest field in professional golf to China — Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and virtually every top-50 player in the world competed here. The purse reached $10.25 million by 2019, when McIlroy won the final edition before COVID canceled the event permanently.

But the pedigree extends beyond one tournament. Lake Malaren hosted the BMW Masters (European Tour), attracting 30 of the world’s best players to a Nicklaus Design course. Tomson hosted the BMW Asian Open in 2006, co-sanctioned by the European Tour. For a city that most Western golfers don’t associate with golf, Shanghai has hosted a remarkable concentration of world-class events.

The designer roster reinforces the point. Jack Nicklaus (through Nicklaus Design) shaped Lake Malaren. Peter Thomson — five-time Open Champion — designed Yintao and co-designed Lake Malaren’s Forest Course. Nelson & Haworth, the Hawaiian firm behind over 100 courses across Asia-Pacific, created both Sheshan International and Xintianming. And those are just the bookable courses — members-only venues include a Jack Nicklaus Signature design (Shanghai Links) and a Robert Trent Jones Jr. layout (Shanghai Country Club).

This matters for visiting golfers because it means the courses you can book aren’t afterthoughts. They’re designed by architects who brought the same thinking they apply to championship venues worldwide.

For more on golf course design and the architectural terms used in this guide (routing, green complexes, risk-reward), The Fried Egg offers excellent explanations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play golf in Shanghai?

Yes — but with a caveat. Many of Shanghai’s most prestigious courses are members-only or require introductions. The 8 courses in this guide are the ones currently bookable online through booking platforms, with confirmed pricing and availability for visiting golfers.

How much does a round of golf cost in Shanghai?

For courses available through online booking, green fees range from $117 to $637 per round. The majority of courses fall between $147 and $279. This typically includes green fee, caddie, cart, and locker access — though you should always confirm specifics at booking. Weekend rates are generally higher than weekdays.

Is Shanghai expensive for golf compared to other destinations?

Yes — Shanghai is the most expensive golf destination in mainland China. It’s significantly pricier than Beijing ($117–$637 vs roughly $50–$150) and comparable to premium Asian destinations like Singapore and Japan. The higher prices reflect a combination of land costs, premium design pedigree, and the members-only market that restricts supply for visitors.

What’s the best time of year for golf in Shanghai?

September–October (autumn) is the clear winner — clear skies, comfortable temperatures around 18–25°C, and the best course conditions of the year. April–May (spring) is also good. Avoid June–July due to Plum Rain (梅雨), and be cautious about August (typhoons, extreme heat).

Do I need a caddie in Shanghai?

Caddies are mandatory at most Shanghai golf clubs and typically included in the green fee. Budget ¥100–200 in cash for the tip ($14–28), paid directly to your caddie at the end of the round. Higher tips are customary at premium clubs.

Can you play night golf in Shanghai?

Yes — this is a genuine Shanghai differentiator. Four courses have floodlit facilities: Yintao, Xiehe, Huakai, and Meilan Lake. Night golf is particularly useful for business travelers who can’t get away during the day.

How far are the golf courses from central Shanghai?

It depends on the course. Tomson is the closest to central Pudong (~30 minutes). Yintao is closest to Hongqiao Airport (~18 minutes). Other courses range from 35 to 80+ minutes by car. Plan for traffic — Shanghai rush hour is real.

What should I wear?

Standard golf dress code: collared shirt, golf trousers or shorts, golf shoes. No denim, no collarless shirts, no athletic wear. Premium clubs like Tomson and Sheshan enforce dress codes strictly.

Book Your Tee Time

Ready to play? Browse available courses and reserve directly:

→ Shanghai Golf Courses on Tiger Booking — Real-time availability, confirmed pricing, instant booking.

Where to Stay in Shanghai

Playing golf in Shanghai means staying in the city and driving out to courses — unless you opt for a resort course like Xintianming (5-star on-site) or Meilan Lake (Crowne Plaza integrated). For hotels across the city:

→ ShanghaiHotels.com

Prices shown are from live booking listings (March 2026). Green fees and inclusions are subject to change — always confirm at checkout.