Did you know that apart from the hundreds of Buddhist temples, historical landmarks, Muay Thai training gyms, tropical rainforests, and the sandy beaches to be found around this beautiful country, the Thailand Golf courses are also a major attraction for golf enthusiasts both amateur and professional? Starting from the 1990s, Thailand became a premier golf destination in Asia and has even hosted numerous professional events at PGA international standards. Even the famous player Tiger Woods won his first professional European Tour title at the Blue Canyon Country Club which played host to the Johnnie Walker Classic tournament in 1998.
If you were planning on a trip to one of the golf courses in Thailand, there are a few things you need to know about them before stepping onto the green. Find out which time of year is great for visiting the golf courses in Thailand, some unique oddities you may not have noticed before in golf courses elsewhere, and a few recommendations on the best golf courses you should take note of when planning your next vacation there.
The First Golf Course In Thailand
First a little history about the golf courses in Thailand. The very first one was the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course which opened with nine holes during the reign of King Vajiravudh also known as Rama VI. His successor (King Rama VII) saw the addition of a further nine holes, bringing the golf course up to international standards. Unlike the specialist golf course architects that design the best golf courses of today, the Royal Hua Hin golf course was actually designed by a Scottish engineer that worked at Thai railways called O. A Robin.
The landscape surrounding the oldest golf course in Thailand has been carefully preserved since it was first constructed. Nature lovers among golfers will definitely admire the trees and the occasional wildlife like monkeys which they will encounter, even though this will make Royal Hua Hin a more challenging golf course than others. There are also spectacular views of the Gulf of Thailand since the golf course is situated close to the ocean.
The Royal Hua Hin golf course still exists today as a favorite tourist attraction for many golfers. While it is not fully equipped with the modern amenities found in many of the newer places like the Red Mountain Golf Club or Banyan Golf Club which are considered top golf courses in Thailand, the Royal Hua Hin is nevertheless an important part of golf history in the country.
Why You Should Be Playing At Golf Courses In Thailand
If you’re wondering why Thailand of all places has some of the best golf courses in the world and why it has been used in multiple European tour events since the 1990s, the reasons are simple. The tropical climate and weather mean that golfers can enjoy their favorite activity during most times of the year.
The relatively cool and mild climate between November and February is the peak season when most golf clubs in Thailand are filled with tourists from western countries to escape their winter. If you visit a golf course during the summer season between March and May, you can still play golf if you carefully avoid the midday heat. The rainy season from May to October may temporarily dampen your spirits if you experience showers. However, since many of the best golf courses in Thailand have great drainage systems, you could return to the green once the weather clears.
To learn more about why you should visit Thailand for a great golfing experience, how golf course packages change during peak and off-peak seasons as well as which parts of the country have the best golf courses, check out Why You Should Play Golf In Thailand.
Things You Need To Know About Thailand Golf Courses
Whether you visit one of the best golf courses in Thailand like Banyan Golf Club or Siam Country Club, or even one of the smaller less prestigious golf courses found across the country, there are a few key things you should keep in mind.
Your Golf Caddie
No matter which golf course you go to, you are usually expected to hire a caddie to accompany you throughout the undulating fairways. This will normally cost you only about US $10 and you’ll definitely get your money’s worth since they will not only carry your golf clubs but also offer you some useful tips for navigating the golf course you’re in.
If you’re a beginner just starting to play golf, a caddie can help you read the distances better, and may even advise you on your swing although they won’t pick up your club and do it for you. Most golf clubs will pair you up with female caddies, and they are always pleasant and polite toward visitors. Remember to tip them if they’ve been accompanying you for a few hours at the golf course. After all, they are carrying your golf clubs for you.
Driving Golf Carts
The mountain course at Laem Chabang International, for example, presents one of the most challenging golf courses due to its landscape. It’s also spread across hundreds of acres. These locations, while being designed by golf course architects to provide the challenge many skilled golfers crave, are obviously harder to navigate. You will most likely need a golf cart to move around such a golf course. Please don’t forget that only your caddie may be allowed to drive for insurance reasons. So remember to stay out of the driver’s seat even if you feel like taking a spin around one of the more picturesque golf courses in Thailand.
What You Don’t Need To Do On A Thailand Golf Course
The caddie that accompanies you around the golf course will take care of everything except swinging the golf club. This means that setting the tees, picking them up, retrieving the balls, or marking the balls are all handled by the caddie. You don’t need to bother with any of it. All that is expected of you is to just relax and enjoy playing golf.
Golf Courses Can Get Crowded On Weekends
With the golf courses in Thailand being so famous, it’s quite normal to have many other golfers and caddies strolling around the fairways with you. It can get a bit crowded during the weekends and especially during the peak golf season from November to February. Often you may even see a special fore-caddie there to simply keep track of everyone and make sure no one is cheating.
You just have to be a bit patient while the golfer in front of you is done with the putting green you’re planning on entering next. Waiting isn’t that hard since many of the golf courses in Thailand are stunning with gorgeous scenery all around you no matter where you look. You can also take a sip from your favorite beverage, which is available at one of the many drink stations situated around any decent golf course in Thailand.
The Lake Course
Thailand is a tropical country that experiences rainfall. This means that many of the best golf courses have lakes or even an island green type of feature as part of their landscape. If your aim isn’t the best, you’d better remember to bring plenty of golf balls in case you accidentally hit one into the water.
The Local Wildlife
If the golf course you visit is situated near a city like Bangkok, you’ll most likely come across some stray dogs roaming around the place. They will usually not interfere with your playing experience and prefer to stay away, although the occasional pooch may approach to be petted if they are friendly.
What will test your nerves is when there are monkeys nearby. They are usually found when the golf course is located in a more remote location far from the city centers. The monkeys at Royal Hua Hin have been known to steal golf balls, which will definitely make your experience interesting.
The Club House
Many of the clubhouses at the best golf courses are built like luxury five-star hotels. In fact, many of them are golf resorts, offering accommodation, and dining facilities in addition to the standard locker rooms. The locker rooms themselves are often impressive, richly furnished, and contain all the facilities you would need to freshen yourself up after a long day of playing.
Everything from towels to toiletries comes included, so you need not pack all of this when you visit your favorite new golf course. While you may be expected to dress like high society in many golf courses found in western countries, this is Thailand. You can usually walk around the place in your comfy flip-flops or sandals instead of closed shoes all the time.
Forgot to pack your golf bag on this vacation? You have nothing to worry about. Many of the clubhouses include a pro shop where you can purchase top-quality branded golf equipment and clothing.
Where To Find The Best Golf Courses In Thailand
Looking for the best golf courses in Thailand? Here are a few of the must-play resorts and clubs where you can go.
Banyan Golf Club
The Banyan Golf Club in Hua Hin has been named by the Asian Golf Monthly as one of the three best places to play golf for three consecutive years. Apart from the locker rooms and pro shop, you will discover Mulligan’s Pub and Terrace Restaurant which offer dining options, luxurious suites for accommodation, and even a spa treatment center.
Red Mountain Golf Club
The Red Mountain Golf Club in Phuket is not just a great golf course with rugged terrain that will test the skills of many professional golfers. Phuket’s vibrant flora and fauna are on full display, and you will marvel at the sheer diversity as you walk around this course. Bird watchers will definitely appreciate all the distinctive species they will encounter, and the tropical rainforest surrounding the golf club is truly a beautiful sight.
Siam Country Club
The old course Siam Country Club in Pattaya is the first in that part of the country. Originally designed by I. Izumi, and later renovated by Lee Schmidt, the old course as it is affectionately called is the home of the women’s professional golfing tournament, the LPGA Tour. Apart from the old course, Siam Country Club has also opened others nearby with each offering a slightly different experience such as rolling hills and a plantation course. Siam Country Club even has a golf course in Bangkok now if you need to find a place that is close to the big city.
Black Mountain Golf Club
The Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin is one of the most famous around the world, having hosted multiple European and Asian golf tournaments. It was recently voted as one of the top 10 courses in Thailand. The golf course gets its name from the black granite rocks visible in the surrounding mountains of the area.
Black Mountain Golf Club is said to be one of the most challenging courses in Thailand, due to its natural terrain and waterways. There is even an island green and 27 holes to add to the challenge, although some of the more old-school golfers will prefer the standard 18.
Thai Country Club
The Thai Country Club which was opened in 1996 was designed to the United States’ PGA standards by the former president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, acclaimed architect Denis Griffiths. There’s a standard number of holes, no more, no less. This golf club has naturally been constructed to offer a challenge to seasoned players with many sand bunkers and waterways. Some famous players like Tiger Woods have played at the Thai Country Club, and it is considered one of the top three best courses in Asia.
Ready To Play Golf In Thailand?
If you’re ready to pack your bags and head off to play golf at one of the courses we mentioned, remember what we mentioned about the golf caddies, the carts, and the local wildlife. Now it’s off to the fairways and greens to put your golf skills to the test!
Aside from its very unique golf courses, there’s also plenty more to experience in Thailand. You could check out the mouth-watering local cuisine in one of the best Thai restaurants in Phuket, or learn more about the unique culture of Muay Boran, the ancestor of modern-day Muay Thai (Thai boxing). You could also visit Ushup to discover more about life in Thailand and everything about life there including Muay Thai, restaurants, and more!
FAQs
Yes. Apart from its sandy beaches, tropical rainforests, delicious local cuisine, and Thai boxing culture, Thailand has not one but many of Asia’s finest golf clubs where both beginner and professional golf enthusiasts can play.
There are an estimated 300 courses, spread across Thailand where golfers can go and take part in their favorite pastime.
Blue Canyon Country Club, Siam Country Club, Red Mountain Golf Club, Banyan Golf Club, Black Mountain Golf Club, and Thai Country Club are some of the best golf clubs found in Thailand.
