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

Thailand's Soft Sand

First time visitors golfing in Thailand often mention to me about how difficult it is hitting good shots from greenside bunkers at many of the Thailand golf courses. What I see when we play together is that their sand wedges dig into the often fluffy sand found on many golf courses in Thailand and these same Thai golfers leave their first shot in the bunker and take two or worse three shots to get on the green.

The cause of this is that many of these same Thailand golfers don't open the clubface enough on bunker shots.  When I ask why? They mention that they are afraid that opening the clubface will cause the shot to go right. This is a very common mistake when golfing in Thailand, especially after a long layoff during the cold winters at home, it is totally wrong!
The good news is that this error can be easily overcome, even during your first round of golf in Thailand.

Don’t Slice It In Thailand

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could hit it straight or better yet with a slight draw when golfing in Thailand? On the driving range before your first round of golf in Hua Hin does your ball striking leaves something to be desired?

If so, try changing grips. Most Thailand golfers use a standard neutral grip. But if you're ending up with shots that go to the right, then you're not making solid contact and you're not helping yourself. The straighter your shots go, the more fun you will have when you golf in Thailand.

Here are two easy things to getting a good score at any Thailand golf course:

1. Turn both hands slightly right
2.  Keep your wrists firm when you swing

There's nothing wrong with using the standard neutral grip if it's producing good results. The standard neutral grip is hit with both thumbs on top of the shaft. But I see too many high handicappers golfing in Bangkok that struggle to hit it straight. If this is you, then you may want to do something about it. Using a stronger grip can save you strokes and adds to the enjoyment of your Bangkok golf holiday.

Are You A Thai Golf Swinger Or Hitter?

Here is something to think about from Mike “Spike” Collier, Director of Golf at Three Generation Golf Academy (TGGA).

When golfing in Thailand what is the difference between being a swinger and a hitter? The number one difference is in the concept/mind-set and physical action between the two.That is to say, for a Thai golf swinger the club is pulled and thrown utilizing the feel of the weight of the swinging club head.

A Thai golf hitter pushes against the club stressing the shaft using the right arm, shoulder and back muscles. These are two very different Thai golf swing patterns that require different components to perform the action.

Far too often I see Thailand golfers struggling with their swings because their swing components are not compatible with each other. Most players will start out as a hitter because it feels natural to them. But 99.9% of the golf instruction out there is for swingers, so when these Thai golfers go for golf lessons they are told to do something that to them does not feel natural…confusion sets in and Thai handicaps go up.

Eliminates Bad Chips in Thailand

Poor chipping hurts my game. Last week at Alpine Golf Club in Bangkok I had the great opportunity to golf in a former European golf professional. He saw my bad chips and gave me the following tip. I immediately improved and was able to get up and down more than 50% of the time afterwards. Poor chipping stemmed from my poor technique. Below is the 4 step routine that showed most improvement:

1. I soled my wedge on the ground and raised it on its toe.
2. I stood slightly closer to the ball with my stand slightly narrower than normal.
3. I shifted my weight slightly forward.
4. I took the club back like putting and made a smooth forward stroke.

Chips shots are specialty shots, so when I used my standard setup to chip, I sometime hit it fat and or other times thin. When I adjusted my setup and not only did I eliminate all further bad chips, but I was able to get the ball closer than 5 feet to the hole in all cases. This set me up for some great up-and-down par saves.

Bad chipping used to cost me strokes. Now I don't let it. I am sure every Thai golfer can Improve by following the simple routine explained above.  I bet everyone will not only improve their chipping, you they chop a boatload of strokes off their golf handicap and adding even more enjoyment to golf in Thailand.

6 Tips For Golfing In Thailand When It Is Hot

I played golf in Thailand last week with an Australian golf group. After 15 holes several of the golfers felt so tired that they had to sit down and stop their rounds. That golf incident prompted me to write this post.

Playing in tropical climates such as Thailand creates special situations. You must watch out for dehydration and fatigue and in some more severe cases, heat exhaustion, else risk a poor round, or worse.

Here are a few tips perform at your best when golfing in Thailand:

1.    Play in early in the morning when the temperature in Thailand is coolest
2.    Wear a golf hat, shorts, and light colored short sleeved shirt preferably made of the new generation of dry-fit fabrics.
3.    Bring a small towel to dry off sweat.
4.    Use 2 or 3 golf gloves and change every 3 or 4 holes
5.    Drink lots of water before and during the game. Avoid alcohol on the Thailand golf courses as it dehydrates the body. Eat only lightly on the course. Fresh fruits are always good.
6.    Use an umbrella for the sun and stay in the shade as much as possible when not hitting.

Follow these simple tips and you will be sure to enjoy your Thailand golf holiday to its fullest.

My Take On Golf Carts At Thailand Golf Courses

While most of my Thailand golf is played walking, there are times when a golf cart (buggy) is also useful.

For example, for corporate days and golf tournaments carts are more versatile, suit a wider variety of players, and help keep the golf speed of play moving along at a reasonable pace for all.

Then there are the Thailand golf courses with extreme elevation changes that are better left for walking by mountain goats as opposed to golfers in Thailand. These include the incredibly hilly Santiburi Samui Country Club and Red Mountain Golf Club in Phuket. The compulsory golf carts at these two Thailand golf courses are truly a needed to prevent golfers from passing out before they finish their rounds.

Chipping From Thick Grass Around The Greens In Thailand

The other day at Thai Country Club in Bangkok I found myself in the thick rough next to the green four times during my round. I used my normal chip shot to get out, only to find to my horror that two times the ball just got stick and two times the ball sailed clear over the other side of the green. Needless to say I could not saved par and was lucky to made bogey each time.

When Tiger Woods played at Blue Canyon in Phuket in 1998 and then again at Alpine Golf Club in Bangkok, both Johnnie Walker Classic events; he could get up and down from practically any lie near the green. Through countless hours of practice, he's mastered shot making from any lie. But none of us are Tiger Woods. Therefore I decided to ask a few golf professionals in Thailand what to do when in thick grass or have a buried lie around the green when golfing in Thailand. Here is what I found out.

I used my 60 degree wedges for everything around the green. That works only if you're proficient with a high lofted club. But I’m not, so using other clubs to chip with near the green is a better option. In fact, it can make a big difference. The tall grass chip with a pitching wedge or nine/eight iron shows how chipping with other clubs works.

8 Do’s & Don'ts When Golfing In Thailand

1. Given that you’ll be out on the course for at least four hours do make sure you put plenty of sunscreen on. It’s also advisable to wear a hat or cap. The Sun when golf in Phuket can be the strongest compared to all other Thailand golf destinations.

2. Although golfing in Thailand is relaxed, don’t expect to be allowed onto the course wearing inappropriate clothing. Do wear a collared shirt with slacks, Bermuda shorts, or a skirt (provided you are a lady). Mock collars (aka Tiger Woods) are also accepted at all Thailand golf courses.

3. Do listen to your caddie-and listen very carefully! Thailand boasts some of the best trained and most savvy caddies in Asia. Find a knowledgeable one and reserve her for perhaps a repeat round (though it may be a privilege only afforded to rounds booked by members of through golf tour operators).

4. Don’t be alarmed to see a flight in front of you turn into a parade of 20 bodies! ----Extra caddies are often required to carry the umbrella, chair or beer! ---and don’t forget the cart driver and ball diver at Royal Bangkok Sports Club.

Thailand Golf Blog Reloaded

Have you seen the newest blog about golf in Thailand? Well it is not really new, just a sleeper that has woken up from a 2 year nap.

Graham our new man in Phuket and ex-star of the Asian Tour is at the helm and with his expert advice, information, and insights about golf in Thailand the Thailand-Golf-Blog is sure to be a renewed hit.

Take a look and of course feel free to comment.

Getting Out Of High Lipped Thailand Bunkers

Have you ever faced a high lipped greenside bunker like those at Chiang Mai Highlands Golf Club or worst yet one of those humongous fairway bunkers at Siam Country Club Plantation Course in Pattaya?

Most Thailand golf holidaymakers in this situation open up there sand wedges, ht as hard as they can, and either skull the ball clear over the green or worse, leave the ball in the face of the bunker in an even more demanding uphill lie. In both cases the result is surely one of frustration.

A golf lesson could help in this case, but most persons on a Thailand golf tour do not have the time or have not made any plans to visit with a club professional. Fortunately, there are few self drills you can do on your own to improve your Thailand sand play.

Here are two exercises for improving bunker techniques: