Of all the great golfing nations in the world, Thailand ranks near the top in choice of interesting, challenging championship courses, many designed by golfing legends like Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Robert Trent Jones Jr & others. When you consider that your golf experience can also be combined with a fabulous holiday in one of the most enjoyable, exotic & hospitable countries in the world, then your pleasures are easily multiplied.
 

BEST TIME OF YEAR

It is generally considered that the best time of year to visit Bangkok is from November through to March. March to May are usually the hottest months with temperatures ranging from 30-37 degrees celcius. June to October is monsoon or rainy season which unlike other destinations in Asia, rain does not occur throughout the day rather it happens in the evening only.

Bangkok & Central Region

Just outside of Bangkok are a myriad of world standard golf courses and facilities in the neighbouring provinces of Cha Choeng Sao, Pathum Thani and Nakhorn Pathom. These can be easily reached in about an hour from Bangkok. Some of these are rated the best in the country. So good and chosen to host PGA tournaments are:

- Navatanee Golf Course
- Alpine Golf & Sports Club
- Thai Country Club
- Amata Spring Country Club

Alpine Golf & Sports Club – This venue located in the province of Pathum Thani, is usually for members only and is rated to be one of the most challenging courses in Thailand. They have hosted many international competitions including the prestigious Johnny Walker Classic and the 13th Asian Games.

Thai Country Club – Not only is this course one of the finest in Thailand but also one of the best in Asia. It has been voted Thailand’s Best Golf Course 2001-2007 and Best Golf House in Asia 2000-2007. They have been host to many major competitions such as the Johnny Walker Super Tour, Asia Honda Classic and Volvo Masters Asia.

Other popular course in and around Bangkok include:

- Muang Kaew Golf Course
- Subhapruek Golf Club
- Lam Luk Ka Country Club
 

Hua- Hin

This quiet sea-side area is home to two well-known golf courses, the Black Mountain Golf Club and Royal Hua Hin, the latter of which was the country’s first course.

Pattaya

Escaping the hustle and bustle of this busy seashore town is the Laem Chabang International Country Club which is considered the finest golf course in the area and ranked in Thailand’s Top 3. Even Jack Nicklaus designed some of the course. Other well-known popular courses in the area Pattaya include:

- Siam Country Club
- Rayong Green Valley
- St. Andrews 2000
- Mountain Shadow

Kanchanaburi Area

The best golf course in this area is without a doubt the Nichigo Resort and Country Club championship course. Other decent places include:

- Mission Hills Golf Club
- Evergreen Hills Golf Club
- Dragon Hills Golf and Country Club
- Royal Ratchaburi Golf Club.
 

GOLF COURSES

PINEHURST GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

45 minutes north of Bangkok, this beautiful, 27-holes of championship golf was venue for the 1992 Johnnie Walker Classic. Designed by Yoshihara Aihara, the North course ( The Lakes ) has abundant water hazards similar to golf courses in the US. The South course “ The Meadow” is designed along the lines of Scottish Courses, with both mounds & water hazards dominating the setting. The West course ( The forest ) has a profusion of trees & shrubs.

THE ROSE GARDEN GOLF CLUB

Located 40 minutes away, this beautiful golf course has been rated in the top 50 of the world’s courses by international golf magazines. Superbly maintained and lush with mature trees & thick vegetation, the Rose Garden more than lives up to it’s name in substance as well as tranquility. The course is rather flat, with narrow tree lined fairways & heavily-bunkered greens.

NAVATANEE GOLF CLUB

Located 40 minutes away, Navatanee is Thailand’s first golf course designed by a foreign architect. The course was creates especially for the 1975 World Cup & has since become a golfing mecca for first time visitors to the country. Navatanee offers a tranquil retreat full of mature trees & beautiful shrubs. The greens are well protected by bunkers & there is a mix of wide & narrow fairways, with water coming into play on five holes. The par four sixth hole 7 the par five ninth hole across the lake are among the best in the country . The clubhouse facilities are excellent.

PRESIDENT COUNTRY CLUB

Located 45 minutes away, stretching 7,140 yards off the “tiger” tees, the course here is designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. Fairways are wide, but undulating & offer a variety of lies, with no blind approaches to the superb greens. Water runs along almost every fairway, so accuracy is paramount. The par threes are tricky as most of them require long water carries to greens guarded by deep bunkers. The new North course is also very demanding as it too has water running along almost every fairway. The opening hole is a foretaste of what is to come in that great accuracy is required to avoid the fairway & green side bunkers. The huge clubhouse caters to all the golfer’s whims.

Thai Country Club
There are only a few golf courses located within Bangkok's suburbs, and the Thai Countru Club is one of the best on offer are cleverly designed however extremely testing fairways and greens. Despite its central location, just 30 minutes from the city centre and 20 minutes from Bangkok International Airport, the course has a superb countryside feel. The signature hole must be the 14th hole, where the island tee requires all of your confidence and skill, especially if you take the option of night golf that is available here.

Muang Kaew Golf Course

The Muang Kaew Golf Course, is located along the Bangna-Trad Highway to Pattaya/Chonburi, and is the nearest 18 hole golf course to Bangkok central. Only a 20 minute drive from the city bustle, this course offers a mixed bag such as an easy shortcut par 5, yet a difficult cross over the lake par 4. It's a very popular track, especially with the local Bangkokians on the weekends.

THANA CITY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Half hour from central Bangkok, amidst a huge housing development is the popular Thana City Golf and Country Club. Greg Norman's design has incorporated the use of grasses, reeds and lots of sand to create the feel of a seaside location course. Accurate shooting is needed to avoid the streams and lakes of the course together with the many sand traps. Although a par 72, the course is long and tough in places - particularly holes 4 and 5 which are both played to island greens.