Hua Hin - Golf and golfing

For many years, Hua Hin has been regarded as one of the best golfing locations in Thailand. You will be spoilt here. Choice between 8 top quality golf courses here - all within a 30 minute drive from Hua Hin town centre. More are located slightly further away, but are still reachable easily for a day's play. Two more outstanding golf courses are currently under construction closer to the town.

So, if you need a break from the hectic pace of life on the beach, then there are enough golf courses to keep you occupied and happy during your stay in Hua Hin. All are in good condition and will present challenges for both the novice and experienced golfer.

The courses tend to get busy at weekends and national holidays when the Bangkok crowd visit the area and during the high season (December - March), play can sometimes be slow. Even if it occasionally takes 5 hours to play a round, there's no need to get frustrated. The scenery and regular watering holes will take your mind off those small delays. At other times of year, you can often not see another soul on the course except your playing partners and caddies.

Although technically you can carry your own clubs, it is expected that you hire a caddie and you should respect this. They are not expensive and generally are good fun to have with you during your game. It is also customary to tip your caddie at the end of the round. The amount is up to you, but 300 Baht will always be received with a smile and thanks. Do bear in mind that the vast majority of caddies are women, half your size, who carry your clubs all the way round (if you're walking the course) in the blistering heat. No mean feat for anyone.

The courses are listed below with brief details of yardage, green fees contact details etc.

Hua Hin golf courses:
 

Royal Hua Hin

Designed by a Scottish railway engineer and opened in 1924, Royal Hua Hin golf course is only 5 mins from the centre of town and was the first course to be constructed in Thailand.
Whilst there are no real water hazards on the course, all fairways are tree-lined (they are hundreds of years old and have their horticultural names affixed to them) and many of the greens are protected by being slightly elevated. Scoring well is always hard here. The scenery is outstanding and the views of the Gulf of Thailand and Hua Hin itself are particularly impressive on the back nine. Playing this course is a must and a real step back in time and history.

Designer: O.A. Robbins (a Scottish railway engineer). Open: 1924 Course: 18 holes, par 72, length 6,678 yds Facilities: Driving range, chipping green, putting green, pro shop, club hire, trolley and electric cart hire, clubhouse and restaurant. Green fees: Weekday+caddie THB1,400. Weekend+caddie THB1,700. Address: Hua Hin, Prachuabkirikhan, 77110 Tel +66 (0)32 512475. Distance: 5 mins from Hua Hin.

Palm Hills

The first of the "new" courses to open in 1991, it was the venue for the inaugural Thailand World ProAm tournament in 1993. It is relatively flat with a fair amount of water and set amongst the hills that run to the west of Hua Hin.

Designer: Max Wexler Open: 1991 Course: 18 holes, par 72, length 6,678 yds Facilities: Driving range, chipping green, putting green, pro shop, electric cart hire, clubhouse and restaurant. Green fees: Weekday+caddie THB2,400. Weekend+caddie THB2,400. Address: 1444, Petchkasem Road, Cha Am, Petchaburi, 76120. Tel +66 (0) 32 520800-2 Distance: 15 mins from Hua Hin.

Bangkok Golf and Milford Resort/Seoul Country Club

This is not the longest course around, but it is one that will require great accuracy. It is easy for even the most experienced golfer to run into problems here. The scenery and views are spectacular and be careful on the greens - they are as fast as lightening.

Designer: Robert McFarland Open: 1996 Course: 18 holes, par 72, length 6,614 yds Facilities: Driving range, chipping green, putting green, pro shop, electric cart hire, clubhouse and restaurant. Green fees: Weekday+caddie THB1,200. Weekend+caddie THB1,600. Address: 174 Moo 1, Pnomparn, Pranburi, Prachuabkirikhan 77110. Tel +66 (0) 32 572441. Distance: 25 mins from Hua Hin.

Springfield Royal Country Club

This is probably the most famous course around Hua Hin and has been the venue for many major championships, including The Thai Open. It is always in wondeful condition and will present a challenge to all golfers. The layout has been cleverly thought out, as you would expect from the Jack Nicklaus team and the views of The Gulf of Thailand and the surrounding terrain are breathtaking. The clubhouse is one of the best in the area and a great place to relax after your round and reminisce about the experience.

Designer: Jack Nicklaus Open: 1993 Course: 18 holes, par 72, length 7,063 yds Facilities: Driving range, chipping green, putting green, pro shop, electric cart hire, clubhouse and restaurant. Green fees: Weekday+caddie THB3,700. Weekend+caddie THB3,700. Address: 193 Moo 6, Huay Sai Nua Cha Am, Petchaburi 76120. Tel +66 (0)32 709222. Distance: 25 mins from Hua Hin.

The Majestic Creek Country Club

This course open in 1993 and is cleverly crafted to provide a superb golfing challenge. Set in the hills that seperate Thailand from Burma (Myanmar), the scenery is stunning and there is plenty of water, streams and other natural hazards to negotiate.

Designer: Dr Sukitti Klangvisai Open: 1993 Course: 18 holes, par 72, length 6,961 yds Facilities: Drivng range, chipping green, putting green, pro shop, electric cart hire, clubhouse and restaurant. Green fees: Weekday+caddie THB2,400. Weekend+caddie THB2,400. Address: 164 Moo 4, Tambon Tabtai, Hua Hin, Prachuabkirikhan 77110. Tel +66 (0)32 520162-6. Distance: 30 mins from Hua Hin.

 

Imperial Lake View Hotel and Golf Club

This championship course is always in great condition and its design will find you having to negotiate a lot of water hazards on your way to trying to hit hidden greens. Once you've reached the greens, be prepared for some arduous putting experiences. There is a 70 room luxury hotel on the complex for those who may want to stay more than one day. The First 36 hole golf course in Hua Hin - Cha-am with the concept of 1 Course with Styles along with first class services.

Course A – Mountain (3,432 Yds. Par 36)
The undulating surfaces of this course increase the thrill of fairway shots as well as the appeal of putting on the greens. The idyllic landscape is enhanced by the splendid variety of international foliage and the breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains in the distance.

Course B – Lake (3,483 Yds. Par 36)
This course gives the feeling of relaxation to any golfer who plays here. The refreshing atmosphere is supported by the cool breeze and surrounding bodies of water. This course is ideal for golfers looking to relax with a pleasant game, free from all the worries of the office, but with much hidden excitement from the challenges posed by the water that divides the course.

Course C – Desert (3,417 Yds. Par 36)
Also known as the Arizona Style course, this course is designed as an adventure for the golfer seeking to brave the arid landscape of the desert. Cacti, rocks, and bunkers abound making it a challenging course where the golfer must plan his every move carefully and patiently.

Course D – Links (3,859 Yds. Par 36)
A novel concept in Golf course design which combines the wide open spaces and windy expanses of a Links course with the idyllic tranquility of landscaping to achieve the Links Style course. The Links Style course will challenge golfers who enjoy long drives and thoughtful planning in their games.

Designer: Roger Packard and Ronald Fream (Course D) Open: 1993 Course: 36 holes, par 72, length 6,915 yds. Facilities: Driving range, chipping green, putting green, pro shop, electric cart hire, clubhouse and restaurant. Green fees: Weekday+caddie THB2,000. Weekend+caddie THB2,000. Address: 79 Moo 4, Tambon Sampraya, Cha Am, Petchaburi 76120. Tel +66 (0)32 456233-9. Distance: 25 mins from Hua Hin

 

Sawang Resort and Golf Club

Situated amongst the rolling hills west of Petchaburi in the private valley of Khao Yoi, this course is in spendid condition and will provide a test for all levels of ability. There are plenty of water hazards and many of the fairways are tree-lined. The whole course is surrounded by fresh water lakes. There is also a hotel on the complex.

Designer: Isao Katsumata Open: 1993 Course: 18 holes, par 72, length 6,959 yds. Facilities: Driving range, chipping green, putting green, pro shop, electric cart hire, clubhouse, restaurant and hotel. Green fees: Weekday+caddie THB1,400. Weekend+caddie THB2,000. Address: 99 Moo 2, Saphang Khaoyoi, Petchaburi 76120. Tel +66 (0)32 562555-8. Distance: 50 mins from Hua Hin.

There are a couple of other courses that are definitely worthy of mention. Although not technically included within the Hua Hin area, they are nevertheless close enough to reach and play within a day.

Dragon Hills Golf and Country Club

The course is found within "the triangle" of Bangkok, Kanchanaburi and Hua Hin and is a superbly designed and crafted venue that totally blends in with its natural environment. The back nine is particularly impressive. Most of the par 4s and 5s are long and all the greens provide a putting challenge. An affiliated hotel can be found a few kilometers away for those wanting to stay overnight.

Designer: Jim Engh, Isao Aoki, Jack Nicklaus. Open: 1996 Course: 18 holes, par 72, length 6,812 yds. Facilities: Driving range, chipping green, putting green, pro shop, electric cart hire, clubhouse and restaurant. Green fees: Weekday+caddie THB650. Weekends+caddie THB950. Address: 192 Moo 2, Ang Hin, Pak Tho, Ratchaburi 70140. Tel +66 (0)32 261206-7. Distance: 1hr 30mins from Hua Hin.

 

Royal Ratchaburi Golf Club

This stunning course is again found within the "triangle" of Bangkok, Kanchanaburi and Hua Hin. It is a major challenge for all golfers with trees, water and bunkers all coming into play on the fairways and the greens being a real test with their slopes and burrows. It is reckoned amongst the top 10 beautiful courses in Thailand. The clubhouse is modest, but you'll find everything you need and there is a neighbouring hotel if you require accommodation.

Designer: Artanan Yomchinda Open: 1988 Facilities: Driving range, chipping green, putting green, pro shop, electric cart hire, clubhouse and restaurant. Course: 18 holes, par 72, length 6,785 yds. Green fees: Weekday+caddie THB750. Weekend+caddie THB1,190. Address: Khao Rank, Amphur Muang, Ratchaburi 70140. Tel +66 (0)32 227031-2. Distance: 1hr 30mins from Hua Hin.

 

New golf courses in Hua Hin

There are another two championship courses already well under construction around Hua Hin. Black Mountain has two courses, both 18 holes, par 72. The length of the East course is a tough 7,261 yds, while the West is a more leisurely 7,064 yds. Construction on the latter is due to start in February 2007. The distance from the town centre is 15kms. Some of the first images of Black Mountain golf course can be seen below along with the scorecard:

 

The Banyan Golf Club is due to be completed by January 2008. Situated in pineapple plantations just south of Hua Hin, the course will provide spectacular scenery against a backdrop of mountains. It will be 18 holes, par 72 with a length of 7,030 yds.

We will bring you more information about the progress of these courses and more details when we have them.