Golf Courses in Thailand

Thailand has long been known as a tropical vacation paradise. Now, with over 200 operational golf courses throughout the kingdom – and more being built each year – the country can be called a golfer’s paradise as well. Most of these golf courses are physically very beautiful with lush greens and many water features surrounded by abundant foliage; they may be western style or built to reflect traditional Thai esthetics and can be worth visiting for their scenic qualities alone. A number of the courses were developed by gifted golf course architects or well known golf pros like Gary Player or Nick Faldo. Sixty-five of Thailand’s golf courses are classified as outstanding and within this category, upwards of twenty-five are ranked as world class. Thai golf courses have been chosen as the site for some of the world’s premier tournaments, including the PGA and the Johnny Walker Classic.

Thailand’s top 20 Golf Courses

Here are descriptions of the top 20 golf courses in Thailand, as selected by the Thailand Golf Association:

The Royal Gems Golf & Sport Club – Only an hour’s drive from downtown Bangkok, this country club features an attractive golf course with a demanding par 72 layout. You can expect large greens, both narrow and wide fairways, deep rough, big bunkers and sparkling blue lakes.

Thai Country Club – This luxurious course within easy reach of Bangkok bids fair to host prestigious tournaments. It features special paspalum grass imported from the seashore of Hawaii.

Watermill Golf & Gardens – Located an hour and a half from Bangkok on the road to Nakhon Nayok, the 18 hole course contains some challenging water hazards.

Rajpruek Club – Also in the Bangkok vicinity, this is a course with strategically located bunkers and water hazards, as well as dog leg or “bent” holes.

Lakewood Country Club – Another dog leg filled course near Bangkok, the Lakewood also makes things more interesting with hazards, bushes and flowers.

Mission Hills Golf Club – This club near Kanchanaburi is a great vacation destination, boasting luxury accommodation in addition to a challenging course.

Rooks Korat Country Club Golf & Resort – A short distance from the north Thailand town of Korat, Rooks Korat is as pretty as it is challenging. The country club is well equipped and makes a beautiful spot for a vacation with the whole family.

Blue Canyon Country Club Canyon Course – On the lovely vacation destination island of Phuket, here is an attractive course that has had the honor of hosting the Johnny Walker Classic tournament.

Palm Hills Resort & Country Club – At Petchaburi in central Thailand, the Palm Hills course is worth visiting for the breathtaking view of the mountains and the Gulf of Thailand alone.

Royal Bangkok Sport Club – Head back to the Bangkok area for a game on the Royal Bangkok’s tight and short course, followed perhaps by lunch at the modern country club.

Alpine Golf & Sports Club – A challenging member owned course which is beautifully maintained, this is located an hour’s drive from downtown Bangkok.

Voyage Panorama Resort & Golf Club – A short drive from Khao Yai National Park, this pleasant, breezy course blends in with the natural contours of the rolling hills that form its setting.

Lam Lukka Country Club – Here is a 36 hole course, easily accessible from Bangkok, with an attractive shady and green atmosphere.

Rose Garden Golf Club – Check out this charming and imaginatively designed course in the Bangkok area.

The Royal Golf & Country Club – Within Bangkok’s metropolitan area, this course makes abundant use of water on its spacious greens.

Santiburi Country Club – Here’s a club near Koh Samui with some enjoyable dog leg holes and a pleasant hilly setting.

Subhapruek Country Club – Bangkok golfers certainly have it good, with yet another top quality course located conveniently close to the capital.

Treasure Hill Golf Club – The lovely countryside of Chonburi in eastern Thailand is the site of this semi-private club.

Krungthep Kreetha Sports Club – A Bangkok area private club that is gradually opening its doors to the public, Krungthep Kreetha features an attractive, nicely maintained yet challenging course.

Khao Kheaw Country Club – On the road to Pattaya, this is a 27 hole course made more difficult by the strong sea breezes that can blow your ball off course.