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

Snake Encounters While Golfing In Thailand

I was a little taken aback when an overseas guest from Texas asked if snakes were not a problem when golfing in Thailand. In my many years gracing the fairways here, I have had only two encounters with snakes.

Once when my wild duck hook landed in a part of the golf course never previously entered by any human being as far as I could see when I foolishly went to look for my ball. The second time was a tiny little garden variety snake in the short rough at Nichigo Country Club in Kanchanaburi. It was him who was more shocked than I and shot away at a great rate after our encounter.

Anyway, I thought I would do some research and, to my surprise, I discovered that over 10,000 people are bitten by snakes in Thailand each year, though there are less than 50 deaths. Venomous snakes in Thailand include the pit viper family; and then there are the elapid snakes, such as cobras and kraits. We’ve also got a few keel-back snakes.

Golfing in Chiang Mai During Special Festivals of Northern Thailand

Chiang Mai is now one of the best cities to visit in Thailand for both golf and culture. There are now over 9 championship courses in the area to ensure balanced golf variety, scenic beauty, and challenge. In addition, the Northern Lanna, people of Chiang Mai  love celebrations and holidays and Chiang Mai has more occasions to celebrate than all other destinations.

If you are quick, you can catch the International Horticulture Exposition. This is scheduled from November 2006 through January 2007 at the Royal Agricultural Research Center, Chiang Mai. The expo, also known as Royal Flora: Ratchaphruek 2006, will celebrate His Majesty the King’s Diamond Jubilee of His Accession to the Throne and His Majesty’s 80th Birthday anniversary in 2007. The exhibition is divided into 14 weeks with different themes.

There is great golfing in Chiang Mai, some notable courses being Chiang Mai Green Valley Country Club,  Chiang Mai Highlands Golf and Spa, Chiang Mai Lamphun Golf Club, Gassan Khutan Golf and Resort, Gassan Lake City Golf and Resort, Mae Joe Golf Club, and Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort, and the newest course just opened this month, Gassan Marina Golf and Resort.

The Royal Bangkok Sports Club: Part 2 of 2

My expatriate friend, referred to in yesterday’s posting has been a guest at The Royal Bangkok Sports Club (RBSC) on numerous occasions, playing rugby, soccer, cricket and, of course golf, there. Here he gives his insight into what it is like visiting the grand old club and playing golf there.

Once having negotiated your way past the security at the entrance to the RBSC on Henri Durant Road, on entering the club, surprisingly modern-looking from the outside, you feel as though you have been transported back to long bygone colonial days.  A uniformed flunky opens the car door, letting you into the long open lobby and terraces, looking over huge, plush green lawns, where people are lounging about on wicker chairs under slowly twirling fans, drinking from tall glasses of iced tea while munching on dainty sandwiches and gossiping in hushed tones, whilst black-suited waiters hover about. The pace seems slow and genteel here.  Most members have been coming here all their lives, and the staff are their long time servants.

The Royal Bangkok Sports Club: Part 1 of 2

To start off this posting, a Golf Trivia Question. This has some relevance to what follows, but if you cannot wait, you can find the answer at the end. What is the lowest recorded score for a regular sized course?

Now, those of you who have travelled around Bangkok on the Skytrain – more properly the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS), which has made it so much easier in recent years to get around the capital - may have wondered, as you passed from Siam Square through to Sala Daeng on the Silom Line, what is that immaculately maintained large plot of green land across from  the Four Seasons and Hyatt Hotels on Rajadamri Road, a veritable oasis in what is now the centre of the shopping and business districts in Bangkok?

Thailand Top Shots: 5 Keys and 1 Drill To Avoid Topping the Ball

In Thailand golf and on holiday nothing is more embarrassing and frustrating than topping the ball on the golf course. This is a common fault of many golfers in Thailand on holiday as they may have not practiced nor played much during the winter months at home. If you top the ball or hit it thin, it's because you're hitting the ball on the upswing, most often caused by trying to either scoop or lift the ball.

To eliminate topping you must remember that golf is a game of opposites. If you want to hit the ball up you have to swing down, especially when it comes to a fairway wood or a hybrid club.

Golf Holiday in Phuket: Four Insider Tips

Here are four of my top tips to make your golfing holiday in Phuket more enjoyable:

1. Changing money: There are lots of banks and exchange booths both in Phuket Airport and in the main tourist areas such as Patong and Karon/Kata Beaches and Laguna Resort. They are all competitive and it is much better to change your foreign currency there than at your hotel. You need to have your passport if you are exchanging traveler's’ checks or getting cash (or shopping) with your credit card.

2. Eating out etc.- there are loads of restaurants, bars etc. in Patong. Walk along the beach road until you get to Soi Bangla. 'Soi' means street. Turn right. Explore the small Soi's leading off Soi Bangla, and also go to the top of Soi Bangla onto the second road back from the beach (200 Year Road). There are also restaurants going past Soi Bangla on the beach road. Some recommendations: for seafood, The Savoey (sic) and No. 6 Restaurant. Good inexpensive Thai: Sabai Sabai Soi Post Office, and Kaab Gluay on the outskirts of Patong near the (only) Temple (soon after the Esso Gas Station). If you get tired of Thai food and just want a good steak: Sam's in the Holiday Inn, not far from the Amari. Out of Patong: Kang Eng Chalong Bay, about 30 minutes from Patong by tuk-tuk, and Ka Jok Si in Phuket Town (you need to make a reservation).

Golf Professionals in Thailand: How to Find and Select One?

Yesterday, I discussed golf lesson options while on a vacation in Thailand. But how would you go about finding and selecting a suitable instructor so far away from home that will provide value to you during your Thailand visit?

If you are interested in taking some lessons and instruction on your golf vacation, then read on; there are no shortage of opportunities available to you.

You may wish to do a bit of research yourself, and try the internet for information on golf instructors. There are some excellent companies who have a very good internet presence and are easy to find. Do a search on Google using any combination of words like "Thailand golf lessons". This will lead you to many choices. Inquiring about the instructor’s PGA credentials is also a wise move as the PGA has strict licensing regulations for all certified golf teaching professionals.

Thailand Golf Lessons: Benefits of Combining Golf Instruction with a Thailand Golf Vacation

For many people visiting Thailand on a golf vacation, a very popular inclusion in their package are golf lessons.

Whether you have aspirations to be as good as Tiger Woods, or just someone who enjoys a social game with friends, instruction from an expert PGA certified coach is a sure way to improve your game, thus adding to more overall enjoyment. If you are traveling alone, or part of a larger group, there are many quality golf instructors to assist with your game in Thailand, and to help you improve and have more fun!

This could be a simple one off lesson, just to check your swing and give guidance and any ‘’quick’’ fixes that may be required to get you on the right track. Alternatively, at many of the leading golf destinations throughout Thailand, organized golf clinics and golf schools, are available. From beginners to more advanced players, a detailed instruction program can be custom made to suit any requirements.

For beginners, PGA instructors here provide very detailed hands on service, which will allow you to develop quickly and transfer your learning onto the course. They are also available for playing lessons during your initial games to help you with this transformation, and assist you during your game.

River Kwai / Kanchanaburi Golf: Conclusions

Golf in Kanchanburi is staring to see a resurgence as the weather has now turned cooler and we are in the mist of probably the best Thailand golf season ever! Over the last 2 days I had discussed the various golf options in the region by reviewing 5 best Kanchanburi courses. Here is the final post in my River Kwai golf series, covering accommodation selections as well as mentioning a great local dining tip, regional culture and history.

If you want to stay in the area, you basically have three options:

1. In Kanchanaburi itself. The River Kwai Hotel is a comfortable, reasonably priced hotel suitable for golfing groups being centrally located not far away from tourist bars and restaurants, with a lively discotheque next door.

Kanchanaburi / River Kwai Golf: Top Courses

Kanchanaburi or River Kwai has been one of the most surprising golf destinations this year. I have personally recommended golf in Kanchanaburi to over 100 golf tourists and they are all amazed at the variety, quality, and superb golf values in the area. This review will cover of some of the better plays in the area.

In the Kanchanaburi / River Kwai Valley region itself there are around ten golf courses of varying quality. My recommendations:

The best golfing in River Kwai is by and far the 27 - hole Nichigo Resort and Country Club championship course, designed by Mitsuaki Kobayashi who has more than 90 golf courses around the world to his credit. Idyllically nestled in between the mountains and the legendary Kwai River, this club is set in a picturesque valley in a peaceful setting. The fairways are of imported Noshiba grass that needs no insecticides to remain healthy all year round. Nichigo's Clubhouse is an ideal venue for you to admire scenic views of landscaped gardens and a sparkling lake, whilst enjoying international specialties and local dishes. There is an interesting miniature replica of the bridge over the River Kwai.