Anyone who has been on a Thailand golf tour cannot wait to go on another one. The various ingredients that make up a Thailand golf experience are hard to find anywhere else. And while many golfers go back to the same destination in Thailand every single time, there is no reason to. As many as seven locations are fully set up to offer the fix that every traveling golfer is looking for. It is hard to be starved for variety as far as golf in Thailand is concerned.
Bangkok
Many golfers tend to avoid playing golf in Bangkok in view of the long back and forth commute to the golf courses. But ask anyone who has experienced the top Bangkok golf courses – and he will tell you that it’s a small consideration. The top golf courses in Bangkok may well equate to the best golf courses in Thailand. Alpine, Thai Country Club, Nikanti, Royal Gems Golf City, Riverdale, Suwan and Cascata are just some of them. If you can arrange access to the very private Ayodhya Links and Amata Spring, then you have an unbelievable treat on your hands. Besides, Bangkok is a blast – with superb restaurants, bars, nightclubs and entertainment. The overall mix is exactly what a group of golf buddies need. The commute is but a small factor to miss out.
Pattaya
While Pattaya golf has grown immensely in popularity, many give it a pass because of it’s notorious reputation. It is a shame though – since the overall mix of quality of Pattaya golf courses and access to them is beyond comparison. The six outstanding golf courses – four at Siam Country Club, Chee Chan and Laem Chabang, all within a 30 minute drive makes for an unbeatable combination. Add to all this, the quick getting to Pattaya from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi’s international airport, it’s simply too much to forsake.
Chiang Mai
For oodles of culture, exceptional cuisine and a laid back vibe to complement the quality golf courses, Chiang Mai is ideal. As capital of the former Lanna Kingdom, it carries incredible heritage – including magnificent Buddhist temples and vestiges of royal architecture. There is plenty of choice amongst the Chiang Mai golf courses as well, with as many as 12 tracks on offer. Of these, Alpine and Chiang Mai Highlands must feature on any Chiang Mai golf tour. Those looking for cooler conditions for Thailand golf tours could consider the hilly Chiang Mai in the winter months of December to February.
Golfers are urged to also consider adding on Chiang Rai, just 3 hours away from Chiang Mai. Apart from its own charm, it is home to one of the best golf courses in Thailand – the Santiburi. There are other golf courses in Chiang Rai which for some make it a golf destination on its own. However, the only reason to consider Chiang Rai still has to be Santiburi.
Hua Hin
Three hours from Bangkok, the laid back beach town of Hua Hin may well be a golfer’s paradise. The unspoilt beach and the untainted town, serves as an ideal backdrop for a Thailand golf tour. Exceptional golf courses such as Black Mountain, Banyan and Springfield headline the diverse Hua Hin golf offering. The easy and quick commute to the golf courses allows plenty of time to relax on the beach and explore the town’s little delights. One of these delights has to be the bustling night market in the centre of town, with plenty of memorabilia on sale. Of course, as anywhere else in Thailand, there is no shortage of excellent food, priced deliciously as always. The nightlife seekers need not fret – as there is a sufficient amount of that too, even if not in the face.
Phuket
The overall quality of golf in Phuket may have suffered a little in the last few years, but it remains a top Thailand golf destination. The primary offering remains intact – with its exceptional beaches, tropical mountain scenery and mind blowing nightlife. These are hard to ignore for a bunch of golf buddies eyeing a Thailand golf tour. That said, it does not mean golf in Phuket is a disappointment. Red Mountain remains true to its class and as memorable a golf experience as ever. The ongoing renovation at Blue Canyon’s Canyon course holds plenty of promise for the course reopening in the end of 2020. Laguna after it’s renovation a few years ago offers a delightful experience. And The Lakes course at Blue Canyon has never given a cause for disappointment. We can be certain that when Blue Canyon’s Canyon course is back, Phuket golf will return to its complete former glory.
Khao Yai
A three hour drive from Bangkok is all it takes to be in Thailand’s own pristine nature’s bounty, Khao Yai. The Khao Yai National Park is listed as a UNESCO heritage site for the magnificent nature’s treasures it holds. This and the cooler climate augur superbly as a backdrop for Khao Yai golf tours. The availability of quality golf courses in Khao Yai is leading to increased interest from golfers, especially amongst Bangkok locals and expats. Khao Yai is home to the only Seve Ballesteros designed golf course in Southeast Asia – Mountain Creek. Other gems in Khao Yai golf include Kirmaya, Toscana Valley and Rancho Charnvee. There is no question that Khao Yai has all the ingredients for a perfect Thailand golf holiday.
Kanchanaburi
About 2 hours drive from Bangkok on a good day, Kanchanaburi, famous for the Bridge on the River Kwai is an ideal retreat. With idyllic riverside resorts to choose from and quiet streets to accompany, there is little that can go wrong here. A sufficient number of golf courses exist to fill up the day as do restaurants and bars, the night. A must play golf course in Kanchanaburi is the Grand Prix, a superb open and hilly track with plenty of challenge. The other options, though lacking in maintenance standards hold sufficient promise from a layout perspective. Bangkok, Kanchanaburi and Hua Hin could potentially form the perfect Thailand golf triangle with reasonable driving times to each other.
