Golf Holidays In Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh is emerging as a much stronger golf destination than many international golfers realise.

Cambodia’s capital now offers several impressive championship facilities close enough to the city to combine golf with luxury hotels, restaurants, nightlife and sightseeing. It therefore works very well as either a standalone three- or four-night golf break or as part of a longer Phnom Penh + Siem Reap itinerary.

The headline facility is Vattanac Golf Resort, which offers two 18-hole championship courses designed by Sir Nick Faldo.

The East Course, opened in 2019, uses large water features, strategic bunkering and Cambodian cultural elements throughout the layout, including representations inspired by Angkor Wat, Bayon and Preah Vihear. The course was named Cambodia’s Best Golf Course at the 2024 World Golf Awards.

The West Course, opened in 2020, provides a contrasting challenge with narrower, more undulating fairways, water features and Paspalum greens. It stretches to 7,249 yards from the back tees.

Vattanac is also becoming important on the international tournament calendar. In November and December 2026, its West and East courses are scheduled to host successive Legends Tour events, including the season-ending Vattanac Tour Championship.

Another excellent option is Garden City Golf Club, approximately 15 kilometres from central Phnom Penh. This 18-hole, par-72 championship course stretches beyond 7,200 yards and features large undulating greens, substantial water hazards and modern practice facilities. Garden City was also the golf venue for the 2023 Southeast Asian Games.

Together, Vattanac’s two courses and Garden City already give Phnom Penh enough quality golf to support very good 3-, 4- and 5-round packages.

The most comfortable golf period is approximately November through February, when Cambodia enters its cooler dry season.

March through May can become extremely hot, with Phnom Penh temperatures reaching the high 30s Celsius. May through October is wetter and more humid, with September and October generally seeing the heaviest rainfall.

Early morning tee times are therefore highly recommended throughout much of the year.

Phnom Penh has plenty to offer once the round is finished.

Visitors can explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, walk along the Mekong and Tonlé Sap riverfront, visit local markets and discover an increasingly strong restaurant and bar scene.

The city also has important historical attractions including the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and Choeung Ek Killing Fields, which provide a confronting but significant insight into Cambodia’s modern history.

Other options include Mekong cruises, rooftop bars, spas, markets, Khmer cooking experiences and day trips into the surrounding countryside.

For golf groups, Phnom Penh works particularly well because golfers can play early, return to the city during the afternoon and still have a full evening of restaurants and entertainment.