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

Cheap & Good Flights For Thailand Golf Holidays

Many headed for a Thailand golf vacation complain about the high costs of air travel to golf in the Kingdom. I agree that this is can be the case when flying national carries like Thai (almost guaranteed to be the most expensive and worst service), British Airlines (notorious for high fares and aging fleets) and United/Delta (US flagship airlines, but only if you want to get lessons in high prices and crappy service). Much better and less expensive choices for Thailand golf holidays are EVA Airlines and several of the middle-eastern carriers like Eremites, Etihad, and Qatar,

Eva for example uses Bangkok as their Asian hub and has non-stop flights from the UK and one stop service from most other European and American cities. They have 4 classes of service and I usually opt for the Evergreen Deluxe class which basically is a business class seat with an economy class meal at an economy class price. As a bonus, flight crews are young and energetic which makes flying on Eva that much more pleasant. When I last checked Eva was selling LA to Bangkok roundtrip on their web site for $499 US.

Three Wacky Rules Of Golf In Thailand

When golfing in Thailand either for holiday, sport or pleasure playing by the rules can be a beautiful thing.  Here are three of the craziest rules that I have ever heard of (surely nobody obeys them when golfing in Thailand).

1. Ball Overhanging the Hole
When was the last time you putted and found your ball lying halfway in the hole, or just at the lip? When any part of the ball overhangs the hole, you allowed enough time to reach the hole without unreasonable delay (no wonder Thai golfers walk so slowly when on the green) and then an additional ten seconds to determine whether the ball is at rest. (Slower yet?)  If the ball subsequently falls into the hole, it deemed that you  have holed out with your last stroke and you must add a penalty stroke (the stupidest penalty in all golf if you ask me)  to your score. In other words, the same outcome as if you had walked up to the ball and immediately tapped in.

2. Tending the Flagstick
Does your Thai golf caddie normally tend the flag for you? If not, you better think about asking her to. You may request to have the flagstick attended or removed while making a stroke from anywhere on the course (on or off the green).  If your Thai caddie does not attend or remove the flag before you make your stroke, don’t ask her too. The flag  can not be attended or removed during your stroke or while the ball is in motion because the rule says that if doing it might influence the movement of your ball. (Can you believe that?)  If the flagstick is in the hole and your Thai caddie stands near it while the stroke is made, that is OK. The caddie is deemed to be attending the flagstick even if she is not actually holding it.

5 Bangkok Golf Driving Ranges

Given that there are many golf holidaymakers in Bangkok, there are bound to be some staying at a hotel in the city center who wants to just get out to a range to hit some balls. Here are a five of my favorite ranges where any Bangkok golfer can get their game on without leaving the city.

1. All-Star Golf Complex
A popular one-stop destination for Bangkok golfers, All-Star has retail golf equipment shops, short-game practice facilities and a quality long-distance driving range with new Srixon golf balls. This is the place where Bangkok locals go to hone their game and try out the latest models of equipment.

2. 42 Tee Off
A short walk from the Prakanong BTS, this two-story driving range is the place to practice for those staying in the any of the popular Sukhumvit area hotels. Insider tip: Go before noon or after 5PM as hitting into direct sunlight in the afternoon makes for very hot practice sessions and can be literally blinding when tracking your balls in the sun.