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-opening. The new Siam Country Club Plantation Course boasts a more challenging design with 27 holes of tremendous views toward Pattaya and the Gulf of Thailand. The course recently hosted the 2009 LPGA Honda Invitational and received high praise from the world’s best lady pros. The same event is planned for February 2010. Both have very modern clubhouse facilities perfect for relaxing after the round.
5. Burapha Country Club is located about 30 minutes outside of the tourist friendly city of Pattaya. The four nine holes are referred are Augusta, Belfry, Cypress and Dunes, referred to as A, B, C, and D. The designers are famed architect Gary Panks and Australian touring professional and former US Open Champion David Graham. All four nines offer scenic views, elevation changes, challenging greens and a mix of long and short holes. Located just outside Pattaya I suggest staying at the Woodlands Resort, which provides an excellent choice for overnight fun in between playing all 36 holes.
6. Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket is perhaps the most famed golf course in Thailand, due to its reputation as a venue for international professional tournaments such as the Johnnie Walker Classic. A fabulous finish to the 1998 event witnessed Tiger Woods out due Ernie Els in a playoff ending with a breathtaking birdie on the 18th and a trademark fist pump for the ages. The host Canyon Course is certainly more recognizable and provides many challenges faced by the world’s best tour pros, including the signature downhill par 3 13th surrounded by a lagoon. However, the newer Lakes Course is equally challenging, if not better. An overnight stay at Le Meridien Beach Resort will offer the opportunity to play two great courses and enjoy one of Phuket’s only private beaches in between.
While Thailand has a few world famous golf courses of high profile and a number of favorites amongst visitors as well, the courses above offer something most others do not. The chance to play two courses at one venue can be both unique and convenient. The more ambitious players might try to take both courses on in one day. However, in true Thai style, it is recommended to take your time and enjoy any of these 36 hole layouts to find out why they are “twice as nice”!
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6 Responses
If Thailand has “World famous golf courses” , how come none make it into any of the golf magazines top golf courses in the world ratings ?
Hi Jock,
Actually quite a few are listed and more will come. Look out for the 2009 Asian Golf Monthly awards.
Also, did you know that the big magazines from the USA and Europe will be sending their editors to Thailand this fall-winter to do feature stories on Thailand best golf courses.
Do you want to know when the articles come out?
By the way Jock, what do you think are the 5 best courses in Thailand?
Cheers,
Mark
Mark , I just read Golf.com latest world rankings , and I saw no Thai courses . Once upon a time I would have expected to see Navataneee on the list , not any more .
Mark , have we not done this my Top 5 course thing before ,we came to the conclusion we are at opposite poles when it comes to the judging golf courses ?
I will say this though , when I returned home to Scotland for visit , I used to miss playing Bangphra , a course I have thouroughly enjoyed over the last few decades , and its definitely been my favoured track in the Kingdom .
But sitting there on Sunday watching the Thai Tour event at Bangphra , I couldnt help but shake my head at what I was seeing .
The lush green green overwatered narrow fairways , bordered by ridiculous rough , to try and make the design conform to the cookie cutter name designs of the past two decades .
Best Regards
Jock
Blue Canyon Country Club, hosted the the Johnnie Walker Tournament, and Tiger said that it was one of the best he every played on! The other courses are also wonderful.
For those of you that are planing a golf holiday in Thailand, there is no better place to play golf the courses will impress you.
However, I would like to comment on one golf club in particular The Legacy Golf Club Rarminta Bangkok, it originality was named The Winsan and renamed Natural Park and now The Legacy Golf Club.
The course is getting really good after a lot replanting of the fairways but too expensive, but not for Thai nationals, I joined with 2 Thai nationals and got talking and found out, they pay Baht 940 including caddy, and I was charged Baht 1,840.00. I had heard a rumour about this, but now it has been confirmed fist hand.
So if you are a Foreigner beware you will Pay more than a Thai national at the Legacy Golf Club, I think the club management should review their policy before it causes the club irreversible damage.
In the real world, this is called racism.
Great site and informative one indeed.