If golf is high on your travel bucket list, then playing golf on the lush green golf courses in Thailand is definitely for you, because the Kingdom is renowned as Asia’s most popular golfing destination. Golf has been played in Thailand for over a century, there are now nearly 200 golf courses scattered throughout the country. Many of them were designed by famous players like Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo. They have sophisticated modern layouts, a wide diversity of topographical challenges with the finest grass. Spacious, well-designed clubhouses with air-conditioned changing facilities, restaurants, bars and rooms for post-tournament functions ensure that golfers begin and end their game in style and comfort.
Here's a list of the best golf courses in Thailand that you MUST check out if not all of the 'nearly 200'!
Source This 18-hole 72 par golf course is one of only a handful of golf courses located within Bangkok’s suburbs, the Bangkok Golf Club is also one of the most delightful, offering golf on cleverly designed but extremely testing fairways and greens. Despite its central location, just 30 minutes from the city centre and 20 minutes from Bangkok International Airport, this course has a refreshing rural appeal, thanks in part to the many species of waterfowl that inhabit the numerous lakes and ponds. Highlights of this testing course include the par-four 6th whose island tee is not for the faint-hearted.
Source Located approximately one hour from Bang Na-Trat highway, the Bangpakong Riverside Country Club is a riverside pleasure. Designed alongside the banks of the Bang Pakong River (hence its name), the 6683-yard course offers golfers wide fairways and thick rough impinges. The river channels into the course in many areas, leaving the player with additional water handicaps on many holes. As many of the par 4’s are particularly long, and the player often faces strong winds, the course definitely favours the long hitter. Located within short driving distance of Chon Buri’s array of hotels, the course also offers a fine clubhouse to quench your after-match thirst.
Source The excellent 18-hole Links-style golf course in Thailand 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 7134 yards from the Blue tees, and set among 530 acres (1400 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 Contact: +66 (0) 3863 0410-5 Prices: 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
4. Laem Chabang International Country Club
Source 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 Timings: 6:30 AM - 10:00 PM Contact: +66 (0) 3837 2273 Prices: Weekdays: Guests THB 1750, Visitors THB 2500 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
Best Golf Courses in Thailand in the Western Region
5. Dragon Hills Golf & Country Club
Source Dragon Hills Golf & Country Club is a golf course with 18 holes in Ratchaburi and it takes about one hour 45 minutes from Bangkok. This Jim Engh-designed course boasts 18 holes of challenging golf on undulating fairways and greens, lateral water hazards, “water carry holes”, dogleg holes and subtle placement of bunkers. This is one of those lesser-known courses that you are happy to keep as your own little secret.
Address: 192 Mu 2 Ang Hin, Pak Tho District, Ratchaburi 70140 Timings: Closed on Monday Contact: +66 (0) 3226 1207 (0) 3222 9111 (08) 1434 4018 (0) 2938 9011-5 Prices: Weekdays: Visitors THB 450 Weekends: Visitors THB 750 Caddie fee: THB 200 Golf cart: THB 600 Rental items: Club set THB 500, Shoes THB 100
Best Golf Course in Thailand in the Northern & North-eastern Region
SourceProviding stunning views of Chiang Mai’s hills and the Doi Suthep temple, the tough 27-hole Lanna Golf Club is a must for the keen golfer. Situated only 15 minutes’ drive away from Chiang Mai, the 27-hole course fairways are lined with trees which offer the golfer welcome shade, while its greens are very well looked after and offer fantastic play all year round. Although opened as an 18 hole in 1975 nine more holes were added later on what used to be the club’s horse-riding track. The club also has a swimming pool, a shooting range and another horse track and tennis courts, making it one of the most family-orientated and historic northern Thai golf courses.
Best Golf Courses in Thailand in the Southern Region
7. Blue Canyon Country Club
SourceOne of the most prestigious golf resorts in Asia, the 36-hole Blue Canyon Country Club offers the ultimate golfing experience. The Canyon Course, developed in 1991 has hosted the Johnnie Walker Classic twice in 1994 and 1998 and the Honda Invitational in 1996. Beautifully crafted with well-guarded greens, narrow landing areas and rolling fairways, the Canyon Course has been awarded numerous accolades, one of which being “Best Championship Course in Asia”. Noteworthy on the Canyon Course are the 13th hole (par 4) where a hard drive is required to clear the ever-intimidating canyon and on the 14th hole (par 3), where players have to hit a perfect tee shot onto the island green. The Lakes Course, built in 1999, is a mixture of water-filled canyons (17 of the 18 holes feature water hazards) created by open cast mining with its natural land flow left relatively untouched. It is also reputed to have one of the best finishing holes in this part of the world.
Source At Laguna Phuket Golf Club, you can enjoy the tranquillity of a tropical island setting, the challenge of a world-class golf course, and the superb facilities within Laguna Phuket Resort, Asia’s first fully integrated resort development. Laguna Phuket Golf Club is an 18-hole, par 71 courses, designed by Max Wexler and David Abell, which challenges golfing enthusiasts of all abilities. The 6663-yard-long course features a wealth of scenic lagoons, coconut groves and undulating fairways set against the dramatic backdrop of the surrounding mountains. Meandering through the labyrinth of lagoons, the course requires golfers to play with great accuracy and to select woods carefully. Water looms on 13 of the 18 holes and threatens to swallow any shot veering too far to the right or left. At holes 5 8 10 and 11 water may be too close for comfort for some, but adventurous long hitters will certainly enjoy taking a rewarding gamble by cutting corners. The spectacular signature 16th hole offers a green encased by a myriad of 12 gaping bunkers. On a windy day, the sea breeze will spruce up your game further, but that is part of the fun.
