With an abundance of sunny weather, lush landscapes and some of the region's best-value-for-money green fees, there are so many reasons to make Thailand your golfing holiday destination.
But whether you come for the big-name pro designers and top tour credentials or that stunning natural scenery that entices visitors from around the world, you'll stay for the many charms and challenges of the Thai golfing experience.
While courses can be found in most regions of the country, many of the oldest and best known are located in and around the eastern coastal resort town of Pattaya… here are a few highlights:
Laem Chabang International Country Club
With an impressive theme variation and plenty of natural beauty, Laem Chabang is widely regarded as one of the area's top resorts. Designed by none other than the Golden Bear himself--the late, great Jack Nicklaus--the 27-hole par 72 course sits on 700 lush, beautifully landscaped acres that include mountain, lake and creek terrains and the gorgeous fairways and greens are eye-pleasingly back-dropped by picturesque hills, while the clubhouse features a restaurant, swimming pool, lodge, Jacuzzi and full convention facilities.
http://www.laemchabanggolf.com
Burapha Golf Club
Multi-tiered greens, undulating fairways and white sand bunkers describe the David Graham/Gary Panks designed Burapha Golf Club. Two par 7 championship courses, one 18-hole and one 36-hole--are dotted with gently rolling hills, lush valleys, lakes, majestic stands of coconut palms and luxuriant thickets of tropical vegetation. There's also a driving range, swimming pool, tennis courts, a gourmet restaurant and golf academy.
http://www.buraphagolfthailand.com
Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course
The Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course features a 7,162-yard, 18-hole Par 72 course set amid towering trees and verdant greens. The Lee Schmidt designed course has some impressive international credentials, having served as the venue for the 2007 Honda LPGA Tour. The new clubhouse at the 18th green features a pro shop, driving range and restaurant.
http://www.siamcountryclub.com
St. Andrews 2000 Golf Club
Not recommended for beginners, the 18-hole Par 74 St. Andrews course
is best appreciated by those with at least an 18 handicap. Desmond Muirhead authored the 7,777-yard course, which brings to mind Scotland's legendary wind-swept links. Even experienced players will take a breath before addressing the two signature Par 6 holes, at 855 and 857 yards, while the spacious clubhouse features no less than five international eateries, a swimming pool, tennis courts, spa & sauna, driving range and a new 80-room luxury hotel.
http://greenvalleythailand.wixsite.com/standrews2000golf
Pattana Golf and Sports Resort
This Gussan-designed links is a cleverly rendered course nestled on 360 acres of hilly terrain which offers a pleasant and sufficiently challenging game for novices and experienced club-swingers alike. The 27-hole Par 72/73 course features generously wide fairways and exquisitely contoured greens that are a pleasure to view, but can be a bit tricky to play. A sprawling 9,000 square-metre clubhouse has a variety of restaurants, a spa, Jacuzzi, sauna/steam rooms and a 4-star luxury Hotel.
Eastern Star Country Club & Resort
A perennial local favourite and oasis of natural splendour, Eastern Star is a creation of Robert Trent Jones Jr. The 18-hole, Par 72 course sits on what used to be a coconut palm plantation and features gently undulating fairways along with 65 bunkers, 11 lakes and scores of mature coconut palms. The many birdhouses dotting the 7,134-yard course function as yardage markers and provide shelter for a variety wild and exotic local species.
http://www.easternstargolfcourse.com/intro.html
Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin
Hua Hin is charming seaside resort located in southern Thai province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, on the country's western Gulf coast. Dotted with pineapple patches, bougainvillea beds and Banyan trees (natch!), the Banyan course lies nestled in a natural basin, with nary a neighbour in sight. The Par 72 hillside course has four tees that make for play distances of 5,087 to 7,361 yards, and the undulating layout is carpeted with four types of turf and kept meticulously maintained year-round. An opulent clubhouse sits on the highest point of the property, offering picture-postcard views of the surrounding area and nearby mountain range, perfect for gazing while working on a cold one at the club's bar, Mulligans.
Black Mountain
Also located in Hua Hin, this top-rated course offers a challenging game for players of all levels, with a safe route for the up-an-coming crowd as well as a higher risk option for the game's shining stars. For example, at the par-4 7th hole, players with a 230-yard drive in them are rewarded with a smooth-sailing wedge to the green, but others will need a 2-shot zig-zag to avoid the water, making it near impossible for short-hitters to par.
Designed by Phil Ryan, Black Mountain's tees, fairways and rough are turfed with Seashore Paspalum grass, which provides a supurb texture and stunning emerald green colour, while greens are paved in Tifeagle Bermuda, a pricey and temperamental hybrid grass that yields fast and true year-round playing surfaces. The clubhouse sits perched on elevated ground and offers an all-around view of the course, with amenities that include a fine dining restaurant, top-notch practice areas and driving range, luxurious locker rooms, on-site spa and one of the most extensively stocked golf pro shops in town.
http://www.blackmountainhuahin.com
Laguna Phuket Golf Club
Located near the picturesque Bang Tao beach on this popular southern resort island, Laguna Phuket boasts a modern layout that distinguishes it as one of Asia's top resort courses. Designed by Paul Jansen--formerly of Faldo Designs--players are treated to spectacular mountain views from the recently reinvigorated course which sports new green complexes, reshaped fairways and enhanced water features. The upgraded clubhouse and practice facilities feature short-game greens and a full-length driving range staffed by PGA pros, while a new cutting-edge lawn conditioning system backs the course's eco-friendly credentials.
The par 71 course is designed for seasoned players and newbies alike, with four tee boxes playing at between 5,227 and 6719 yards. The spacious fairways are skilfully contoured--plenty of water features and wildlife--with bunkers few in number but well positioned.
