“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...

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...

Krungthep Kreetha golf course is reviewed here by long time Bangkok resident, Dwight Tichenor. Krungthep Kreetha is one of the older Bangkok golf courses and although it is located pretty much in town, it seems to be passed over by many local golfers:  they are missing a fine, challenging golfing experience.  Well maintained, with some of the finest fairways and greens in the area, it posses a fine test for every golfer.  Never unfair, it brings out the best in your game, or...

Ian, our man on the ground in Phuket and up-and-coming golf reporter has this to say about Phuket’s newest golf course; Punaka Golf Club. I have just come back from visiting Phuket’s latest golf development in the South of the island and was very impressed with what I saw.  Really, I should not be surprised as the designer Jonathan Morrow is the man behind the very impressive Red Mountain Golf Course also in Phuket. However, in Mr. Morrow’s latest project the only similarity between the t...

Here is a nice golf course review from a long time Thailand golfer and expatriate resident of Bangkok. I’m a bit old fashioned when it comes to golf. My 3 wood has a steel shaft, I use an Arnold Palmer blade putter, and I prefer to walk whenever feasible. I also really enjoy good traditional parkland style golf courses. I also like the modern designs and even some of the more unusual and flamboyant layouts, though it is the traditional parkland style layouts that I can play over and over again...

Thailand has many great courses from Alpine Golf Club in Bangkok to Phuket’s Blue Canyon Country Club, both in fact where Tiger Woods won major PGA tournaments. While these golf courses can be played by all golfers in Thailand at green fees half of what similar courses cost in Europe or the USA, they are still nevertheless expensive for some. Most times I sing the praise for all the upper-end championship courses in Thailand, however in these uncertain economic times, I thought it appropriate...

Hua Hin now has 9 golf courses, including 2   which make my Thailand’s top ten list, Black Mountain Golf Club and the new Banyan Golf Club, the later which was the subject of recent post. Here are my favorite golf clubhouses in Hua Hin. Springfield Village Golf and Spa. The clubhouse was constructed in an elevated position that will leave you with a lasting impression. The interior is beautifully finished in polished marble and granite, and portrays a feeling of opulence associated ...

Phuket is the most famous and popular Thailand golf holiday destination. Given that the courses mainly carter to visiting golfers, it is surprising that all of the Phuket golf courses do not invest in and keep up the club house and facilities.  In fact I only really like 3 of the golf clubhouses in Phuket. These are: Blue Canyon Country Club. An excellent club house, with 3 gourmet restaurants, clean and luxurious changing rooms, massage, swimming pool and spa. Mission Hills Phuket Golf Res...

For a Thailand golf vacation Pattaya is still the least expensive golf destination. While Pattaya is not a place to bring your mother, or girlfriend for that matter, and swimming in the sea is not recommended, there are quite a few good golf courses in the area; some very reasonably priced, but hardly known. Here are my three favorite of the lesser know Pattaya golf courses. 1.    Emerald Golf Club since re-opening in 2006 has done a great job to improve course and playing conditions. ...

Here is a story of a little known Thailand golf club located near the Burma-Thailand, around 75 minutes west of Hua Hin. My friend and USPGA golf professional Graham Samson was there a few weeks ago and wrote this report. Kaeng Krachan Country Club & Resort has been re-branded as KKC Golf & Country Club (Not to be confused with KFC) KKC Golf & Country Club has operated since 1994. The first 18 holes (Lake and Valley) was designed by Cherd Bunyaratavej, the famous US trained Thai gol...

Leave it to the Japanese to not only design great golf courses by individuals, but also by corporations. That’s right major Japanese companies are also involved in golf course design and they also have left their mark on Thailand golf courses. One of the more interesting Japanese golf course developments in Thailand is Bangpra International Golf Club, which was originally built in 1958, one of the first golf courses in the Pattaya area. Then in 1988, the course and facilities were completely up...