Diamond Bay Golf & Villas

I spotted the course from my Grab on the way into the city. I was lucky to find an early-bird tee time, so I could play a round and then head to the airport. The staff were friendly, though their English was limited. Google Translate helped get the message across. I didn’t try the food, but the coffee was pretty good. The course looked well maintained, although some fairway patches had been filled with sand. You get free relief from those, so it didn’t bother me. As a mountain course, the fairways felt a bit narrow, with lots of bunkers both on them and around the greens. I’d guess the greens roll at about a 9, but the morning dew slowed them down a bit. Even so, the greens were excellent, and there aren’t many elevated tee boxes. Play felt slow even though I teed off early. My caddies asked, and other golfers let me through since I was playing alone. I’m not sure why tee time slots are enforced so strictly when a single is trying to pass. In the US, a threesome or foursome would let you through as a matter of etiquette, but in Southeast Asia it seems to be considered rude. Maybe that’s just my impression, though some of the older golfers gave me strange death stares. It’s a great challenge in shot placement. I’d aim for the middle of the green regardless of the pin and expect a good round. I finished with an 83, though I think that was first-timer luck. I’d play here again if I get the chance.

The greens rolled smoothly and the fairways were in great shape. From check-in through the end of the round, the staff were upbeat and helpful. Definitely a place I’d come back to.

Booking through an online golf agency may get you a better price. The course is a nice place to play around Nha Trang/Cam Ranh, though it’s quite expensive. I can’t remember whether it was hole 7 or 8, but that green was probably the toughest I’ve ever played. Even a putt from within the green felt like a steep uphill challenge.

The staff and caddies were really friendly, and the course is a serious test, especially for skilled players. There’s a lot of water in play, so bring plenty of balls if your shots aren’t straight. It rained for most of my round, unfortunately, and I’d definitely like to return and try it in dry weather.