Tag Archives: thailand

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 - April 21, 2010

Thailand Tee Off Experiment

Despite my driver being a new Cobra ZL equipped with modern technological advancements, I kept it in my bag for my last 3 rounds played at Thai Country (Bangkok), Black Mountain (Hua Hin), and Amata Spring (Bangkok). Instead I used my 3-wood off the tee even though my 3-wood is four inches shorter than my driver and has four degrees more loft. What do you think the results were? With a distance advantage of 30 yards with my driver you would think that my long game would have been pressured and ...

Posted by - April 17, 2010

Thailand Golfers Undeterred By Thai Political Unrest

Thailand golfers and golf holidaymakers continue to play despite political turbulence, an Icelandic Volcano shutting down most flights from Europe, a brace of canceled travel plans and worries from skittish Asian golfers alike. Contrary to BBC, CNN, and other news reports, which tend to sensationalize events, the real fact is 99 percent of the country and 100% of the Thailand golf courses are operating as normal. Even more important, my own company, Golfasian has some 100 golfers in Thailand a...

Posted by - April 6, 2010

Golfing in Thailand

I had a chat the other day with my friend Mark Siegel of www.thailandgolfzone.com about golfing in Thailandand he started with a very surprising comment – if any one just wants to play golf, he suggests they stay at home and play golf and not come to Thailand because really it is just the same so what is the point.     However if you want to immerse yourself in a new culture, experience eating food from a different continent every night, spend $1 on dinner one night then $500...

Posted by - March 17, 2010

Thailand Golf Blog is Back in Virtual Print

Hey guys, we are BACK! After a 2 year hiatus the Thailand Golf Blog will become an active golf chat site again with a weekly blog by me, Graham the golfnut, and hopefully other posts from you the golfing public. What can you expect from the new and improved – and well rested – Thailand Golf blog? I will be putting up a lot of new content about what happens on the golf courses around Thailand, where you have to play and where you must not. There will be a few course reviews on brand n...

Posted by - March 16, 2010

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 to Thailand again But with a close eye on the bottom line costs, Thailand travel budgets are tight and gone are the chances of grabbing a few extra nights at the Oriental in Bangkok to fit in a couple of rounds with the local VP or Sales agents! Golf and business in Thailand however are still a great way of clinching that business deal or renewing contacts and T...

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 - February 24, 2010

To Rent Or Not To Rent?

Many golfers ask about packing their own golf clubs when coming to Thailand. My advice is this: If your Thailand trip is mainly for golf, you will be happier using your own, full set of 14 clubs. You will feel more comfortable, confident and not have to get used to anything new, thus promoting better scores in the process. A trip arranged by a specialist and licensed golf tour operator, will include transfers. Moreover, company drivers/guides will take all the lugging out of the luggage proces...

Posted by - February 10, 2010

Can Thais Design Golf Courses?

With almost 300 courses and over 600,000 registered golfers in Thailand, it is no surprise that there are a number of Thai golf course designers. Unlike most foreign designers, I have found it very difficult to find much personal information about the local course designers. The most prolific and perhaps best known is Dr. Sukitti Klangvishai, the designer of Phuket Country Club (1989) and Loch Palm Golf Club (1993) in Phuket, Tanya Tanee Country Club (1993) in Bangkok, Majestic Creek Country C...

Posted by - January 26, 2010

Stick It Close From The Rough Around The Thailand Greens

Every Thailand golfer lands in the rough sooner or late, especially on courses with narrow fairways such as Amata Spring in Bangkok or Santiburi in Samui or courses with rough between the fairway and green such as Bangpra in Pattaya. If the ball is near the green, the shot is very important, as a good chip will save par and a poor one will almost seal a bogey, or worse. To score low, I always try to knock it close from the really deep stuff. Knocking it close from there chops one or two strok...

Posted by - January 5, 2010

Best Place For A ‘Quiet and Peaceful’ Thailand Golf and Beach Hol...

Hua Hin is the winner here, with Phuket’s north and west coasts posting an honorable challenge.  Until recently the golf in Hua Hin was mostly ‘so-so’ quality, though that has changed with some of newer venues which are up to world class standards. Banyan Golf Club won the “2009 Best New Golf Course in Asia” award, while Black Mountain Golf Club, only 2 years old, was voted as the second best Thailand golf course, just behind Thai Country Club. Both courses are located in the foothills ab...

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 - October 28, 2009

Gold Mountain Golf Club, Chiang Mai

  Gold Mountain Golf Club is the latest addition to the northern Thai golf scene.  Currently it is in a ‘soft opening’ phase and conditions are a bit rough, though all 18 holes are open for play.  The front nine opened in 2009 and the back nine earlier this year.  The clubhouse won’t be finished until 2010.  For now the caddie shack serves as a limited service clubhouse and serves up a bit of Thai food along with an assortment of beverages. Gold Mountain is located...

Posted by - October 25, 2009

Three Ball Golf Thailand

In my view, and I am sure many of you will agree, the best form of golf in Thailand is a ‘friendly’ four-ball, better-ball with three like-minded pals. The amicable banter and gamesmanship all go to make for a fun round, especially if there are a few bucks, or even the post-match round of drinks, riding on the result – in particular, in Thailand, if the caddies are encouraged to join in the wagering, say by doubling the tip of the caddies carrying for the winning pair. Sometimes people are nerv...

Posted by - September 22, 2009

How I Avoided Three-Putting Golfing In Thailand?

Can you believe it? Over the past 2 weeks I played Thai Country Club twice, and Banyan Golf Club and Black Mountain Golf Club once each without a single three-putt. Here are the two steps how I did it. 1. Three years ago I took some lessons form an Australian golf professional in Bangkok. At that time he insisted that I go for every green every chance I had, as a lay-up shot would never get the ball in the hole. After following his advice ever since and thinking about it some more, I decide...

Posted by - September 18, 2009

6 Thailand Golf Picks That Are “Twice As Nice” (Part 2 of 2)

Here are the final 3 picks for playing the best “Twice As Nice” Thailand golf courses. Two are Pattaya golf courses and the final one is a Phuket golf course. 4. Siam Country Club is situated just 10 minutes from Pattaya.  The original Siam Country Club, built in 1971, is now called Siam Country Club Old Course, after a two- year renovation.  A traditional shot-makers layout, this is one of the more well known tracks in Thailand and hosted the 2007 LPGA Honda Thailand upon re-openin...

Posted by - September 16, 2009

6 Thailand Golf Picks That Are “Twice As Nice” (Part 1 of 2)

Of the many quality golf courses available to visitors in Thailand, some of the best are at facilities with 36 holes.  A visit to any of these will provide a golfing experience that is “twice as nice” as an 18-hole offering. Here are 6 of the best picks; 3 today (all by chance happen to be Bangkok golf courses) and 3 in the next post. 1. Lam Luk Ka Country Club is located about 30 minutes from the old Don Muang International Airport.  Lam Luk Ka is a real “sleeper”, as it is quietly...