Author Archives: Thailand Golf Holiday

Posted by - August 7, 2006

Thailand and Scotland Golf: A Bief Comparison (Part 2 of 2)

Here is the continuation of the post I started last Friday. In Thailand, golfing gives a premium to those who can hit your shots to specific targets, and not worrying to much about what the ball will do upon landing. The soft conditions ensure it will not travel so far. In Scotland, you can easily get 50- 60 yards run on your drive, and must play approach shots short of the green to allow the ball to go forward from the firm ground. This is not always the case but certainly applies on links ty...

Posted by - August 4, 2006

Thailand and Scotland Golf: A Bief Comparison (Part 1 of 2)

From the original ‘home of golf’ to one of the most popular destinations for tourists to go and play golf, this is certainly a case of two extremes. Having played on the windswept links courses in Scotland, which certainly is a real test of your full golfing capabilities, I still find the challenges that the wide variety of excellent courses that Thailand provides, extremely satisfying and most enjoyable. Sure it can get a bit hot at times, but when I do not need to think about how many sweaters...

Posted by - August 2, 2006

Hole In One

Well there are many ways to get a hole-in-one but this has to be the easiest I have ever seen. I am not sure where this course is located, but if anyone has a clue feel free to post a comment. Things are really starting to pick up here in Thailand. This coming season is shaping up to be fantastic as the word is getting out about Thailand golfing all over the world. Inquiries are flooding in and this is taking more and more of my time. Also, in Bangkok now the weather has cooled off and the norm...

Posted by - August 1, 2006

The Woody Chip Shot

Here is an excellent article written by Anthony Gorman , a great instructor at Wilding Golf Thailand. I have used this tip with great success especially from catchment areas off the side of elevated greens. You can find many holes like this for example at courses such as recently upgraded Muang Kaew Golf Club in Bangkok. This is a shot that Tiger Woods used for the first time in the week of the 1996 US Open at Oakland Hills.  On the 18th hole in the third round he tried this shot for the f...

Posted by - July 31, 2006

Golf Girls and Equipment in Thailand

For anyone looking to purchase the latest golf equipment available, then Thailand can certainly satisfy your needs. Just look at the photo on the left, read the rest of this post, and you will see what I mean. Golf is becoming a huge sport here, and to accommodate both the local demand, and with so many visiting tourists from such places as Europe, United States, Japan, and China, the golf retail market is very much alive and flourishing. From the major department stores, to more specialist sho...

Posted by - July 31, 2006

Do-It-Yourself Thailand Golf Tee Times (Part 2 of 2)

I trust everyone had a nice weekend and along with some great golf. Well here is the second part of the post I started last Friday. The final 4 points to consider, when making golf bookings in Thailand are, 1. Prior to your arrival, you will need to again confirm your booking in order to avoid any mistakes such as double bookings mistakes that may have been made by the course’s reservations staff. This is a common situation I regularly encounter 2. Upon arrival, how do you select the best trav...

Posted by - July 28, 2006

Do-It-Yourself Thailand Golf Tee Times (Part 1 of 2)

  Many tourists who visit Thailand on a golfing holiday, like to be responsible for organizing their own affairs, from hotel reservations to booking golf tee off times. Over the next two posts (today and Monday,  weekends will be golf not writing days from now on) I will point out the 7 things to consider before choosing this route. By getting familiar with the in’s and out’s of making tee time reservations in Thailand you can ensure yourself a great golfing vacation, whether you choos...

Posted by - July 27, 2006

Deep in Thailand

Any guess what this post is about? Well it has nothing to do with being in the jungle or "deep south". What I want to talk about is how to recover from a lie , deep in the rough, "semi-plugged" in the fairway, and also out of a soft sand. These lies are very common when playing golf in Thailand as the courses get lots of rain being located in tropics. Playing from a deep  lie is a challenge if you let the lie intimidate you. Usually, a buried or "plugged" lie...

Posted by - July 26, 2006

Thailand Security Update (Part 2 of 2)

In this second and final part of my post I will cover 2 specific topics that you may have come across in the news lately.Theses topics are the recent political demonstrations, with regards to the removal of the prime minister, and the ongoing conflict in the extreme southern region of the country. The political situation is of no worry to any prospective visitor to Thailand, and all demonstrations have been of a very peaceful and democratic in nature. Many people in Thailand are unhappy with th...

Posted by - July 25, 2006

Thailand Security Update (Part 1 of 2)

In recent times, you may have heard, or read, various different reports with regards to security in Thailand. The political events in Thailand have reached the world news and give an image of the country that may be more sensationalism than reality. As such, I have taken the liberty of explaining the situation as well as a more general view of security and safety in Thailand. I would like to highlight that this is my totally independent and unbiased opinion, and its purpose, is to simply give ...

Posted by - July 24, 2006

Alpine Golf in Bangkok

Have you ever heard of this course? Have you ever played it? Well as the name implies it is a hilly golf course near Bangkok with very pleasing hole to hole elevation changes. However, in addition to the “alpine” setting, what sets this course apart from others in the area is the immaculate conditions and maintenance. Alpine is in such good condition that is ranks right up there with the Thai County Club as one of the 2 best courses in Bangkok. I had the opportunity to play at Alpine last weeke...

Posted by - July 23, 2006

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

Here are the last 3 of my best reasons to take a golf holiday in Thailand. 8. The food. From local Thai dishes to those with other Asian influences it is truly amazing. There is such a variety in choice with the local cuisine I find I am constantly changing my favourite dishes! In addition, there is a huge selection of international cuisine for those who prefer a bit of something closer to home. 9. The culture & customs. Thailand is a unique country with its own identity unrivalled in any o...

Posted by - July 22, 2006

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 st...

Posted by - July 21, 2006

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 exp...

Posted by - July 19, 2006

Thai Take Away’s

If this were a more risqué web site you might imagine from the title of this post that it has something to do with a term coined to describe a particular uniqueness of night life in Thailand. Actually, I will let other interesting authors as Stickman provide more information about this, and I will stick (no pun intended), at least for the most part, to golf and golf travel. Note to all, in case you are wondering, the guy at the left is NOT me! I found this picture at this great golf instructio...

Posted by - July 18, 2006

Thailand Golf Vintage?

Will it be a 1995 Chardonnay,  an aged 1986 Cabernet, or  a robust 2004 Shiraz? No, no, no, this is not a post about fine wine, but rather a gem of a golf course located 28 KM south of Bangkok called The Vintage Club. While not a household name among the major Bangkok golf courses, nevertheless this golf club boasts a fine course indeed. It hosts the Thailand amateur tournaments each year and the design and maintenance conditions are clear reasons why. I played at the Vintage club for...

Posted by - July 17, 2006

Playing Golf in Thailand on a VERY Limited Budget (Part 3 of 3)

Another all together different low cost golf holiday option is to consider staying at one the many golf resorts which are located throughout Thailand. Many of these resorts host excellent courses, with both hotel and apartments for rent at the course. Some will have additional facilities such as a swimming pool, fitness and spa’s, and for the standard available, the prices tend to be more favorable then traditional  hotels located in the in the vicinity. Other advantages include specially ...

Posted by - July 16, 2006

Playing Golf in Thailand on a VERY Limited Budget (Part 2 of 3)

For the more budget conscious golf traveler, Thailand can provide much more economical alternatives for you, by simply looking outside the more popular tourist locations. Here are 2 relatively unknown golf destinations to consider. Many of the courses located north of Bangkok, in Nakorn Ratchasima province, the location of Thailand’s largest national park (Khao Yai), can provide golf for some amazingly low prices, $10 US dollars per round on the weekdays. A couple of these courses that I like i...

Posted by - July 15, 2006

Playing Golf in Thailand on a VERY Limited Budget (Part 1 of 3)

Playing golf in Thailand is a wonderful experience, from the excellent and challenging courses, to the fantastic hotel accommodations, everything adds up to a very memorable experience. Whilst Thailand offers great value for money for a golfing holiday, I do appreciate that many visitors are concerned about the potential cost of a golf vacation, and may be looking for a low cost option. In view of this, I hope the following post will serve as a guideline on how to visit on a limited budget, yet...

Posted by - July 14, 2006

Golf Swing Tip: Greenside Bunker Play

Here is a great tip I picked up at the How To Break 80 blog. I find this tip especially important when playing the Thailand golf courses where it is common to find many green side bunkers with tight pin placements Few things in golf are as challenging as the short greenside bunker shot. With the flag only a few feet from the bunker, it’s a difficult shot to make. If you decelerate the club head upon entering the sand, you’ll leave the ball in the bunker or mis-hit it. If you strike t...

Posted by - July 12, 2006

Phuket or Koh Samui – A Comparison of 2 Beach Resorts for a Golf ...

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. Withou...

Posted by - July 11, 2006

Phuket or Koh Samui – A Comparison of 2 Beach Resorts for a Golf ...

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 addit...

Posted by - July 9, 2006

Mini Thailand Country Club

You might be wondering what does the title of this post mean? Everyone knows Thai Country Club (TCC), the site of many majors and where Tiger Woods won in 1998. Well I have just found (actually re-discovered) a course that is very similar to TCC in so many ways that it begs the name mini-TCC. The course is Green Valley Country Club which is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed course and located only 15 kilometers south of Bangkok, a short 30 minute drive from town. Just look at this picture of ...

Posted by - July 7, 2006

Phuket Golf Course Update

After one month of solid rain I am glad to report that the Phuket golf courses are returning to their generally excellent conditions. Last week I had the opportunity to play Laguna, Blue Canyon, and Loch Palm. Of the 3 only Loch Palm showed any serious signs of weathering. Laguna, being built on a good sandy base was not surprisingly in the best condition. Although I am not too fond of the front nine, mostly open and flat, the entire course played well. The back nine, especially holes 16, 17, a...

Posted by - July 5, 2006

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 stan...

Posted by - July 4, 2006

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 rec...

Posted by - July 3, 2006

Hitting Fairway Woods

Hitting a fairway wood intimidates many golfers, so much so that many people do not even carry nor use any. But players who hit the ball average distances must master these clubs to drive down their scores and golf handicaps. Here are 5 great keys that I have found to be effective when hitting fairway woods. Take a normal address position Position the ball slightly back Take a complete back swing Focus on clipping the grass End with a full and balanced finish

Posted by - July 1, 2006

Golf Caddies of Thailand (Part 2)

Here is the continuation of the post I started yesterday. Caddies are very knowledgeable about the rules of golf, and quite amazingly, after only a few shots they can club you extremely accurately. The more experienced ones are a fantastic assistance on the greens, being very accurate with their assessment of the speed and line of your putt. They will mark and clean your ball on the green, leaving you only to put the ball in the hole. Remember; do not blame them if you miss as it means you have...

Posted by - June 30, 2006

Golf Caddies of Thailand (Part 1)

  Over the next 2 days I will be writing about an amazing aspect of golfing in Thailand, namely the caddies. I often speak about this with friends and we all have the same conclusion, playing golf with a Thai caddie adds a whole new dimension to the game of golf and is a MUST experience for all golfers. What can I say? For anyone who has not played golf in Thailand before, then the famous Thai caddies will be without doubt one of the unique and wonderful experiences of your golf holiday. Ho...

Posted by - June 27, 2006

Thailand Golf Driving Ranges

Here is a topic you hardly hear anything about because most people are so busy playing golf they do not think they can also get in some practice when on holiday. Well there really are some great choices and here are a few ideas. For anyone looking to spend a bit of time working on their golf game in Thailand then you will certainly not be spoiled for choice of driving ranges to visit. In Bangkok alone, there are over 80 within a 20 km radius of the city centre, but I would warn that with the in...