Thailand Golf Holidays, Phuket Golf Packages, Hua Hin Golf Vacations

Golf Course in USA

Here is a great photo from The Tradition Club in Myrtle Beach, SC. It was taken earlier this year and sent to me a few weeks ago by a good friend Mr. Ted Walton from Canada. Ted and I have been trading emails regularly and he plans to visit Thailand later this year. The shot reminds me of some of the Thai golf courses with loads of water and heavily guarded greens. I think Ted may comment more on this picture and I also hope he gives out his contact. For anyone wishing to get some great custom golf clubs, Ted is the man to speak to as he has a very successful and reputable golf club making business.

Happy golfing and have a great day on the links!

Secrets About Playing Golf on Holiday in Thailand (Part 2)

This is a continuation of yesterday’s post which gives some secrets and tips on playing golf and taking a golf holiday Thailand.

In order to hopefully make your holiday more enjoyable, there are a three more guidelines I can suggest to anyone planning a golf holiday in Thailand, based on the knowledge I have as a regular golfer living in Thailand.

Secrets About Playing Golf on Holiday in Thailand (Part 1)

As an expatriate living and working in Thailand, there are a number of advantages that we have as golfers over someone visiting from outside the country. In this article I would like to share some of these insider golf playing ‘secrets’.

Obviously, both as a frequent golfer, and by socializing regularly with fellow golfers, you soon learn the ‘secrets’ of many aspects of better golf in Thailand. This could be simple things as which golf courses are the best values for money, and which are most convenient and enjoyable to play.

Read about all there and other secrets in the continuation of this post.

No More Chili Dips

With the ground often being soft and "mushy" here in Thailand, clean ball striking when chipping is very important.

This is a tip I was sent from Richard Meyers who writes the "Think and Reach Par" weekly tips newsletter. It has helped my chipping and totally eliminated my prior tendency to "chili dip" and "skull" my short shots. I estimate that most high handicappers can shave of 2-4 shots per round off their score by following this easy to implement and dramatically effective chipping improvement tip.

Read about this great golf tip in the continuation of this post.

Thailand Golf On The Runway

For an experience of a lifetime you must try playing at Kantarat Golf Course. This course is located right between the runways of Bangkok Airport and it is really an exhilarating experience driving and putting while a jumbo jet is landing a mere 200 meters away. I had the fortunate experience of playing at this course last weekend and while the golf is nothing spectacular, the sights round were!

Read more about the Kanrarat course from this brief excerpt from Time Magazine Asia in the continuation of this post. Also, please leave any comments regarding your experiences. I am sure everyone who has played here has a great story.

Thailand Seaside Golf Destinations : Which is best? (Part 4 of 4)

Hua Hin & Cha Am

The Hua Hin and Cha Am area is located on the western side of the Gulf of Thailand, and is approximately a three hour drive from Bangkok. Thailand’s original beach resort, it now sports a selection of 7 excellent golf courses and is a much quieter destination that Phuket or Pattaya, although is particularly popular with visiting Eurpoean tourists during the cool season from November to February.

Although Hua Hin still retains the intimacy of a village, it has successfully incorporated modern luxuries without the commercialism of other resorts. There are now a wide choice of luxury hotels and resorts, but they are discretely located not to affect the original image of the town. Hua Hin is also still a thriving fishing village with its own local fleet, and on most evenings, holidaymakers stroll down to the harbor to enjoy the fresh seafood available in many of the fine waterfront restaurants.

Read more about Hua Hin in the continuation of this post

Thailand Seaside Golf Destinations : Which is best? (Part 3 of 4)

Pattaya

The resort of Pattaya is located south east of Bangkok, less than a 2-hour drive from the airport.  The region hosts the greatest variety and highest density of the finest championship golf courses in Thailand, and is a paradise for a golf holiday.

Originally, Pattaya was a quiet fishing town with idyllic beaches. However, this soon became the destination for American troops on R&R during the Vietnam War, and a multitude of bars, neon lights and shows quickly appeared. This led to a less than complimentary image but this is rapidly changing and now Pattaya is a popular destination for families, conferences, and business travelers alike.

Read more about Pattaya in the continuation of this post.

Thai Country Club Update

Yesterday I had another opportunity to play at the Thai Country Club. This is the course just 40 minutes South of Bangkok that run by the Peninsula hotel group and  is home each year to the Asian Volvo Masters. It is constantly rated as one of the top 10 courses in Asia. If you have not played here, you need to try at least once. (Although I want you to know, once will not be enough!)

To summarize, playing at Thai Country Club is a total golfing experience. From the moment you drive up and are greeted by your caddie to the second you depart after enjoying a great meal in the club house you feel like you are at a 5 star hotel and golf resort. The service and quality are second to no other golf course.

In a previous post I mentioned that I thought the course was a bit over rated as I have always felt that the greens were a bit grainy. Well I am glad to report that this situation is no more! The greens are now in tip top condition and have matured to a point that they roll almost perfect. Speaking to always present and helpful the GM, Mr. JP Schneider, he mentioned that the greens are now rolling between 11 and 12 and they plan to have the greens at 13 or more for this years Asian Volvo Masters. I can confirm the current conditions and as it was pure joy to be putting on such fast and beautiful greens yesterday.

The rest of the course was, as usual, in spectacular condition. Perfectly groomed fairways and tee boxes are evident on every hole. Standing on the 10th tee box where Tiger Woods drove the 340 yards to the green in 1997 when he won the Asian Honda Classic, it really makes you appreciate the quality as well as the challenge of the course, plus get in a little golf dreaming at the same time. Once again, if you are in Bangkok put the Thai Country Club high on your MUST PLAY list.

Thailand Seaside Golf Destinations : Which is best? (Part 2 of 4)

Phuket

Golf in Phuket is a great experience for those wanting to combine their holiday with relaxation at some of the world’s best beaches. Phuket is known internationally as one of the most exotic destinations in Southeast Asia. With its endless white beaches, cooling blue lagoons and tropical mountainous interior, it provides a stunning and ideal backdrop for a golf holiday. From basic beach front bungalows, to stunning world-class resort hotels with sumptuous spa facilities, Phuket offers a variation in accommodation to meet all levels of budget.

There are now 7 championship 18 hole golf courses available to choose from. Golf in Phuket first grabbed the world’s attention in 1994, when the Canyon Course of the Blue Canyon Country Club was chosen to host the Johnnie Walker Classic. It is now one of the recognized world’s greatest championship golf courses, regularly visited by top international players. There is plenty of variation in the styles and challenges presented by each course, ensuring that all levels of golfers are catered for. I will write up some reviews of my favorite Phuket golf courses in another post, In the meantime more Phuket golf and holiday information can be found on my web site. Also more Phuket golf information is available in the continuation of this article.

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Thailand Seaside Golf Destinations : Which is best? (Part 1 of 4)

I often get asked by friends and clients alike to questions about the 3 main seaside Thailand golf destinations, Phuket, Hua Hin and Pattaya. The most frequent question fro those who have never been to the seaside resorts are which city is best for them? Therefore I thought I would write about this topic over the next few days and try to share my views together with some good overall information that I have been able to gather from various sources and web sites.

For those wishing a golfing holiday by the sea, Thailand has 3 main destinations that are extremely popular for very different reasons. Whilst each has a great choice of courses and accommodation to select from, your leisure time outside golf should also be carefully planned.

From the stunning tranquil beaches in Phuket, the lively night markets and great seafood restaurants in Hua Hin, to the popular nightlife of Pattaya, each resort has plenty to offer both individuals and families alike.

Over the next 3 segments I will post a brief description of what each destination can offer as well as cover the pros and cons of each location,  My goal is to help you choose which city is best for you and facilitate your Thailand golf holiday planning accordingly.

The continuation of this article can be read here:

Part 2: Phuket Golf
Part 3: Pattaya Golf
Part 4: Hua Hin Golf