Thailand in a short span of time has emerged as one of the best golf destinations in the world. The number of golf courses and the overall quality of the golfing experience has perfectly complimented the traditional Thai value of hospitality to make it a sought after country for a golf holiday. There are quite a few well-established golf destinations within Thailand and there are others that are quickly emerging as popular choices.
Bangkok the capital city has plenty of golf courses within its limits or in the near vicinity. Some of these have already hosted big tournaments on the professional golf circuit and would definitely qualify to be in the league of world class golf courses. These include Thai Country Club, Alpine, Navatanee, Royal Gems Golf City and Suwan. Other outstanding layouts include golf courses such as Riverdale, Lotus Valley, Panya Indra and Lam Luk Ka with its 36 holes. Most of these golf courses are within an hour’s drive from central Bangkok, so the possibility to get away for a golf round is always on. Golfing in Bangkok is a great add-on in a destination that offers plentiful – great restaurants and fabulous local cuisine street-side or otherwise, some excellent sightseeing and a thumping reverberating nightlife that goes on into the wee hours of the morning. It is no surprise therefore that Bangkok is a great golf getaway for golf buddies as there is much to do beyond the superb golf.
Phuket is another well established golf destination albeit a bit more expensive and you could find some of the best golf courses in South East Asia – which include The Blue Canyon – Canyon Course and the Red Mountain Course, both of them great examples of spectacular rustic beauty adorned by some superb imagination in golf course layout and design. Phuket is another place that doesn’t stop buzzing with a pulsating nightlife. The spectacular coastline adjoining the Andaman Sea is a visual treat. For those with more marine inclinations, there are excellent diving possibilities. In comparison to Bangkok the capital of the country, Phuket is a resort city and is completely driven by tourism. Hence the overall experience including the golf is a little more relaxed.
For those not keen on adding another flight after arriving in Bangkok, Hua Hin a 3-hour drive from Bangkok Airport and Pattaya a 1.5-hour drive are excellent options for golf holidays without the fuss of crazy city traffic found in Bangkok. Hua Hin, home to the summer palace of the King features a clear coastline, but of late has really made its mark as a premier golf destination in Thailand – with some absolute stunners like Black Mountain which hosted the Royal Trophy in Jan 2012, Banyan an incredible layout in former pineapple plantations and a host of other classics that include Sea Pine, Imperial, Springfield and Majestic golf courses. Pattaya, possibly the biggest party town in close vicinity to Bangkok famous for its raucous nightlife and go-go bars, also offers a great golf selection of golf courses with names such as Laem Chabang, Siam Country Club ( Old Course) and St. Andrews 2000 having the power to make golf tourists come back year after year.
Other destinations which are quickly gaining in popularity for golf holidays are Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai the cities in the hills of the North. With an excellent mix of culture and cuisine on offer complemented by some superb golf courses such as the Alpine, Chiang Mai Highlands, and Santiburi, there is no reason why a golfer should not get there soon for a golf vacation.
