Category Archives: Golf Tips

Asia Golf
Golf News
Posted by - May 1, 2023

How much to tip your caddie?

This week Taylor Gooch won his second LIV Golf event in the space of just two weeks winning a staggering US$ 12 million. Spare a thought for his lucky caddie Australian Mal Baker who would be getting around US$ 1.2 million if he was taking the usual 10%. Good work if you can get it, but for us mere mortals who take in a round of golf in Thailand often wonder how much to tip their beautiful female caddie. Mark Seigel CEO at https://www.golfasian.com/ recommends after your round-tipping them US$1...

Asia Golf
Bangkok Golf
Posted by - February 10, 2023

Golfers need to prepare now for February 14th

With Valentine’s day fast approaching golfers need to prepare in advance. Throughout the year, golfers from around the world can play Asia’s finest public and private golf courses in a multi-day tournament format, unlike anything else ever produced for amateur golfers. Here Are a few events coming up https://www.golfasian.com/events/ There are also plenty of excellent golf courses here in Thailand just check out a few here at www.golfasian.com Meanwhile here is a service you can use next week fo...

Golf Advice
Golf Humour
Posted by - October 31, 2019

Newbie Golf in Thailand

Contrary to popular belief and Swedish regulations, golf is fun and easy to learn, as my teaching pal pro Tony Meechai often says. With an abundance of great courses and fantastic coaches, Thailand is one of the best places in the world to learn the game. Here is a primer for golf newbies. The Absolute virgin stage Don’t waste your money on something you may not like. Go to a second-hand shop, buy a 7-iron, and go hit balls at a driving range. One club. That’s it. Learning the game will come f...

Golf Tips
Interesting Thailand Golf Snippits
Posted by - October 24, 2019

Pattaya Golf Courses Update

Over the last several years I have rarely ventured to the Eastern Seaboard, and found myself quite out of touch with what is going on there. Recently this has changed and experiences over the last couple of months have reconfirmed three of my long-held beliefs, and updated my knowledge base: Pattaya is a great place to play golf. Period. Nobody does golf like Pattaya. The entire region is interconnected and is a golfer’s paradise. Not so long ago the hotels were a collection of a hit-...

Golf Advice
Golf Tips
Posted by - August 27, 2017

What Surfing Just Taught Me About The Golf Swing

I have always loved surfing (although I am a high handicapper at it) and thought it was a fantastic escape from golf. Until today that is, as surfing a wave just brought the golf swing into a brand-new perspective. When you are out waiting for that perfect wave, everything is calm, peaceful and relaxing. Then, all of a sudden you start to feel the energy from the ocean beneath you. You turn to start slowly paddling to catch the wave, but instead the wave is actually going to let you ride it. As ...

Golf Advice
Golf Tips
Posted by - August 15, 2017

Are You In The Right State of Mind To Play Your Best Golf?

We all want to play our best golf, whether at home, or especially if we are away on a Golfing Holiday in Asia.  The one thing that can bring a sour type mood to a beautiful Golf Vacation is playing poorly, as this not only upsets your day on the golf course, but all of a sudden, the food does not taste as good, the bed is not as comfortable, the sights and sounds all feel a little off. Yes, playing poorly affects us in many ways as we feel frustrated and wonder if this vacation was the right ide...

Golf Tips
Interesting Thailand Golf Snippits
Posted by - April 22, 2017

Thailand Golf – Courses that might “Suit Your Eye”?

The picture at the head of this article is of Tiger Woods after one of his 8 victories at the Arnold Palmer Invitational played at Bay Hill. The phrase “This course really suits his eye” is mostly used by golf commentators on US television networks about professional golfers on the Tour. They are almost always referring to a player who is returning to a tournament venue as the defending champion. The premise is, this player has won here fairly recently and is therefore filled with positive memor...

Golf Advice
Golf Tips
Posted by - April 6, 2017

Play until you’re Old and Grey? Nagging Golf Injuries – Ignore at...

Bobby Jones said “The best exercise for golfers is golfing” and I know what he means. In general it’s a pastime which involves getting out in the fresh air, walking for several hours and loosening up with some aerobic “swinging”…gotta be good for you right? Unless you are doing it for a living or it’s your dedicated sport, you probably took it up as the exercise for your twilight years, whenever they may have started. The snag is, because you might be playing in later life, you are more suscepti...

Posted by - November 8, 2011

Does Phuket Need to Reconsider Its Golf Strategy?

Phuket Golf has always been a major attraction for tourists from all over the world who love to spend their time staying in first class resorts on this beautiful Thai island. The same can be said for golf, and even the likes of Tiger Woods and Greg Norman have played here at the islands only true Championship course the famous Blue Canyon. For such a small island, it is unusual to find such a wide variety of golf challenges, from seaside to mountain layouts, and all within a maximum of 45 minut...

Posted by - October 26, 2011

Playing and Staying on a Thai Golf Course

There is no better feeling than waking up to the sound of wildlife and knowing that you are about to experience a great round of golf. Many of the 250 golf courses across Thailand offer first class accommodation along, with sports facilities, bars, swimming pools and restaurants. With the high cost of golf course maintenance many clubs now also rely on real estate to help their cash flow, and several courses offer luxury villas and condominiums beside the course too. Banyan Golf Club in Hua Hin ...

Posted by - September 19, 2011

Wildlife, Scenery and Outstand Golf…Khao Yai Thailand

When considering a golf vacation in Thailand it would be fair to say that most of us are likely to end up going with the flow to head for the popular destinations namely Phuket, Hua Hin , Pattaya and Chiang Mai. Naturally Bangkok has the largest selection of championship courses, so it is a great place to start your vacation. However one area which is gaining a lot of attention is Khao Yai., approximately 2 hours north of Bangkok. Khao Yai National Park, approximately 2 hours north of Bangkok, ...

Posted by - September 6, 2011

Secret Thai Golfing Gem

Kanchanaburi is perhaps better known as the centre of Thailand’s gem industry, where mining has been going on for a number of years. Many tourists also head there to visit the River Kwai and the railway made famous in World War 2. However soon Kanchanaburi will add a new attraction, when the Blue Diamond Resort opens next March. The brainchild of Dr Prachin Eamlumnow, who has made his fortune organizing the Bangkok International Motor Show, Blue Diamond, is a huge 2,000 rai project, with a five...

Posted by - August 30, 2011

Golf Comes With a Big Smile in Thailand

Having played my short golfing time in the UK, the Middle East and now in Asia, I have to say there is a definite magic in the air when you tee off at a Thai golf course that is hard to find elsewhere. Perhaps our definition of what makes a great round of golf may slightly differ from continent to continent. I have never experienced playing golf in Scotland and I am sure getting a good Scottish breakfast after a round at these historical courses must be awesome. Also it is hard to beat the qual...

Posted by - August 10, 2011

What Makes a Great Golfing Experience in Thailand?

I read recently that a large percentage of golfers in Europe don’t feel they are getting their monies worth during their round of golf. High green fees, poor quality of locker rooms, badly maintained greens, slow playing conditions. These are a few of their gripes. Here in Thailand I think playing golf is a lot more laid back than playing say in Europe, so maybe we don’t expect too much. But we all expect our round of golf to go smoothly. Bangkok is in fact spoilt for choice when it comes to fi...

Posted by - July 25, 2011

Thailand Golf in the Summer

Now we are well into the summer months, there are real advantages of playing golf in Thailand. The temperature is still bearable, and although there are rain storms, you can cope with a bit of planning. It amazes me how a major downpour back home in the UK can wash out a whole days play, as the British courses just were not built to handle a major storm. In Asia and especially here in Thailand, apart from creating some great courses, the designers spend as much time on the drainage. It obviousl...

Posted by - July 18, 2011

Pineapples, Bananas and Thai Golf

Banyan Golf Club in Hua Hin has all these and more, being one of Thailand’s new natural golf courses. Pirapon Nimatra is one of the few top Thai golf course designers who first saw the property as a mountain plantation. I actually started work on the course in 2005 although we didn’t open until 2008. I remember driving up a small road and then we walked the rest of the way, and what I saw was a fantastic piece of property. The contours of the land was excellent, however I was worried about the ...

Posted by - May 20, 2011

I would like to play golf! What is the best way to learn fast?

Nobody is the same, but it’s like riding a bicycle, it looks hard to start with, but with practice and once you have grasped the principles, then it comes easier. Whereas most sports can be played when you are younger, the beauty of golf is that a 15 year old can have a competitive game with a 50 year old. So any age can start to take up the game of Golf. Here in Thailand clubs actually encourage beginners to play. Apart from being a great sport for every one of both genders and all ages, you a...

Posted by - May 19, 2011

Why is Golf Different in Thailand?

Thailand’s leading golf course designer and builder, Pirapon Nimatra, is responsible for designing and renovating numerous courses in Thailand. Therefore who better to explain why playing golf here in Thailand different from the rest of the World? ‘First of all we have great weather and you can pretty much play golf all year around. Secondly the caddies do make the experience playing here just that much friendlier and fun,’ said Pirapon. ‘However from my perspective as a golf course designer, w...

Posted by - May 18, 2011

Golf in Thailand is Still a Game to Enjoy

Sometimes I think we forget that the game of golf is all about getting out in the fresh air to hit some balls and then have a cool drink with your fellow golfers afterwards. However golf in the 20th century seems to be all about one upmanship, and this is being fuelled by the manufacturers with their massive marketing campaigns. The ball will give you distance and this club will give you control and this putter is very responsive. I was actually put off even considering lifting a club at an earl...

Posted by - April 15, 2011

Masters Means Armchair Golf This Week

With the low season here in Thailand just started, the green fees are now reasonable, the weather is still very pleasant and the courses are exceptionally green. This is a great time to get the clubs out of the cupboard and head to one of 280 wonderful golf courses dotted around this beautiful country. The Koreans have returned home to play in the own back yard so the courses are also not too busy. But I am afraid this will not be enough to entice me away from my home this week. No I have ...

Posted by - April 13, 2011

Bangkok Weaves It’s Magic Spell

I have now lived here in Bangkok for over a year, so perhaps do not class myself as a ‘tourist’. However last week some international media descended into Thailand and I was invited to join them for an evening of culture. I therefore became a tourist for the night. First stop was Siam Nirimit billed as ‘The Must See Show in Thailand.’ Siam Niramit is a world-class performance of Thailand's arts and cultural heritage. Set in the heart of Bangkok it is close to the MRT and major thoroughfares...

Posted by - April 9, 2011

It’s not all golf you know…..well almost

Golf for many of us is a very serious addiction. We have to have our regular fix! Come rain or shine, business meetings or trade exhibitions, we will make all the excuses needed to arrange that very crucial meeting which just happens to clash. That is our ‘speak’ for sod it I am going to play a round of golf anyway. Here in Thailand a lot of business is conducted on the golf course and in some companies, it is seen as an actual asset if you can play golf. There are corporate tournaments, amateu...

Posted by - March 28, 2011

Old Age Pensioner Breaks Golf Record In Bangkok

Having written my blogs covering other golfers making news for the past few months, please accept my apologies if this time I blow my own trumpet. Firstly I admit that I am not a good golfer. My handicap registered by the Emirates Golf Federation a few years back is a mere 28, although some of my friends call me a bandit. Here in Thailand I normally average 105 on my card, and that is tough going as it seems I am apparently allergic to sand! In fact as a journalist, I try to write my articles an...

Posted by - March 23, 2011

What Makes A Great Golf Vacation In Asia Even Better

For a lucky few of us, vacations are taken several times a year. But for most of us we can only grab the odd week or maybe a fortnight away to play our golf. Not everyone in the family is going to get excited, when you tell them you plan another family vacation, where you will travel miles to find your ultimate 18 holes. OK I think we have found the answer to your predicament, the Kingdom of Smiles, namely Thailand. I am positive it will not be hard to persuade you to experience Thailand’s marv...

Posted by - March 18, 2011

Playing Golf in Thailand

We all like to experience playing a round of golf in a different part of the world, so if you are used to playing in the cold regions of Europe or the States, then you are in for a treat when you arrive here in the Kingdom of Thailand. Their tourist adverts promote Thailand as the Land of Smiles and they are very proud to promote vacations in their country, especially golf holidays. It’s not surprising as there are over 250 golf course scattered across the country. You cannot beat playing a rou...

Posted by - March 17, 2011

Why Do I like to Play Golf in Thailand?

Why? Because I can get out into the fresh air, hit some balls and enjoy the company of some friends, for maybe five hours. OK maybe we don't always want to be with them all the time, so if they are fading their drive to the left, maybe if I want some peace and quiet I will drive purposely to the right. But that is being a bit extreme! Golf is just the right type of sport, where we can play badly, but still feel it was all worth it, and enjoy a drink at the clubhouse afterwards. Perfect! Pe...

Posted by - March 16, 2011

Why We Like to Play Golf in Thailand?

Apart from over 280 wonderful golf courses to select, the fantastic variety of layouts from seaside to mountain tracks, plus those smiling caddies, Thailand also has on offer a great climate too! When I lived in the UAE, only Mad Dogs and Englishmen would venture out to play a round of golf between June and September, when the temperatures rose to 52 degrees centigrade. Russian and Korean golfers also have a limited number of months to play due to their severe winters. Thailand is luckily differ...

Posted by - March 16, 2011

Festivals Abound in Thailand

There are amazing festivals held annually around the World, that most of us would definitely add to our list of must see events to see. There is the Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the Rio Carnival in South America, the Notting hill Gate Carnival in London, to name a few. Here in Thailand we are very fortunate as they have many festivals each year, and some are actually quite unusual. If you are planning a golf vacation here in Thailand and want to bring the family, it is definitely worth checking o...

Posted by - March 8, 2011

Thai Golf Balls Launched

Well do you have a favourite golf ball, or do you just tee off with any old brand? Of course if you are lucky to be a professional on the PGA, European or Asian Tours, the manufactures are keen to give you loads of their balls for free. Maybe that's why they theatrically like to throw a brand new golf ball into the lake after a double bogie. However for us happy weekend hackers here in Thailand, golf balls can be a very personal purchase. Maybe you get sucked in by the manufactures marketin...