Thailand's Top Golf Courses Around Bangkok

North/ East of Bangkok

Adisorn

On Hwy 2, 2 km E ofSaraburi and junction with Hwy 1.
Tel: (036) 211-204

A Royal Thai Army course in a most attractive setting within reach of Bangkok. Like all army courses it is inexpensive and excellent value for money.

Booking: Should be no problem, unless there is a tournament

Green fees: weekday/weekend $

Bangkok Royal

Highway 305, left at km 34
Tel: (01) 213- 0175

Brand new course on flat terrain by Jack Tuthill who had the great sense to preserve much of the existing vegetation and build a pleasant course around it. A sumptuous clubhouse, with all facilities. Condominiums and a golf school are planned.

Booking: far enough from Bangkok to be no problem.

Green fees: weekday $$; weekend $$$

Khao Cha Ngok

Inside Chulachomklao Military Academy, left off Highway 305, 7 km before Nakhon Nayok.
Tel: (037) 312-010

Also known as Chulachomklao or Nakhon Nayok, this challenging natural course is built on a thickly forested hill inside the Royal Thai Army's military academy. The long first nine are in a gently-sloping valley and have some difficult water carries. The second nine run round the mountain, with several blind shots and some excessively steep greens. It is rather hot in dry weather, but wonderful value, especially for golfers who enjoy a really difficult course. The clubhouse is pleasant and inexpensive. It is a longish day trip, but there is an adequate army-run hotel nearby (inside the camp). and more hotels in nearby Nakhon Nayok.

Booking: Advisable at weekends, when many large groups usually block-book.

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

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

Forest Hills

Near Muaklek at the km 141 marker on Highway 2.
Tel: (036) 341 732; Fax (036) 341-733

A pretty new 18-hole par 72 course on the rolling land of a former dairy farm. It features one of the many homes of former Prime Minister Chatichai. Being set on a hillside just outside Khao Yai national park, it is often breezy and therefore particularly agreeable in hot weather. It is excellent value, but a long way for 150-room hotel has just been completed close to the large modern clubhouse. Good value.

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

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

Green fees: weekday $; weekend $$.

Mission Hills

Khao Yai Towards Khao Yai National Park off Highway 2 at km 167
Tel: 253-2650; Fax: 253-2651

The Mission Hills group have created a superbly opulent, high prestige resort for Thailand's wealthiest citizens. The course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, is fairly tough, winding beneath the steep hills that border Khao Yai National Park. The clubhouse is a veritable palace with wonderful views. There is an 80-bedroom lodge to the very highest 5-star standard. The green fees are reasonable, but this is a place for a once-in-a-lifetime weekend. except for those with large bank balances.

Booking: advisable to reserve at all times, essential at weekends.

Facilities: pro shop, club hire, carts, restaurant, tennis, swimming pool, gymnasium, beauty salon.

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

Northern Rangsit

Right off Highway 1 at kilometre 58
Tel 234-5242; Fax: 237-2009

A new golf and housing development on flat terrain, the course being dominated by a large clubhouse, built on a mound. Designed by local golf architects, it is not too demanding, but as yet lacks shade.

Booking: open to all.

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

Pakchong Highland

On highway 2 at km 172, approaching Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat)
Tel: (044) 312-855; Fax: (044) 311-921

A cowboy theme was designated for the clubhouse and chalets around this 18-hole par 72 course, designed by Dr. Sukitti Klangvishai, Thailand's pre-eminent golf architect. Set on a rolling plateau, the course centres on an artificially created lake and is usually pleasantly breezy. There are plenty of hotels in nearby Korat.

Booking: members' priority, but it is far enough from Bangkok to ensure few problems.

Green fees: weekday $; weekend $$.

Pinehurst

Left off Highway 1 at the 37 kilometre marker
Tel: 516-8679; Fax: 516-8685

First stop on the 1992 European Tour (which for several years has opened in Asia), the 27 holes were designed by Yoshihara Alhara in a different style for each nine. Surrounded by land scheduled for housing development, it is still a little barren. The modern clubhouse has every facility.

Booking: A membership club, visitors are sometimes turned away.

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

Prime City

Left off highway 305 at the 37 km marker
Tel: (037) 391-350

A locally-designed 18-hole par 72 course. it is part of an out-of-town housing development. The wide fairways and large greens of the former paddy field layout make it suitable for all classes of golfer. There is a pleasant clubhouse, partially open, and a swimming pool is under construction. Carts are available. Terrific value.

Booking: should be no problem. Closed on Mondays.

Green fees: weekday $; weekend $

Royal Hills

Tucked away near the Salika Waterfalls, on Highway 3049, 16 km north of Nakhon Nayok
Tel: (037) 399-209; Fax: (037) 313-472

Set in beautiful mountainous country on the fringes of Khao Yai National Park, this Nelson and Wright 18-hole par 72 course has one of the loveliest settings in Thailand. The verdant fairways, intersected by babbling brooks, give a genuinely pastoral feel, which may not ultimately survive the prospective housing development. Much too far for a comfortable day trip, there are decent hotels in nearby Nakhon Nayok, and its own small golf lodge is due to open soon. It has a pleasant terraced clubhouse with friendly service. Superb value, it is well worth the trip.

Booking: open to all, but weekend reservations advisable

Green fees: weekday $; weekend $$

Voyage Panorama

Off Highway 2 at the 199 kilometre marker, near Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat)
Tel: (044) 242-167: Fax: (02) 258-0426

Primarily designed as a weekend retreat for rich Bangkokians who can afford a second home, this project was backed by money from Hong Kong. Set in pleasant rolling countryside in the heart of Thailand's dairy country. the course is often pleasantly breezy.

Booking: open to all. Closed on Mondays.

Green fees: weekday $; weekend $$.

Watermill Gardens

Off highway 305. km 34: it is down the same road as Royal Bangkok.
Tel: (01) 212-1175

The 18-hole par 72 course was designed by J.R. Keys and Associates. Built on former paddy fields, the designers have created plenty of water and wide fairways. There is not much shade as yet. Nice clubhouse. Very good value.

Booking: Should be no problem. Closed on Mondays.

Green fees: weekday $; weekend $.