Golfing in Thailand

Wide choice of high quality golf courses around the country

For the golfer who enjoys to play on a golf course he has never played before, Thailand is a place of plentiful choices of challenging and well maintained courses. Apart from that, there is a wide range of other things to do and places to see, the weather is great, Thai food is delicious and Thai hospitality and service are known the world over.

In every of the major tourist destinations like Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya and Phuket there is a wide selection of quality golf courses, the rates are often very favorable, especially on weekdays.

Over 200 golf courses

At present there are more than 200 golf courses in Thailand, with more being added every year. Famous players have played at some of them, like Tiger Woods at the Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket, and some of the top courses were designed by players as Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo.

Where you want to play is up to you. If you plan a beach holiday with your family Hua Hin, Pattaya and Phuket all offer a large number of very well kept golf courses. Apart from the golf, you will have an enormous choice of other activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, shopping, visiting the temples, fun parks, nightlife and much more, enough for the whole family. Accommodation options range from basic to 5 star.

Places to play golf

Bangkok
If you plan to visit Bangkok for a while, this city and surrounding area offers you a choice of more than 60 golf courses, some of which have hosted PGA tournaments, like the Navatanee Golf Course, the Amata Spring Country Club and the Thai Country Club, which is rated as one of the best 10 golf courses in Asia.

Most courses can be reached within an hour from a Bangkok city hotel, depending on the time of day. Our local driver will take the expressway whenever possible, speeding up transfer time to the course considerably. At the northern outskirts of Bangkok, the very attractive Lam Luk Ka Country Club provides excellent value for money. The two 18 hole courses here are very challenging, especially the east course.

Pattaya
The seaside resort town of Pattaya is located at approximately 90 minutes drive from Bangkok. The city and surrounding area host more than 20 golf courses, some of which are among the best in Thailand like the Siam Country Club and the Laem Chabang International Country Club, with three 9-hole courses designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Hua Hin
At around 3 hours drive from Bangkok, Hua Hin is a relaxed beach destination very well suited for a family holiday. Hua Hin and vicinity host around 10 golf courses, with more being constructed. This place has the oldest golf course in Thailand, the Royal Hua Hin, established in 1924. A number of high quality courses like the Springfield Royal Country Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus lie in this area.

Phuket
One of Thailand’s most developed places is the island of Phuket, which is also called “The Pearl of the Andaman”. This island has many beautiful beaches and a number of surrounding islands very well suited for snorkeling and diving. There are currently 8 golf courses, one of which is the Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa with great views of the ocean, designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Best time to play golf in Thailand

The most ideal conditions to play golf in Thailand exist between November and March, the “cool” season. During this time there is hardly any rain, the sun shines constantly and temperatures are a bit more moderate. As this is also the tourist high season, accommodation will be more expensive, especially during peak season around Christmas and New Year. Starting around March, temperatures and humidity start to climb.

The rainy season lasts from June to around September, this season is usually still good for golf, because the rain usually does not last very long. The wettest month is September, when rains can last longer. During the rainy season, accommodation is cheaper and the golf courses will be more quiet.