The world's most remote golf course: the tiny kingdom of Bhutan, wedged between India and China, struggles with a new world—and a new game

Golf Digest, Nov, 2003 by John Barton

Later, we take a stroll through the streets of Thimphu. In the middle of the main intersection is a booth. A man stands inside it and directs the traffic. It was here that the famous stoplight experiment happened: The much-heralded modernization was rejected in favor of a more human, more Bhutanese solution. I didn't meet the king, but his handiwork is everywhere. The cars and trucks pull up and the man deftly sends them on their way. It is, as the Buddhists might say, auspicious.

For more information

The government tourism website is helpful (www.kingdomofbhutan.com), as are sites of individual tour operators such as www.bhutantravel.com and Dawa Penjore's company, www.bhutanyodsel.com. Rick Lipsey and Geographic Expeditions will be the hosts of Bhutan's first ever golf tour next spring (www.golfbhutan.com).