Welsh Golf Courses

Golf in Thailand

Thailand is now well established as a popular tourist destination that is visited by people from all corners of the globe. While many visit to enjoy the cities, the wonderful beaches, mountains and jungles as well as the history and culture, others come to enjoy the golf.

Golf in Thailand we here you say? To be fair, this country has for some time been quietly working away on its golfing commodities and the results of that boom in golf are now bearing fruition.

Wherever you travel in Thailand, a golf course is not far away and that includes some of the remotest areas of the country. What's more, the quality of these facilities, their surroundings and the way they are managed is truly outstanding. Combine this with a fascinating blend of graceful people, mystical temples, delicious cuisine, shopping extravaganzas and exciting nightlife, and you have the perfect golfing holiday destination.

Pattaya is 90 miles southeast of Bangkok and faces the Gulf of Thailand. Away from the golf, amusement parks, offbeat museums and lush botanical gardens offer numerous forms of leisure activities and cultural entertainment for all family members.

And after dark, Pattaya offers all the allure and magic of a truly vibrant nightlife with a spectacular variety of restaurants, nightclubs, bars, discotheques, cocktail lounges and cabarets.

The number of courses in Thailand has multiplied tenfold in recent years and nowhere more than Pattaya with 17 courses all within forty minutes of the city centre. The pick of the courses is Laemchabang, a spectacular 27-hole world class championship course designed by Jack Nicklaus, set in a picturesque valley.

Set in turquoise-blue waters, Phuket is an international-standard resort island with deserted beaches, superb sailing and diving, plus a vibrant nightlife. There's something for everyone here and golfers will be spoilt for choice with the Banyan Tree Club, a Max Wexler design which provides excellent holiday golf, Loch Palm Golf Club (formerly known as Phuket Century Club), which is set around the crystal lake in a valley surrounded by tree-covered mountains, and Thai Muang, Thailand's only links course running along the beach and the Indian Ocean.

Hua Hin is a charming, laid-back seaside town with small sidestreets packed with sidewalk cafes and bistros. Made popular in the early 1900s by the Thai Royal Family, it boasts Thailand's oldest course, Royal Hua Hin. Other notable courses include Palm Hills, another Wexler design which winds around a couple of low hills, and Springfield, the most forgiving of the Jack Nicklaus layouts in Thailand.

Kanchanaburi is the site of the infamous 'Bridge over the River Kwai' and the area is laced with meandering rivers through dense jungle and mountains. There is an excellent 27-hole layout at Nichigo.

The course has very kind rough but is still a good test for players of all standards. Barrington Saiyoke, a Gary Roger Baird design and the Jack Nicklaus-designed Mission Hills are other courses not to be missed. Away from golf, there is a great tour of the Three Pagoda Pass on the Burmese border with river raft lunch and an afternoon in the hilltribe township of Sangklaburi.

Chiangrai is located in the 'golden triangle' and offers great golf at the Robert Trent Jones-designed Santiburi Country Club. Thailand allows you to spend a holiday playing new courses every day designed by today's greatest golf architects. Luxurious clubhouses, friendly and knowledgeable caddies and drinks stations at every third tee serve to enhance the Thai golfing experience.