About Golf in Thailand
Those of you who have not experienced golf in the kingdom of Thailand have not really enjoyed golf at its best. Not only are the golf courses here better or nicer than in other parts of the world, but the combination of several factors makes Thailand a paradise for golfers.
Thailand is also called the 'country of smile', it is because the people are so welcoming and kind. This is also true with the staff of a course and especially with the caddies. Most Caddies are women who have a perfect knowledge of the course and green's slopes. Some men can also be caddies, and usually are very good golfers with a low handicap. Both women and men are very polite, and patient, and are a great help during the game. Don't forget that they carry your bag in the sun for almost four hours, so they deserve a tip at the end. Usually 250 to 300 baht ($ 6 to 8) are considered enough, but you are free to give what you want. Do not confuse the 'caddie fee', which is collected partly by the golf club with the tip that you give directly to the caddie. Caddies earn a part of the caddie fee but no wages from the golf club.
Something very particular to golf courses in Thailand is that every three holes you will find a kiosk where you can get refreshment, food and drinks and cold towels. Most of the year you will only consider this to be a natural complement to your game.
The last point is the perfect layout and state of the courses. All of the courses are well maintained and greens are manicured. When you walk along you can look at the beautifully landscaped tropical forest that generally surrounds the course.
Click on the map at the golf course of your choice for further details or read on.
Parts reproduced with the kind permission of Swing and Sand Co., Ltd.
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Bangpra Golf Course
Originally built in 1958 the course and facilities were refurbished in 1988 as a joint venture between the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Japan Golf Professional Incorporated. Laid out over undulating land in a gently sloping valley surrounded by densely wooded hills, with well kept fairways and true greens set amongst tropical flora makes Bangpra one of Pattaya's prettiest courses. A luxurious modern clubhouse comes lavishly furnished with locker rooms featuring Japanese style baths. Bangpra provides a challenging as well as highly scenic test of golf.
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Burapha Golf Course
This is the largest exclusive private golf club in Thailand. Architects of two championship courses, David Graham and Gary Panks are well acquainted with the special relationship between golf and nature. East Course with 19 lakes and wide fairways appeal to young golfers. West Course with its sand bunkers and rolling hills, challenge advance golfers. Burapha Golf Club hosted one of APGA major tournaments and receives congratulations for the highest quality of golf course.
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Chonburi Century Country Club
18 holes and developed on a hilly countryside. It is located about 35 minutes drive from the exit of Bangkok-Chonburi Motorway at Chonburi. Not so many people come to play even on weekends and holidays, then beginners can also enjoy to play at ease.
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Crystal Bay Golf Club
The ten-year-old, 27-hole course, previously known as Natural Park Resort Golf Club, lies approximately 80 minutes drive from Bangkok. Although the design is somewhat uninspiring, the course has recently been improved by the addition of a lot of palm trees, thus giving it the appearance of a Hawaiian links. Water fringes the course on all sides and the No. 3 dog leg and No. 8 island hole are particularly interesting and enjoyable. The clubhouse facilities are excellent.
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Eastern Star Resort and Country Club
The links style 18 hole par 72 course features sandy terrain and lakes on gently sloping land, subtly contoured with wide fairways and shallow bunkers. Designer Robert Trent Jones Junior has created a "thinking mans" course where careful course strategy will pay off, together with accurate shots of the tee. Tall mature coconut trees and some mango trees define the holes enhanced by areas rich with flowers. The luxurious clubhouse provides facilities and services of the highest standard.
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Emerald Country Club Rayong
Desmond Muirhead and Nick Faldo had a stunning natural palette from which to create Emerald. A tropical paradise of rivers, canyons, mountains, lakes and trees, the landscape lends itself perfectly to the Emerald Club with 18 hole golf course integrated into a well planned community.
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Great Lake Golf and Country Club
This championship course was designed by Nick Faldo, its picturesque fairways, greens, lakes and ponds are plentiful with many trees and plants, which makes this truly, a golfing pleasure.
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Greenwood Golf Club
Designed by 'old master' Peter Thomson and Dennis Wolverine, this is a thinking man's course. There are many pot bunkers lying in wait to catch the errant shot. Palm-tree-lined fairways tend to be undulating, as do the greens. There is not much water, but the designers have provided masses of sand, reeds and heavy rough, which gives the course a links feel. This course is without doubt one of the best in the Pattaya area. Clubhouse facilities are very good and hotel accommodations are available.
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Khao Kheow Golf Course
This offers 27 holes of golf laid out by Dye Designs Inc. It was designed to championship specification and is nothing short of a serious challenge. Accurate shot making is essential to avoid severe bunkering and hazards. Many new palm trees create a desert effect together with a prevailing wind. Water is a b feature too, with the 17th par 3 presenting the characteristic 'Dye' signature island hole. A splendid world class course.
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Laem Chabang Golf Course
A Jack Nicklaus creation, this 27 hole course is both challenging and rewarding. Running from a valley back into rocky peaks this is world class golf in a dramatic setting. The rolling hills of the surrounding countryside have been used to good effect and the natural rock formations add to the beauty of the fairways. The cleverly shaped holes run down and around the mountain slopes or skirt water hazards and tall coconut trees. Every tee is signed with a board describing a distinctive tree or shrub planted nearby which give the hole a unique floral feature.
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Mountain Shadow Golf Club
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