Legends Golf Danang — Norman Course: Greg Norman Does It Again
- Gunnar Kobin
- Mar 24
- 5 min read
Legends Golf Danang — I am becoming Greg Norman Fan
At some point between the 3rd and 4th hole of the Norman Course at Legends Golf Danang, something 'clicks.' As the fairway undulates and the sands recede, a dastardly right side devil's bunker reveals itself, and with the coastal wind wafting through your brain you think — YES, this is a golf course. Not a resort, not immaculate, not overly aggressive golf, but a raw, honest, completely unfiltered golf experience.
I'll come right out and say it: Greg Norman design fan. He builds courses that reward intelligent play and don't punish you to the extreme. After the Nicklaus Course next door - technically proficient, mercilessly watery, and about as enjoyable as a tax return - the Norman Course was a welcome relief.Familiar Grounds with Different Attributes
While there are some similarities with the two courses having a clubhouse, a parking lot, and both having a driving range, that is where it ends. The Nicklaus Course has a mostly flat terrain with water hazards. The Norman Course, on the other hand, has 150 hectares of established coastal duneland, with sandy soil and native duneland vegetation. This is the kind of terrain that is needed to create interesting golf courses without much intervention.
This is why Norman is regarded as one of the top designers. The course opened to almost immediate praise, being recognized as one of the 15 best new courses in the world. Even after more than 15 years, Norman’s course is still recognized on that level almost every day, and the accolades certainly are not losing value like many new golf course opening claims.
What Norman Does Different than Water Hazards
In the best possible way, Norman's design philosophy is old, but still effective. There is no water, no forced carries, and no penal design made to look like a challenge. Instead, you are given a lot of bunkers. Well placed, and of proper sizes, with some being punishing to those who find the wrong ones. These bunkers have blown out faces, deep sand bottoms, and many are capped in positions to make you think one shot ahead rather than just aim at the flag.
Like his work with Jumeirah Fire in Dubai, there is a similar feel with generous looking fairways that cleverly tighten around landing zones with bunkering that punishes the greedy and rewards the player who takes their medicine. With fast and firm fairways and wide waste areas, it’s a wind course. Fun decisions are made on every tee. That’s what makes it enjoyable.
Unlike the Nicklaus Course, none of the holes have anything visually striking such as the stunning contrast of water and timber, a river, or a even a village. These holes appear remarkably understated in comparison to the others and while they may not showcase visually stunning features on the front nine, they save the best for the back. By the time you reach the back nine, you realize you have been fully immersed in the track and have lost all sense of time, which is the best measurement of a high caliber track.
Hole 16: The One You'll Remember
Memorable holes are a prerequisite for every high caliber course, and on the Norman Course, it is the 16th and it earns this right without absolutely no effort.
While playing the par 3 that faces the East Sea, you may be able to see the Cham Islands. The wind will be blowing in your face, and though the green is well protected, the view will likely give you pause to consider your club selection. The best feature of the hole, however, is the Vietnam War era machine gun bunker that has been incorporated into the landscaping of the course. Without being overly touristy, the course helps teach players a lesson in post war, pre-golf history as they try to decide if they should use a 7 or 8 iron from the tee or green.
If you look closely, this coastline tells a story. It shows where the Americans made their first landing, and everything around the course, including the supply depot and airfield, was used actively in the war. The history is literally beneath your feet. The most obvious reminder of this history is the bunker at the 16th green. A good design can give a hole context and history, this one is just genius.
Putting and Conditions on the Course
All the legends courses have the same slow greens each year. This is the result of either a maintenance cycle that is never finished or a management issue that is left unresolved. My day on the Nicklaus course showed me the greens are at least better on that course but needing to make a adjustment that is not needed everywhere else is certainly frustrating. The other experienced linked course that is firm and windy would be much better having fast and firm greens. Currently your putting experience is at the bottom of what it could be.
Like on the Nicklaus Course, the pace of play has become an issue here as well. It is an established resort, the course is busy, and there is little marshalling so a back nine bottleneck is painful. If it is an option, try to get a very early tee time. Winds get stronger throughout the day, and starting at 6.45 is your best chance for a good pace as well as good weather.Something to consider for improving your experience at the Norman Course is working with your caddy, especially during your first time at the course. Not only can caddies help alleviate the paces of play issues by providing better course knowledge and providing better club and shot selections, experience, and information about winds, and assist you with the best target and other information to take the best approach for your game.
How it Sits in the Danang Picture
Between the two Legends courses, I consider the Norman Course to be the better round of golf. It is more enjoyable, more diverse, and is better about the layout. In the Nicklaus Course's defence, the river holes have a lot of character, but I can firmly say the Norman course is more enjoyable than the Nicklaus course. It is engaging from the first tee to the last, and I appreciate that it doesn't rely on repetition to achieve playability.
Compared to the rest of the Danang golf offerings, there is a greater sense of authenticity and comfort. It may lack the drama of Ba Na Hills or the Hoiana Shores polish, but unlike both, Da Nang Golf Club has a real links feel, with the real duneland to offer an authentic experience. Its design allows the terrain to work, which is a rarity in Southeast Asia.
Final Verdict
Given that Da Nang is home to both Legends courses, which is a reason to visit, if that is the case, save the Norman Course for the second day. Treat the Norman Course as the feature, and the Nicklaus as the warm-up.
Play it in the morning, take the caddie's advice about the hilly holes, and get your par 3 at 16. Before you enjoy the view, check out that old bunker at the green. Not every golf hole will come with a historical lesson to think about.
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