If you are fortunate enough to be able to take the odd Thailand golfing vacation, then playing on some rounds in some of the most beautiful locations in the world has to be your goal!
Playing besides the sea is definitely an experience to savour, whether it’s a windy links course in Ireland or over the ocean in Bali.
Coming to Phuket in Thailand most golfers will head for Blue Canyon or Red Mountain. However you should also add the Nicklaus designed Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort and Spa to your list.
Only ten minutes from Phuket International airport and around 40 minutes from Patong, the golf resort is located on the east coast side of the island.
Opened just twelve years ago and designed by the legend Jack Nicklaus, this 18 hole course has several signature holes running right up to the coastline. You are literally playing alongside the local fisherman with a few exotic birds as partners too!
The 6,806 yard course features several lakes, some island greens, a few well placed bunkers and some fairly generous fairways!
The course is fulfilled with the best selected grass, Paspalum Sea Isle 1 for the fairways and Paspalum Sea Isle 2000 for the greens.
The whole experience starts with the welcoming club house, with a magnificent see through archway, directly overlooking the 9th hole, with the sea in the background. You can’t wait to get out there.
The 1st hole is next to a covered bar, so there is time for a cool drink before you tee off. This hole is fairly straight forward par 4, 344yards with a slight dog leg to the right, with the green is surrounded by bunkers.
The whole course is relatively flat, however Nicklaus has still managed to create some interest with some raised greens, lakes and a few well placed bunkers.
Very unusual is Hole 2, a par 5 that green ends on a manmade island, that also doubles as the green for hole 5.
Their signature hole and the one you are most likely to ask the caddie to take your picture, is the par 3 hole 4. You are literally teeing off over a large expanse of sand onto a slightly raise green with the sea in the background. Hit too far and you may knock the local fisherman out of his boat!!!
There are four par fives and the longest is the 584 yard hole 13th a dog leg to the right with masses of sand left and right with bunkers and water around the green.
The final hole is a beautiful 382 yard par 4 with water down the entire right hand side. You have to hit an iron onto an island green, a great way to complete your round.
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