Thailand's Top Golf Courses Pattaya

In Pattaya

Kiarti Thanee

Lett at 29 km marker on the Bangna-Trat Highway
Tel 234-9197; Fax: 521-1844

Like all the courses in this neighbourhood, pancake flat paddy fields have been dyked and landscaped around artificial lakes to create broad, undulating fairways. An opulent moated clubhouse sits atop the immaculately manicured greens and fairways.

Booking: membership club. casual visitors are only accepted on weekdays. Closed on Mondays.

Green fees: weekday $$$; weekend $$$$.

Muang Kaew

Right after 7 km marker on Bangna-Trat Highway (U-turn at km 9).
Tel: 249-9624; Fax: 316-3922

A clever design of an awkward-shaped piece of land, it makes use of every available feature. An absence of fairway bunkers (there is only one on the 18-hole par 72 course) helps to speed up play, but some players feel makes the course too easy. An interesting hole drives straight over the access road, approaching cars being protected by a green painted metal cage. The pleasant clubhouse is partially open with an air-conditioned restaurant upstairs. Conveniently close to Bangkok, it is good value.

Booking: open to all, but reservations advisable at weekends. Closed on Mondays.

Green fees: w/d $$; w/e $$$.

Royal Golf

Turn left at km 18 on the Bangna-Trat Highway (34), or proceed straight out from Sukhumvit Road on Soi 77 for about 30 km. Tel: 260-0181

Excellent course near the site of Bangkok's planned second airport, it was designed by Chohei Mizayawa. The wide, undulating fairways and large greens make the course a pleasure for all standards of golfer. The service in the big clubhouse is exemplary. This course is popular with expat groups - a good guide to its value.

Booking: open to all, but best to reserve at weekends. Closed Tuesdays.

Facilities: pro shop, club hire, arts, restaurant, swimming pool, tennis courts.

Green fees: w/d: $$; weekend $$$

Royal Lakeside

Right (U-turn) at 52 km marker on Bangna-Trat Highway.
Tel: (038) 573-275; Fax: (038) 573-280

This is a stunning-looking 18-hole par 72 course with some holes running right along the river bank. It is richly ornamented with shrubs and flowers, and pleasantly breezy much of the time. The dazzling white clubhouse could be a second cousin to the Taj Mahal. There is also a marina, from which boat trips can be organised. There are some decent hotels in nearby Chonburi and along the coast, or visitors can proceed to Pattaya.

Booking: members' priority, but visitors welcomed. Weekend reservations advisable.

Green fees: weekday $$; weekend $$$.

Subhaphruek

Left at 26 km marker on Bangna-Trat highway (plus a long drive round the housing estate)
Tel: 316-2636; Fax: 259-4458

Formerly known as Bangna Villas, the course was renamed after the owner's wife. A longish, open 18 hole par 72 course with plenty of water and hundreds of palm trees along every fairway, it is one of the best and fairest of the new courses along the Bangna-Trat highway. Splendid ultramodern clubhouse with friendly service from staff who make visitors feel especially welcome. This course is another of the favourites of the various expat golf societies in Bangkok.

Booking: open to all, but reservations essential at weekends. Closed on Mondays.

Facilities: pro shop, club hire. carts, restaurant. banquet room. sauna.

Green fees: w/d $$; weekend $$$

Thana City

Left at 14 km marker on Bangna-Trat Highway
Tel: 316-4502; Fax: 316-4508

Greg Norman used plain grasses, reeds and lots of sand to create the illusion of a seaside links right in the middle of one of Thailand's biggest housing developments. It is a long and tough par 72, with some rather unkind blind shots over ditches. The Thais find it rather austere for their taste and have planted a few shrubs around the huge clubhouse, which has other sporting facilities and a David Leadbetter golf school adjoining. A bit expensive, but tourist discounts may be available off-season.

Booking: open to all, but reserve at weekends.

Facilities: pro shop, club hire, carts, restaurant, swimming pool, tennis, sauna, golf school, snooker school.

Green fees: weekday $$$; weekend $$$$.

Windmill Park

Left at 10 km marker on Bangna-Trat Highway
Tel: 316-8301; fax: 312-5375

Lifesize windmills decorate the access to this 18-hole par 72 course which carries Nick Faldo's "signature". It is said that when Faldo saw how his design had been modified into what looks like an ornate and colourful garden he declared "flowers belong in gardens, not on golf courses", and withdrew his name. The course, which is surrounded by opulent housing, is the most expensive in Thailand for both membership and green fees. Temporary clubhouse.

Booking: membership club; visitors generally accepted.

Facilities:pro shop, club hire, carts, restaurant, swimming pool, tennis, badminton, gymnasium, sauna.

Green fees:weekday $$$$$; weekend $$$$$.

Around Pattaya

Bangpra

Left off Highway 3 in Bangphra, 110 km from Bangkok.
Tel: (038) 341-150 Fax (038) 341-151

Attractive 18 hole par 72 course, meandering through foothills. The front nine were rebuilt a few years ago by Japanese interests, losing one of Thailand's most spectacular par three holes, but creating a superb open course with lots of water carries. There is a pleasant hotel overlooking the course, right beside the large clubhouse, which has Japanese-style bathtubs. Good value for money. especially on weekdays.

Booking: open to all, but reservation essential as it is often patronised by large tour groups.

Facilities: pro shop, club hire, carts, restaurant, conference room, swimming pool, sauna.

Green fees: weekday $$; weekend $$$.

Eastern Star

At the 193 km marker on Highway 3, 48 km south of Pattaya
Tel: 259-7151; Fax 258-3456

Robert Trent Jones Jr. is the designer of this pleasant and not too challenging 18hole par 72 course On a flattish piece of land, surrounded by low hills, it often has cooling breezes. Carts are available. The magnificent clubhouse is air- conditioned throughout and has a swimming pool. The hotels and condotels of Jomtien beach and nearby Pattaya are within easy reach. Excellent value, it has not yet been discovered by the masses.

Booking: open to all, but reserve to be sure at weekends.

Green fees: weekday $; weekend $$.

Green Valley Rayong

Left off Highway 3 at Ban Chang, about 20 km south of Pattaya.
Tel (038) 614-916; Fax: 316-8349

Built around a creek beside a rocky mountain, this course is a real pleasure to play. The designers, Thomson Wolveridge Associates, constructed the par 72 course to take maximum advantage of the creek, creating a series of pools linked by waterfalls. They have also used bunkers very intelligently, inviting the good golfer to attempt the drive over them, while the less confident have plenty of room to lay up. Carts are available. There is a small, comfortable clubhouse, pending the building of a larger one. The course is within reach of many coastal hotels, and there are a couple of comfortable ones in the nearby township. Superb value.

Booking: visitors are made to feel very welcome. Closed on Tuesdays.

Facilities: pro shop, club hire, carts, restaurant

Green fees: weekday $; weekend $$.

Khao Kheow

Left off Highway 36, at the 18 km marker, beyond Chonburi bypass
Tel (01) 323-1467: Fax: 279-4806

Pete Dye, one of the cleverest designers of courses for all classes of golfer was presented with a superb setting on which to impose his art. Surrounded by low hills, the long 27-hole course has enough slopes to make it interesting without being totally exhausting. There is one lovely island green. Carts are available. Slated eventually to have 27 holes, the course has a pleasant temporary clubhouse with a management for whom nothing appears too much trouble. Highly recommended.

Booking: open to all, but usually booked out at weekends. Closed Mondays.

Facilities: pro shop club hire, carts, restaurant.

Green fees: weekday $; w/e $$.

Laem Chabang

Left off Highway 36 at the 32 km marker, about 25 km from Pattaya.
Tel: (01) 323-2260; Fax: 485-0639

In spectacular rolling hills with craggy peaks, the 27-hole course was designed by Jack Nicklaus, who has made brilliant use of an awkward-shaped valley intersected by a creek. He has provided plenty of long water carries, and - as is always the case with Nicklaus courses - it is a real challenge. However some older golfers and novices find it is simply too much for them. Carts are on hand for all but the very fit. Pleasant temporary clubhouse. A condotel is planned.

Booking: open to all. but sometimes crowd ed at weekends. Closed on Mondays.

Facilities: pro shop. club hire. carts. restaurant.

Green fees: weekdav $$: w/e $$$

Noble Place

At km 71 on Highway 331, via Highway 344, 36 km east of Chonburi
Tel: (01) 484-9066: Fax: (01) 212-9327

Quite a difficult course in low hills, designed by Australians Thomson Wolveridge Associates. There is not much water, but the designers have provided lots of sand and deep rough, giving the course a links feel. Not for beginners. There is a small, but adequate temporary clubhouse. Carts are available.

Booking: Should be no problem, even at weekends

Green fees: weekday $; weekend $$.

Panya Resort

Left off Highway 3 after Bang Saen. at the 83 km marker.
Tel: (038) 349370, Fax: (038) 349-365

The large clubhouse is on a mound overlooking a plain on which is built an immaculately manicured 27hole park-type course, richly decorated with flowering shrubs. Not far away is 18-hole Panya Hill, which is set in more dramatic scenery, where Ronald Fream has created another of his excellent courses. All the Panya courses are relatively expensive, but with a multiplicity of nines it is generally possible to squeeze in, even at weekends.

Booking: member clubs, but visitors welcome. Both clubs are closed on Mondays.

Facilities: pro shop, club hire, carts, restaurant. swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna.

Green fees: weekday $$: weekend $$$.

Phoenix

Left off Highway 3 at the 158 km marker, 13 km south of Pattaya.
Tel: (038) 239394; Fax: (038) 239402

Very agreeable 27-hole course on a slightly sloping piece of land, with distant sea views. It usually has cooling breezes off the sea, and often appears practically deserted on weekdays. The cathedral like, partly- open clubhouse has a delightful view. The designer, cleverly preserved a good deal of the existing shrubbery, unlike so many of the other new courses. Very good value, there are plenty of hotels and beach huts nearby on the coast and accommodation is planned in the clubhouse itself. Recommended.

Booking: currently no problem, but as it is close to Pattaya, weekends may get busy. Closed on Mondays.

Facilities: pro shop, club hire, carts, restaurant.

Green fees: weekday $; weekend $$$

Plutualuang

Right off Highway 332, (8 km off Highway 3 169 km marker)
Tel: (038) 601-185

Also known as Sattahip, this Royal Thai Navy course is set in glorious rocky hill country. There are now two full 18-hole courses, but the old one has the best views. Both are good exercise. As ever with Thai mililary courses, the green fees are exceptional value, and the clubhouse service is friendly, with inexpensive alcoholic beverages. One of the loveliest natural courses in Thailand.

Booking: open to all, but popular at weekends.

Facilities: pro shop, club hire, carts, restaurant.

Green fees: weekday/ weekend $

Siam Country Club

Off highway 336 (right after 12 km) or direct from Pattaya.
Tel: (038) 249381; Fax 216-2235

First of the Pattaya courses, set in lovely country in the low hills behind Pattaya. Traditional site of the annual Can-Am Invitational, the 18-hole par 72 course has some superb holes - particularly the unique finishing four. The basic, open clubhouse has pleasant views. Great value, but the course is sometimes crowded at weekends. There are about 30 clean and comfortable air-conditioned rooms available in the clubhouse at very reasonable prices.

Booking: open to all, but reserve at weekends.

Facilities: pro shop, club hire, carts, restaurant, swimming pool, driving range.

Green fees:weekday $; weekend $$.

Sri Racha

On Highway 3241, between Highways 331 and 36.
Tel: (01) 916-2416; Fax: 261-1245

Gary Player 's contribution to Thai golf is an 18-hole par 72 course in a lovely setting, overlooked by a sizeable mountain. It is in excellent condition, and plays very fairly for both good and average golfers. The enormous clubhouse has an Olympic-size swimming pool, and some accommodation in neighbouring condominiums. With its lovely views it is a perfect holiday setting, and as good value as anywhere.

Booking: reserve at weekends, as it has become very popular.

Facilities: pro shop, club hire, carts, restaurant, swimming pool, tennis, snooker, sauna.

Green fees: weekday $; weekend $$.