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

Asian PGA Tour a Frequent Visitor to Thailand in 2009 (part 2 of 2)

Here are the Thailand professional golf events scheduled for 2009.

Increasing parity between golfers from Asian and Europe was quite evident as well during The Royal Trophy held Jan 09 – 11 at Bangkok’s Amata Spring Country Club.  In a format very similar to The Ryder Cup, The Royal Trophy matches Asia against Europe.  The event was the brainchild of Seve Ballesteros with the perpetual trophy graciously donated by His Majesty The King of Thailand. 

During the first two editions the Europeans cruised to easy lopsided wins under Ballesteros, though things changed dramatically this year with the Asian team captained by Joe Osaki delivering a royal butt kicking (karate chop?) to Jose Maria Olazabal’s Euro squad.  Thailand’s popular duo of Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng led the way with impressive wins of 5&4 in Friday’s Foursomes and 4&2 in Saturday’s Fourballs, before ‘sealing the deal’ with Singles knockout wins of 5&4 and 5&4 on Sunday. Though the final score was Asia 10 Europe 6, it was all but over after Saturday when Asia took an almost insurmountable 6½ to 1½ lead.  Some are saying this may do for Asian golf and The Royal Trophy what the end of US dominance did a couple of decades ago for The Ryder Cup and European golf.  And with rising young stars such as Japan’s 17 year old sensation Ryo ‘The Shy Prince’ Ishikawa, who could argue?

Next stop:  Bangkok again (‘One Night in Bangkok’ is not enough!) with the Asian Tour Invitational at Suwan Golf and Country Club February 05 -08.

Asian PGA Tour a Frequent Visitor to Thailand in 2009 (part 1 of 2)

 Asian PGA Tour players would do well to brush up on their Thai language skills, as the tour will be making several golf stops in Thailand during 2009 with the season beginning and ending in the Kingdom and more events along the way.

Great Thai golf courses and weather, combined with world class accommodations and famous Thai hospitality have apparently charmed the Tour into coming back again and again, much as it has for growing numbers of international holiday golfers and travelers.  Perhaps the tour bosses have also developed a taste for jasmine rice, tum yum gung, pad thai and som tam?

The Asian Tour Qualifying School kicked it all off January 06 – 09, with 1st Stage events at Bangkok’s Lam Luk Ka Country Club plus two Pattaya area clubs: Rayong Green Valley and St. Andrews 2000.  The latter two courses also held the Q School’s Final Stage a week later.

A Dozen Reasons For A Golf Holiday In Thailand (Part 4 of 4)

Here is the final segment of the 12 reasons for a Thailand golf holiday article.

10. Accommodation. I know of no other place, be it for golf or not, that has a better selection and offers a better value of accommodations than Thailand, Even 3-star hotels are generally clean and comfortable with good facilities and represent great values. You have a wide choice according to your budget, from stunning 5 star resorts to small Thai style beach bungalows, and everything in between.

11. Tuition and Practice. Many of the golf courses in Thailand have excellent practice facilities, and there are also plenty of driving ranges in the main city centres. Numerous teaching golf pro’s are available and it is relatively easy to book tuition, or even a practice round with the pro, at a fraction of the cost in most western countries. Many Thailand golfing visitors take the opportunity whilst they have time on their holiday to hone their games.

A Dozen Reasons For A Golf Holiday In Thailand (Part 3 of 4)

Continuing my 12 Reasons for a Golfing Holiday in Thailand, the first six of which were in the last 2 posts, here are the next three:

7.    Food. These days most people know how delicious Thai food can be and for many golfers in Thailand, enjoying local food is an important feature of their holiday. Nor need the food be highly spiced – it is surprising how many Thais do not eat very hot food. It is said that Thais live to eat, not eat to live and, in addition to local food, you can find a wide variety of other cuisines readily available, from specialities from around the region, to the best of western food. Surprisingly, the golf clubs often boast very fine restaurants. On most golf courses, at every third hole there is a shaded kiosk or gazebo. These charming little oases serve a wide variety of refreshments ranging from fresh fruit, soft drinks and beer, to hot dogs and fried chicken.

8.    Culture and Customs. Thailand is a unique country with its own identity. Very different from other parts of Asia, Thailand has never been colonized and thus retains a strong indigenous culture Feng Shui is the Chinese art of harmonizing the natural as well as man-made environment to bring good health, fortune and happiness to people around it. In Thailand, golf courses are designed using Feng Shui principles and other Thai religious beliefs. Thus, it is not unusual to see on a Thai golf course special "spirit" trees wrapped in brightly-coloured cloth, flower leis lining the fairways, and immaculately kept shrines, all combining to give an elusive mystical quality.

A Dozen Reasons For A Golf Holiday In Thailand (Part 2 of 4)

Here are the next 3 of my 12 reasons for taking a Thailand golf holiday this year.

4. Caddies. What better a way is there to golf on unfamiliar resort courses then with someone to assist you in reading greens, judging yardages, and alerting you of hazards? Not to mention having an assistant to help with the mundane chores of tending the pin, raking bunkers, and cleaning clubs and balls sure makes golf in Thailand one of the most enjoyable ways to play the game. Most Thai caddies are female. Generally, they are attractive, friendly, and polite and radiate pure feminity. Many golfers hire two or even three! With the caddies in their colourful overalls and sun-bonnets, your foursome turns into a colourful parade crossing the fairways.

5. Weather. What is the weather like where you are now? You can play golf all the year round in Thailand. Very rarely do you have to postpone a round because of bad weather. In the cool season, from November to February, the climate is superb. Light breezes, constant sunshine, great conditions for a golfing holiday. We locals enjoy June, July and August, since the weather is usually fine and our favourite haunts, including the golf courses, remain uncrowded. September and October can be wet, but fortunately the usual pattern is brief but heavy showers in the late afternoons only, with plenty of sunshine beforehand.

A Dozen Reasons For A Golf Holiday In Thailand (Part 1 of 4)

Before guests of my Thailand golf vacation company finish their golfing holidays here, I usually make a point of seeking out their opinion about their stay, what was good and what was not so good. This vital information helps me to continually improve our services, but also re-confirms to me what it is that makes Thailand so special as a golfing destination. Over the years I have distilled our clients’ views into a Dozen Reasons for a Golfing Holiday in Thailand, the first three of which are in this post.

1. Value For Money. For any visiting golfer, Thailand provides great value for money. This is particularly important in today’s trying global economic times. Ironically I am seeing an increase in Thailand golf holidays during these times as golfers from around the world discover the economic benefits (i.e. saving money) from a Thailand Golf Vacation as compared to all other worldwide premier golf destinations.  From the wide choice of hotel accommodation and golf, to shopping in the local markets or high class department stores, to the wide array of eating choices and night life, Thailand is remarkably cheap for the quality provided.

2. Golf Courses. Thailand is a golfer's paradise with over 275 superb golf courses providing a huge choice – and more, very high quality new courses continue to open at a rate of 1 per month. Whichever of the main golfing locations you visit, whether it be Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Hua Hin, Chiang Mai or Kanchanaburi, you can play on championship standard courses, designed by some of the world’s foremost golf architects. Almost all of Thailand's finest courses are open to the public. You won't need special connections or to be a member to play the best courses. In Thailand, you are welcomed with open arms, bright smiles, and affordable green fees.

Practice Your Short Putts In Thailand With Tennis Balls

Here is a drill that will sure to brand you as “insane” among your Thailand golf buddies. The funny thing is the laugh will be on them when you take their money on the golf courses because of all the short putts you make and the ones they do not.

Most missed short putts on the golf courses in Thailand are the result of anxiety or lack of confidence rather than mechanics.  Have you ever stared down your putt and felt that the hole appears small and remote?

 A simple yet effective way to overcome this and create confidence in your stroke is to practice putting with tennis balls. That is right, this is Thailand (TIT) and anything goes so keep an open mind and give this a try.

 Take two tennis balls and two golf balls to the practice putting green on your next round of golf in Hua Hin and start with the tennis balls.  Stand one putter length away from the hole and stroke the oversized balls toward the hole until you sink five in a row.  If you miss, start over.

After you've aced your fifth consecutive tennis ball, put the tennis balls aside and putt with the golf balls.  The golf ball will seem like a marble and the hole a bucket.  On the golf course in Phuket you will sink a lot more of those three and four footers, guaranteed!