The drive on this dogleg left par-4 is crucial. Distance isn't the issue here; accuracy is a must. Any wayward tee shots will likely find trouble either side of the narrow landing area: on the left, by dense trees and vegetation, and on the right by a long bunker. The perfect play is to fire a fairway wood down the right half of the fairway, which opens up the green. Under-hit approach shots bring a creeping bunker into play, while those who err on the side of safety and take one club more risk finding a water hazard behind the putting surface.

This extremely well-bunkered par-3 plays a little shorter than the yardage suggests, because of the elevated teeing ground. Although a large sandy waste area in front of the green is less in play than at first appears, the green tilts strongly from left to right meaning less-than-solid iron shots will likely take the slope and head towards the greenside traps. A very strong par-3 that rounds out a tough trio of opening holes.

Long hitters will fancy their chances of reaching the green in two shots on this dogleg right par-5, although a large, well-placed fairway bunker has to be avoided off the tee. Shorter hitters have to decide where to lay up as a pair of cross-bunkers 80 yards short of the strongly contoured green impinge on the fairway. Nevertheless, the 4th represents a good birdie opportunity.

An accurate long iron or fairway wood is required off the tee on this short par-4 which doglegs to the left. Slicers of the ball have to take care not to find a large fairway bunker on the right of the fairway, while any wayward approach shots will likely threaten one of two greenside traps. A short hole, but not necessarily an easy one.

What this hole lacks in length, it makes up for in character. Players are faced with a blind tee shot to a narrow landing area well-protected by a bunker at the elbow of the dogleg, making accuracy, once again, vital. The approach shot looks simple, but birdies are kept to a minimum thanks to the green's undulations. Players who record a par or better can feel justifiably satisfied.

The biggest challenge on this straightaway par-4 is finding the shallow green in regulation. Although wide, the putting surface is measures less than 20 yards from front to back making distance control with the approach imperative. A spine that runs through the centre of the green makes birdies few and far between.

The length of this par-3 strikes fear into many who stand on the tee box – not surprising, because from the tips it measures in excess of 230 yards. Strong players will be hitting at least a hybrid club into the large well-protected green, while lesser mortals will bail-out short and right of the putting surface – away from the trouble - and hope to save par with a chip and putt. Needless to say, a very strong hole.

This is one of the most exciting holes on the course – a brilliant risk-reward par-5 that tests the nerves of all who play it. A ravine in front of the tee box shouldn't be in play for better players, but when the wind is up it takes a well struck drive to make the 200 yard carry. Given the length of the hole, many will be tempted to try and reach the green in two shots with a fairway wood, but out-of-bounds to the right and behind the tiny putting surface makes it a gamble. Don't be surprised to see birdies and double bogeys in equal measure.

Arguably one of the most attractive holes at Yinli, the tree-lined 10th demands a long straight drive – otherwise you'll be playing from the foliage. A good tee shot down the centre-right of the fairway will shorten the hole considerably, making the mid-short iron approach to the elevated green that much easier. Like many of the holes here, getting an accurate drive away is crucial.

The intriguing 11th can be played one of two ways. A drive down the left side of the fairway – away from the trees that flank the right side of the fairway – is the safest route to the green; but a heroic drive over the trees – to the fairway beyond – will cut significant yardage off the hole's length and players will be left with just a wedge for the second shot. It's a risk, however, and the well-guarded green means that pars, much less birdies, are far from guaranteed.

The par-3 12th at Yinli can rightly be considered one of the most beautiful holes on the course. From a tee box situated below the level of the green, players pray for a pure strike with a mid-long iron to ensure carrying a channel of water and two bunkers short of the putting surface. The green, meanwhile, is one of the most contoured on the back nine and leaving your ball above the hole will leave a dastardly difficult putt. A charming, but potentially cardwrecking hole.

This straightaway par-5 offers the opportunity to open the shoulders and fly a big drive to within reaching distance of the green. There is trouble, however. Water comes into play for those who over-cut their drives, while a lone fairway bunker is well-placed to snaffle any under hit efforts off the tee. Nevertheless, the 13th still offers a good birdie opportunity.

Yinli's signature hole, this dogleg right par-4 features water in the form of a large lake that protects both the heavily sloping green and the right side of the fairway. From the tee box players are advised to aim left – even though you can't see it the lake impinges on the landing area at around the 230-yard mark. The approach to the green requires a forced carry over the water, while the putting surface is marked by a pronounced tier. A par here deserves a pat on the back.

The hills of Dongguan form a dramatic backdrop to the 15th – an exciting par-3 that plays downhill from an elevated tee. Like all the par-3s at Yinli, the 15th is exceptionally well-bunkered so woe betides those who stray offline.

The excitement continues at the par-4 16th which requires two carries over water. From an elevated tee, players must fire their drives over a lake, making sure they avoid a cleverly placed fairway bunker and a canal that crosses the fairway at the 260 yard mark. The approach, which is normally played into the breeze, has to be hit crisply – otherwise a large greenside bunker comes into play.

The 17th is ranked as index 1 – and for good reason. This long straightaway par-4 requires a big drive just to have the chance of reaching the green in regulation. A large lake on the left side of the fairway puts fear into hookers of the ball, while trees run down the entire right side – in short, nothing but a perfect drive will suffice her. The approach shot - normally a long iron or even fairway wood – plays uphill all the way to the green. The 17th is one of those holes where pars are made to feel like birdies.

All great courses finish with a great hole, and Yinli is no exception. This short par-5 offers a good birdie chance, but only when played well. A good drive down the centre-right of the fairway – away from two menacing fairway bunkers on the left – will set up a chance of getting on in two. Dense vegetation either side of the fairway, however, mean that few errant drives go unpunished. Another large bunker some 50 yards short of the enormous putting surface is the obstacle to avoid with the second (or third) shots, while the strong undulations on the green mean only those with a deft touch will reap rewards. A classic end to a classic course.