Thailand Golf Holiday, Thailand Tours, Golf Resorts & Vacation Information

Thailand Extends Royal Golf Invitation

In an bid to tell world golfers what Asian golfers already know, the golf establishment in Thailand has launched ‘Golf in a Kingdom: The Thai Golf Experience’, a cooperative itinerary that matches the country’s top courses with its most desirable hotels.

The Kingdom of Thailand has for decades been the destination of choice for Asian golfers, thanks to its stellar courses, superb year-round climate and welcoming culture. By banding together to form ‘Golf in a Kingdom: The Thai Golf Experience’, these courses and hotels mean to cement a place for Thailand alongside the world’s premier golf destinations.

The Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) has partnered with eight premium golf properties, Golfasian and six of the country’s premier hotels to form ‘Golf in a Kingdom: The Thai Golf Experience’.

The cooperative effort has been in the planning since 2007, but its launch this month is timely. In May 2009, a CNN International tourism poll asserted that Thailand, among first-world nations, represents the best value for travelers in the entire Asia Pacific region. Conducted across CNN English websites, the survey had more than 5,000 respondents globally.

The Biggest Hassle About Golf In Thailand.... And How To Overcome It

Here is an article by Andy Harris, long time visitor to Thailand and one of the board members of the Gallipeau-Harris Foundation.

For many of us, relaxing on the couch for a Sunday — watching golf or football — is one of life’s simple pleasures, on we enjoy all too infrequently.

We would gladly sit there for 8, 10 even 12 hours, so long as we were periodically replenished with suitable liquids and sustenance. The idea that our wives or children would serve us the beer and chips without our ever leaving our couches nearly pushes this whole idea into the realm of fantasy.

Yet when I tell my golfing buddies I’m off to golf in Thailand, one of the first questions I invariably get is, “How long is the flying time?”  Well, depending whether you are coming from the UK or US, the answer is “it’s long” — anywhere from 10 to 20 hours in the air. I immediately add “really, it’s not that bad” and it’s not. More important, once you land the hassle of the flight is more than worth it – so much so that I have made the trip a dozen times in the last 7 years.

Because there is anxiety about the distance and the length of these flights, I would like to share a few simple measures that take the hassle out of the airplane ride and make it more comfortable, even enjoyable.

Thailand Golf Zone Gets New Authors

I bet some of you are getting tired of reading my Thailand golf articles, right?

Well I have good news for you. I have enlisted the help of some of my friends, colleagues, golf professionals, and even a reader of this blog to liven up the Thailand Golf Zone. Now, in addition to my own views, you can read about the experiences several Thailand golf gurus.

Over the coming days, weeks, months, and hopefully years various guest and expert Thailand golfers will all be contributing to these pages. So sit back, relax, and get ready for the best original Thailand golf and Thailand golf vacation content you have ever read!

In the meantime, remember one thing. It is not only the golf, but it is “Golf In A Kingdom: The Thai Golf Experience” that is unique world over and keeps golfers coming back year after year after year to Thailand! In fact, take a look at this site and you will see what I mean.

Bangkok's Least Known Golf Course

Have you ever wondered what that golf course off to the side of the BTS smack in the middle Bangkok was?

Nestled in amongst the hustle and bustle of one of Southeast Asia’s busiest cities is a hidden golf gem.  The Royal Bangkok Sports Club  (RBSC)  is an anomaly in that, it is by far the most conveniently located golf course in Bangkok, yet might be the least well known.

Here is what you are missing.

Located in the heart of Bangkok’s shopping and business district, the only view most people get of the Bangkok golf course is from the elevated Bangkok Sky Train.  This view, while a refreshingly green contrast to the concrete jungle where the golf course sits, does no justice to the golfer.  The true story lies in the golf shots the player gets to hit during a round there.

While the RSBC is a private members club and a short layout by modern standards, it does not quite fit the mold of an ‘executive course’.  What sets the course apart, aside from the two par fives, is that one must play every club in the bag and hit shots with a fade and a draw equally to find success. 

Thailand Adds Another Golf Event

Thailand will launch its newest golf tournament on the Asian Tour this season with the establishment of the inaugural Queen’s Cup in August. The Queen’s Cup presented by Bangkok Airways and Sports Authority of Thailand will be staged at the Santiburi Samui Country Club on the holiday isle of Samui from August 13 to 16, 2009.

The US$300,000 tournament, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Thailand PGA, will be held in honor of the Queen of Thailand.

The Santiburi Samui Country Club provides a great venue for the event with extreme challenge and charm with a lush tropical setting. It is located on a hillside of northern coast of Koh Samui, amidst old coconut gardens. The golf course has a commanding scenic panoramic view of Maenam Beach and the nearby island of Koh Phangan, site of the famous full moon parties. In fact, the golf professionals participating in the Queen’s Cup will have a hard time to concentrate on their rounds with these magnificent views of the ocean and beaches from every hole. Expert high scores, even for the leaders!

Bangkok Airways will mark its sponsorship involvement with the Asian Tour for the fifth consecutive year by coming on board as the event’s presenting sponsor. The launch will reinforce the growth of golf in Thailand and Asia and continues to place Thailand on the world’s golf map.

Fake Golf Clubs & Golf Balls in Thailand

Counterfeit golf products in Thailand are becoming increasingly troublesome for the Thailand golf industry. I know of one Phuket golf course that has stopped selling clubs in their pro shop as a result. Chris Faxon, an anti-counterfeiting consultant and one of the leading attorneys in the Thailand golf industry, estimates the counterfeit golf industry is valued at more than $100 million US worldwide on an annual basis, including Thailand.

That figure has increased steadily over the last five years. Though no one can say how big the problem is within Thailand, I know of one recent raid on a Pattaya golf club fitter that resulted in seizures of counterfeit golf equipment. Additionally, at least 3 golf tour operators (1 in Bangkok, 1 in Hua Hin, and 1 in Pattaya) use only use fake golf clubs for their rental sets. Besides being illegal, this is also highly unethical.

A client who visits for a Pattaya golf holiday every six months told me the other day at Laem Chabang that he has started seeing Titleist Pro V1 balls being sold at the second hand golf ball shops in front of the course. In the past, I never saw any counterfeit balls in Thailand until early this year, certainly not at any retailer, so I will have to check this out for myself.

Stop Trusting Thailand Golf Course Superintendents

Be wary of Thailand golf course superintendents! They can cost you strokes.

Thai golf course designers create fair, but challenging courses. However, the Thai superintendents sometimes play tricks on you, especially with tee boxes. I have seen at least one and in most cases up to 50% of tee boxes on golf courses in Thailand be aligned to the out-of-bounds or hazard rather than the fairway.

Take for example the Canyon Course at Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket. Look at where the tees point on hole 11, straight into the woods on the left side. Then take hole 14. Yes that is the par 3 that is in practically every advertisement about golf in Thailand. On that hole it is hard enough hitting onto the island green. Why does the course superintendent insist on placing the tee markers so that a straight shot will fly well left of the green and right into the lake?

This is not the only example. I was playing at Phoenix Golf Club in Pattaya last week and no sooner did my foursome get to the first tee of the Mountain Course then I found the tee markers aimed way to the right and into the fairway of the ninth hole. This was a poor start indeed.

There's nothing in the rules of golf that says course superintendents must help you. The way a superintendent mows the grass doesn't always give you a true aim down the course for example, so why should the tee markers? Take some time to study the hole before teeing off to assess the situation and select the true target line.

Cambodia Border Dispute Being Settled Thai Style: Peacefully On The Golf Course

Golf delegations from Cambodian and Thai defense ministries teed off this week in a spot of golf diplomacy ahead of talks aimed at resolving their territorial dispute.

Cambodia's defence minister Tea Banh and his Thai counterpart Prawit Wongsuwan played a round in the northwestern tourist hub of Siem Reap with other military officials ahead of their Wednesday border negotiations. The round was hosted by the Phokeethra Country Club.

General Neang Phat  said, “We are playing golf with the Thai delegation now. We will talk about the border issue later.”

Military officials from the two countries also golfed together in Siem Reap last October after fighting erupted between the two countries on disputed land around 11th-century Preah Vihear temple. Troops from the two countries have been in a border standoff since tensions flared last July, when the cliff-top temple was awarded United Nations World Heritage status.

Ownership of the temple was awarded to Cambodia in 1962, but the two countries are in dispute over five square kilometers of land around the temple which has yet to be officially demarcated.

The first golf match was won by Cambodia. In this week’s match the Thai’s won on a count back. Score Thailand 1 and Cambodia 1. 

I guess the border dispute will have to go on until clear winner can be determined in the next golf match. Other nations should take a cue from the Thai’s and use golf diplomacy to settle things. If golf works in business, then I see no reason it can’t work in government.

Red Mountain Phuket To Add Driving Range +

Here is a snippet of news from Red Mountain Golf Club in Phuket.

Work has just started on a new driving range at Red Mountain Golf Club in Phuket. Work has just started on the 16 bay practice area and should be complete in about 6 weeks.

This together with the planned resort hotel, luxury villas, and integrated shopping center will have Red Mountain challenge Blue Canyon as the premier Phuket golf resort!

In the meantime, stayed tuned for some new about lower green fees at the course. They are coming trust me. Reported by, Ian Morgan, the man on the ground in Phuket!!

Krungthep Kreetha Sports Club

Krungthep Kreetha golf course is reviewed here by long time Bangkok resident, Dwight Tichenor.

Krungthep Kreetha is one of the older Bangkok golf courses and although it is located pretty much in town, it seems to be passed over by many local golfers:  they are missing a fine, challenging golfing experience. 

Well maintained, with some of the finest fairways and greens in the area, it posses a fine test for every golfer.  Never unfair, it brings out the best in your game, or the worst, depending how you are striking the ball.  The caddies are excellent and diligent and know the twists and turns and rolls and slopes of the greens.  I have always had the same caddie for our weekly 4-ball and she’s affable, knowledgeable and good fun on the course (although she does seem to say “mai pen rai” far too often but perhaps that is because my game occasionally deserts me).

The front 9 starts off with a pleasing par 4, a nice dogleg left with water on the right and left.  A short drive to the dogleg turn puts you in position to go for the green, a flat, easy target.  The second is a longish par 5 demanding a straight drive to avoid the water on the right and the trees on the left.  It’s a lovely hole.  These are followed by a short par 4, an island par 5, and another longish par 4.  The 6th hole is a fun par 5 demanding shots over water 3 times.  A birdie chance for the long hitters, a par chance for me! The front finishes with three nice holes, a par 4, a 3 and a final 4:  A nice way to start your round.