Tag Archives: Thailand golf

Golfer Testimonials
Thailand Golf
Posted by - November 22, 2016

Thailand Golf, Off the Beaten Track – A Golf Group’s

Gary with Golfasian MD Mark Siegel Hi, my name is Gary. I am an Australian, originally from New South Wales, but now very comfortably domiciled in Perth, Western Australia with a wife of 35 years marriage and two grown up kids! I have played golf since my father stuck a golf club in my hands when I was about 10 years old. At 61 years old now, I guess you could say I have been a long-term golfer. I have been a member of private golf clubs since a junior, and a member of my current golf club, Melv...

Nikanti Golf Club
Thailand Golf Courses and Playing Conditions
Posted by - November 23, 2014

2014 New Thailand Golf Courses

Oftentimes I get asked about the supply and demand of the Thai golf courses. While I am no expert about the economics of golf courses and the Thai golf industry is some 20-30 years old, new golf courses are still coming online at a rate of around 5 per year. Some of these projects are completely new construction like Nikanti Golf Club in Bangkok and Katathong Golf club in Phang Nha. Others, such as Chiang Mai Highlands, are expansions, and lastly there are renovations. Laguna Phuket Golf Club an...

Siam Country Club Waterside Course
Thailand Golf Courses and Playing Conditions
Posted by - June 10, 2014

Siam Country Club, Waterside – Comparison With Old and Plantation...

Most golfers in Pattaya agree that the Siam Country Club Old Course and Siam Country Club Plantation Course are the two best golf courses in Pattaya. However, if there are any complaints about the two courses, it is that they are both quite difficult for high handicap golfers. Around the greens it is not uncommon for weekend golfers to take five or more shots to get up-and-down as the slopes, elevated greens, and bunker complexes require accuracy and precision in chipping and putting. Perch your...

Thailand Golf Courses and Playing Conditions
Thailand Golf Holidays and Vacations
Posted by - May 15, 2014

Is Koh Samui Golf For Real?

Major golf destinations share several things in common. They include, 1.    Three or more golf courses of international standard 2.    A range of golf resorts to accommodate all levels of price and luxury 3.    Easy to get to/from 4.    Reasonable prices 5.    Non-golf activities such as cultural, gastronomic, spa, and/or beaches Koh Samui has technically three golf courses, However, only Santiburi Samui Country Club is 18-holes and of international standard. The course is a spectacular example ...

Mountain Creek Golf
Thailand Culture
Thailand Golf Related Activities (Nightlife, Spas, Sightseeing)
Posted by - March 25, 2014

Will Khao Yai become Thailand’s Newest Golf Destination?

Khao Yai, relatively unknown outside of Thailand golfers,  is a mere 2 hours from Bangkok and is the home of Thailand’s second largest national park. Will this area develop into a full-fledged golf destination for tourists? The short answer is maybe and here are the reasons why and why not.

Pattana Golf Resort
Thailand Golf Holidays and Vacations
Posted by - February 11, 2014

Pattana Golf Resort

It is very rare these days that I get to play a new course in my own backyard. Therefore, when my golfing buddies suggested playing at Pattana Golf Resort in Pattaya, I jumped at the change with much excitement. Pattana is a bit out of the way as getting to the course involved around a 1 hour drive from Pattaya or 2 hour ride from Bangkok. Either way the drive is pleasant enough as the road are good and there is little traffic along the way. Upon arrival I immediately saw the large club house, g...

Siam Country Club
Thailand Golf Holidays and Vacations
Thailand Golf Related Activities (Nightlife, Spas, Sightseeing)
Posted by - January 7, 2014

Where To Golf In Thailand – A City Or A Resort?

Thailand has 5 main golf destinations, two are cities (Bangkok and Chiang Mai) and three are beach resorts (Hua Hin, Pattaya, and Phuket). Bangkok is home to over 10 million residents. However, it’s safe to say that Bangkok has the most golf courses of any destination in Thailand. There are 60 golf courses located within 1 hour from the center of Bangkok; of which 20 or so are well-suited for visitor play. Bangkok also has world-class hotels, the best restaurants in Thailand, and a wide range of...

Thai Culture and Thailand Country Information
Thailand Golf Courses and Playing Conditions
Posted by - December 26, 2013

Golf Holiday Destination Thailand

Why golf in Thailand?   Thailand is probably the most spectacular golfing destination in the world, the beauty of her golf courses expresses it all.  We have lush greenery year round with palm trees and every other type of tropical flora and flowers creating a feast for the eyes.  Beautiful lakes and waterways, birds you’ve never seen before become a breathtaking walk in the park.  Churchill was so wrong when he said “golf is a good walk spoiled” – he never played in Thailand! The challenge of g...

Mission Hills Phuket
Thailand Golf Courses and Playing Conditions
Thailand Golf Holidays and Vacations
Posted by - November 28, 2013

Thailand Golf Resorts Offer Unlimited Golf Packages

Mission Hills Phuket Nowadays golf resorts like Mission Hills Phuket and Bangkok Golf Club are offering unlimited golf holiday packages. These golf vacations are nothing new, but in fact they may be only a ploy to lure visitors to less than ideal courses. Think about it, there are only 12 hours of daylight in Thailand and the weather is generally hot and humid all year long. Therefore, how many round of golf can you play in a day? For most of us it is only two, and this is waking up very early a...

Uncategorized
Posted by - November 5, 2013

Thailand Golf Fried Eggs (Kai Dao)

Thailand golf courses are notorious for having soft sand. Many of the budget courses here use normal beach sand to fill their bunkers. This powdery and fluffy sand tends to promote many fried eggs or as the caddies call them in Thai “kai dao” because of the circular splash pattern created around the ball in the sand. When you look at it from the top, it looks like a yolk sitting in the middle of a fried egg. Don’t panic if you find yourself with a fried egg at a Thailand golf course. The s...

Thailand Golf Courses and Playing Conditions
Posted by - October 22, 2013

Golf’s Great Legends In Thailand

Wherever and whenever you play golf in Thailand, you’ll find courses designed by some of the best golfers, including Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Peter Thomson, Greg Norman, and Arnold Palmer. Jack Nicklaus is the great who left his mark the most in Thailand. Six Thailand courses are Jack Nicklaus designed. The two best by far are Laem Chabang International Country Club in Pattaya and Springfield Royal Country Club in Hua Hin. Coincidentally, both opened for play in 1993. Laem Chabang, a 27-hole c...

Posted by - October 8, 2013

Let These Asian Golf Courses Be the Judge Off Your Skills

Blue Canyon Country Club, Phuket As the name suggests, Blue Canyon Country Club is built on the edge of the canyon. The club features two courses; both carefully blend in the natural surroundings to give the courses their unique character. A feature of the course is its tough and stubborn nature, surrounded by freshwater lakes and natural hazards accompanied by slick Bermuda Tiffdwarf greens. This Course is both a pleasure and grief blended in together. Challenging your wit and technique...

Interesting Thailand Golf Snippits
Thai Culture and Thailand Country Information
Posted by - September 17, 2013

Will Thailand Become The World´s Biggest Golf Destination?

Lately Thailand golf tourism has skyrocketed to an estimated 750,000 arrivals in 2012, up 50% over the past three years. This is worth an estimated US$2 billion in revenue to the Kingdom. There is no doubt that Thai golf tourism is riding on the back of a general tourism explosion, with total foreign arrivals doubling over the last seven years to more than 22 million in 2012. While I personally would like Thailand golf to become the biggest golf destination in the world, I doubt that this will e...

Thailand Golf Courses and Playing Conditions
Thailand Golf Holidays and Vacations
Posted by - August 27, 2013

Golf In Singapore Versus Golf In Thailand

Here are my rankings on the golfing in these 2 countries on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being best. Quality (30%) Singapore (8): For a small island state Singapore has allocated land for close to 30 golf courses. The quality ranges from good at course like Orchid and Raffles to world-class at Laguna National and Sentosa Island. Thailand (7): Of the 280 golf courses in Thailand, 60 are up to international standards. Thailand’s best courses include Siam Country Club in Pattaya and Black Mountain in Hu...

Posted by - March 7, 2013

Golf In Cambodia Versus Golf In Thailand

Here are my rankings on the golfing in these 2 countries on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being best. Quality (30%)Cambodia (6): Golf in Cambodia has been introduced only in the last 10 years and as such there are only 6 courses, 3 in Phnom Penh and 3 in Siem Reap. Although Phnom Penh is the capital the courses here are either private (Phnom Penh Grand) or in serious need of maintenance (Cambodia Country Club and Royal Cambodia). On the other hand the three Siem Reap golf courses welcome visitors and ...

Posted by - November 27, 2012

Airlines For A Thailand Golf Holiday

Not a day goes by where Thailand golf travelers ask me the best way to get to their Thailand golf destination. These days for international flights into and out of Thailand, I am partial to the carries from the Middle East for several reasons.  Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar all have convenient flight schedules from practically every major European, American, and Australian hub city. Luggage allowances are generally more than the Asian national carriers and golf bags may even be carried for...

Posted by - November 6, 2012

Know Your Thailand Golf Tour Driver

Everyone knows that great golf, fantastic culture, and a comfortable resort are all key ingredients of a successful Thailand golf trip. However, the importance of a qualified driver who doubles as a friendly tour guide is often overlooked. I’ve had the opportunity to meet several godsends as well as some more goofy type drivers during my Thailand golf travels. On the positive side, golf tour operators who employ their own salaried drivers usually can make a Thailand golf holidaymaker’s trip very...

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 - January 24, 2012

Panya Indra Excels on Several Counts

Playing golf in Thailand is an experience every time you tee off, and certainly that is what you get when you step up to the tee box at Panya Indra Golf Club. Not far from the center of Bangkok, this 27-hole golf club is open for both day time and night golf. The course was designed back in 1989 by U.S. designer Ronald Fream. Fream used only 800 rai of land just outside Bangkok to make you forget that you are on the outskirts of a major city. There are three separate 9-hole courses, with their ...

Posted by - September 14, 2011

Caddie Championship in Thailand

Thailand is well known as a hot golfing destination with over 260 great golf courses and those ever smiling Thai Caddies. Come rain or shine they read the greens, give you the yardage, hold your umbrella and if you are lucky even give your shoulders a quick massage too. After putting up with us holiday hackers, you would have thought they would have had enough of the golf course, but a large number actually like to play a round themselves. Smart thinking General Managers encourage them to play ...

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 - August 2, 2011

Fun Bangkok Golf Course And Great Value Too

Many golf course designers forget that 90% of the players who will try to conquer their golf course are likely to be weekend or holiday amateurs, not golf professionals. Jack Nicklaus for example is incensed when he sees owners trying to extend the tee boxes to make holes as long as possible. ‘Why go for 250 yard carries when your average Thai golfer probably only hits his drive 170-190 yards. It also adds to the maintenance costs and watering bill.’ It was therefore refreshing to meet and spea...

Posted by - June 21, 2011

To Bring Or Not To Bring Golf Balls For A Thailand Golf Holiday?

If you are planning Thailand golf holiday and want to stock up with some golf balls prior to your trip; DONT! Packing golf balls with your golf clubs or in your luggage will not only encroach on your free weight allowance (if you are not overweight already), it is also less costly than you might think to buy golf balls after you arrive in Thailand.  If you have ever been golfing in Thailand before, I am sure you may have seen locals stripping off at the end of the day and swimming around ...

Posted by - June 14, 2011

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; ...

Posted by - April 19, 2011

Burpaha Golf Pattaya

Playing golf in Thailand is not just a sport, but can be a lot of entertainment too. There are none of those stuffy club secretaries wanting to see your accredited handicap card here. No, just turn up, give your clubs to the smiling door man and you are off. I was invited to play at Burapha Golf Club with some tourists enjoying their golf vacation in Pattaya. When I arrived at Burapha I was surprised to see so few people on the Pattaya golf course. Of course every day in Thailand is a holiday, ...

Posted by - February 8, 2011

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...

Posted by - January 14, 2011

Thailand Really Is A Golfer’s Paradise

We all get bombarded by travel agents jargon or see the Tourist Boards latest TV adverts extolling their countries fantastic features. One such feature here in Thailand is golf! Well I can safely say that Thailand golf is in a very healthy state here in the Kingdom of smiles with thousand of overseas players playing here every year. But it’s not just the tourists who love it here, so do the professionals who make their living out of the game. Thailand recently hosted the 5th edition of the Roya...

Posted by - January 11, 2011

Royal Trophy Cliffhanger Ending!

After the amazing scenes at the 2010 Ryder Cup with Greame MacDowell putting to win, I thought I'd seen it all! Obviously not!!! The Royal Trophy looked like a gimme for Asia, after Europe failed to win one of the four matches on day two at Thailand's Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin.  Asia were needing only two and half points from the eight single matches to clinch victory. Team captain Colin Montgomerie was shell shocked! Monty bravely put on a good front at that evenings pr...

Posted by - January 4, 2011

Smiling Caddies, Sunshine & Great Golf!

Living here in Thailand perhaps we take for granted the pleasures of playing a round of golf. Back home in Europe, the snow has put paid to the pre Christmas round with your golf buddies. Can’t get the car out of the deep drifts!!! Here we are experiencing our own milder weather… still a beautiful 25c with a cool breeze! No panic with the traffic to get to the course on time here though. Just relax in the back of your limo, while your driver takes you directly to a Thailand golf course. Op...