Ultimate Guide to Golf in Bangkok: Everything You Need to Know

Bangkok, Thailand’s vibrant capital, is not only famous for its magnificent temples, bustling markets and unique street food, but also one of the top destinations for golfers. With the perfect combination of world-class golf courses, professional service and warm climate all year round, golf in Bangkok offers a great golfing experience for both beginners and professional golfers. In this article, we will guide you to explore the top golf courses in Bangkok, the estimated cost and useful tips to enjoy a perfect golf trip in this vibrant city.

General weather and best time to golf in Bangkok

Like many other cities in Southeast Asia, the Thai capital has all the characteristics of a tropical climate, from high temperatures and humidity to heavy rainfall. However, understanding the three typical weather seasons of Bangkok will help you enjoy your golf trip to the fullest.

• During the hot season from March to the end of May, temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius, along with high humidity making the weather even more uncomfortable. You should avoid playing golf during the day, especially midday, to avoid dehydration. Many golf courses will provide shaded resting areas and cold towels to help you cool down.
• From June to October, it rains a lot in Bangkok, especially in August and September, when there are heavy rains. Therefore, you should prepare a backup plan in case of temporary delays due to the weather. However, the rain usually occurs in the afternoon and does not last too long, so you can still arrange your golf rounds and after-hours activities in the morning or evening. In addition, you can take advantage of cheap golf course prices and accommodation if you travel during this time.
• The best time to visit Bangkok is the dry season from November to February, when the weather is dry and cool. The temperature is not too high, around 22°C to 32°C (72°F – 90°F) and there is very little rain, which is ideal for playing golf as well as visiting many destinations and outdoor activities. Therefore, the number of golfers and tourists coming to Bangkok during this time will be very crowded, even overloaded, so you need to prepare mentally and plan accordingly.

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Best golf courses in Bangkok

Bangkok Golf Club

Bangkok Golf Club, located on the outskirts of Bangkok, offers a unique and captivating golfing experience with excellent conditions and a challenging layout. The club’s beautifully designed 18-hole course, featuring lush fairways, strategically placed water hazards and undulating greens, offers a stimulating challenge for golfers of all levels. The course’s signature hole, with its island greens, is both beautiful and a test of accuracy. The course’s tranquility and natural beauty, enhanced by evening lighting, create a magical atmosphere for night golf, a rare experience in this bustling city. Its facilities, including a modern clubhouse with excellent dining and relaxation options, add to its appeal, making it a popular destination for both day and night.

Thai Country Club

Thai Country Club is often considered the best golf course in Bangkok because of its very high standards of service. With ideal natural conditions and a classic and strong parkland design, the course has hosted many international and domestic tournaments and is regularly voted as one of the top 5 golf courses in the Asian region. This 18-hole golf course is designed to international par 72 standards with many changes in terrain elevation, cleverly arranged bunkers, and greens, providing you with a constant challenge. The course also has very modern and diverse facilities, including the practice range, clubhouse, sauna, and even a helipad.

Alpine Golf and Sports Club

Alpine Golf and Sports Club is located in the north of Bangkok; its easy access makes it a popular choice for golfers. The course is considered one of the best in Asia, with a challenging layout, natural hazards, and undulating fairways. The meticulously maintained course offers an engaging and challenging experience for golfers of all levels. Many experienced golfers have commented that Alpine Golf & Sports Club is one of the most difficult courses to play in Thailand. Coming here, you will truly test your golfing skills.

Thana City Country Club

Thana City Country Club is a famous golf course about a 25-minute drive from the center of the capital, designed by the legendary Greg Norman. Thana City Golf & Country Club includes all 18 holes, designed according to international par 72 standards, 6996 yards wide. The course is located right next to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Here, you will have the opportunity to play golf while watching giant planes fly overhead, a very interesting feeling.

The course is built on a rice field, so the terrain is relatively flat, taking advantage of the surrounding nature to create a poetic and romantic scene. The course is also equipped with many high-quality facilities, such as a modern clubhouse, a practice range, a swimming pool, and a golf academy. The most prominent feature is the pro shop, one of the best pro shops with reasonable prices in Bangkok.

Navatanee Golf Course

Navatanee Golf Course is the best of the nearly 50 golf courses in Bangkok and its surrounding areas. It is a unique and exclusive golf destination, renowned for its long history and pristine condition, specially designed for the 1975 World Golf Championship. Navatanee offers a challenging yet rewarding layout, with well-groomed fairways, lush greens, and strategically placed hazards.

Trees and flowers are arranged throughout the golf course, adding to the appeal of the course and creating a peaceful and picturesque environment. Navatanee is not only a place to challenge the game, but also a place to experience golf in a quiet, private setting with excellent facilities and services.

> > > Looking for the best golf courses in Bangkok? From championship layouts to scenic fairways, the city has it all! Read on to discover the top 10 must-play courses for your next Bangkok golf getaway!

Must-try activities beyond golf in Bangkok

Explore Bangkok’s famous temples

As a Buddhist country, Bangkok is famous for its temples of unique architectural beauty and spiritual value. Some of the iconic temples you can visit are:

• The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew: The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew are Bangkok’s most iconic landmarks, symbolizing Thailand’s diverse cultural and religious heritage. The Grand Palace, which served as the royal residence for over 150 years, is a vast complex with elaborate architecture, ornate buildings, and detailed murals that combine Thai and Western influences. Within the palace grounds is Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the country’s most revered religious icon.
• Wat Arun: The temple sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, featuring exquisite architecture highlighted by an 80m-high pagoda and four smaller pagodas at the four corners symbolizing Mount Meru. The towers are decorated with bricks, lime and thousands of colorful ceramic pieces so that in the light of dawn and dusk, they create magical, sparkling silhouettes.
• Wat Pho: also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is one of Bangkok’s most iconic and historic temples, just a short walk from the Grand Palace. The temple is famous for its giant 46-meter-long golden reclining Buddha statue. Wat Pho also houses a huge collection of over 1,000 Buddha statues and is the center of traditional Thai massage and medicine.

Cruise the Chao Phraya River

A cruise on the Chao Phraya River is a must-do experience when visiting Bangkok. Sitting on the cruise, you will admire famous landmarks on both sides of the river, such as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, … For a romantic evening, consider booking a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River, where you can enjoy delicious Thai cuisine and live entertainment.

Shop at iconic malls and markets

Bangkok is famous for its vibrant shopping scene with numerous markets and shopping malls. For those looking for luxury shopping, malls like Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, and Iconsiam offer high-end brands, trendy fashion, international cuisine, and world-class entertainment. For a more traditional experience, visit the Chatuchak Weekend Market with thousands of stalls selling everything from clothes, handicrafts, souvenirs, and more. If you go in the evening, Asiatique The Riverfront is a top choice with open-air stalls along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, creating a lively atmosphere even in the rain.

Try Bangkok’s world-famous cuisine

Bangkok cuisine is diverse and rich, with thousands of signature dishes made from fresh ingredients, local specialties, and unique spices. This cuisine is also famous for its unique flavors, a perfect combination of sweet, spicy, salty, and especially the sour taste of tamarind. Thai cuisine is not simply a dish, but also a work of art prepared with sophistication and creativity. Thai dishes are often beautifully presented, with a harmonious combination of colors, flavors, and preparation techniques.

Start your journey in Chinatown, where you can sample local specialties such as roast duck noodles, crispy pork belly, and fresh steamed dim sum, or enjoy sweet dishes such as mango sticky rice and coconut ice cream. If you want to try street food, buy food directly from street vendors or from boats on floating markets.

Immerse in Southeast Asia’s most vibrant nightlife

As one of the most vibrant capitals in Southeast Asia, Bangkok in the evening has many interesting activities for you to experience. Visit the bustling streets to feel the bustling atmosphere with bustling tunes and street food, or admire the city from above at the rooftop bars. For a more unique cultural experience, join a traditional cultural show such as Siam Niramit or a water puppet show, or watch an exciting Muay Thai match.

Estimated cost for your Bangkok golf holiday

On-course fees

Bangkok is one of the most popular golf destinations in Thailand, with many prestigious and world-famous golf courses. Therefore, the cost of playing golf in Bangkok is generally a bit higher than in other places. The cost of renting a mid-range course is around $50 – $100 per round, while other high-end courses such as Thai Country Club or Alpine Golf Club cost from $120 – $200 per round.

In addition to the green fee, you will have to pay extra for two mandatory services: caddie and golf cart rentals, ranging from $15 to $40 per round excluding tips. In addition, if you do not buy golf equipment, these courses also rent for $30–$60 per round.

Accommodations

Bangkok is famous for its expensive services and amenities. Accommodation costs vary widely, depending on the type of accommodation and the time of year you go. Choose mid-range hotels in the city center or near the train station for easy access, such as Novotel or Mercure, with prices ranging from $50 to $100 per night. Luxury hotels and resorts such as The Siam or Mandarin Oriental offer more impressive experiences, with modern facilities and shuttle services to help your golf trip go more smoothly. Prices for 1 night at these accommodations range from $150 to $400 per night.

Transportation

Most of the Bangkok golf courses are located on the outskirts of the city, so you will need to get there by private transfer or taxi, which will cost around $30–$80 per round trip (depending on distance). You can also rent a private car, but this will cost much more than public transport, depending on the type of car, and rental period; the average price will be from $40 to $80 per day. However, renting a private car is the most comfortable and convenient option, especially for long trips or groups.

To get around in the center of Bangkok, there are many means of transport for you to choose from, such as tuk-tuks, buses, taxis, MRT subways, and BTS high-speed trains, with different price differences such as taxis with prices around $2-$10. Each vehicle is equipped with a meter, and the bus is the most popular public transport with a quite cheap price depending on the route. In addition, to avoid getting lost, you can buy a map at any store for easy travel.

Dining and other activities beyond golf

Bangkok is famous for its rich and diverse cuisine, from attractive street food to luxury restaurants. In particular, famous night markets such as Chatuchak or Khao San are ideal places to enjoy dishes at affordable prices. A meal at street food stalls will cost from $5 to $15 per person. If you eat at mid-range restaurants, the cost will be from $20 to $50 for a full meal. More upscale restaurants can cost from $80 to $200.

Besides the attractive cuisine, Bangkok is also famous for many attractive tourist destinations such as the Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha Temple, Silver Lake Vineyard, Safari World Bangkok Zoo, Tiger Zoo Park, … the average entrance fee for each destination is $30-$60 for an adult. Other popular activities include a Chao Phraya River cruise that costs around $50-$100 per person or a traditional massage that costs between $20-$100 per session.

Some tips for the best golf experiences

To make the most of your golf trip, follow these essential tips:

• Each golf course in Bangkok is designed to suit different levels of play, so do your research and choose the one that best suits you.
• Bangkok golf courses are popular with local and international golfers, so book at least 2-4 weeks in advance. You can also book through agents or booking apps to get the best rates.
• The weather in Bangkok during the hot season can be quite harsh and hot; golf courses will provide you with cold towels, ice, and shaded resting areas. In addition, you also need to prepare appropriate equipment such as clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen, …
• Learn some Thai phrases to communicate more closely with staff and locals. At the same time, this is a Buddhist country, so you need to respect local culture and traditions, such as avoiding making negative comments about the Thai monarchy, and covering your shoulders and knees when visiting temples.
• Bangkok is generally safe, but like any major city, there are some common tourist scams. Always bargain clearly or use a metered vehicle, and check prices before buying from street vendors, as they can overcharge tourists.

Bangkok is not only a vibrant tourist destination but also an ideal choice for golfers. Hopefully, with the detailed instructions in this article, you will easily plan a perfect golf trip in Bangkok—enjoy exciting rounds of golf and explore the unique beauty of this city without worrying about costs or schedules. Don’t forget to apply useful tips to optimize the experience and enjoy the best Bangkok golf vacation!

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