If you’re planning a holiday in Phuket or Khao Lak and looking for a golf experience where you can enjoy your favorite sport amidst tranquil surroundings, then Katathong Golf Resort & Spa is the place to go. Not only do they have a challenging golf course, but they also have great facilities to practice your skills, luxury accommodations, and a fantastic spa all located conveniently in the same resort. Let’s find out how you can get to Katathong Golf Resort, what sort of experience golfers can expect to find there, and what else you can do there.
How To Reach The Katathong Golf Resort & Spa From Phuket International Airport
Phuket is famous for its wonderful golf courses like Loch Palm Golf Club and Blue Canyon Country Club as well as many more. However, if you desire a golf resort where you can stay, relax and play, then Katathong Golf Resort is one of the best places to experience that. Another great thing about it is that if you still want to visit Phuket from here, it’s only an hour’s drive away.
Once you land at Phuket International Airport, you’ll need to head North towards the Phang Nga province along route 402. After that, it’s a right turn to route 4303, and a left turn to 4090 passing Phang Nga town. Along these routes, you will be passing through many national parks and rainforests, which will be worth a trip if there are any nature lovers among you. Keep traveling until you see the Katathong Golf Resort and flag poles which will tell you where the entrance is.
If you don’t feel like driving yourself, you can contact Katathong Golf Resort & Spa who will arrange airport transportation directly to the resort.
The Golf Course At Katathong Golf Resort & Spa
Like many of the golf courses in and around Phuket, the golf resort was established at the site of an old tin mine. Tin mining was a major industry in Southern Thailand for centuries until operations were abandoned during the early 1900s. Wiwatchai Prangpitak was the architect who transformed this mining site into the 18-hole 72-par golf course that we see at Katathong Golf Club today. However, if you look around carefully, you might notice old mining gear still visible throughout the premises of the golf resort.
The Katathong Golf Course Layout
The Katathong Golf Resort is nestled in a lush valley full of primal rainforests, natural waterfalls, lush palm trees, and streams. There are spectacular mountain views no matter where you look as you head down to the fairways on this course. The layout of the course and placement of holes cleverly follows the natural contours of the landscape. You will discover undulating hills, and plenty of water hazards like lakes to test your skills.
The narrow fairways mean that you will need to be accurate and manage your shots well to score well. However, they are not very long, meaning that covering distance won’t be much of an issue for even beginner-level golfers. The greens at Katathong Golf Resort are mostly flat, but some are known for having multiple tiers, making your shots there quite tricky.
Signature Holes At The Katathong Golf Course
Many golfers that are starting will feel like the Katathong Golf Resort has the most challenging golf course they’ve ever been to. Many of the par-03 holes have varying and often difficult elevation changes. A great example is the course’s signature 10th hole. There are 215 yards from the elevated tee to the island green you will be aiming for. Precision is key, and only the most experienced golfers will be able to cover this distance without losing a ball. Novice players could make it a bit easier by attempting the shorter distance of the red tee for this hole.
Other significant challenges offered at the Katathong Golf Resort course include hole-04 which is a par-05. It’s over 520 yards away with a water hazard on the right-hand side, and trees lining the fairways on the left. The whole green is not visible on your approach due to the bunker surrounding it, and you’ll need more strategic thinking to overcome these obstacles than other easier holes.
On hole-16, you might want to whip out your camera or smartphone and take a few pictures since this offers some of the most gorgeous views in the entire Katathong Golf Resort. Your tee shot will need to carry over one of the old tin mines that separates the fairway from the tees. Even if you do manage to reach the fairways, the putting green is tiered, making your next shot quite complicated.
The Green Fee Rates At Katathong Golf Resort & Spa
If you wish to play golf at Katathong Golf Resort, you will have a choice of playing a full 18-hole game or a shorter 09-hole game. The green fee for the 18-hole round is 3,500 Thai baht while the shorter game will cost you 2,100 baht. In addition to the green fee, you will need to hire a caddy and a golf cart to get around the place. You could get around without a golf cart, but why make it harder on yourself, when you can sit and relax as your caddy drives you around?
The caddy fee is 400 baht for the full game and 300 baht for the shorter one, while the golf cart rental is 700 and 400 baht respectively. Always remember that only your caddy will be allowed to drive your golf cart. Furthermore, you are expected to tip your caddy. Most golfers usually tip an amount similar to the caddy fee, and you can do the same. Caddies are friendly, can speak English, and ensure you don’t go to too much trouble navigating your way through the course.
The green fee we mentioned is subject to change, and you may even be able to find a great price if you visit the Katathong Golf Resort during the off-season. To learn more about golfing in Thailand, and the best times of year to visit its golf courses, read Why You Should Play Golf In Thailand.
Katathong Golf Resort & Spa Facilities
The Katathong Golf Resort & Spa features much more to do after you finish playing your round. You can make your way to the clubhouse which is built in a Sino-Portuguese style where you can see many relics from the old tin mining days. On the first floor are locker rooms complete with all the facilities you will need to get refreshed. There is also the clubhouse restaurant and bar, the pro shop, the driving range, and of course the accommodation facilities at Katathong Golf Resort & Spa.
Driving Range And Golf Academy
The driving range offers novice players the chance to level up their playing before heading down to the fairways. There are 12 covered bays as well as a short game area which allows you to practice both putting and chipping. Even experienced golfers can warm up a bit here if they haven’t played the game in a while.
Pro Shop
Golfers that couldn’t manage to carry their gear can rent what they need from the pro shop including golf clubs, shoes, and even an umbrella to shade them from the hot tropical sun. Furthermore, you can purchase new golf equipment, accessories, and clothing from some of the best premium golf brands in the world. You can also get Katathong Golf Resort & Spa merchandise if you’re simply looking for a souvenir to take home.
You can also purchase golfing gear in Phuket. There are many golf stores in Phuket that sell all kinds of golfing gear.
Accommodation At Katathong Golf Resort & Spa
If you’re a golfer that’s planning on playing more than a few rounds of golf during your holiday, you’ll be better off staying somewhere close to the golf course you’re visiting. At Katathong Golf Resort & Spa, you can get a luxurious hotel room that has fantastic mountain views and the course itself.
Guests who check-in will find the rooms come with all the modern amenities including a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, a hair dryer, free Wi-Fi, and of course room service. Before you check out, there are even more facilities that will make your stay even more enjoyable.
The Swimming Pool And Fitness Center
After a long sweaty game of golf, you can cool off in the swimming pool or lie down on a lounge chair and relax. There is also a poolside bar where you can sip on a refreshing cocktail while you take in more picturesque sights of the surrounding mountains and the valley where Katathong Golf Resort is located.
If you’re into fitness, you’ll no doubt wish to stay in shape even while you’re on vacation. Head over to the Katathong fitness center for your daily workout. You will find all the modern equipment you need from treadmills, dumbbells, and other gear to keep up with your routine.
The Spa: Katathong Golf Resort & Spa
You can head over to the spa if rest and relaxation are what you’re after a long tee-off session. The spa offers Thai massages that will surely make you feel rejuvenated and ready for your next round of golf or energized to experience the other popular attractions in the area that you might wish to see.
Restaurant And Bar
The clubhouse at Katathong Golf Resort has a bar located in the lobby where you can grab a drink. You can also dine on mouth-watering Thai and international cuisine at the Blue Sapphire Restaurant. Apart from the great food, the scenery includes much of the gorgeous natural countryside and the signature 10th hole at the golf course. You could even reserve private dining suites if you’re planning to visit with a crowd. The restaurant staff is polite and attentive to your needs.
Event Venues
Other facilities at Katathong Golf Resort include multiple function rooms and banquet halls which can cater to both corporate events and weddings. Depending on the size of your guest list, you can accommodate from 25 to even 300 people. The event spaces come with modern audio and video equipment and you can contact the management team directly to make these bookings. If you’re planning a private golf tournament for your company, then read our post about planning a corporate golf event.
Ready To Book Your Holiday At Katathong Golf Resort?
The Katathong Golf Resort offers some of the best golfing experiences in all of Southern Thailand, with a well-laid-out course, practice facilities, and five-star hotel amenities. Before you make your reservation and check in, you may be curious about what else you can do in and around the resort. Ushup can be your local guide for your next golf holiday in Phuket. We know all about where to find the best golf courses, great offers on green fee prices, and where you can find authentic local food. If you’re ready to plan your next golf adventure, visit Ushup today!
FAQs
Katathong Golf Resort and Aquella Golf And Country Club feature some of the best golf courses located near but outside Phuket island. Katathong can be reached in an hour’s drive from the Phuket airport while Aquella can be reached in even less time.
It is a challenging course that will offer experienced golfers quite a test of their skills while offering novice players a more manageable round with easier tee positions and the option to go for a 09-hole game. It is also located on a full-fledged resort where you can find five-star accommodations, a spa center, and a restaurant along with golf facilities like a driving range, and a pro shop.
