Golf in Hua Hin

In the royal resort of Hua Hin, the sport has to be golf. There are six 18-hole par-72 courses within 25 minutes drive.

The oldest course in town, the Royal Hau Hin Golf Course behind Hua Hin Railway Station (66-32-512-475, fax 66-32-513038), is a gentle samlor (tricycle) ride away. The gentlemen's course is 6,678 yards and the ladies' 5,713. Green fees weekdays are Baht 600 rising to Baht 1,000 Sat and Sun. If you need to rent a set of clubs the fee is Baht 500, while caddie fees are Baht 100 for nine holes, Baht 180 for 180. SHoe rental and driving range practice are also available.

Majestic Creek Country Club (66-32-250162-6, fax 66-32-523477) is 22 km away on the main road towards Ccha-am. The Pro's course is 7,123 yards, Semi Pro's 6,406 and Ladies' 5,571. Green fees are baht 550 for nine holes any day and 18 holes Mon-Wed and Fri. The full course Sat and Sun costs Baht 1,100. There's a fixed caddie fee of Baht 170 irrespective of holes played. Club rental is Baht 500/set.

Imperial Lake View Hotel & Golf Course (66-32-520178, 520423, fax 66-32-520098) is managed by the Imperial Hotel Group and is 19 km. out of Hua Hin the Cha-am road. Mon-Fri green fees for 18 holes are Baht 650; Sat and Sun fees double to Baht 1,300. Caddie fees are Baht 170 for 18 holes, and Baht 600 for and electric buggy.

Springfields Royal Country Club of Cha-am (66-32-471303, fa 66-32-471324) was designed by Jack Nicklaus. The courses range from Championship 7,063 yards and Professional 6,695 yards to Men's 6,281 yards, Ladies' 5,600 yards and Junior's 4,964 yards. The course rating varies from 74.1 (Championship) to 71 (Juniors). Green fees for 9 or 18 holes are Baht 900 Mon-Fri rising to Baht 1,400 Sat and Sun. There's a flat caddie fee of Baht 170 and club rental at Baht 660/set.

Palm Hills Resort & Country Club, Cha-am (66-32-520800-11, fax 66-32-520820) is 8 km. out of Hua Hin. The Pro's course is 6,903 yards, Men's 6,376 yards and Lasies' 5,599 yards. Green fees for 9 holes are weekdays Baht 350, Sat and Sun Baht 700. For 18 holes Baht 650 weekdays and Baht 1,300 Sat, Sun and holidays. There's a flat caddie fee of Baht 170, a cart fee of Baht 300 (9 holes) or Baht 700 (18 holes) and club rental of Baht 600/set.