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

Thailand Golf Tips Or Giving Tips in Thailand? (Part 2 of 2)

Thailand golf is what you are all here for and in today's continuation post I will cover common tipping practices on the golf course, in bars, and while traveling on the road here.

On the golf course, tips are one of the main ways the caddie generates their income. Although you pay a caddie fee in the cost of your green fee, only a portion of this goes to the caddie so the emphasis is then on them receiving good tips. At my golf travel company a 300 baht minimum is suggested to all Thailand golf holidaymakers. Although you can consider paying more, 500 to 1000 baht, if you have a particularly excellent caddie that helps you shoot under your handicap or you feel overly generous. Certainly any caddie that gets a 500 baht or more tip, will be the pride of her group for the evening.

As for the bars tipping again is expected, although certainly not compulsory. Although the girls employed in many of these establishments will very tactfully try to ensure you buy as many drinks as possible, a small tip at the end is expected. A guideline here would be to leave around 50-100 baht ($1.25 to $2.50 US), especially if you are satisfied with services received.

Thailand Golf Tips Or Giving Tips in Thailand? (Part 1 of 2)

I bet you thought I would post another golf tip. The next 2 articles deal, not with golf advice, but rather with gratuities. I find this an even more appropriate discussion topic since many golf travelers to Thailand may be wondering about local practices.

Although not traditional in Thailand, you should plan to tip drivers, porters, and restaurant and bar staff and of course your golf caddies.

However, please note that the level of tipping is still extremely small in comparison to that in the US and Europe, where as much as 10 – 15% of your bill in a restaurant would be expected. In Thailand, tips are much less and the following is a guideline which will ensure you are neither offending, nor over generous whilst tipping.

In hotels, a porter will take care of your luggage both whilst checking in and leaving. A tip of around 20 baht (50 cents US) is sufficient, although if you would like to give more, then this will be gratefully received.

Nighttime activities, will they influence my golf in Thailand? (Part 2 of 2)

Here is the second and final part of my post. Hope you enjoy and please do comment on anything shown or mentioned.

Whether you want to play pool, sit and joke with the girls in the many beer bars, enjoy the numerous go- go bars and shows on offer, or sample a special type of massage, then it is all readily and openly available.

On many occasions I have witnessed both first time visitors, and many people who know Thailand well, caught up in the amazing atmosphere which certainly adds to an additional handicap whilst playing golf the next day. Golf in Thailand is difficult enough with the challenging courses and hot climate, but add a hangover and only a few hours sleep - well I don’t need to say anymore.

That is not to say I do not recommend it. Heck,  I came here myself as a single golfer for almost 15 years  until meeting and marrying my beautiful Thai wife 4 years ago and even now once in a while I can be persuaded to join some friends for a night out on the town. I appreciate that the main purpose many people come is to combine the nightlife and golf, and I am just trying to make the first time visitor more aware of what to expect.

Nighttime activities, will they influence my golf in Thailand? (Part 1 of 2)

For anyone who has not visited Thailand previously, then the simple answer to this question is a definite yes! For those that are familiar with Thailand then you will know exactly what I am talking about.

There is no hiding the fact that Thailand is popular with many visiting tourists, primarily male, for the unbelievable nightlife and availability of beautiful Thai girls for company. This is something that is unique to Thailand, and whilst variations occur in other Asian destinations, you will certainly not find anything like it outside Thailand.

10 Best Reasons to Come to Thailand to Play Golf (Part 2 of 3)

Here are the next 4 great reasons to choose Thailand as your most favored golf holiday destination.

4. The locations. Thailand is a beautiful country and offers a number of totally different destinations to play golf. From the bustling capital of Bangkok, to the beautiful mountainous countryside of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. From the stunning beaches in Phuket and Koh Samui, to the bright lights and amazing nightlife of Pattaya. From the quieter seaside town of Hua Hin, to the waterfalls and stunning scenery of Khao Yai, Thailand has a location for everyone.

5. The people. Without doubt I find the Thai people to be the friendliest I have ever found throughout the world. Always with a smile on their face (it is not called the ‘land of smiles’ for nothing) I find them very humble and always extremely welcoming towards visiting tourists. You will be stunned by their hospitality and how much they are prepared to do for you.

10 Best Reasons to Come to Thailand to Play Golf (Part 1 of 3)

As an expatriate living and working in Thailand, I cannot think of many better places to come and play golf.

I have been fortunate to play golf all over the world including the most popular golf tourist destinations, such as the United States, Scotland, Spain, Caribbean, and Mexico. I have also played in several other Asian countries, like China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, and Australia, but still find Thailand a pretty difficult experience to beat.

Over the next few days I will explain my 10 best reasons why I think Thailand is the best place in the world for a golf holiday. i would love to get some feedback and opinions, both supportive and contrasting.

Phuket or Koh Samui – A Comparison of 2 Beach Resorts for a Golf Holiday (Part 2)

the web site.This is the continuation about Phuket and comparison to Samui as  golf holiday destination.

In Phuket in the evening there are many choices for dining and entertainment especially in the lively town of Patong where selections range from beer bars to live music, and shows. The restaurants provide a massive choice from local seafood to 5 star international cuisines. There is an abundance of night markets and there are modern shopping malls, selling all brand name products.

Without doubt, Phuket is most definitely one of the great holiday destinations in the world and will provide you with a golfing holiday you are sure never to forget.

Koh Samui, referred to as the island of coconut trees, is Thailand’s third largest island and is now host to one of the most stunning championship golf courses in Asia. The only course on the island, Santiburi Samui is set in the northern part of the island, and provides some of the amazing sights of the surrounding ocean and mountains that you are likely to see anywhere in the world. I have been recommending this course since it opened a couple of years ago and the feedback is always first class.

Phuket or Koh Samui – A Comparison of 2 Beach Resorts for a Golf Holiday (Part 1)

Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, is without doubt one of the most exotic destinations in Southeast Asia. The island hosts a number of first class golf courses, and is a dream destination for those wishing to combine golf together with some stunning beach resorts, providing total relaxation.

Fully recovered from the tragic and unfortunate events of the December 2004 tsunami, Phuket is looking better than ever and a continuing to attract huge investment in further developing the island.

In addition to the world famous Blue Canyon Golf Resort which has 2 different courses, Phuket hosts other championship courses in Laguna, Phuket Country Club, Loch Palm (soon to open a second 18 holes), and the recently completed Mission Hills resort. This gives golfers plenty of options whilst holidaying on this stunning island. The one strange fact is that only half of the courses (Loch Palm, Mission Hills, and the Blue Canyon Lakes course) have golf carts available for rent. This strikes me as rather odd since practically all other Thailand golf course have carts available. Moreover, since Phuket is a resort area one would think that all of the courses on Phuket would provide for this optional service.

Myths and Facts About Playing Golf in Thailand (Part 2)

Here is the second half of "strange facts about Thailand golf". I hope you enjoy reading the post and find a few things of interest. Please also let me know your experiences and comments.

Also, can anyone recognize this beach? A copy of the soon to be published 2007 Thailand golf map awaits the first person who can correctly identify it by submitting a comment to this post.

Now on to the Myths and Facts.

Myth – The courses are of inferior quality. Thailand hosts many championship standard courses designed by leading golf professionals and top golf course architects. Many of these courses are simply stunning, and are of excellent quality and in extremely well maintained condition. Overall, the quality of courses in Thailand is far superior than I have come across in other established golf tourist destinations throughout the world.

Myths and Facts About Playing Golf in Thailand (Part 1)

There is no doubt that many people have many misconceptions about Thailand as a golf travel destination.

Over the years, Thailand has developed a reputation for many of the wrong reasons, and only those who have visited, realize what a wonderful and beautiful country it is, with so much to offer the golfing traveler.

Thailand is now by far the leading travel destination in South East Asia, and is now regarded as one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. With regards golf, it has recently been voted by the world golf travel agents federation as the best up and coming destination in the world, now competing with many of the established European and American resorts.

In order to give you a greater insight into golf in Thailand, below, are some of the facts and myths that hopefully will assist you in selecting your next golf holiday.