Did you know that the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course was the first of its kind in Thailand and that it was opened nearly a century ago? Were you aware that the oldest golf course in the country is still carefully preserving most of its natural features? Have you heard that a Scottish railroad engineer was involved in its construction? Find out everything about the royal golf course, how it was constructed, and why this first golf course in the country is still a must-visit place for golf enthusiasts.
Golf Arrives In Thailand
Golf has a long history in Thailand that stretches back to the early 20th century. According to the earliest records available today, golf was first played in Thailand at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club in 1906. While golf was played here first, the honor of being the first golf course does not fall to the Royal Bangkok Sports Club since it was yet to build a proper 18-hole golf course there. The club was mostly known for its racecourse where it regularly held horse racing events.
The aristocracy in Thailand as well as many of the wealthy British elites wanted a proper golf course to take part in their favorite pastime. And so as instructed by the royalty, the construction of the Royal Hua Hin golf course began.
The Founding Of The Royal Golf Course
Hua Hin was chosen as the location since the region was fast becoming popular among the royal family as a summer retreat in the 1920s. This was mainly due to the railway line from Bangkok to Hua Hin being completed during this time. In fact, the Hua Hin railway station is less than a kilometer from the Royal Hua Hin golf course, and visitors can reach it with a short five-minute walk.
The Design Of The Royal Hua Hin
A Scottish railway engineer working for the Thai railways named A.O.Robin is given credit for the design of the golf course on the official Royal Hua Hin History page. The design mirrors many features commonly seen in traditional British golf courses and is built to preserve the natural terrain of the location. There are some spectacular rocky hills made of limestone surrounding the Royal Hua Hin golf course and its close proximity to the beach grants it some of the best views of the Gulf of Thailand.
The Construction And Opening Of The Royal Hua Hin
The construction of the first nine holes at the Royal Hua Hin golf course began in 1919 and was completed in 1922. King Rama VI officially opened the golf course in 1924. The King’s younger brother who was a patron of the Thai Golf Association was there to oversee the construction of the Royal Hua Hin golf course. This brother would eventually succeed as King Rama VII and just four years later, would be there for the completion of the last nine holes.
Once all 18 holes were done, the Royal Hua Hin course was finally a fully-fledged official golf course. Apart from the British, members of the royal family who were avid enthusiasts were the most often seen at the royal course. Even the train to Hua Hin seems to have not been enough since the Klai Kangwon Palace began construction in 1926 as the official summer retreat for the royalty which brought them closer to the royal golf course in Hua Hin.
Additions, Renovations, And New Management
The royal pavilion was declared open in 1969 with Queen Rambhai Barni attending the ceremony. It was named ‘Sala Phachadhipok’ after the birth name of King Rama VII. The original clubhouse is still preserved and you can even find old photos which show how the royal family played golf there.
A newer clubhouse was constructed in the 1980s when the course went through a bit of a facelift to bring it up to international standards. This was during the time when Boon Rawd Brewery best known for Singha Beer took over its management. Singha-sponsored golf tournaments are regularly held at the royal golf course today.
The Royal Hua Hin Today
The Royal Hua Hin today is well worth the trip for golfers who are interested in the sport’s early history. The oldest golf course in Thailand has more to offer than its rich heritage.
The Fairways And Greens Of The Royal Hua Hin Golf Course
The course is well-known for its tight tree-lined fairways, and its elevated circular greens which are quite small compared to other courses. This makes the Royal Hua Hin a good layout course which can present a challenge to even the most experienced golfers even though it doesn’t feature any water hazards like modern courses offer nowadays.
The trees being rather old, will often limit the options a golfer will have, and are home to a wide variety of fauna. The Royal Hua Hin is great for bird lovers, and you may even encounter monkeys that will try to steal golf balls. Thankfully, the fairways aren’t a difficult walk, and the course offers plenty of panoramic views of the sea and green hills. The only negative thing about the course is that it may not be as nicely manicured as some of the better clubs and golf resorts in Hua Hin like the Banyan or Black Mountain golf clubs.
Green Fees And Facilities At The Royal Hua Hin Golf Course
The friendly and helpful staff can communicate in English since they regularly serve tourists and the course itself is maintained well. There are green fee packages for groups if you’re planning to visit with your golf buddies and you can even rent a golf cart to get around if you don’t feel like walking. There is a pro shop where you can purchase gear and a driving range where you can practice your swing if you’re still a beginner.
An experienced caddie is provided and will cost you about 350 baht on top of the green fee for entrance. The green fees at Royal Hua Hin will typically vary depending on whether you’re visiting it during peak tourist season or not. If you didn’t know already, a caddie is compulsory in Thailand, and only they are allowed to drive a golf cart. Here’s a post on more unique facts about golfing in Thailand.
The Best Time To Visit The Royal Hua Hin Golf Course
Hua Hin like many other locations in Thailand is a real golfer’s paradise due to the tropical climate. This means that even during the hot summer months from March to May, it is possible to get an early start in the morning and play a whole game before the noontime sun makes the heat unbearable. The winter months between October and March provide the best conditions in Hua Hin, with mild temperatures and clear skies.
Of course, the winter months are the most crowded and the green fees will obviously be the most expensive. August and September are not typically that crowded since this is the rainy season, although you could get massive discounts on your golf packages during the Hua Hin Golf Festival. As for accommodation, there are plenty of Hua Hin hotels and resorts in the area that will offer very easy access to the royal golf course.
Ready For Tee Time At The Royal Hua Hin?
If you’re ready to hit the fairways at the Royal Hua Hin golf course and absorb its rich history, then check out the Royal Hua Hin website for more information. Aside from golf, if you’re interested in finding out more about what you can do in Thailand, then visit Ushup! From the best Thai restaurants that offer authentic local cuisine to gyms that provide the best Muay Thai training, we have all the information you need for planning a trip to Thailand!
FAQs
The Royal Hua Hin is the first 18-hole international standard golf course in Thailand, although the game was played much earlier at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club.
King Rama VI commissioned its development and inaugurated the opening in 1924. The course had nine holes at the time and became a full 18-hole course in 1928 during King Rama VII’s time.
A Scottish railway engineer working with Thai railways is credited as being the designer of the royal course in Hua Hin.
