Thailand Courses
Golf is now one of the most popular sports in Thailand. This is largely
thanks to the armed forces and government institutions, who were among the
first sponsors of the game and continue to build and own some of the finest
courses. There are now over 200 courses in Thailand, many of them championship
standard and designed by some of the world’s finest, including Jack
Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones and Gary Player.
The world class Laem Chabang course consists of 27 holes spread
over 700 acres. It was designed by Jack Nicklaus and is renowned as one
of Thailand’s finest golf courses. The three nines are composed of
Mountain, Lake and Creek and offer a challenge for golfers of all levels.
The greens are large and undulating and are protected by wide bunkers. An
excellent clubhouse and facilities provide the perfect complement to this
great golf course.
The Phoenix golf course is beautifully landscaped with eucalyptus
and bamboo. There are three nines – Ocean, Lake and Mountain - making
for an interesting and varied round of golf. The fairways are narrow and
the greens are large, with just enough water to add a challenge.
Natural Park Resort Golf Club is a 27 hole course that is immaculately
kept and provides a stern test of golf with plenty of water hazards. It’s
a pretty course, strewn with flowering shrubs, and is generally reckoned
to be second only to the Laem Chabang in this respect. Although it’s
not a long course, we wouldn’t recommend it for the high handicappers.
There is little water on this course but plenty of thick rough and sand,
and it’s always in top condition. The clubhouse offers some superb
dining.
Bangpra International Golf Club is of Japanese design and offers
challenging water holes and well positioned greens. This is a course where
your putting needs to be accurate as the greens are fast. Holes 7 and 8
are near the wooded mountain and there’s a local colony of monkeys
who are known to spectate and harass the golfers!
Khao Kheow Country Club is not for the high handicappers! This cleverly
designed course requires careful shot planning, taking into account the
large ponds, bunkers and hills that surround the fairways and greens. As
with many of the Eastern seaboard courses, there can be a strong sea breeze,
which adds to the challenge. The course was designed by Pete Dye and the
island hole is his signature.
Noble Place is a 27 hole challenging links style course with undulating
fairways surrounded by thick rough, sand and strategically placed pot hole
bunkers. It has a reputation as being one of the best in Pattaya and players
will be rewarded for good shot selection and accuracy.
Plutaluang Navy Golf Course is the oldest course on the eastern
seaboard and was originally designed by the US Army for rest and relaxation
during the Vietnam War. There are now 27 holes integrated into the natural
surroundings, with many hills, a lake and stunning views. The course is
fairly hilly and demands a lot of stamina.
The semi private Treasure Hill course is probably the most difficult
in the region. It’s built on a hillside with rolling fairways and
even the low handicappers will find this course a challenge.
Burapha Golf Course offers 36 holes on the east and west courses.
The east course is the easier of the two. It has wide fairways and is a
good one for higher handicappers. It’s set among gently rolling hills
and offers immaculate fairways and greens.