If you ever find yourself looking for a great golfing experience in Phuket, then the Blue Canyon Country Club’s Lakes Course is a place you must visit. If you’re a golfer, you may have already heard about Blue Canyon’s Canyon Course which is famous for hosting championship events like the Johnnie Walker Classic and has been graced with the presence of famous golf players like Tiger Woods and Fred Couples.
The Lakes golf course comes from the same pedigree as the Canyon Course, with the same level of impeccable design that has made it the envy of many golf courses not just in Phuket but also in the entire Asian region. Let’s find out more about the award-winning Lakes golf course at Blue Canyon Country Club.
How To Reach The Blue Canyon Country Club
If you’ve already played golf at the Canyon Course at the Blue Canyon Country Club, then you already know how to reach the Lakes golf course. It is situated close to the Phuket International Airport, in the northern part of the island which is the Thaland district. The entrance to the course can be reached when heading south from Phuket Airport along Thep Krasattri road.
If you’re visiting Phuket for a holiday, there are plenty of hotels and resorts in this area which can provide accommodations. It’s recommended you stay close by if you plan on booking tee times early in the morning, which is also the best time of day to play at the two Blue Canyon golf courses.
The Blue Canyon Country Club Lakes Golf Course
Both the Lakes golf course and its older sibling the Canyon Course were designed by the famous Japanese architect Yoshikazu Kato. The area was the former site of a tin mine and rubber plantations. The goal of Kato was to preserve the natural beauty of the surrounding freshwater lakes, canyons, rubber trees, and tin mine features, but also to incorporate these elements into the golf course design itself.
The result is a course layout that offers golfers a nice challenge complete with plenty of water hazards, but also a place that has gorgeous scenery and a tranquil atmosphere all around. Among other famous golf courses designed by Yoshikazu Kato is the Treasure Hill Golf Club in Pattaya, also known for its challenging holes and peaceful surroundings.
The Golf Course Design Of Lakes Course
Image taken from www.bluecanyonphuket.com
As the name suggests, the Lakes golf course’s main features are the deep waters of water hazards that are present in some form in 17 out of the 18 holes here. There are target-driving areas at 270 yards which the more skilled players will appreciate. The wide fairways have Zoysia Matrella grass, while the greens utilize TifEagle Bermuda.
The more experienced golfers that are serious about their playing will need to focus if they wish to score well at the Lakes golf course. There are multiple creeks and canyons that your tee shot will have to cross over if you want to reach the greens. And you need to stay well away from the rubber trees lining the fairways.
Interestingly, the Lakes golf course offers five sets of tees to choose from, which allows golfers the chance to set their preferred level of difficulty. This means that the golf course is very accessible to both beginner players, and even non-golfers, while the champions can attempt a more complex round. Both the Lakes golf course and the Canyon Course received the coveted Best Golf Course in Thailand award at the Asian Golf Awards 2018.
Signature Holes At The Blue Canyon Lakes Golf Course
Image taken from www.facebook.com/BlueCanyonCountryClub/
The front nine holes do make it abundantly clear you’re playing golf at a lake course, while the back nine will feature more rubber trees lining the fairways to contend with. While it is yet to have a signature hole named after a famous player like the ‘Tiger Hole’ at Canyon Course, the 18th hole at Lakes golf course did get voted by Asian Golf Monthly as the best par four in Asia back in 2003.
Hole-18 is considered by many golfers to be a fantastic finishing hole that can only be reached by two long-hitting shots that not many are capable of doing. The 17th hole is unique at this golf course for being the only one that doesn’t a water hazard of some sort. It does have a contoured green which can be tricky to get across.
The Green Fees At Blue Canyon Country Club
If you wish to book a tee time at Blue Canyon’s Lakes golf course, the green fee is currently at 3,000 baht per golfer. This green fee also includes the mandatory caddy fee and golf cart for each player. Of course, you can also find promotions at third-party tee-time booking sites that may offer better green fee rates. You can also rent golf clubs and shoes if you forget to pack your golf bag for the holiday.
One thing to always remember is that you cannot play here without a caddy and a golf cart to get around. It’s also expected to give a caddy tip after your round is over. This is pretty typical in most Thailand golf courses, and fortunately, the caddies at Blue Canyon are generally well-trained, helpful, and can speak English. Furthermore, only your caddy is allowed to drive the golf cart.
Blue Canyon Golf Club Memberships
If you’re a resident in Phuket and plan on hitting the fairways on a more regular basis, you have the option of getting a club membership at Blue Canyon. There are six-month and one-year options available, and you get many perks of being a member here. Not only do you receive unlimited golf rounds, but you also get plenty of discounts at the restaurant, spa, and large pro shop at Blue Canyon. Furthermore, you will also get special rates for golf lessons.
The Blue Canyon Golf Club Facilities
The clubhouse at Blue Canyon has modern facilities for golfers to practice before a round, and relax afterward. These facilities are open to anyone who visits the Lakes golf course or the Canyon Course.
Blue Canyon Practice Facilities
Haven’t picked up a golf club in ages? Don’t worry. You can practice at the driving range bays before your tee-off. There is a short game area full of bunkers and many pin positions where beginner players can attempt a round to get their confidence up. The putting green has unique slopes at each of its eight different holes, offering a bit of variety. Furthermore, the practice area has a cafe if you need a light meal or a refreshing drink.
The Blue Canyon Pro Shop
The pro shop at Blue Canyon has a large selection of golfing gear such as clubs, shoes, and balls from premium sports brands. Furthermore, golf course-appropriate attire, accessories, and even souvenirs are available if you wish to take something home from your travels.
Golfer’s Terrace Restaurant
The restaurant is very spacious, capable of seating up to 180 people, and is open every day from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. There are delectable Thai dishes as well as international and seafood options on the menu. It’s a great dining experience and you can expect some live music if you’re heading over there in the evenings.
Luxurious Accommodation, Spa Treatments, And More
If you’re only thinking of playing golf during your stay in Phuket, it would make sense to find accommodation at a golf resort. The Blue Canyon Golf Resort has luxurious guest rooms that offer stunning views of the Canyon Course, as well as the surrounding lakes and rugged jungle-clad hills.
You can also unwind at the Blue Canyon Spa with a relaxing Thai massage to soothe your sore muscles or a detoxing aromatherapy treatment. If you’re a fitness person, there’s even a gym complete with all the modern equipment to stay in shape during your holiday.
The Blue Canyon Country Club – Canyon Course
Image taken from www.facebook.com/BlueCanyonCountryClub/
If you do stay on the premises at the Blue Canyon Golf Resort, you can try out the Canyon Course once you’ve fully mastered the Lakes Course. This is a more challenging golf experience, famous for its signature 13th hole named after Tiger Woods, and the 17th one which Fred Couples himself said was the best par-03 in the world.
The Canyon Course also hosted the Johnnie Walker Classic tournament three times, a first for a Thailand golf course, and other golfing events like the Honda Invitational. The green fee is the same as the Lakes golf course, and you can expect the Canyon Course to put your skills to the test, unlike any other place.
Want To Learn More About Phuket Golf Courses?
From the flexible difficulty provided by the tee options, and a design that incorporates both natural beauty and Phuket’s past into the layout, the Lakes Course offers a unique challenge for golfers of any skill level. And when you’ve conquered this golf course, the award-winning Canyon Course is right next door, accessible for the same green fee. This makes Blue Canyon Country Club with its two golf courses, one of the best places to visit golf enthusiasts holidaying in the sunny isle of Phuket.
If you wish to learn more about golfing in Phuket, club memberships, and where else you can play in Thailand, then Ushup can be your trusty guide. We know all the places to dine, where to stay, and what else you can experience in this tropical paradise. To learn more about what Phuket has to offer, visit the Ushup Blog today!
FAQs
The Lakes Course at Blue Canyon provides water hazards at 17 of the 18 holes, has an award-winning design by famous architect Yoshikazu Kato, gorgeous scenery, and a very tranquil experience complete with modern amenities such as a restaurant, accommodation, pro shop, and training area.
The Lakes Course is slightly easier for beginner players due to the flexible tee options that can reduce the complexity of your round. The Canyon Course is more suited for experienced golfers that desire a challenge on the level of championship players like Tiger Woods and Fred Couples who have both played there.
