Thailand Golf Holiday - Thailand Golf Zone

Author Archives: Thailand Golf Holiday

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - December 24, 2010

Just Aim For The Coconut Tree!

How many of us love to leave our local club for change of location in a different setting for a few days golf with a few mates? If you live in a cold climate, then going to a warm climate makes for a great for a golf holiday. Or if you live in the middle of a city playing, then alongside the ocean is certainly an experience not to be missed. As Thongchai Jaidee, Asia’s No 1 golfer says, ‘What Thailand can offer is great courses, wonderful locations and endless smiles!!!’ Well Thailand with it s...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - December 8, 2010

Practice Rounds On A Thailand Golf Vacation

Poor golf hurts your ego and can lead to poor enjoyment when on a Thailand golf holiday. In fact, when I survey Thailand golfers on holiday as to their favorite course, the answers I get are so varied you would think that every golfer has a different priority as to what he/she feels is important in a golf course. I hear things like (1) great design, (2) fantastic course, (3) excellent caddies, (4) top maintenance.Then when I dig-deeper I find a common thread running among the seemingly confusin...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - October 18, 2010

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. &...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - October 4, 2010

Secret Golf In Southern Thailand: Rajjaprabha Golf Course

Located about 40km from Surat Thani; Rajjaprabha Golf Course is a hidden gem well off the beaten path for most Thailand golfers and far away from the more popular Phuket golf courses like Blue Canyon and Red Mountain. The course is ideally situated for those looking for an inexpensive off island Koh Samui golf tour, a Krabi golf day, or a Thailand golf break when driving between Phuket and Bangkok.

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - September 28, 2010

Cheap & Good Flights For Thailand Golf Holidays

Many headed for a Thailand golf vacation complain about the high costs of air travel to golf in the Kingdom. I agree that this is can be the case when flying national carries like Thai (almost guaranteed to be the most expensive and worst service), British Airlines (notorious for high fares and aging fleets) and United/Delta (US flagship airlines, but only if you want to get lessons in high prices and crappy service). Much better and less expensive choices for Thailand golf holidays are EVA Air...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - September 14, 2010

Three Wacky Rules Of Golf In Thailand

When golfing in Thailand either for holiday, sport or pleasure playing by the rules can be a beautiful thing. Here are three of the craziest rules that I have ever heard of (surely nobody obeys them when golfing in Thailand).

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - September 1, 2010

5 Bangkok Golf Driving Ranges

Given that there are many golf holidaymakers in Bangkok, there are bound to be some staying at a hotel in the city center who wants to just get out to a range to hit some balls. Here are a five of my favorite ranges where any Bangkok golfer can get their game on without leaving the city. 1. All-Star Golf ComplexA popular one-stop destination for Bangkok golfers, All-Star has retail golf equipment shops, short-game practice facilities and a quality long-distance driving range with new Srixon go...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - August 31, 2010

Is Thailand safe for a golf holiday?

I regularly get asked this question regarding a golf holiday in Thailand. While Thailand has been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently, it still surprises me of people’s reluctance to travel to Thailand. Thailand is much more than Bangkok and Bangkok is more than just the two streets that was involved in the political unrest in May. Also, there are so many destinations in Thailand that make great golfing holidays in Thailand, all where life and golf have been and continue to go on nor...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - August 4, 2010

Thailand Golf Free & Independent Travel (FIT) Versus Group G

No doubt, any Thailand golf holiday is an exciting time, no matter what the itinerary. Most of the 600,000 golf holidaymakers who golf in Thailand each year come to Thailand as free independent travellers (FIT) whose agenda, destination, Thailand golf course line-up, and Thailand golf resort is totally up to their own discretion. This insures that the Thailand golf travellers’ budget and style of travel is exactly as the golfer prefers. Travelling alone also ensures that you can set your own sc...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - July 28, 2010

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 Santibu...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - July 6, 2010

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 Walke...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - June 29, 2010

Riverdale Golf Club, Bangkok Thailand

Designed by Jonathan Morrow and Al Tikkanen and like Red Mountain, their other high-profile Phuket golf course, Riverdale Golf Club is destined to become one of the most celebrated Bangkok golf courses. Riverdale may not at first glance look the most menacing test of golf you've seen. However, the golfer is in for a surprise. The landscape includes several large lakes which were dredged to create the hills that surround the golf course and frame most of the holes. Beyond the perimeter thoug...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - June 22, 2010

Golf In Australia vs. Golf In Thailand

Recently I spent some time in Melbourne Australia golfing with my good friend Mark Penfold from Thailand Golf Tours in Sydney. Mark and I got talking about why golf in Thailand is so popular with Australian golfers and what are the biggest differences between golfing in the 2 countries. Here are Mark’s views. While the best golf courses are similar throughout the world in shot values, landscaping and maintenance, the unique points about golf in Thailand come down to 3 main factors. 1.�...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - June 22, 2010

Now Play Links Golf In Bangkok

Today I had the pleasure of playing the new 9 holes at Bangsai Country Club in Ayutthaya with Kun Ope (aka Pirapon Namata owner of course construction company GolfEast) and what a joy it was. Bangkok’s newest golf course is made up of the most interesting mix 9 holes in the area. Khun Ope, being giving a free hand in the design, came up with some very unorthodox (at least for Thailand golf) holes to say the least. From the moment you step onto the 1st tee you can see that this is no ordinary go...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - May 25, 2010

Thailand’s Best Golf Tee Times

A common misconception is that scheduling Thailand golf tee times ‘as early as possible’ is best to both beat the heat and get back to your hotel early. Actually this depends on where you golf in Thailand and what your priorities are. When you golf in Phuket humidity plays a big factor on ‘how hot it feels’. During night time warm moist air over the sea moves over Phuket Island driving up humidity, then during the day the sun comes out and burns off humidity. If you golf in...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - May 4, 2010

The Future Of Thailand Golf

The future is looking bright for Thailand golf with investment again seeing a surge with one new golf course estimated to be opened every 3 months or so for the next two years. Thailand’s visiting golfers are also on the rise and the ‘Tourism Authority of Thailand’ recognizes the positive effects of Thailand golfing tourism on the country’s economy which is why it heavily supported inbound golf tourism since its landmark success with the first ‘Visit Thailand’ campaign back in 1987. Today over ...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - April 27, 2010

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 a...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - April 21, 2010

Thailand Tee Off Experiment

Despite my driver being a new Cobra ZL equipped with modern technological advancements, I kept it in my bag for my last 3 rounds played at Thai Country (Bangkok), Black Mountain (Hua Hin), and Amata Spring (Bangkok). Instead I used my 3-wood off the tee even though my 3-wood is four inches shorter than my driver and has four degrees more loft. What do you think the results were? With a distance advantage of 30 yards with my driver you would think that my long game would have been pressured and ...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - April 17, 2010

Thailand Golfers Undeterred By Thai Political Unrest

Thailand golfers and golf holidaymakers continue to play despite political turbulence, an Icelandic Volcano shutting down most flights from Europe, a brace of canceled travel plans and worries from skittish Asian golfers alike. Contrary to BBC, CNN, and other news reports, which tend to sensationalize events, the real fact is 99 percent of the country and 100% of the Thailand golf courses are operating as normal. Even more important, my own company, Golfasian has some 100 golfers in Thailand a...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - March 22, 2010

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.

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - March 16, 2010

Thai Golf after the meeting!

With positive signs that the global economy is at last showing signs of improvement, many companies are now scheduling overseas trips to Thailand again But with a close eye on the bottom line costs, Thailand travel budgets are tight and gone are the chances of grabbing a few extra nights at the Oriental in Bangkok to fit in a couple of rounds with the local VP or Sales agents! Golf and business in Thailand however are still a great way of clinching that business deal or renewing contacts and T...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - March 7, 2010

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 gol...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - February 24, 2010

To Rent Or Not To Rent?

Many golfers ask about packing their own golf clubs when coming to Thailand. My advice is this: If your Thailand trip is mainly for golf, you will be happier using your own, full set of 14 clubs. You will feel more comfortable, confident and not have to get used to anything new, thus promoting better scores in the process. A trip arranged by a specialist and licensed golf tour operator, will include transfers. Moreover, company drivers/guides will take all the lugging out of the luggage proces...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - February 10, 2010

Can Thais Design Golf Courses?

With almost 300 courses and over 600,000 registered golfers in Thailand, it is no surprise that there are a number of Thai golf course designers. Unlike most foreign designers, I have found it very difficult to find much personal information about the local course designers. The most prolific and perhaps best known is Dr. Sukitti Klangvishai, the designer of Phuket Country Club (1989) and Loch Palm Golf Club (1993) in Phuket, Tanya Tanee Country Club (1993) in Bangkok, Majestic Creek Country C...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - February 3, 2010

Three Thailand Golf Vacation Add-On Hot Picks

Many a golfer on a Thailand golf tour asks about other nearby destinations to visit in combination with Thailand or as an addition to a Thailand golf holiday. Here are my 3 hot picks for nearby Asia golf destinations. 1. Siem Reap, Cambodia: This traditional town is most famous of course for the 1000 year old Angkor Wat complex. However, now armed with 3 modern 18 hole golf complexes (Phokeethra CC, Angkor Golf Resort, and Siem Reap Lake), the Cambodia golf destination is making headway on the ...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - January 26, 2010

Stick It Close From The Rough Around The Thailand Greens

Every Thailand golfer lands in the rough sooner or late, especially on courses with narrow fairways such as Amata Spring in Bangkok or Santiburi in Samui or courses with rough between the fairway and green such as Bangpra in Pattaya. If the ball is near the green, the shot is very important, as a good chip will save par and a poor one will almost seal a bogey, or worse. To score low, I always try to knock it close from the really deep stuff. Knocking it close from there chops one or two strok...

Posted by Thailand Golf Holiday - January 19, 2010

Thailand Tourism’s Secret Golf Course: Bangpra International Golf...

Did you know that Tourist Thailand (TAT) owns their own golf course? One would think this would be an excellent maneuver as TAT sights golf as one of the seven key areas for Thai tourism promotion and development. Ironically though, Bangpra International Golf Course just outside of Pattaya is hardly promoted to Thai golf holidaymakers, but rather is mostly used for the officials of TAT for their own golf needs. Set amongst jungle covered hills, the Bangpra International Golf Club may only be l...

« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 … 20 Next »