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

Buying Golf Equipment On A Thailand Golf Holiday

Many people ask me if it is a good idea to buy new clubs on their Thailand golf holiday. My short answer is NO and here is why not.

1.    Cost: Golf equipment prices are generally lower in the USA, Europe, and Australia as compared to Thailand. This is due largely to the import duties on sports equipment. However, golf consumables and apparel like gloves, hats, bags, shirts, and towels are all very reasonably priced in Thailand. These all make great presents for yourself or your friends at home, so stock up during your Thailand golf trip.

2.    Selection: There are around 1 Million Thai golfers which makes the local market only a fraction of the size of the USA (20 Million), Europe (10 Million), or even Australia (2 Million). The selection of makes and models on offer here are more limited than you will find at home. Unless it is a special Asian brand that is not sold in your home country, then I suggest selecting the exact make and model you prefer at a golf store near where you live.

Pattaya Golf Update

This past weekend I had the opportunity to watch the Honda LPGA at Siam Country Club as well as play two of my favorite Pattaya golf courses. The ladies second event of the 2012 season was won once again by the world’s #1 Yani Tseng. It was a good finish as she and AI Miyazato were in the race until the last hole.

In spite of IMG missing my ticket delivery, the ladies professional golf tournament went off without a hitch and I still managed to get admission to watch the ladies on their final day. The Old Course at Siam Country Club was in excellent condition and golfers who plan to play at this Pattaya golf course over the next few weeks are in for a real treat. Expect course course-up to be tournament-style with fast greens and close-cut rough. Signage will also be left in place giving visiting Pattaya golfers the feeling of being right in the event themselves. The only thing missing will be the ladies, who all travel to Singapore to play this week to play in the HSBC Woman’s Championship.

Perfect Swing Asia At Thana City Golf & Sports Club

Thana City is a longtime favorite of mine and Greg Norman’s only Thailand golf course. Over the last 2 years this Bangkok golf course has been on a massive upgrade campaign under the management of Absolute Golf Services.

This regeneration is continuing and the latest project is the renovation of the former Ledbetter Academy at the driving range and practice facilities. Nowadays, PGA Member and Bangkok resident Andrew Knott moved-in and  his Golf Performance Coaching academy, Perfect Swing Asia has been in place since November. Previously, Andrew was based at the Bangkok Golf Club, which unfortunately got destroyed in last November’s floods.

I spoke with Andrew the other day and Andrew says, “Perfect Swing Asia is based on the idea of finding your perfect swing”, with the focus being on golf performance” He offers packages for Bangkok residents and visiting Thailand golfers looking for intensive training He says, “The key is to identify the areas where performance and enjoyment can be improved, then focus on how do it using facts, not feelings”.

LPGA Shines In Thailand

Thailand knows how to put on a show, and the top LPGA players will be at the Honda LPGA Thailand this month.

With the worlds 59 best lady golfers in attendance, the Siam Country Club in Pattaya will be the perfect backdrop to kick off the LPGA tour season in style.
This popular tournament was launched in 2006 when a certain Miss Hee-Won Han from South Korea won the inaugural event. Since then the likes of Suzann Petersen from Norway, Lorena Ochoa from Mexico , Ai Miyazato from Japan, Yanni Tseng from Taiwan have all held the coveted trophy.

Add star names such as Natalie Gulbis, Paula Creamer and crowd favourite Michelle Wie, and you can understand why the sponsors are prepared to offer a massive US$1.8million in prize money.

Held at the Siam Country Club’s famous Old Course, a par 72 playing 6,477 yards for the girls, the players all commented on how perfect the fairways and greens were playing.

With most sports suffering during the recent economy down, the golf industry has turned to Asia for its future.  The exposure that the event brings to Thailand is truly global. Meanwhile perhaps the biggest winner will once again be one of Thailand’s number one courses, Siam Country Club in Pattaya.

If you want to follow in the stars footsteps, why not plan to attend the event and then play the Pattaya golf club’s two championship courses? The Old Course and Plantation courses are the 2 best Pattaya golf courses, and by a wide margin.