Tag Archives: golf

Better Business For Golf In Thailand

Perception is one thing; reality is often very different. So it was with flooding that affected a large area of countryside near Bangkok in October and November. To outsiders, the perception was that the inundation – as real and damaging as it was for many communities – had halted play on many of Thailand’s 260 golf courses and that it would take months for courses to re-open. Dispatches declaring that “Bangkok’s airport is under water” failed to mention that the airport was, in fact, Don Muang,...

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...

Golf Pride Of The Royal Thai Navy

Here is a great story from a good friend in Pattaya. I was once like you folks—playing all the Pattaya golf courses, tipping those lovely caddies twice as much as I should, riding a la cart rather than do the plebeian trudge that would scuff my alligator Foot-Joys, gamboling over golf courses in Cambodia where the game is just getting a foothold…Then, one by one, my old and now ex-friends in foreign lands started treating the loans I had given them as largesse. Subsequent penury has separated me...

Destinations For A Thailand Golf Package

Many golfers ask me what is the best destination for golf in Thailand. My answer is always ‘it depends”. For those who like a sunny beach destination, then the best golf in Thailand is either Phuket or Hua Hin. On the other hand, Thailand golfers looking for more authenticity and value-for-money would like golfing in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai the best. Next up are golfers in Thailand who are here for only a short break and want  a taste of Thailand’s best shopping. In this case, Bangkok ha...

Thailand Flooding Update

As you may have heard, parts of the Kingdom of Thailand have been suffering from flooding over the last few weeks. As monsoon rains continue, the situation has now become more critical. Bangkok is bracing for the worst flooding it’s seen in decades as waters from the flooded central plains continue to rush in. Rising water levels on the Chao Phraya River and city canals have left some riverside restaurants, shops and homes submerged, while public piers are covered in makeshift platforms and sand...

Lam Luk Ka, A Piece of Bangkok Golf Countryside

Lam Luk Ka Country Club sets the stage for a golf experience not easily forgotten.  Lam Luk Ka has two 18-hole courses; the East and West courses. These 36 holes meander through Bangkok's wetlands, where shade trees and water ways provide homes for birds and wildlife and a relaxing day in a park land environment. The Championship East Course played host to the 2002 Thailand PGA Championship and 2009 Asian Tour qualifying events. The Lam Luk Ka East Course will challenge the best play...

Golf In Bangkok

Bangkok is an enchanting city with rich golf, culture and attractions. It is known as an international golf destination for its diversity of 60 golf courses, year-round golfing weather, delicious food, numerous attractions, and most of all friendly people. Bangkok was voted “World’s Best City” by Travel +Leisure magazine in 2010. The championship golf courses and vibrant streets of Bangkok never stop to amaze vising golfers. Courses such as Thai Country Club, where Tiger Woods cruised to a 10 s...

Phuket Golf Course Improvements

Things are changing at many on the Phuket golf courses and improvements are taking place all over the island. Loch Palm Golf Club is leading the way and the new club house is all set to be open and in place for the coming high season. The style is similar to neighbor and sister course Red Mountain Golf Club with a magnificent new locker room on the first floor that has fantastic views over the putting green and Crystal Lake. The open air restaurant on the ground floor is in the same location bu...

After the 18th hole in Bangkok

A round of golf usually finishes at the 18th hole at most golf clubs. Then it’s off home for a cup of tea or a hot chocolate before bed. Well one of the pleasures of taking a Bangkok golf holiday is the fun just does not stop at the Bangkok golf course. Bangkok not only has over 60 golf courses, but it is also known globally for its excellent shopping, great cultural attractions, great spa and massage, and of course a wide variety of restaurants and night life. The great thing about Bangkok is i...

The Best Time Of Year For A Thailand Golf Holiday?

Actually ANY time is a good time for a Thailand golf holiday, as the courses stay green, the weather stays good, and the locals keep smiling all year round. For most golf travelers however, travel dates are dictated by work schedules and family matters and preference is to get away to a warm sunny place when it is cold and dark back home. But if you are flexible read on… You might be surprised that I often suggest the current season (August / September / October).  Here is why. WEATHERTra...

What The Golf Experts Think About Thailand Golf

It is sometimes easy to get carried away talking about how wonderful playing golf in Thailand really is, especially as I live here. Therefore, it was rather refreshing to hear from some overseas journalists that they also agree with me; playing golf in Thailand is a great experience. A few months ago I hosted sixteen editors and journalists representing golf magazines in the USA and Europe. They sampled some of Thailand’s best golf courses including Thai Country Club, Chiang Mai Highlands, and ...

New Golf Gem of Thailand

With over 280 golf courses across Thailand, the Kingdom is already spoilt for choice, so it is a very pleasant surprise, when a new club opens that really does have something different to offer. The Royal Gems Golf City located just 35 minutes from the centre of Bangkok, has just finished the first phase of the proposed largest golf complex in Thailand. Known as the Dream Arena, it is the first replica golf course in Asia. Designed by  Ron Garl who was also responsible for Alpine Golf in ...

It’s Not Only Thailand Golf

  Golf for many of us is a very serious addiction. We have to have our regular fix! Come rain or shine, family vacations, or business meetings, we all make all the excuses needed to arrange that very crucial meeting which just happens to clash with golf. That is our ‘speak’ for sod it I am going to play golf anyway. Here golfing in Thailand, a lot of business is conducted on the golf course. Golfers in Thailand often travel with their so-called business associates and in some companies; ...

PGA Golf Tournament In Khao Yai Solidifies Panorama’s Reputation...

Khao Yai’s Panorama Golf and Country Club, managed by Quality Golf, hosted its first ever professional event in the Thailand golf course’s 18 year history. Played over 3 days in April the Thailand Senior Professional Golfers Association tournament was won by local Thai favorite Jamnian Chitprasong. Quality Golf managed to keep the usually tricky greens at a speed of 9.5 feet during the tournament. However, keeping the ball below the hole still proved to be sound advice for the top finishers. T...

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...

Thai Golf After The Meeting

With positive signs that the global economy is at last showing signs of improvement, many companies are now scheduling overseas trips again, which means sending their staff back on the road and the Thai capital is again flooded with businessmen. But with a close eye on the bottom line costs, travel budgets are tight and gone are the chances of grabbing a few extra nights in Bangkok to fit in a couple of rounds of golf with the local VP or sales agents! In Thailand golf and business however are ...

Airfares and Hidden Fees For A Thailand Golf Vacation

Sorting out flights and airfare for a Thailand golf vacation can be time consuming and full of potential pitfalls.  Here is some guidance based on both my own experiences and what Golfasian’s clients tell me. In general, you will get the best options and pricing by arranging international airfare in your country of origin and booking round trip tickets.  As route and landing rights have become less restrictive and more players have joined the game, the options have opened up conside...

Mission Hills Phuket… Potentially Great Golf By The Sea

A Phuket golf vacation includes playing on some rounds in one of the world’s most beautiful locations and golfing on seaside courses should definitely an experience to savour, whether it’s a windy links course in Ireland or over the ocean golfing in Bali. Golf in Phuket Thailand for most golfers entails heading straight for Blue Canyon or Red Mountain, both of which are inland tin mining courses. However, shouldn’t a seaside golf course be part of the Phuket golf experience? For this, most expe...

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...

Hole in one – Thailand Golf

Thailand Golf Vacation Arnold Palmer in 1986 got a hole in one during practice at a tournament, so a film crew turned up for the next day during the pro am, and told him they wanted to see if he could do it again. He got out his 5 iron and amazing Arnie got his second hole in one on the same hole. Two days running! David Toms got one at a Major on and went on to win the PGA as a result. Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee aced the 181-yard, par-3 fifth hole Saturday for the seventh hole-in-one in fi...

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...

New Thai Golfers

In many countries around the world, golf is suffering from the global recession, and the industry will really begin to suffer unless it starts to focus on its future. You can play a game of football with friends after school with a ball and a couple of posts for goals. Same for baseball, you can play the game just with sticks for bats and cans for balls. But for new golfers to enter the sport, they first need to find and get to a golf course, and then they need to rent or maybe buy a set of cl...

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...

Thailand Golf Is Still A Game To Enjoy

Sometimes I think golfers on holiday 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. Maybe it is because we have been brain-washed. Golf in the 21th century seems to be all about one up man ship and this is being fuelled by the manufacturers with their massive marketing campaigns. “This revolutionary six layer ball will give you distance and those clubs made from new space-age materials wil...

You Are Never Too Old to Play a Competitive Game of Golf in Thail

For the majority of sports, age definitely does become a handicap. For example it is highly unlikely that a 58 year old can easily have a fair chance of beating a 20 year old at tennis. The youngster will most likely run circles around the older guy. Although an older player maybe able to score a great goal in soccer, he is most likely to run out of steam and will ask the manager to take him off after half an hour for a breather. Whereas Golf is one of the sports that is truly a game for all age...

Lady Golf Stars Shine In Thailand Once Again

Thailand knows how to put on a show, and the top LPGA players were all on display at the Honda LPGA Thailand this weekend. With virtually all the star names in contention, the Siam Country Club in Pattaya provided the perfect backdrop to kick off the 2011 LPGA tour season in style. This popular tournament was launched in 2006 when a certain Miss Hee-Won Han from South Korea won the inaugural event. Since then the likes of Suzann Petersen from Norway, Lorena Ochoa from Mexico and Ai Miyazato fro...

Smiling Caddies, Sunshine, and Thailand Golf

Living in Thailand perhaps we take for granted the pleasures of playing a round of golf. In most of Europe and the USA, snow has put a damper on all hopes for that post New Year round with your golf buddies. Can’t get the car out of the deep drifts!!! Here in Thailand we are experiencing our own winter weather…. a beautiful 25 degrees centigrade with a cool breeze! How about those dreaded rush our traffic jams or clogged city roads? No panic with the traffic to get to the course on time in...

Where to next? Young Golfers in Thailand

In many countries around the world, golf is suffering from the global recession, and the industry will really begin to suffer unless it starts to focus on its future. You can play a game of football with your mates after school with a ball and a couple of posts for goals. Same for Cricket, you can play the game just with sticks for stumps. But for kids to play golf, they first need to persuade their parents to actually take them to the course, and then they need to rent or maybe buy a set of cl...

No Snow Or Freezing temperatures Here, Just Smiles!!!!

I have been reading and seeing on TV the horrendous chaos caused both in the States and across Europe recently by the snow storms and freezing temperatures. Well over here in Thailand the nearest we got to snow was a few fake snow drops on the Christmas trees in all the shopping centres! Currently the weather in Thailand is very pleasant at around the mid 20’s centigrade with some cool breezes. It’s the perfect golfing weather. Sorry, I am not trying to make you jealous, but at this time of yea...

Bangkok Dining

Many on a Thailand golf package spend at least a few days in Thailand’s capital during their golf holiday as it offers convenient flight connections to around the world in addition to great golf, high standard accommodation, shopping, dining and entertainment. I am often asked for restaurant suggestions and while I do not claim to be a foodie, I know what I like. Here is a brief list of some of my favorites: ITALIANThere are many good Italian restaurants all over Bangkok in various price ranges...