Author Archives: Thailand Golf Holiday

Posted by - January 7, 2010

Thailand’s Ryder Cup Once Again

Asian and European Golf Teams will be able to boast their own royal connections when Europe and Asia do battle in the fourth Royal Trophy this weekend January 8-10 at Amata Spring Country Club in Bangkok. Asia's bid to defend the trophy donated by His Majesty the King of Thailand, will be spearheaded by Ryo Ishikawa, also know to his army of fans as 'The Bashful Prince'. The European challenge will be led by Colin Montgomerie, who was installed as a Member of the British Empire and...

Posted by - January 5, 2010

Best Place For A ‘Quiet and Peaceful’ Thailand Golf and Beach Hol...

Hua Hin is the winner here, with Phuket’s north and west coasts posting an honorable challenge.  Until recently the golf in Hua Hin was mostly ‘so-so’ quality, though that has changed with some of newer venues which are up to world class standards. Banyan Golf Club won the “2009 Best New Golf Course in Asia” award, while Black Mountain Golf Club, only 2 years old, was voted as the second best Thailand golf course, just behind Thai Country Club. Both courses are located in the foothills ab...

Posted by - December 28, 2009

Best Place For a Thailand Golf With Nightlife Holiday

Depends on what you are looking for.  For raw and wild “in your face’ action Pattaya is the place for many. Golf lovers can play the 2 excellent Siam Country Club courses in between visits to the infamous Walking Street.  Be prepared though, for some the action is just too much and it spoils the otherwise wide selection of reasonably priced Pattaya golf courses For those Thailand golfers who can do without the bar scene but a Jazz Festival sounds appealing?… Hua Hin is it. Man...

Posted by - December 21, 2009

Best Place For A Thailand Golf and Culture Holiday?

Chiang Mai, the “Rose of the North”!  Elephant camps, mountains, hill tribe villages, a 900 year old city with over 500 temples, gentle people, arts and crafts, a moated ‘old city’, a popular night market, a Sunday walking street and a vibrant riverfront scene.  Gourmets can feast on tasty local Lanna cuisine, which is generally less spicy than the more famous southern Thai dishes. Chiang Mai attracts nature enthusiasts, history buffs, lovers of fresh mountain air, and golf enthusia...

Posted by - December 15, 2009

Best Place In Thailand For A Golf and Beach Holiday?

Phuket wins this one easily with eight championship golf courses, some of most beautiful beaches anywhere in the world, first class resorts, and unsurpassed Thai hospitality. Phuket is the largest Thailand island and is located in the Andaman Sea. Spectacular scenery, tropical sunsets over palm lined clear blue water beaches, luxurious accommodations and a vast array of nightlife are what made Phuket famous with Europeans looking for a warm weather winter getaway. Golfers will find eight top c...

Posted by - December 11, 2009

Greenwood Golf Resort, Pattaya

Playing the Greenwood Golf and Resort for the first time in several years last week I was pleasantly surprised by the improved course conditions, locker rooms, and halfway houses on the course. Courses A&B were the only 9’s that were open, so it was an easy choice of which of the 27 holes to play for my group. To make a long story short, Greenwood Golf is the best Pattaya golf value for 2009. Green fees of only 20 Euros qualifies the golf course for the low budget category, but course des...

Posted by - December 8, 2009

Victory Park Golf & Country Club

“Oh Give Me a Home, Where the Buffalo Roam… “ (Nong Khai / Udon Thani) Talking Issan & Khao Yai here, not on the range. Issan, Thailand’s northeastern agricultural heartland known for producing the world’s best rice (Thai Jasmine), may not be economically wealthy though its culture is rich and its people happy and proud.  The water buffalo like it just fine too. What you may not know though is that Issan has some of the world’s best country clubs.  Seriously.  And there ar...

Posted by - November 29, 2009

Roughing It In Thailand Golf

The golf courses in Thailand have some very thick rough. For example, off the fairway at the Nicklaus designed Springfield Country Club in Hua Hin can wreak havoc for even the most accomplished golfers in Thailand. If you lie is near the green, the shot becomes even more critical as it can mean the difference between making a par, bogey or worse. To score low, you must know how to get it close from the really deep stuff. Blue Canyon in Phuket and Thai Country in Bangkok are two Thailand golf c...

Posted by - November 17, 2009

Lagging It Close Golfing in Phuket and Hua Hin

My approach shots often stop 20 feet short of the hole when I play the hilly Phuket golf courses like Blue Canyon and Red Mountain or the new Banyan Golf Club in Hua Hin. These golf courses have many elevated greens compared to my relatively flat home Bangkok golf course, Thai Country Club.  Therefore, my lag putting becomes extremely important to achieve a good score and avoid three putting at these Thailand golf courses. I have found that good lag putting is a function of my ability t...

Posted by - November 10, 2009

Become An Expert At Reading Thailand Golf Greens

Probably the most important thing to learn about golf in Thailand is how to read the greens.  While Thai caddies can tell you where to hit a putt, it is always helpful to understand why putts break the way they do.  Grass in Thailand is mostly Bermuda and very grainy.  Grain, or the direction the grass blades grow, is many times just as important to the line and speed of a putt as is the slope of the green itself.  To read the grain, there are a couple of things to pay at...

Posted by - November 3, 2009

Thailand Golf Tips

Golfers travel from thousands of miles away everyday to enjoy Thailand golf courses, tourist attractions and cultural experiences.  Tour guides can answer many questions and provide necessary insights regarding the sights.  Likewise, golfers in Thailand benefit from the help they get from the delightful caddies at all Thai golf courses.  Still, there are some things all golfers should learn about golf in Thailand, which will make their rounds more enjoyable. Thailand is in th...

Posted by - October 28, 2009

Gold Mountain Golf Club, Chiang Mai

  Gold Mountain Golf Club is the latest addition to the northern Thai golf scene.  Currently it is in a ‘soft opening’ phase and conditions are a bit rough, though all 18 holes are open for play.  The front nine opened in 2009 and the back nine earlier this year.  The clubhouse won’t be finished until 2010.  For now the caddie shack serves as a limited service clubhouse and serves up a bit of Thai food along with an assortment of beverages. Gold Mountain is located...

Posted by - October 25, 2009

Three Ball Golf Thailand

In my view, and I am sure many of you will agree, the best form of golf in Thailand is a ‘friendly’ four-ball, better-ball with three like-minded pals. The amicable banter and gamesmanship all go to make for a fun round, especially if there are a few bucks, or even the post-match round of drinks, riding on the result – in particular, in Thailand, if the caddies are encouraged to join in the wagering, say by doubling the tip of the caddies carrying for the winning pair. Sometimes people are nerv...

Posted by - September 22, 2009

How I Avoided Three-Putting Golfing In Thailand?

Can you believe it? Over the past 2 weeks I played Thai Country Club twice, and Banyan Golf Club and Black Mountain Golf Club once each without a single three-putt. Here are the two steps how I did it. 1. Three years ago I took some lessons form an Australian golf professional in Bangkok. At that time he insisted that I go for every green every chance I had, as a lay-up shot would never get the ball in the hole. After following his advice ever since and thinking about it some more, I decide...

Posted by - September 18, 2009

6 Thailand Golf Picks That Are “Twice As Nice” (Part 2 of 2)

Here are the final 3 picks for playing the best “Twice As Nice” Thailand golf courses. Two are Pattaya golf courses and the final one is a Phuket golf course. 4. Siam Country Club is situated just 10 minutes from Pattaya.  The original Siam Country Club, built in 1971, is now called Siam Country Club Old Course, after a two- year renovation.  A traditional shot-makers layout, this is one of the more well known tracks in Thailand and hosted the 2007 LPGA Honda Thailand upon re-openin...

Posted by - September 16, 2009

6 Thailand Golf Picks That Are “Twice As Nice” (Part 1 of 2)

Of the many quality golf courses available to visitors in Thailand, some of the best are at facilities with 36 holes.  A visit to any of these will provide a golfing experience that is “twice as nice” as an 18-hole offering. Here are 6 of the best picks; 3 today (all by chance happen to be Bangkok golf courses) and 3 in the next post. 1. Lam Luk Ka Country Club is located about 30 minutes from the old Don Muang International Airport.  Lam Luk Ka is a real “sleeper”, as it is quietly...

Posted by - September 4, 2009

Phuket Golf Memberships

Owning a membership at of one of the golf courses in Phuket seems like a good idea to some, especially frequent golfers to the island who shun the idea of paying high green fees. Thailand golf club memberships may be held by overseas residents and their prices are much lower than what one would pay at clubs in the USA, Europe, and Australia. Generally, the golf club membership secondary market in Thailand offers some even better deals than from the clubs directly. That is the good news. Howev...

Posted by - September 1, 2009

5 THAILAND GOLF ETIQUETTE TIPS

When golfing in Thailand remember these 5 simple points of golf etiquette and everyone will be assured of a satisfying golf experience. The overriding principle is that consideration should be shown to others on Thailand golf courses at all times.   1. The Spirit of the Game in ThailandUnlike many sports, golf in Thailand is played without the supervision of a referee. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other golfers in Thailand and to abide by th...

Posted by - August 13, 2009

How To Golf With A Caddie In Thailand?

More from our roving golf reporter in the USA, Mr. Andy Harris. Golf with a caddie is the most enjoyable way to play golf. To have the best possible experience and get the most out of your rounds with your Thai golf caddies, I’d like to offer six helpful tips: 1.    First and most importantly, establish a rapport with your caddie quickly. Ask your caddie her name, tell her you’re going to have fun today, smile and generally have a positive attitude. 2.    Fig...

Posted by - August 11, 2009

The best thing about golf in Thailand…!

Here is another post from our roving golf reporter in the USA, Mr. Andy Harris. Ok, ok. I know, there are many reasons to love golf in Thailand. The courses are fabulous (many have held European and Asian Tour Events); the clubhouses are positively palatial; the golfing conditions are universally good; the weather is fine year round; the after round massage is a delight and all this for a fraction of the cost in the USA or Europe. Still, my favorite part of the Thai golf experience without dou...

Posted by - July 30, 2009

Expansion Of ‘ The Thai Golf Experience’

‘Golf in a Kingdom: The Thai Golf Experience’ is just a month old but already having an impact. Another luxury hotel property has joined and the region's top pro tour has again put a Kingdom track on its schedule. Last week, the distinctive Woodlands Hotel & Resort Pattaya became part of ‘Golf in a Kingdom’, which launched in June as an itinerary and golf-travel resource that matches Thailand’s top golf courses with its most desirable hotels. Also, the Asian Tour has tapped ‘Golf in a ...

Posted by - July 7, 2009

The Thailand Golf Experience

Here is a Thailand golf post by Gerry Norquist, former Asian Tour star. There is a special magic about playing golf in a Kingdom.  It has been said that the golf experience in “the land of smiles” is like no other anywhere in the world.   The many diverse courses available to the golf enthusiast throughout the nation cater to the beginner and the expert with equal delight. A round of golf in Thailand typically begins with a friendly greeting at the club drop off area near the ...

Posted by - June 30, 2009

Thailand Extends Royal Golf Invitation

In an bid to tell world golfers what Asian golfers already know, the golf establishment in Thailand has launched ‘Golf in a Kingdom: The Thai Golf Experience’, a cooperative itinerary that matches the country’s top courses with its most desirable hotels. The Kingdom of Thailand has for decades been the destination of choice for Asian golfers, thanks to its stellar courses, superb year-round climate and welcoming culture. By banding together to form ‘Golf in a Kingdom: The Thai Golf Experience’,...

Posted by - June 25, 2009

The Biggest Hassle About Golf In Thailand…. And How To Over

Here is an article by Andy Harris, long time visitor to Thailand and one of the board members of the Gallipeau-Harris Foundation. For many of us, relaxing on the couch for a Sunday — watching golf or football — is one of life’s simple pleasures, on we enjoy all too infrequently. We would gladly sit there for 8, 10 even 12 hours, so long as we were periodically replenished with suitable liquids and sustenance. The idea that our wives or children would serve us the beer and chips without our ev...

Posted by - June 23, 2009

Thailand Golf Zone Gets New Authors

I bet some of you are getting tired of reading my Thailand golf articles, right? Well I have good news for you. I have enlisted the help of some of my friends, colleagues, golf professionals, and even a reader of this blog to liven up the Thailand Golf Zone. Now, in addition to my own views, you can read about the experiences several Thailand golf gurus. Over the coming days, weeks, months, and hopefully years various guest and expert Thailand golfers will all be contributing to these pages. S...

Posted by - June 19, 2009

Bangkok’s Least Known Golf Course

Have you ever wondered what that golf course off to the side of the BTS smack in the middle Bangkok was? Nestled in amongst the hustle and bustle of one of Southeast Asia’s busiest cities is a hidden golf gem.  The Royal Bangkok Sports Club  (RBSC)  is an anomaly in that, it is by far the most conveniently located golf course in Bangkok, yet might be the least well known. Here is what you are missing. Located in the heart of Bangkok’s shopping and business district, the only...

Posted by - June 17, 2009

Thailand Adds Another Golf Event

Thailand will launch its newest golf tournament on the Asian Tour this season with the establishment of the inaugural Queen’s Cup in August. The Queen’s Cup presented by Bangkok Airways and Sports Authority of Thailand will be staged at the Santiburi Samui Country Club on the holiday isle of Samui from August 13 to 16, 2009. The US$300,000 tournament, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Thailand PGA, will be held in honor of the Queen of Thailand. The Santiburi Samui Country Club provides a great ...

Posted by - June 7, 2009

Fake Golf Clubs & Golf Balls in Thailand

Counterfeit golf products in Thailand are becoming increasingly troublesome for the Thailand golf industry. I know of one Phuket golf course that has stopped selling clubs in their pro shop as a result. Chris Faxon, an anti-counterfeiting consultant and one of the leading attorneys in the Thailand golf industry, estimates the counterfeit golf industry is valued at more than $100 million US worldwide on an annual basis, including Thailand. That figure has increased steadily over the last five ye...

Posted by - May 21, 2009

Stop Trusting Thailand Golf Course Superintendents

Be wary of Thailand golf course superintendents! They can cost you strokes. Thai golf course designers create fair, but challenging courses. However, the Thai superintendents sometimes play tricks on you, especially with tee boxes. I have seen at least one and in most cases up to 50% of tee boxes on golf courses in Thailand be aligned to the out-of-bounds or hazard rather than the fairway. Take for example the Canyon Course at Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket. Look at where the tees point o...

Posted by - May 5, 2009

Cambodia Border Dispute Being Settled Thai Style: Peacefully On T

Golf delegations from Cambodian and Thai defense ministries teed off this week in a spot of golf diplomacy ahead of talks aimed at resolving their territorial dispute. Cambodia's defence minister Tea Banh and his Thai counterpart Prawit Wongsuwan played a round in the northwestern tourist hub of Siem Reap with other military officials ahead of their Wednesday border negotiations. The round was hosted by the Phokeethra Country Club. General Neang Phat  said, “We are playing golf with ...