Golf arrived in Thailand during the reign of King Rama V one hundred years ago. It was first played by nobles and other elitists of high society but over the past decade or so, the popularity of golf in Thailand has escalated, played both by local Thais and visiting foreign tourists and expatriates.
Statistics
There are an average of 400,000 foreign golfers coming to the Kingdom annually, golf in Thailand has turned into a huge local industry with new courses constantly being developed. Golf alone is annually bringing an income of 8 billion baht into the local economy. The country has been given the nickname 'The Golf Capital of Asia'.
Thailand has over two hundred courses which are rated as the highest world standard. Many of them have been designed and created by some of the classic names in the golfing world such as Nick Faldo, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Gary Player, and Greg Norman.
Thailand's golfers
Thongchai Jaidee is the country's most successful golfers, winning a handful of major international tournaments. Other Thais who have had international success include Prayad Marksaeng and Boonchu Ruangjit.
Tournaments in Thailand
There are several different types of golf presently played in Thailand, they are:
- Corporate Golf Tournaments
- Corporate Pro-am Golf Tournament
- Charity Golf Tournaments
- Golf Tour Management
A Corporate Golf Tournament
This kind of tournament is usually played while talking business, entertaining clients and meeting new contacts. The services available in Thailand include:
- Course selection and advance group reservations
- Event coordination and supervision with on-site staffing
- Administration of pairings, cart signs, scorecard and rule sheets
- Implementation of format, special competitions and scoring
- Sourcing of special rental equipment
- Centralized billing
Pro-am Golf Tournament This type of tournament affords the opportunity for everyone regardless of how well they play to mingle with golfing superstars. It is very popular for company directors to take clients or prospective clients along to enhance a closer relationship.
Charity Golf Tournaments This tournament is suitable for companies who wish to boost their company name with plenty of heavy advertisement; while, at the same time, financially assisting needy charities.
Golf Tour Management
This is simply a golf tour with a golf tour management program.
The Honda LPGA Thailand, the 30th tournament on the tour's annual roster, is just one of many international tournaments which have come to be played in Thailand. In 2006 the amount of prize money involved was $1.3US million.
Golfing destinations
Bangkok & Central Region
Just outside of Bangkok are a variety of world standard golf courses and facilities in the neighbouring provinces of Chachoengsao, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Pathom. The popular courses in this region that are chosen to host PGA tournaments are:
- Alpine Golf & Sports Club has hosted many international competitions including the prestigious Johnny Walker Classic and the 13th Asian Games.
- Thai Country Club has been voted Thailand's Best Golf Course 2001–2007 and Best Club House in Asia 2000–2007. They have been host to many major competitions such as the Johnny Walker Super Tour, Asia Honda Classic and Volvo Masters Asia.
- Amata Spring Country Club
- Navatanee Golf Course
Other popular course in and around Bangkok include:
- Muang Kaew Golf Course
- Subhapruek Golf Club
- Lam Luk Ka Country Club
Hua Hin
Hua Hin is home to two well-known golf courses, the Black Mountain Golf Club and Royal Hua Hin, the latter of which was the country's first course.Now the latest five stars golf course is Banyan which is soft opening since 1 October 2008
Pattaya
There are some well-known courses in Pattaya which include:
- Laem Chabang International Country Club which is considered the finest golf course in the area and ranked in Thailand's Top 5. Even Jack Nicklaus designed some of the course.
- Siam Country Club
- St. Andrews 2000
- Mountain Shadow
Kanchanaburi Area
The most popular golf courses in this area are:
- Nichigo Resort and Country Club championship course
- Mission Hills Golf Club
- Evergreen Hills Golf Club
- Dragon Hills Golf and Country Club
- Royal Ratchaburi Golf Club.
Northern Region
The Chiang Mai Lamphun Golf Club is a championship course which was the venue for the 18th SEA Games. The Lanna Sports Club is also one of the beautiful golf course in the region. Other places include:
- Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort
- Mae Jo Golf Club, Resort & Spa
- Gassan Khutan Golf Club and Resort
- Gassan Lake City Golf and Resort
- Gassan Marina Golf Club and Resort.
North-eastern Region
Khao Yai 300km from Bangkok, has a variety of different popular courses to play at, they include: Kirimaya Golf Resort, Mission Hills Khao Yai, Voyage Panorama Resort and Golf Club and Friendship Meadows Country Club.
Koh Samui
This island in the south of the country has only one full-size golf course, Santiburi Samui Country Club.
Phuket
This exotic tropical island in the Andaman Ocean is home to a host of world-class golf courses. The Blue Canyon Country Club which has been host to the Johnny Walker Classic, one in fact Tiger Woods won. Other venues include: Laguna Phuket, Thai Muang Beach Resort, Phuket Country Club, Loch Palm Golf Club and Red Mountain.
Golf courses
From Thailand's about 200 golf courses more than 65 courses are categorized as outstanding out of which 25 - 30 are considered to be world class courses. Some of these are also complimented by their adherence to a traditional Thai-style look. They are:
- Santiburi in Chiang Rai
- President GC
- Green Valley in Bangkok,
- Eeastern Star near Pattaya
- Windsor Park Bangkok
- Mount Shadow near Pattaya
- Imperial Lake View Cha Am/Hua Hin
- Khao Kheow near Pattaya
- Mission Hills GC's in Kanchanaburi/River Kwai and Khao Yai National Park
- Legcy in Bangkok
- Laem Chabang near Pattaya
- Springfield Royal in Hua Hin
- Mission Hills Phuket
- Re-opened after extensive renovation has KIRIMAYA, the former Khao Yai Country Club.
- Blue Canyon
- Nichigo River Kwai,
- famous Pinehurst
- Bangphra
- Crystal Bay near Pattaya
- the honorable Siam Country Club
- Chiang Mai Lamphun
- Rose Garden
- Phuket Country Club
- Majestic Greek in Hua Hin.
Outstanding courses
The major outstanding courses considered at different destinations are:
Bangkok
- Bangpoo Golf & Sports
- Bangsai Country Club
- Best Ocean Golf and Hotel
- Kiarti Thanee Country Club
- Krung Kavee Golf Course & Country Club Estate
- Krungthep Kreetha Sports Club
- Muang-Ake Golf Club
- Pinehurst Golf & Country Club
- President Country Club
- Rachakram Golf Club
- Rose Garden Golf Club
- Royal Lakeside Golf Club
- Thana City Golf and Country Club
- Thanont Golf View & Sport Club
- Alpine Golf & Sports Club
- Amata Spring Country Club
- Bangkok Golf Club
- Bangpakong Riverside Country Club
- Cascata Golf Club
- Green Valley Country Club
- Lakewood Country Club
- Lam Luk Ka Country Club
- Legacy Golf Club
- Muang Kaew Golf Club
- Navatanee Golf Course
- Panya Indra Golf Club
- Royal Gems Golf & Sports Club
- Royal Golf & Country Club
- Subhapruek Golf Club
- Summit Windmill Golf Club
- Suwan Golf & Country Club
- Thai Country Club
- Vintage Golf Club
- Windsor Park & Golf Club
Phuket
- Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort & Spa
- Thai Muang Beach Golf & Marina
- Tublamu Navy Golf Course
- Blue Canyon Country Club, Canyon Course
- Laguna Phuket Golf Club
- Loch Palm Golf Club
- Phuket Country Club
- Red Mountain Golf Course
Hua Hin
- Majestic Creek Country Club
- Milford Golf Club
- Palm Hills Resort & Golf Club
- Royal Hua Hin Golf Course
- Sawang Resort & Golf Club Black Mountain Golf Club
- Imperial Lake View Hotel & Golf Club
- Springfield Village Golf & Spa
Pattaya
- Bangpra International Golf Club
- Burapha Golf Club
- Crystal Bay Golf Club
- Eastern Star Resort & Country Club
- Emerald Golf Club
- Great Lake Golf & Country Club
- Greenwood Golf Resort
- Pattaya Country Club & Resort
- Plutaluang Navy Golf Course
- Treasure Hill Golf & Country Club
- Wangjuntr Golf Park Khao Kheow Country Club
- Laem Chabang International
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