Golfing in Phuket is great from May until July as the courses are not crowded, accommodations very reasonably priced, and the weather is generally overcast with little other than a late afternoon shower to cool things off. Therefore it is timely that Ian, our semi-pro Phuket resident, has for a bit of fun put together his Phuket “Dream 18”, which when you take time to think about the golf options, it’s not that easy
Hole 1, Blue Canyon, Canyon Course – Not the easiest opening hole and a fairly tight tee-shot. Hitting the fairway is a must if you want to get your second close on this severe undulating green.
Hole 2, Loch Palm – Good par 5 winding its way round Crystal Lake. Water in play all the way to the green, but reachable in two for the long brave hitters
Hole 3, Red Mountain – Spectacular par 3 where the designer had made the very best of the rocks and the natural surrounds
Hole 4, Mission Hills – Probably the best view in Phuket, but a great little par 3 with outstanding views over Phang Nga Bay with spectacular islands jutting out of the water
Hole 5, Blue Canyon, Canyon Course – Tough uphill par 4 with trouble down the right and out of bounds left. Semi blind approach with the green sloping way from front to back. (more 3 puts here than anywhere!!)
Hole 6, Red Mountain – Scenic long par 4 played from an elevated tee with a shallow green well protected by bunkers
Hole 7, Loch Palm – Short par 4 with a fairway wood or long iron off the tee to position yourself for a short iron to a small green well protected by a front bunker
Hole 8, Laguna – Challenging slight dog leg par with water down the left and trees and bunkers down the right if you try to take off too much. A good drive will leave you a medium iron into the green.
Hole 9, Red Mountain – Elevated inviting tee-shot towards the clubhouse the premium on accuracy
Hole 10, Blue Canyon, Canyon Course – Only a short four, but a positional tee-shot is required to avoid the numerous bunkers down the left leaving a wedge into a well protected green.
Hole 11, Red Mountain – Medium length par 4, with a choice of two fairways. Semi blind second shot to a very tight green.
Hole 12, Laguna – Short 90 degree dog leg right with a demanding tee-shot over the corner of a Laguna. The more you cut off gives you only a short shot in the green, good birdie opportunity
Hole 13, Blue Canyon, Canyon Course – Made famous by Tiger Woods driving it in tournament play but for average golfers a tough drive over the Canyon leaving a short iron in to very small undulating green
Hole 14, Blue Canyon, Canyon Course – Par 3 signature hole with an island green shaped to the country of Thailand. The tee is sheltered by the hotel so often you cant feel the wind, very dangerous hole!
Hole 15, Blue Canyon, Canyon Course – Genuine 3 shot par 5, with a very tight tee-shot, second shot over water leaving a short shot into a severe slopping green
Hole 16, Blue Canyon, Lakes Course – Well designed dog leg left with a good carry needed to cut off the distance. Hitting the fairway is a must to have any chance of making the green in two.
Hole 17, Phuket Country Club – Most people would be surprised with many picking the Canyon 17th. But from the back tee, a well struck medium iron is required often into a cross wind onto a green surrounded by water
Hole 18, Blue Canyon Lakes Course – No real surprise here, an outstanding par 4 where you could run up any sort of number. A tight tee-shot and often a downhill lie for your second over water to a very shallow green
Enjoy golf in Phuket and watch out for Phuket “Nightmare 18” next time!
Comments