Thailand is a dream to come true destination for golfers. Thailand has hundreds of great golf courses; and Thailand’s best golf courses, such as Hua Hin’s Black Mountain, rate among the best in the world. Some of Thailand’s most fabulous courses have a staff of a thousand employees.
Thailand’s golf scene has a lot to offer both for experienced players and novice golfers. Driving ranges are often superb, and you can easily find good and affordable teachers.
The best golf courses, such as Hua Hin’s Black Mountain, rate among the best in the world.
Playing golf in Thailand is a pretty casual affair with little attention paid to the etiquette, except in the very top golf courses. Nobody usually asks after green cards. Also, playing times are generally just indicative.
What, then, is Thailand’s best golf destination? The answer depends on your expectations upon your golfing holiday.
Hua Hin, Thailand’s First Golf Destination
Thailand’s first golf course, Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, was founded in Hua Hin on the king’s orders in 1923. The king was an avid golfer and he had his summer palace in Hua Hin.
Nowadays Hua Hin has ten great golf courses less than 20 minute’s drive away from the beach resort, which must be some kind of a world record. The peaceful beach town is clearly specialized towards golf tourists.
Hua Hin is a laid-back beach town that attracts mostly families and older travelers beside the golfers. Hua Hin has preserved part of its historical heritage, and is also known as Thailand’s leading spa capital. You will find great restaurants and good shopping in Hua Hin, but the resort’s nightlife has not much to write about.
Read more: Golf in Hua Hin
Pattaya Has the Most Golf Courses in Thailand
Pattaya has even more golf courses than Hua Hin but they lie a bit further from the beach resort: 20 golf courses are within an hour’s drive from Pattaya. Some of Pattaya’s golf courses are only a half an hour drive away, but for the most courses you have to travel almost a full hour.
Pattaya’s golf courses are diverse by nature, and green fees are cheaper than in Hua Hin.
Aside of golf Pattaya is known for its action packed nightlife. As a golf destination Pattaya is most suitable for those who appreciate good value for money and enjoy some nightlife too.
Both Pattaya and Hua Hin are located close to Bangkok. The drive from Bangkok’s International Airport to Pattaya takes about 90 minutes, and twice as long to Hua Hin.
Read more: Golf in Pattaya
Phuket – for Golfers Looking for Luxury
Phuket has the most paradise-like scenery among Thailand’s golf destinations: Phuket’s beaches are truly marvelous, and you can make a day-trip to the Phang-Nga Bay’s fabled limestone islands.
The downside is that Phuket has only six golf courses, and they tend to be more crowded and certainly more expensive than the courses in Hua Hin or Pattaya. But you also get what you pay for: Phuket’s Red Mountain and Blue Canyon Club are truly gorgeous golf courses.
Phuket is ideal for golfers looking for luxury holidays as Phuket boasts some of Thailand’s most luxurious hotels and restaurants.
Phuket is one of Thailand’s most luxurious travel destinations. Read more: Thailand for luxury Travelers
Thailand’s Other Great Golf Resorts
You can find golf courses almost anywhere in Thailand. In addition to the above mentioned, Chiang Mai and Kanchanaburi are great golf destinations. Both have several memorable courses in beautiful tropical mountain setting. Green fees are more affordable than in the beach side resorts.
Best Time of the Year to Play Golf in Thailand
The most pleasant weather is during the cool season from November to March but it is also the busiest time of the year.
The Green Fees are the cheapest in Thailand during rainy season, when the golf courses give good discounts. The rainy season does not usually disturb playing that much. It can rain heavily in Southern Thailand, but it rains much less in the central part of Thailand, where Hua Hin and Pattaya are located. For example, in Hua Hin it rains usually during the evenings, whereas mornings are a good time to play.
Read more: Thailand’s Weather
Round of Golf, How Much Does it Cost in Thailand?
Green fees vary in Thailand. The prices of the best and most celebrated golf courses in Thailand can be close to what you would pay in Europe, but the ordinary courses charge usually about 1,000 baht. Thailand’s cheapest golf courses are owned by the military, but they are nevertheless open to the public, green fees starting from 500 baht.
On top of the green fees be prepared to pay around 300 baht for the mandatory caddies. Caddies are always female in Thailand (with some exceptions in the Northern Thailand).
Funny Thailand Golf Trivia
And finally some funny trivia: in Thai language the hybrid club is called kathoey meaning a ladyboy. So if you want your caddie to give you a hybrid you can say: “I want to try a ladyboy.”
Golf in Pattaya – Cheap Green Fees and Great Courses
Golf in Hua Hin – Thailand’s Top Golf Resort
