Stunning Golf Courses of Pattaya

Set among Si Racha’s jungle-covered hills, the Bangphra International Golf Club may only be located 80 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, but sure leaves the golfer really feeling at one with nature. With natural hazards such as trees, ponds and lakes flanking many of the fast greens the course offers spectacular, yet often difficult, holes in a truly environmentally-friendly setting. Although originally opened in 1958, this course had its front nine completely redesigned in 1987 to incorporate more water hazards. The back nine may now lack the front’s fine array of water hazards, but more than makeup for it with its challenging dog-leg holes that meander up and down the hill. The Bangphra Resort Hotel stands nearby, offering luxurious and plush accommodation. 

Address: 45 Mu 6, Bang Phra, Si Racha District, Chon Buri 20210
Tel: +66 (0) 3834 1149-50, (0) 3834 1152Reservation: (0) 2285 0670-2, Fax: +66 (0) 3834 1151
Designer: Japan Golf Promotion Co., Ltd.
Opened in:1987
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,205
Green fee (weekdays): Guests THB 500, Visitors THB 700
Green fee (weekends): Guests THB 1200, Visitors THB 1400
Caddie fee:THB 200
Golf cart:THB 600
Rental items:Club set THB 500, Shoes THB 200, Umbrella THB 100

The 27-hole Crystal Bay Golf Club lies approximately 80 minutes’ drive from Bangkok. Although the design is somewhat uninspiring, the course has recently been improved by the addition of a lot of palm trees, thus giving it the appearance of a Hawaiian link. Water fringes the course on all sides and the No. 3 dog leg and No. 8 island hole are particularly interesting and enjoyable. The clubhouse facilities are excellent.

Address: 502 Mu 10, Bang Phra, Si Racha District, Chon Buri 20210
Tel: +66 (0) 3834 9370-80, Fax: +66 (0) 3834 9365
Web: www.legacygolf.com, www.legacy.co.th
Designer:Thai Takenaka
Opened in:1988
Holes: 27
Par: 108
Yardage:White A&C 6,499 White B&C 6,494
Green fee (weekdays): Guests THB 750, Visitors THB 1500
Green fee (weekends): Guests THB 1200, Visitors THB 2000
Caddie fee: THB 220Golf cart: THB 600
Rental items: Club set THB 400, Shoes THB 100, Umbrella THB 100

The excellent 18-hole Links-style course at Eastern Star was designed and built by Robert Trent Jones Jr, one of the foremost international designers of championship golf courses. Playing to a par 72 over 7,134 yards from the Blue tees, and set among 530 acres (1,400 rai) of a former coconut palm plantation. It offers plenty of challenge for the experienced golfer, but also offers solid enjoyment for beginners. It is a “thinking man’s course” that can be successfully navigated with a little strategy and well-positioned shots.

Address: 241/5 Mu 3, Ban Chang District, Rayong 21130
Tel: +66 (0) 3863 0410-5, Fax: +66 (0) 3863 0418
Web: www.easternstargolf.com, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
Opened in:1992
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,134
Green fee (weekdays): Guests THB 1000, Visitors THB 1800
Green fee (weekends and holidays): THB 4000, including Green fee for a group of 4 golfers & 4 caddies (18 Holes)
Caddie fee: THB 220
Golf cart: THB 500
Rental items: Club set THB 400, Shoes THB 150, Umbrella THB 100

This 27-hole golf course is situated along route 36 heading towards Pattaya and takes about 80 minutes to reach from central Bangkok. Like so many of the Eastern Seaboard’s courses the Khao Kheow Country Club catches a strong sea breeze thus players have to plan their shots carefully on account of the numerous large ponds, bunkers and hills that surround the greens and fairways. The course really has something for everyone. In particular, watch out for the par three seventeen, it’s a killer for both amateurs and professionals and relies on the golfer having a certain amount of luck on his/her side. The first 18 have been designed with a stadium championship course, while the back 18 are definitely more geared towards a resort course. Those daring enough to do the whole lot in one day can look forward to relaxing at the lush clubhouse afterwards, which incorporates a sports club, swimming pools, hotel accommodation and tennis courts in its design.

Address: 220 Mu 12, Bang Phra, Si Racha District, Chon Buri 20210
Tel: +66 (0) 3829 8224-7, Fax: +66 (0) 3829 8226
Designer: Dye Design Inc. USAOpened in: 1992
Holes: 27
Par: 108
Yardage: 10,549
Green fee (weekdays): Guests THB 770, Visitors THB 1100
Green fee (weekends): Guests THB 1320, Visitors THB 1800
Caddie fee: THB 200
Golf cart: THB 600
Rental items: Club set THB 350, Shoes THB 150, Umbrella THB 50

Situated on the magnificent Dok Krai reservoir’s banks, the Nick Faldo designed Great Lake Golf & Country Club is truly magnificent. However, although the club could have easily relied on Dok Krai’s water for its natural hazards, Faldo has also incorporated an astonishing 120 bunkers into its design – eleven of which can be found along the par-four 18th, the course’s most famous hole. Clubhouse and local hotel facilities are of the usual very high standard.

Address: 7 Mu 5, Mabyangporn, Pluak Daeng District, Rayong 21140
Tel: +66 (0) 3862 2630, (08) 1002 3516, (08) 6253 4475, Fax: +66 (0) 3862 2630
Designer: Nick Faldo
Opened in: 1995
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Yardage: Blue 6,901 - White 6,399
Green fee (weekdays): Guests THB 300, Visitors THB 500
Green fee (weekends): Guests THB 500, Visitors THB 800
Caddie fee: THB 200
Golf cart: THB 600
Rental items: Club set THB 500, Shoes THB 100, Umbrella THB 150

This picturesque Jack Nicklaus-designed championship course is truly one of Thailand’s finest. The 27 hole – Mountain, Lake and Creek nines – Laem Chabang International Country Club is located in Sri Racha, approximately two hours away from Bangkok and is well worth the visit. The rolling hills of the surrounding countryside have been used to great effect, and hazards to stop you reaching the large elevated greens are in abundance. Not only does the course have a lot of bunkers, sand traps and water hazards, there is also a lot of natural hazards in the shape of exposed rock formations, lakes, ponds and creeks. Excellent clubhouse facilities and accommodation superbly complement all of this.

Address: 106/8 Mu 4, Tambon Ban Bung, Si Racha District, Chon Buri 20230
Tel: +66 (0) 3837 2273, Fax: +66 (0) 3837 2275
Web: www.laemchabanggolf.com, E-mail: [email protected]
Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Opened in: 1993
Holes: 27
Par: 108
Yardage: 10,549
Green fee (weekdays): Guests THB 1750, Visitors THB 2500
Green fee (weekends): Guests THB 1750, Visitors THB 2500
Caddie fee: THB 250
Golf cart: THB 500
Rental items: Club set THB 500, Shoes THB 200, Umbrella THB 150

A one-hour drive from Bangkok, the Ronald Fream-designed Mountain Shadow Golf Course has a beautiful backdrop of flowers and trees behind every green. Utilizing water hazards, doglegs and island greens to good effect, the excellently looked after the 18-hole course is perfect for the average player.

Address: 159/1 Mu 2, Saensuk-Bang Phra Rd., Mueang District, Chon Buri 20130
Tel: +66 (0) 3839 3001-8, (08) 1982 1655, Fax: +66 (0) 3839 3019
Web: www.legacygolf.com, www.legacy.co.th
Designer: Ronald Fream
Opened in: 1993
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Yardage: 6,804
Green fee (weekdays): Guests THB 750, Visitors THB 1500
Green fee (weekends): Guests THB 1200, Visitors THB 2000
Caddie fee: THB 220
Golf cart: THB 600
Rental items: Club set THB 500, Shoes THB 100, Umbrella THB 100