Golfing??? In Uzbekistan??? What???

That was my first reaction when a friend asked if I wanted to hit the links. While I’m not a golfer, I have played the game a few times in my life with little to show for my effort. I just couldn’t get the hang of hitting that little ball straight. Despite this, I always enjoyed the camaraderie that goes with the game. And that was the only reason that I went to play golf in the first place. I went to the course in Tashkent twice and had a great time.

If you are an avid golfer and you want to play while you are touring Central Asia, then I highly recommend that you hit the links in Tashkent. The Lakeside Golf Club is 18 miles south of Tashkent and features 7,015 yard, 18-holes, and two lakes on the 265 acre property. The clubhouse offers a fully stocked pro shop, a restaurant, and alcoholic beverages.

Kyrgyzstan opened its first golf course in 2002 and it’s located about 20 minutes from Bishkek. Named the Maple Leaf Golf and Country Club, the 9-hole, 3,289 yard, and par 39 course offers breathtaking views of the Tien Shan Mountains. The clubhouse offers a pro shop and bar; a driving range is available, too.

Kazakhstan has two golf courses that are open to the public. The first is the Zhailjau Golf Resort which is located close to Almaty. Opened in 2006, there are two 18-hole courses available for play and both of them are a par 72. This course is part of a huge complex that has a restaurant, conference rooms, spa, and fitness rooms. A driving range is available, too.

The second course is located close to Almaty and is called the Nurtau Golf Club. Opened in 1996 as a 9-hole course, it has expanded over the years and today has three courses available for play and all are a par 72. To accommodate the growing interest in golf in Kazakhstan, Nurtau offers a children’s academy, golf pros to help your game, and tournaments for both men and women.

Turkmenistan has announced that it will construct a golf course at Avaza, a tourist zone that’s located on the Caspian Sea. Check with our staff to learn the latest news of this new development.

Tajikistan has announced that they are going to construct their own golf course in Dushanbe, but little information is available on its status. Plans have been drawn for the Sogdiana Golf Club, but it appears that its construction is at a standstill.

If you’ve got a few spare hours and you’d like to add an exotic course to your “resume”, I suggest taking advantage of the facilities that are available in Central Asia. Check with our staff at Roxana Tour for the latest information on green fees and availability. I can assure you that you’ll have a great time!

Posted by Greg Stephenson