Linkou International
Founded by the publisher and statesman Wu San-lien and opened in 1965, Linkou International is one of Taiwan's grand old clubs, a 27 hole parkland laid across the level Linkou Plateau above the Bali coast northwest of Taipei. Tall trees frame almost every fairway, and the three loops combine into a full and demanding round within easy reach of the capital.
Photo: Linkou Golf Course via Google, by Beryl Chi.
The verdict
Linkou International is a window into the first era of Taiwanese golf. The late tycoon and newspaper founder Wu San-lien established the club in the early 1960s and it opened for play in 1965, which makes it one of the senior courses on the island and a fixture of Taipei golf for more than half a century. It sits on the broad, flat Linkou Plateau, so the walk is gentle even as the trees and the wind off the strait do the defending.
The club runs 27 holes in three nine hole loops, East, West and South, that pair into full eighteens of par 72. This is classic members golf, mature and tree lined rather than flashy, the sort of honest parkland test that rewards a straight ball and punishes the wild one. For a travelling golfer it is an easy and characterful round near Taoyuan airport, with genuine history attached and the city only a short drive away.
Linkou International at a glance
- Opened
- 1965
- Designer
- Not formally recorded
- Type
- Parkland plateau
- Holes
- 27
- Par
- 72 per round
- Access
- Members and guests
Founding and opening confirmed June 2026: the club was founded by Wu San-lien around 1963 and opened in 1965, with 27 holes across the East, West and South loops on the Linkou Plateau. A formal course architect is not reliably recorded in public sources, so we do not attribute one. Linkou is a members club; visitor play is generally by introduction or through a tour operator, and any fee quoted is indicative for 2026. Always confirm access and the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Linkou Plateau gives the course its character. The ground is largely level, which keeps the walk comfortable, but the exposure means the breeze off the Taiwan Strait can stiffen any of the three loops in an afternoon. Decades of growth have turned the tree lines into genuine hazards, so the premium here is on driving the ball on a line rather than simply hard.
Each of the East, West and South nines has its own rhythm, and the club rotates the eighteen hole combinations so members and guests see different pairings. The greens are mature and subtly contoured, asking for a controlled approach and a steady putting stroke rather than raw length. It is a course that gives up a good score to the disciplined and quietly takes shots from the loose.
None of it is contrived. Linkou is a product of its age, a strong, traditional parkland that has hosted generations of Taipei golfers and the occasional professional field. Play it for the history and the trees, pick the right tees for the wind, and it stands up as a satisfying and fair examination.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members club; visitor play generally by member introduction or via a Taiwan golf tour operator |
| Green fee | No fixed public fee; weekday and weekend rates differ and any figure quoted is indicative for 2026 |
| Booking | Arrange through a tour operator or the club ahead of travel; caddies are customary in Taiwan |
| On the day | Carts and caddies are the norm; allow time for the full 27 hole property |
| Getting there | Linkou District, about 30 minutes from central Taipei and close to Taoyuan International Airport |
| Best months | October to April for cooler, drier conditions; summer is hot and humid with afternoon storms |
Access information verified June 2026 from Taiwan golf travel sources; club policies change, so always confirm directly before planning a visit.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves in Taipei, which puts the full range of international hotels, night markets and dining within reach and keeps Linkou a short drive away. Travellers connecting through Taoyuan International Airport sometimes prefer a night near the terminal, which sits very close to the course and suits an early tee time or a round on the way in or out.
Linkou works best as part of a wider Taiwan or East Asia golf itinerary rather than a destination on its own. Pair it with the island's coastal and mountain courses, or fold it into a regional trip that runs on to Vietnam, Japan or the Philippines, and our team can stitch the tee times and transfers together.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Linkou.
Build a Taiwan golf trip
We arrange the introductions and tee times at clubs like Linkou, pair them with Taiwan's best coastal and mountain courses and handle the transfers and lodging. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Linkou International questions
When did Linkou International Golf and Country Club open?
Linkou International was founded by Wu San-lien around 1963 and opened for play in 1965, making it one of the oldest golf clubs in Taiwan. It sits on the Linkou Plateau northwest of Taipei.
How many holes does Linkou International have?
Linkou International has 27 holes in three nine hole loops, East, West and South, which pair into full eighteen hole rounds of par 72 across mature, tree lined parkland.
Can visitors play Linkou International?
Linkou is a members club. Visitor play is generally arranged by member introduction or through a Taiwan golf tour operator, and any green fee quoted is indicative for 2026. Always confirm access and rates directly before booking.
Where is Linkou International and when is the best time to play?
The club is in Linkou District, New Taipei City, about 30 minutes from central Taipei and close to Taoyuan International Airport. October to April brings the cooler, drier conditions that suit golf best.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Facts verified June 2026 by web search at write time; indicative fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.