The opportunities in South East Asia for golfers are vast with amazing courses and facilities in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, and Singapore. A quest to attempt to play every course would take more than a lifetime! All do share many traits, high quality, friendly service and generally sensible pricings. With the main seasons for golf from November to March, ask any resident and you will see golfers playing 365 days of the year. Some times are hotter and some games can be interrupted with a tropical rain storm, but every game is an adventure with ever changing scenery and adventurous, perfectly prepared courses.
There are approximately 250 active golf courses in Thailand though not all are playable by visitors with some being run by the military and others private. Thailand has a long history with golf with the first course, the Royal HuaHin Golf Course having been opened, under Royal Decree, in 1923. Courses vary in design, character and quality throughout the country. The cooler and heavily vegetated Thai Highlands to the north, the Korat plateau (Isaan) to the northeast, the wide, flat Chao Phraya river valley around Bangkok and the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui.
Golf in Northern Thailand is concentrated around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai with a variety of courses including the spectacular Santiburi Country Club and Chiiang Mai Highlands in addition to many less well know but enjoyable courses. The Isaan region in the North East has a sprinkling of courses that are most enjoyable including the Singha Park at Kohn Kean. Further south the Khao Yai national park has a selection of courses including Mountain Creek and Rancho Charnvee.
Bangkok naturally sees the greatest concentration of golf courses with over 60 International standard courses to choose from and generally no more than just a 1 hour drive from the centre. Amongst the finest are Ayodhya Links, Alpine Golf Club and the Thai Country Club. Whilst these clubs may be a challenge to obtain tee times, there are many alternatives including Royal Gems, Lotus Valley and Riverdale. It is essential to book Tee Times in advance and we highly recommend our efficient and friendly friends at Golf Asian to book all your golfing requirements in Thailand.
South from Bangkok are the two concentrations of Pattaya and Huan Hin. Both are coastal towns offering excellent hotels, beaches and great courses including Siam Country Club, Laem Chabang, and Burapha close to Pattaya and Black Mountain, Banyan Golf Club and Royal Hua Hin located around Hua Hin.
Great courses can also be found on Phuket including Blue Canyon Country Club, Loch Palm, and Red Mountain. Koh Samui rounds up our very brief explanation of the numbers golf facilities in Thailand with 2 excellent courses, the Rajjaphrabha Dam Course and Santiburi Samui Country Club
Each game of golf in Thailand is an individual experience and mostly created by the army of Caddies that are on each course to assist you. Generally taking a Caddie is compulsory and is highly recommended as their happy demeanour and expert knowledge of each hole, especially the greens, will save you many a stroke. Also worth mentioning that Caddies will often find balls that you would consider otherwise lost!
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Enjoy your Thailand Golf experience!