Turtle at Dalian Golden Pebble Beach Golf Club

Turtle, at Dalian Golden Pebble Beach Golf Club, is a testament to China's burgeoning golf scene, carved into the dramatic coastline of the Jin Zhou District. It's a challenging proposition for golfers drawn to the city for the regions deep sea fishing and the unique golf course experiences.

The course, while not born of a celebrated architectural name, embodies a modern style, prioritizing length and strategic bunkering over intricate green complexes. Wide fairways encourage aggressive tee shots, but waywardness is severely punished by the rugged coastal scrub and strategically placed water hazards that eat into the edges of the property. Favouring a fader off the tee, the course winds its way along the peninsula, with several holes offering stunning views of the Yellow Sea—provided you have the time to admire them between shots.

Turtle is a privately owned club, popular among the region's burgeoning business community and visiting golfers from across China. Members have been known to enjoy late afternoon rounds followed by fresh seafood feasts at the clubhouse, where the catch of the day often outshines the stories of birdies and bogeys. While not a mainstay on the international tournament circuit, Turtle provides an engaging experience and a window into the developing passion for golf in northeastern China.