Tag Archives: thailand

Posted by - March 17, 2011

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...

Posted by - March 17, 2011

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...

Posted by - March 16, 2011

Why We Like to Play Golf in Thailand?

Apart from over 280 wonderful golf courses to select, the fantastic variety of layouts from seaside to mountain tracks, plus those smiling caddies, Thailand also has on offer a great climate too! When I lived in the UAE, only Mad Dogs and Englishmen would venture out to play a round of golf between June and September, when the temperatures rose to 52 degrees centigrade. Russian and Korean golfers also have a limited number of months to play due to their severe winters. Thailand is luckily differ...

Posted by - March 16, 2011

Festivals Abound in Thailand

There are amazing festivals held annually around the World, that most of us would definitely add to our list of must see events to see. There is the Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the Rio Carnival in South America, the Notting hill Gate Carnival in London, to name a few. Here in Thailand we are very fortunate as they have many festivals each year, and some are actually quite unusual. If you are planning a golf vacation here in Thailand and want to bring the family, it is definitely worth checking o...

Posted by - March 14, 2011

Westwood to join Jaidee in Asia

Asian golf legend and three-time Asian Tour number one Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand will compete in the inaugural US$750,000 Indonesian Masters next month, joining world number two Lee Westwood of England in the elite field at Royale Jakarta Golf Club. Organisers announced today that PNTS, one of Indonesia’s fastest growing off shore bulk cargo handling companies, Garuda Indonesia, the national flag carrier, and Mercedes-Benz have also signed up as sponsors of Indonesia’s newest Asian Tour tour...

Posted by - March 8, 2011

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...

Posted by - March 1, 2011

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...

Posted by - February 24, 2011

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...

Posted by - February 21, 2011

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...

Posted by - February 10, 2011

Thailand Golf Attracts the Big Stars

Most countries are lucky if they can attract one major golf tournament a year. Thailand on the other hand seems to be able to host more than its fair share of major golf events. In November a certain Mr Tiger Woods made an emotional return to his mother country along with Casey and co. Then along came the Asian Tours Masters in December followed in early January by the Royal Trophy both hosted at Black Mountain in Hua Hin. Now the 2011 season is about to start with most of the top 50 woman in t...

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 - February 7, 2011

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...

Posted by - January 18, 2011

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...

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 11, 2011

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...

Posted by - January 6, 2011

Back To The Sixties! – Titanium Club in Bangkok

I have to admit I do like to relax after a day on the golf course, perhaps with a cold beer listening to some great music. Once you have discussed all those great shots you thought you made around some of Bangkok’s many wonderful golf courses, had the massage, eaten, then it’s time to hit the town. Bangkok's night life has literally hundreds of bars, night clubs and discos to choose from, ranging from a roadside vans blasting out the hits, to the swanky hotel clubs. Personally I am not into ...

Posted by - January 5, 2011

Ryder Cup Fever Comes To Thailand!

The Royal Trophy, the brainchild of the great Seve Ballesteros, arrives in Hua Hin Thailand this month, with a steela cast of top golfers from Europe and Asia. The European team’s captain is none other than the 2010 triumphant Ryder captain, Colin Montgomerie, and when he calls the players can’t wait to play for Europe. Peter Hanson, Thomas Bjorn, Johan Edfors, Matteo Manassero, Henrik Stenson, Pablo Martin and Rhys Davies make up Monty’s team. Rhys Davies emphasised his eagerness to enjoy a tas...

Posted by - January 4, 2011

Amazing Thailand Always Amazes You

Those who have visited Thailand agree that it is almost impossible to explain for those who haven’t.  Different.  Even just plan weird.  The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s official slogan of ‘Amazing Thailand’ sums it up fairly well though comes off as just another cheeky marketing slogan until you’ve actually experienced it. Even among Asian cultures it stands out as unique. Thailand is one of the few places in Asia that has never been under the rule or dominance of a wester...

Posted by - November 8, 2010

Top Non Golf Thailand Attractions

Want to plan an Asian golf vacation but also need to make sure your non-golfing travel partners are happy?  No problem.  Below are some of the more popular non-golf activities to include on your Thailand golf holiday itinerary. All Over ThailandMassage:  Thai massage, Swedish massage, sports massage, foot massage, neck & shoulder massage, fish massage, aroma therapy, hot stone therapy and more.  You are never far from a spa in Thailand.  Most good hotels have t...

Posted by - October 4, 2010

Secret Golf In Southern Thailand: Rajjaprabha Golf Course

Located about 40km from Surat Thani; Rajjaprabha Golf Course is a hidden gem well off the beaten path for most Thailand golfers and far away from the more popular Phuket golf courses like Blue Canyon and Red Mountain. The course is ideally situated for those looking for an inexpensive off island Koh Samui golf tour, a Krabi golf day, or a Thailand golf break when driving between Phuket and Bangkok.

Posted by - September 28, 2010

Cheap & Good Flights For Thailand Golf Holidays

Many headed for a Thailand golf vacation complain about the high costs of air travel to golf in the Kingdom. I agree that this is can be the case when flying national carries like Thai (almost guaranteed to be the most expensive and worst service), British Airlines (notorious for high fares and aging fleets) and United/Delta (US flagship airlines, but only if you want to get lessons in high prices and crappy service). Much better and less expensive choices for Thailand golf holidays are EVA Air...

Posted by - September 1, 2010

5 Bangkok Golf Driving Ranges

Given that there are many golf holidaymakers in Bangkok, there are bound to be some staying at a hotel in the city center who wants to just get out to a range to hit some balls. Here are a five of my favorite ranges where any Bangkok golfer can get their game on without leaving the city. 1. All-Star Golf ComplexA popular one-stop destination for Bangkok golfers, All-Star has retail golf equipment shops, short-game practice facilities and a quality long-distance driving range with new Srixon go...

Posted by - August 31, 2010

Is Thailand safe for a golf holiday?

I regularly get asked this question regarding a golf holiday in Thailand. While Thailand has been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently, it still surprises me of people’s reluctance to travel to Thailand. Thailand is much more than Bangkok and Bangkok is more than just the two streets that was involved in the political unrest in May. Also, there are so many destinations in Thailand that make great golfing holidays in Thailand, all where life and golf have been and continue to go on nor...

Posted by - August 4, 2010

Thailand Golf Free & Independent Travel (FIT) Versus Group G

No doubt, any Thailand golf holiday is an exciting time, no matter what the itinerary. Most of the 600,000 golf holidaymakers who golf in Thailand each year come to Thailand as free independent travellers (FIT) whose agenda, destination, Thailand golf course line-up, and Thailand golf resort is totally up to their own discretion. This insures that the Thailand golf travellers’ budget and style of travel is exactly as the golfer prefers. Travelling alone also ensures that you can set your own sc...

Posted by - July 13, 2010

Top Non Golf Thailand Attractions

Want to plan a Thailand golf vacation but also need to make sure your non-golfing travel partners are happy?  No problem.  Below are some of the more popular non-golf activities to include on your golf holiday itinerary. All Over ThailandMassage:  Thai massage, Swedish massage, jet lag massage, sports  or golf massage, foot massage, neck & shoulder massage, fish massage, aroma therapy, hot stone therapy and more. You are never far from a spa in Thailand. Most good ho...

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 - June 29, 2010

Riverdale Golf Club, Bangkok Thailand

Designed by Jonathan Morrow and Al Tikkanen and like Red Mountain, their other high-profile Phuket golf course, Riverdale Golf Club is destined to become one of the most celebrated Bangkok golf courses. Riverdale may not at first glance look the most menacing test of golf you've seen. However, the golfer is in for a surprise. The landscape includes several large lakes which were dredged to create the hills that surround the golf course and frame most of the holes. Beyond the perimeter thoug...

Posted by - June 22, 2010

Golf In Australia vs. Golf In Thailand

Recently I spent some time in Melbourne Australia golfing with my good friend Mark Penfold from Thailand Golf Tours in Sydney.  Mark and I got talking about why golf in Thailand is so popular with Australian golfers and what are the biggest differences between golfing in the 2 countries. Here are Mark’s views. While the best golf courses are similar throughout the world in shot values, landscaping and maintenance, the unique points about golf in Thailand come down to 3 main factors. 1.�...

Posted by - June 22, 2010

Now Play Links Golf In Bangkok

Today I had the pleasure of playing the new 9 holes at Bangsai Country Club in Ayutthaya with Kun Ope (aka Pirapon Namata owner of course construction company GolfEast) and what a joy it was. Bangkok’s newest golf course is made up of the most interesting mix 9 holes in the area. Khun Ope, being giving a free hand in the design, came up with some very unorthodox (at least for Thailand golf) holes to say the least. From the moment you step onto the 1st tee you can see that this is no ordinary go...