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

How I Improved Past Bogey Golf In Thailand?

During the last 6 months golfing in Thailand, I've been hitting the ball better due to a lot of practice and some great golf tips from my friends, but until recently I still found myself stuck in the 92-95 range.

It seems like every time that I pitch from 5-20 yards off the green, say when playing at Thai Country Club, I end up leaving myself an 10 foot putt.  My short game (for example several 9 irons last month at Amata Springs) were fine, but I felt that if I could get the ball closer when pitching, that I'd probably have a better chance to break 90.   

Lately I learned a way to pitch more accurately and this has led to me breaking 90 on all but one of my last 5 rounds. Just a few weeks ago at Blue Canyon Golf Club I managed an 86, with 8 tap-ins for par saves. This is how I did it.

Siam Meets New York: Christmas Golf in Thailand

Where else can you find top golf resorts and ride an elephant in a Santa suit? How about Sukhumvit Road and Chiang Mai?

A very special and merry Christmas from myself and the Thailand Golf Zone. Hoping 2008 brings you and your families health, wealth, happiness, and many birdies (of course).

For those who have contributed to this Thailand golf blog, thank you. It is from your comments and feedback that has kept the Thailand Golf Zone going up to now up with 296 posts to date. More great articles about the Thailand golf scene are on the way, many of which are from your suggestions.

For those who I have seen in 2007, I hope to see you again soon. For those who did not have a chance to make it to Thailand in 2007, I look forward to our arrivals in 2008.

Have a great holiday and remember, think positive and you will shoot par!

Mark Siegel 
The Thailand golf expert!

Practice Or Luck: Good Golfing In Thailand

How would you feel about shooting a net 69 on your first round golfing in Thailand? Well to score well, you either have to be very lucky or you have to practice prior to and during your Thailand golf holiday.  Everything being equal, practice is the only thing that can give you an opportunity for a great score.

With warm sunny weather in Thailand, some golfers might think anything beyond a 5 minute putting warm-up might be injurious, how incorrect. Can you imagine a professional golfer showing up at the course 5 minutes before his tee time? It just does not happen!

Do you know why the Korean women are so successful at golf? During the 1980’s the Korean government wanted to obtain world recognition in golf.  They selected young women that had golfing talent and sent them to the USA for training with top instructors. Practice was instituted as a full-time daily procedure. Now, Korea has produced world renowned lady golfers, many of whom now do their winter golf training in Thailand!

3 More Last Minute Thailand Golf Presents

Here are 3 more ideas for presents for the Thai golfer who has everything.

1. The WOW Putter (US$59.95) claims to have “Everything you ever wanted in a putter” It boasts: a tape measure to accurately measure the distance from the ball to the hole; a compass to keep the ball on course and avoid getting lost in the woods; a bike horn to quiet others before you putt (can also be used to celebrate great putts), a plumb to check the lay of the land and to eliminate scuffed putts, and, a rabbit's foot, since we all need a little luck now and then. As they say: everything you ever wanted in a putter.... and more!

2. And, so that you can have lots more chances to use the horn on the WOW Putter to celebrate your great putts, the Potty Putter (US$18.99) golf game still allows the golfer in Thailand to golf, even when suffering from a mild case of “Delhi Belly”. The unique putter set includes a specially designed putting green, a plastic cup, a special mini-putter, two practice golf balls, and a "Do Not Disturb" sign for uninterrupted practice. And you thought your game was in the toilet! Be your best on the Thailand golf greens on your own throne.

Christmas Presents For Thailand Golfers

With the Festive Season approaching at breakneck speed, like me, you may be in a state of panic as to what presents to buy. Here are six ideas for your Thailand golfing loved one:

1. For his/her next golfing holiday in Thailand, a new travel golf bag will be well received. One of the best I have seen recently is the OGIO Mammoth (US$330.00). This sturdy golf travel bag stands upright and glides effortlessly in transit thanks to four sturdy, swiveling wheels. The OGIO Mammoth has a wide mouth opening that unzips the full length of the bag. Once inserted, your golf bag stays securely in place.. There is a shoe pocket,  carry handle, hat pocket, plus four exterior pockets for rain gear or other last minute check-in items.

2. Very handy when you are golfing in Thailand on a hot day is the Golf Club Kooler Klub (US$49.99), the best way to discreetly carry beverages with you on the Thailand golf course. This high-tech cooler club holds 48oz of hold or cold beverages (enough to satisfy a thirsty foursome). It looks like an ordinary golf club, however just a few taps on the dispenser is all it takes it fill your glass or flask. The shaft of this Golf Club Kooler Klub fits easily into your bag takes ice cubes, carbonated beverages, or alcohol. Just do not tell the club officials, as outside drinks are frowned upon at most Thailand golf courses.

In Thailand Golf Respect "The Elders" (Part 4 of 4)

Here is the final part of Respect “The Elders”: A British expatriate golfers favorite Thailand golf courses.

Siam Country Club, Pattaya

Set in the rolling hills behind Pattaya, this layout always gives me a lift. Being the first golf course in the area, of course the architect, I. Izumi, had the pick of prime locations and he did select well. The long driveway through the gentle hills past the reservoir and the sprawling mausoleum of the founding father builds the anticipation for a special day out. I particularly like the opening hole on each nine. Driving down hill always gives you the essential feeling of power to commence a good round. If there are weak points it’s certainly not the scenery which is breathtaking - it’s always breezy and to be honest the caddies are perhaps the happiest, friendliest bunch in the land. There is nothing lacking in hospitality and good cheer.

If only the greens could be redesigned and laid by a top knowledgeable contractor. If only the lies on the fairways were more consistent. If only there was less traffic (but then perhaps the fees would go up!). If only one of the big name golf architects could surely make it, once again, a real treasure capable of holding the biggest of professional golf tournaments.

In Thailand Golf Respect "The Elders" (Part 3 of 4)

Here is the third part of Respect “The Elders”: A British expatriate golfers favorite Thailand golf courses.

Khao Cha-Ngok Golf & Country Club, Nakornnayok

Having a home in Nakornnayok has provided the opportunity to play this golf course regularly. I was lucky. The course did not exist when we built the house. The only course in the area was the lovely Sarrika Golf Club which was closed and converted into a coffee plantation. I was devastated. Then came the cavalry to the rescue. Khao Cha-Ngok, in my opinion, is one of the finest tests of golf in the Kingdom. It’s long - and gets longer. The greens are as slippery as Augusta National but with more deceptive slopes! It’s possible, in fact easy, to putt right off the green. The 4th (par 4) is one of the best holes in Thailand and would feature on my ‘great holes’ card at No. 4. Requiring a good spank with a driver over a considerable block of water the good amateur will be left with a knee knocking shot of 160-170 yards over another very deep pond to a tiny sloping green. Anything short just rolls down the steep slope into the waiting water. It’s a real workout to walk round but for the less hardy there are carts.

Every hole has its own unique way to wreck your card and usually does. But the satisfaction of completing a good round here is grander than any other venue. This course is kind to good golfers only if they treat it with great respect. I do and you will too.

To be continued, but remember to Respect “The Elders”!

In Thailand Golf Respect "The Elders" (Part 2 of 4)

Here is the second part of Respect “The Elders”: A British expatriate golfers' favorite Thailand golf courses.

Royal Hua Hin Golf Club
So much has been written about this old beauty which retains the aura of an elegance of a bygone era in old Siam.. A Scottish railway engineer, A. E. Robins, obviously a keen golfer, laid the course in 1924 for the then King of Thailand, Rama VI, and his enthusiastic golfing partner Queen Rhamphaibarni.

The basic layout, in the hills behind the old Hua Hin, Bangkok-Singapore railway station which lies adjacent to the club-house, has not been changed. It would be sacrilege to attempt it. The owners, Boonrawd Brewery, makers of Singha Beer, have in recent years made big improvements to the fairways and greens, without in any way changing the glorious traditions and unique personality of this classic golf course. Constructed around the base of a limestone mountain range, the course is covered in lush, natural jungle vegetation that clings to the edge of the rocky overhangs and boulders. Royal Hua Hin also has lovely views of Buddhist temples that are perched on the hillsides that blend into the dense foliage of the surrounding area.

In Thailand Golf Respect "The Elders" (Part 1 of 4)

In Thailand, younger people are brought up to respect their elders. This article, and the next few postings, present the views of a British golfer who arrived in Thailand in the mid- 70’s. He was already a single figure handicapper and understandably retains great affection and respect for the few golf courses which existed at that time. He explains which Thailand golf courses are his favorites, why he liked them then, and loves them still today.

Unlike retired generals classic golf courses don’t fade away. With loving care they just get better providing untold pleasure for successive generations. Thirty five years ago, had I been asked to nominate my favorite 4-5 golf courses in Thailand it would have been easy -  there were only 4 or 5 courses. Strangely, despite the incredible development of over 250 fine, modern courses designed by such greats as Nicklaus, Norman, Faldo, Robert Trent-Jones etc., the originals are still very high on my list of favorite venues.

The more recently built Thai golf courses I favor are not the cosmetic contrived ‘American’ type layouts, which also tend to be the most expensive, but the courses which are more Thai in character and in hospitality. After all golf in Thailand is more than a rushed competitive slog to get round in 3½ hours. It’s a complete Thai day out. It’s supposed to be fun - and at these old favorites it really is.