With its sheer total, diversity and nationwide spread of golf courses in the kingdom of Thailand, it’s little wonder that this land of 225 plus courses has fast become one of the most popular golfing hotspots in the region. Add to that a large number of championship layouts, English-speaking caddies in addition to excellent resort facilities for all the family to enjoy, and you have a recipe for a first class golf destination. GOLF checked out a few within easy distance from the capital Bangkok.
Best Ocean Golf
Take plenty of balls when playing your round here as water comes into play on each hole on this very flat golf course. Designed by Lee Schmidt, this links-style public course is challenging with some interesting holes on the layout. These include the par-3 15th signature hole with its large expanse of water, as well as the tricky par-4 second - with its water hugging both sides of the fairway, in addition to an 860 metre runway which has parking facilities for small private planes, flanking the right side of the fairway. Facilities include a well-stocked pro shop, clubhouse and a restaurant which serve delicious Thai food and a wide range of beverages.
If you don’t want to make the trek back to either Bangkok or Hua Hin, then opt for one of Best Ocean’s 58 Bali-style luxury cottages where there is a pool and putting green in the middle of the resort. Alternatively, check out the Sampran Riverside which is more like a community than a resort. Its facilities include a four star riverside hotel with 160 rooms, six antique Thai houses on a lake, the Arusaya Spa, four restaurants, 10 meeting rooms, a 10-acre organic farm, a weekend farmer’s market and a Thai Village Cultural Centre.
Best Ocean Golf
4/5 Moo 7
Rama 2
Khokkham
Samutsakorn 74000
Ph: 66 34 451 144 50
www.bestoceangolf.co.th
Springfield Royal Country Club
The Springfield Group consists of the Royal Country Club, Springfield Village Golf & Spa, Springfield @ Sea Resort & Spa and the Hotel Springfield Beach Resort, so there is no shortage of accommodation after a round of golf.
Springfield Royal Country Club’s Jack Nicklaus-designed 27-hole championship course was originally has been around since 1993 - consisting of the nine-hole Lake, Valley and Mountain courses. Like many Nicklaus courses, all levels of players will enjoy its different challenges, and be prepared for some long carries if you are brave enough to play from the back tees. Facilities include a pro shop, driving range, putting and chipping greens, restaurant serving fabulous Thai and western cuisine, accommodation, spa and function rooms.
Check out Springfield’s rooms which are also in the Country Club; however Hua Hin is quite a haven for all types of accommodation, namely the Chiva Som health resort, Black Mountain Golf Course villas, Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, Mida de Sea and Wora Bura Hua Hin. The Amari Hua Hin is located on Khao Takiab beach and is just 10 minutes from Hua Hin’s downtown area. It has 223 rooms, a number of excellent F&B outlets, swimming pool, spa and salon, kid’s activities and pool, fitness centre and beach club.
Springfield Royal Country Club
208 Moo 2
Sampraya
Cha-Am
Petchburi 76120
Ph: 66 3270-9222-5
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.springfieldresort.com
Suwan Golf & Country Club
Suwan Golf & Country Club is a superb public country club in the Bangkok metropolitan area, and in addition to an 18 hole course and clubhouse, there is a restaurant serving mouth-watering Thai, Japanese and international cuisine, a massage facility, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms. The par-72 championship course opened in 2005 and is roughly a 50 minute drive from the centre of Bangkok. It stretches 6501 metres from the championship tees and is a real joy to play on with its appeal to both low and high handicappers. A tip to playing this course – which has seashore paspalum grass on its fairways and ultra dwarf Bermuda grass ‘MiniVerde’ on its greens - is accurate club selection as there is water on all 18 holes. The par-4 14th is a completely blind and a true dogleg left hole, therefore a slight draw around the corner should leave you in a perfect position for your second shot to the green, but watch out for bunkers on the left and right of the green. The par-4 dogleg left 17th is the signature hole and is quite spectacular with its palm trees and extensive bunkering. Confident golfers can attempt to pass the four large palms with their drive, while those who want more of a more relaxed and scenic route to the hole can hit to the dogleg angle to get the clearer approach shot. The finishing hole is long at 577 metres, however hit as much club as you can on the second and third if the pin is at the back of the green which slopes from back to front and has water in front of and behind the green.
If you don’t fancy staying overnight in one of the rooms, then you should be back in the big smoke in under an hour. In Bangkok there are so many areas and hotels to choose from, but if you want something a little quirky and more contemporary, do try the Sofitel So Bangkok. Offering themed accommodation created around the Five Elements – water, earth, wood, metal and fire – the guestrooms are quite magnificent as are the food and facilities which include an outdoor infinity pool, SPA and Club Signature lounge which was inspired by designer Christian Lacroix.
Suwan Golf & Country Club
15/3 Moo 2 Sisatong
Nakornchaisri
Nakornpathom 73120
Ph: 66 34 339 333
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.suwangolf.com
Stay While You Play
Sampran Riverside (www.sampranriverside.com)
Chiva Som Health Resort (www.chivasom.com)
Black Mountain Golf Course Villas (www.blackmountainhuahin.com)
Anantara Hua Hin Resort & Spa (huahin.anantara.com)
Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa (map.hilton.com/Huahin)
Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa (www.sheratonhuahin.com/en)
Mida de Sea (www.midadeseahuahin.com)
Wora Bura Hua Hin (www.worabura.com)
Amari Hua Hin (www.amari.com/huahin)
Sofitel So Bangkok (www.sofitel-so-bangkok.com)
