Did you know that the Blue Canyon Country Club Canyon Course in Phuket is one of the chosen few in Thailand to host multiple Johnnie Walker Classics tournaments at the world championship level? Even the famous golf player Tiger Woods has been to its greens and has one of the most challenging holes named after him.
The Canyon golf course at Blue Canyon Country Club offers an unmatched golfing experience for both experienced pro-level players and amateur enthusiasts that wish to relax while on their holiday. Let’s find out why many golfers consider it one of the finest golf courses, not just in Phuket and Thailand, but also in the entire Asian region.
How To Reach The Blue Canyon Country Club
The Blue Canyon golf club is located in the northern part of Phuket Island in the Thalang district. It is a ten-minute ride from the Phuket International Airport, and the entrance to the golf course is situated on Thep Krasattri road. The great news for foreign visitors is that there are plenty of hotels and resorts in the area around Phuket airport. Staying at one of these places will put you conveniently close to Blue Canyon, allowing you to visit the golf course within a few minutes of driving.
The Canyon Course At Blue Canyon Country Club
The Blue Canyon Country Club has two golf courses, both of which are premium-class courses designed to host world championships. The original Blue Canyon golf course known simply as the ‘Canyon Course’ opened in 1991. It was the work of renowned Japanese architect Yoshikazu Kato who also designed other great courses like Treasure Hill Golf Club in Pattaya. He took what was originally the site of an abandoned tin mine surrounded by rubber plantations and turned it into a majestic award-winning golf course.
The Canyon Course Design That Sets It Apart From Other Phuket Golf Courses
Great care has been taken to ensure that the naturally lush landscape with its towering trees, canyons, and freshwater lakes was left undisturbed. The result is a golf course that offers breathtaking views that even non-golfers will appreciate while providing players with a diverse set of hazards that will truly put their skills to the test. The course condition is expectedly world class and has been diligently maintained by the management.
The deep waters present hazards at 14 of the holes, and there are 80 bunkers at the Canyon golf course placed strategically to test your accuracy. The fairways are tree-lined, and the greens are undulated. A golfer can expect green to be pretty fast due to the Bermuda TifEagle grass used here and the fairways are done with Zoysia matrella grass. Many of the hole locations have no direct line of sight from the tee, making these doglegs quite the challenge for even the most seasoned golfers.
An Award-Winning Championship Golf Course
Many golfers will immediately realize upon stepping onto a green that the Canyon golf course was designed with world-class players in mind. The Canyon golf course has hosted the Johnnie Walker Classic tournament three times, the only course in Thailand to do so. Furthermore, it has also hosted other golf tournaments such as the Honda Invitational, The Thailand Open, and the BMW International World Final.
The golf club was named the Asian Golf Monthly’s Best Championship Course in Asia for five consecutive years, named the Best Golf Resort in Asia Pacific by Global Golf Awards in 2018, and was the 2003 Best Course in Thailand according to the US Golf Digest.
Signature Holes At The Canyon Course
Each hole at the Canyon golf course is its unique puzzle to solve. Perhaps the most famous at Canyon is the 13th hole which bears the nickname ‘The Tiger Hole’ after the championship-winning golfer. Tiger Woods made an impressive one-shot clearing nearly 300 yards back in 1998. There’s even a plaque next to the tee to let golfers know what makes this one special. The wide canyon that opens up beyond the tee is what makes this especially difficult, and setting a good line for your shot is important to reach the green on this one.
Hole 04 is a par-03 which can be tricky as well due to the drop of nearly 40 meters to reach the island green. Furthermore, there is also the 17th hole which the former world champion Fred Couples has called one of the best par-03 holes in the world. This one has a hidden green which is difficult to reach at 200 yards because of the canyon running along the side. The green itself is sloping. The 17th at Blue Canyon has also been voted by golfers and is included in the ‘Top 500 Best Holes in the World’ list.
Apart from Fred Couples, and Tiger Woods, other players like Ian Woosnam, Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo, Grace Park, Thomas Bjorn, and Ernie Els have all played here.
The Green Fee At Canyon Course
The green fee at Blue Canyon is 2,900 Thai baht which is expensive compared to other golf courses, but you do have to remember that you’re getting a PGA tournament-level playing experience at the Canyon golf course. The caddy fee is 350 baht and you can expect well-trained caddies that speak fluent English at this golf club.
Golfers are generally expected to tip the caddies in Thailand, and a 400 to 500 baht caddy tip is usually sufficient. You can also rent a golf cart for 700 baht. Keep in mind that these are the standard green fees, and if you pay attention to promotions, you could find green fee packages that include the caddy fee and golf cart for a much better price depending on the season. You can find these prices on the Blue Canyon Golf Rates and Promotions page.
Memberships At Blue Canyon Country Club
There are plenty of flexible membership options at Blue Canyon depending on your playing habits. These include six months and annual memberships with members receiving priority booking for tee times, discounts on the caddy fee and golf cart fee, as well as a special rate for golf lessons at their academy.
You’ll also get invited to special member-only events at the golf club. The best part is that these perks apply not just to the Canyon golf course but also to Blue Canyon’s Lakes Course. If you’re someone who likes to play a few times a week, getting the golf club membership is worth it.
Blue Canyon Clubhouse Facilities
Multiple facilities are worth mentioning at the Blue Canyon Country Club, including the driving range, a large pro shop, a restaurant, and even luxury accommodations.
Driving Range And Practice Facilities
If you’re feeling rusty, you can always practice a little at the driving range bays before heading out onto the golf course. The putting green has eight different holes each with a unique slope to hone your skills. There’s even a short game area complete with bunkers and multiple pin positions. You can rent golf clubs here and there’s even a cafe offering a variety of sandwiches, and other appetizers.
Pro Shop
Whether you need gear to play or just need to purchase some souvenirs to take home, the Blue Canyon pro shop has it all. There’s a wide selection of golfing gear, accessories, clothing, and even gift items. Most of the premium golf brands are available here.
Golfer’s Terrace Restaurant
The Golfer’s Terrace restaurant offers a variety of dining options from delicious local Thai cuisine, to international dishes, and mouth-watering seafood choices. The place is open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day and is spacious, able to seat 180 diners. This is five-star dining that is on the same level as many luxury hotels, and there’s even a live band on most evenings to provide entertainment.
Luxury Accommodation And Spa Treatments
If you wish to head straight to the golf course as soon as you wake up in the morning, you also have the option of staying at the Blue Canyon Golf Resort. Many guest room options provide splendid views of the course and its surrounding gardens. Depending on which one you select, you may get to witness a beautiful sunrise over Phang Nga Bay or an equally majestic sunset over the Andaman Sea.
If you’re tired after a long day of golfing, you can relax at the Blue Canyon Spa. Here you can get a traditional Thai massage or aromatherapy for detoxing. There’s even a fully-equipped modern gym if you need to stay fit during your stay.
The Blue Canyon Lakes Course
Once you’ve conquered the Canyon golf course, you can also check out its neighbor, the lake course. Also designed by Yoshikazu Kato, the Blue Canyon Lakes Course has water hazards at 17 out of its 18 holes and offers a unique challenge to golfers that are looking for something new. To learn more about this golf course, read What Is Special About The Blue Canyon Country Club – Lakes Course.
Ready To Book Your Tee Times At Canyon Course?
The Blue Canyon golf course is not as affordable as some of the other courses in Phuket, although when you consider its decades-long history of hosting championship tournaments, the gorgeous scenery all around, and the exceptionally well-maintained course, the green fee does feel like great value for money.
To learn more about golf clubs, the best places to dine in, how to get around Phuket, and make the best of your time there, visit Ushup, the go-to resource for everything you need to know about this sunny tropical paradise island.
FAQs
The 18-hole Canyon golf course at Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket was chosen as the official venue for the 1994 Johnnie Walker Classic in 1994, 1998, and 2007. Tiger Woods famously won the event in 1998 and has the 13th hole named after him for his famous one-shot.
Japanese golf course architect Yoshikazu Kato designed both the Canyon and Lakes courses at Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket.