Category Archives: Thailand Golf Playing Tips

Asia Golf
Bangkok Golf
Posted by - March 20, 2023

Closest Golf Courses to Downtown Bangkok

Thailand, and especially Bangkok, have some excellent golf courses, and 60 courses are within 100 kilometers of Thailand’s capital city, all offering a variety of challenges. How does a golf visitor choose the best courses to play as dynamic Bangkok is spread out over a larger area? Frequent traffic jams can take time to reach the clubhouse. Last week with Google map navigator as his assistant, Golfasian’s https://www.golfasian.com/golf-courses/thailand-golf-courses/bangkok/  CEO visited 15 cou...

Thailandgolfzone-CEO’s Lost Golf Balls are a Winner
Thailand Golf Courses and Playing Conditions
Thailand Golf Playing Tips
Posted by - February 10, 2020

CEO’s Lost Golf Balls are a Winner.

Most golfers hate to lose an expensive golf ball, but American Mark Siegel doesn’t mind, as he has a clever ulterior motive. Siegel is the CEO of Golfasian, one of the most established inbound golf tour operators in Asia. “About five years ago I had the idea of printing my own Titlist golf balls with the simple message. Reward Offered If you return this ball to www.golfasian.com”, said Siegel. Since then over five lucky golfers, who actually returned his golf ball, have enjoyed complimentary r...

Caddie at Pattaya's Phoenix Gold
Thailand Golf
Thailand Golf Courses and Playing Conditions
Posted by - February 6, 2020

Thailand’s Secret Weapon

According to Thai Super Star Thongchai Jaidee, Thailand’s secret weapon when playing a round of golf has to be the Thai caddies. With over 240 golf courses dotted around Thailand, you are literally spoilt for choice and can experience all types of challenges that you will never experience back home. The course notes on hole Number 1 at the popular Banyan Golf Club in Hua Hin states….‘Aim for the Coconut Tree and try to avoid the Pineapples in the rough.’ If that does not ...

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 Travel
Thailand Golf Courses and Playing Conditions
Posted by - August 10, 2017

To Rent Or Not To Rent – That is the Golf Holiday Question

One of the most frequent questions we receive before guests book their Thailand golf holiday with us is “Should I bring my own clubs” or “Are the rentals at the courses any good?”. The answer to this question has a lot to do with you as an individual golfer, but here is what I can share. As far as the quality of rentals goes, the majority of Thai (and other Asian country) courses and resorts that we deal with will have new updated equipment from a top of the line club company. Most c...

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...

Thailand Golf Playing Tips
Posted by - August 31, 2015

Which golf ball should I play in Thailand?

Of all the variables that determine a golf ball’s performance compression may be the most mysterious. You’ll know it as a number on the ball, usually 90 or 100. If you see slow motion videos of balls impacting the club face you’ll see it as the ball deforming or “mushing”. The ball launches as this compression releases. Generally, professional advice says the faster you swing the less compression you need but there are way more issues to consider namely spin speed g...

Thailand Golf Playing Tips
Posted by - February 1, 2013

Drain Putts In Thailand

If you can do only one thing to improve your enjoyment when golfing in Thailand, the making more putts would be what I suggest. Thailand golfers face more putts than any other shot. I have taken the time to master putting in Thailand and I was able to cut 3-4 stokes off my score in the process. Here is how I did it. 1. I think more about the speed than line on my putts. For example, when my caddie tells me inside right or inside left, I just putt to the center of the hole and make sure my speed ...

Thailand Golf Courses and Playing Conditions
Thailand Golf Playing Tips
Posted by - January 15, 2013

Tips On Playing Thai Country Club

Most of you know that my home course is Thai Country Club. Having played this excellent Bangkok golf course more-or-less one time per week for the past 3 years, my scores have ranged from a few over par to over 90. Looking back on my rounds I can see a few things in common that led to good scores. 1.    Stay out of the rough. Hitting fairways in regulation is the single biggest key to scoring well at Thai Country Club. The rough at Thai Country Club is formed by thick Zoysia grass that is next t...

Thailand Golf Courses and Playing Conditions
Thailand Golf Playing Tips
Posted by - January 8, 2013

Siam Country Club Playing Tips

I had the good fortune of playing at Siam Country Club Plantation Course in Pattaya this week. A usual the course was in excellent condition and in fact just two weeks prior Siam Country Club Plantation Course was awarded the best conditioned course in Asia by the readers of Asia’s largest golf publication. In order to get maximum enjoyment and a good score at Siam Country Club Plantation Course I realized 4 very important points. 1.    Use your B-game: Why this sounds counterintuitive I found t...

Thailand Golf Playing Tips
Posted by - December 18, 2012

Straight Driving For Thailand Golfing

Lately I have been taking some golf lessons and I have gone from a controlled fade to a pull hook off the tee. I have begun pulling the ball off the tee. What I want is a straight ball flight so yesterday I went out to Thai Country Club and hit two bags of balls on the range with my driver. To stop pulling my drives I found that I must swing the club on an in-to-out swing path and/or change the clubface’s position at impact. I was able to do both by implementing one, all, or a combination ...

Thailand Golf Playing Tips
Posted by - November 13, 2012

Make All 4 Footers When Golfing In Thailand

When you golf in Thailand you can complain about slow greens, grainy surfaces, poor caddies, and whatever you can think of to blame for poor putting. However, none of these are likely to be the cause for Thailand golf putting woes. Where you putt from is the key to how well you putt. The closer you are to the hole the better your putting – PERIOD! Average Thai golfers probably face 4 foot putts 10-15 times a round. Many golfers simply call these a Gimmie, but this is cheating (Gimmie’s are only ...

Thailand Golf Holidays and Vacations
Thailand Golf Playing Tips
Posted by - August 14, 2012

Which Golf Ball Is Right for YOU When Golfing In Thailand?

For the regular Thai golfer, the news on the modern golf ball is all good. The ball doesn’t slice or hook anywhere near as much as it did 15 years ago and it goes a lot further. But why hasn’t the average Thailand golf visitor’s handicap dropped? The answer is almost certainly in the golf ball they are teeing up when golfing in Thailand. Today a solidly hit golf ball doesn’t move. The manufacturer’s designers have worked the long night hours to make it so. But for most playing the Thai golf fair...

Posted by - June 19, 2012

Bermuda Grass On Thailand’s Golf Courses

If you’ve played golf in Florida, Mexico, or Hawaii, you are probably familiar with Bermuda grass like Thailand golfers enjoy. Bermuda is a type of grass used in tropical climates, especially on seaside layouts, because it is a heartier strain of grass that is easier to maintain than traditional bent grass. When you play Bermuda greens, you may find multiple grain configurations on a single green so it is wise to examine your shot from all angles. This allows you to see whether the Bermuda looks...

Posted by - May 15, 2012

Thailand Golf Gloves

One of the most important but overlooked pieces of golf equipment in Thailand is the glove.  With hot and oftentimes sweaty tropical weather conditions the only thing stopping a golf club from flying out of a Thailand golfers hand is the glove. If the glove is wet or slick, it will not grip the club and a mishit is very likely. Moreover, one of the most important parts of a good Thailand golf swing is the grip. That comes as no surprise. If a Thai golfers grip is off, then the swing will p...

Posted by - May 2, 2012

How To Judge Green Speed Of Thailand Golf Courses

Recently I have seen green speeds on Thailand golf courses run from a slow 7 on the stimpmeter at Majestic Creek Country Cub in Hua Hin to a speedy 10 at Red Mountain Golf Club in Phuket.  At other times, like after a professional event, green speeds can run as high as 11 or 12. Siam Country Club Old Course was like this in February after the Honda LPGA. With such a great variation in green speed and importance on distance in lag putting, how can the visiting golfer in Thailand be successf...

Posted by - April 3, 2012

My Thailand Short Game

I was playing with friends last week at Royal Gems Golf City and they mentioned that my short game was pretty good. I was able to get up-and-down around 50% of the time, even on the sloped green on August #10. That saved par for me on an otherwise poorly played hole. Therefore, this week I thought to share my Thailand golf short game tips here.My chipping is mainly due to my special grip. So if your chipping leaves something to be desired, try changing grips. Most Thailand golfers use a standard...

Posted by - March 6, 2012

Make More Short Putts In Thailand

Travelling half way around the world to golf in Thailand is an experience if a lifetime. However the last thing you want to do on a Thailand golf holiday is miss allot of short putts during your rounds. Golfers in Thailand probably face on average 10 short (less than 6 foot) putts in any given round. Master putting from this range and I bet you have an even better time golfing in Thailand. But sinking 6 footers isn't as easy as it sounds. Confidence is a big factor and so is practice. I rec...

Posted by - January 18, 2012

Thailand’s Soft Sand

First time visitors golfing in Thailand often mention to me about how difficult it is hitting good shots from greenside bunkers at many of the Thailand golf courses. What I see when we play together is that their sand wedges dig into the often fluffy sand found on many golf courses in Thailand and these same Thai golfers leave their first shot in the bunker and take two or worse three shots to get on the green. The cause of this is that many of these same Thailand golfers don't open the clu...

Posted by - December 6, 2011

Don’t Slice It In Thailand

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could hit it straight or better yet with a slight draw when golfing in Thailand? On the driving range before your first round of golf in Hua Hin does your ball striking leaves something to be desired? If so, try changing grips. Most Thailand golfers use a standard neutral grip. But if you're ending up with shots that go to the right, then you're not making solid contact and you're not helping yourself. The straighter your shots go, the more fun you will ha...

Posted by - August 9, 2011

Are You A Thai Golf Swinger Or Hitter?

Here is something to think about from Mike “Spike” Collier, Director of Golf at Three Generation Golf Academy (TGGA). When golfing in Thailand what is the difference between being a swinger and a hitter? The number one difference is in the concept/mind-set and physical action between the two.That is to say, for a Thai golf swinger the club is pulled and thrown utilizing the feel of the weight of the swinging club head. A Thai golf hitter pushes against the club stressing the shaft using the ri...

Posted by - May 10, 2011

Eliminates Bad Chips in Thailand

Poor chipping hurts my game. Last week at Alpine Golf Club in Bangkok I had the great opportunity to golf in a former European golf professional. He saw my bad chips and gave me the following tip. I immediately improved and was able to get up and down more than 50% of the time afterwards. Poor chipping stemmed from my poor technique. Below is the 4 step routine that showed most improvement: 1. I soled my wedge on the ground and raised it on its toe.2. I stood slightly closer to the ball with my...

Posted by - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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...