Nicklaus Design and Faldo Design bring championship golf to Savannakhet and Vientiane as Laos positions itself on Southeast Asia’s golf map
Laos is quietly emerging as Southeast Asia’s next golf development frontier, with two significant projects underway that bring world-class design talent to this laid-back nation of 7 million. While neighboring Thailand and Vietnam dominate regional golf tourism headlines, Laos is strategically expanding its golf infrastructure with championship-caliber facilities that could reshape the country’s tourism landscape.
Savan Golf Resort in Savannakhet opened its new nine-hole short course designed by Nicklaus Design for preview play in September 2025. The par-three course adds a premium golf amenity to the resort’s existing casino-hotel destination, bringing Jack Nicklaus’ legendary design philosophy to southern Laos for the first time.
Located approximately 10 minutes from Savannakhet Airport near the Mekong River border with Thailand, Savan Golf Resort targets both domestic Lao golfers and international visitors crossing from Thailand’s Mukdahan province. The resort features 402 rooms and suites, multiple restaurants serving authentic Lao-Thai cuisine, spa facilities, and a casino—creating a comprehensive entertainment destination anchored by Nicklaus Design golf.
Course Details:
The Nicklaus Design short course format provides accessible golf for resort guests while maintaining the championship design standards associated with the Nicklaus name. This strategic approach introduces international design excellence to Laos at a scale appropriate for the emerging market.
The more ambitious project is Thatluang Golf Village, an 18-hole championship course designed by Faldo Design currently under construction in Vientiane’s Thatluang Lake Park Special Economic Zone. Expected to open in Q3 2026, this will be Sir Nick Faldo’s first golf course in Laos and represents the largest golf investment in the capital city’s history.
Project Overview:
Format: 18-hole championship course
Location: Thatluang Lake Park Special Economic Zone, Vientiane
Designer: Faldo Design (Nick Faldo’s first Laos project)
The Thatluang Lake Special Economic Zone represents Laos’ ambitious urban development strategy, creating a modern business and residential district centered around an ornamental lake. The Faldo Design golf course serves as a cornerstone amenity for companies and executives settling in the SEZ, providing “a high-end social activity venue for exercising and cultivating character,” according to zone officials.
Construction Challenges: Built on flat flood land, the project required importing 1.5 million cubic metres of soil to raise the land sufficiently for golf course construction—a massive civil engineering undertaking demonstrating the developer’s commitment to creating championship-quality golf in Vientiane’s challenging topography.
With approximately 13 operational golf courses, Laos remains Southeast Asia’s smallest golf market by course count. However, these new premium developments signal a strategic shift toward quality over quantity.
Current Laos Golf Landscape:
How much are golf fees for International Golfers in Laos?
Laos offers a compelling alternative to more developed and more expensive regional destinations. Green fees typically range $40-80 USD (versus $100-200+ in Thailand/Vietnam premium courses), with uncrowded courses, authentic Lao hospitality, and cultural experiences unavailable elsewhere.
The addition of Nicklaus and Faldo-designed courses elevates Laos from “budget alternative” to “legitimate design destination,” particularly for golf architecture enthusiasts who seek courses by legendary designers.
For Regional Development:
These projects demonstrate that even smaller Southeast Asian markets can attract world-class design talent when developers commit to quality infrastructure and governments provide supportive policy frameworks through mechanisms like Special Economic Zones.
Success could catalyze additional investment, potentially doubling Laos’ course count over the next decade and positioning the country as a boutique golf destination emphasizing quality, culture, and tranquility over mass tourism.
As Laos’ golf landscape expands with world-class designs by Nicklaus and Faldo, Asia Golf Journey provides expert booking services and golf tour packages across Southeast Asia, including emerging destinations like Laos.
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