Thailand is now a well-known hub for golf enthusiasts as it offers an array of world-class courses to choose from. The country has become a favorite destination for golfers seeking to challenge themselves with demanding golf hazards in beautiful surroundings. In this article, let’s discover the top Thailand PGA golf courses that you should never miss during your Thailand golf holidays.
Siam Country Club – Pattaya Old Course
Siam Country Club – Pattaya Old Course is one of the premier Thailand PGA golf courses. This magnificent par 72 course stretches over 7,162 yards and is regarded as one of the best golf courses not only in Pattaya but in all of Southeast Asia.
The course is a favorite among local and international golfers alike, thanks to its challenging layout and stunning natural scenery. Golfers who play here will be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and lush greenery, providing a tranquil atmosphere that is perfect for a relaxing day on the links.
In 2018, Siam Country Club Old Course received international recognition for its exceptional quality when it was named the 73rd best golf course in the world by Golf Digest, a leading publication in the golf industry. This is a testament to its superb design.
One of the highlights of the course is its many challenging holes, each of which offers a unique set of obstacles and opportunities for players to showcase their skills. Many of these holes are well-known among golf enthusiasts, having been played by some of the world’s top golfers during various professional tournaments held at the course.
One of the most memorable holes on the course is the 11th, a nifty par 4 that measures 450 yards. This hole is rated as the most difficult on the course, with a handicap rating of 1. Golfers must navigate a narrow fairway that is lined with trees on either side, before attempting to land their ball on a green that is surrounded by a series of strategically placed bunkers.
Black Mountain Golf Club
Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin is widely recognized as one of the top golf courses in Asia and Thailand, boasting PGA standards that have made it a popular destination for professional tournaments such as the Thailand Classic. The course is a regular feature on lists of the best golf courses in Asia, known for its fast speed and challenging downhill slopes.
Black Mountain Golf Club features three 9-hole courses: East, West, and North. Players can choose two of these courses to create their 18-hole game, providing a variety of challenges and experiences. The course incorporates natural elements such as creeks and rocky outcroppings. The East course has particularly challenging water hazards, including an island green, while the North course is known for its shifting elevations, perfect for competitive players seeking a challenge.
The course is designed to cater to players of all skill levels, with large greens and multiple options for tee boxes. While the course can be challenging for even the most experienced players, the inclusion of safer routes and pin positions suitable for beginners makes it accessible to hobbyists as well.
This club has played host to several exciting professional events, including the PGA Asian Tour’s Black Mountain Masters in 2009 and the first European Tour event held in Thailand, the Thailand Classic, in 2015. Its reputation as a top golf course in the region is due in part to its PGA standards, making it an ideal choice for both professional and adventurous golfers seeking a challenging and rewarding experience.
Thai Country Club
Thai Country Club is one of the best Thailand PGA golf courses that sets the bar high for service excellence. Managed by the Peninsula Hotels, this prestigious member course is designed to meet the USPGA. Since its opening in December 1996, Thai Country Club has been a favorite among local and international golfers alike.
The course design is adaptable to meet the requirements of everyday member use as well as major international and PGA tournaments. The 7,157-yard course was the venue for the 1997 Asian Honda Classic, the 1998 Johnnie Walker Super Tour, and the 2007 and 2008 Volvo Masters.
Thai Country Club is renowned for its well-maintained course that features a great variety of holes, water hazards, and sand bunkers. The fairways and greenside bunkers are superbly designed, almost like a work of art. Despite the course’s initially flat terrain, the pleasantly rolling earth mounds, contoured fairways, and often elevated greens make it a challenging layout that requires proper course management. Wayward shots from the tee are usually findable but are likely to be sitting down in clinging semi-rough, making the next shots a bit more difficult.
Santiburi Samui Golf Club
Located on Koh Samui’s north shore, Santiburi Samui Country Club is the first golf course on the island, boasting 18 holes of PGA standards, and gained fame after hosting the 2006 Bangkok Airways Open.
Each hole at this PGA golf course has its unique character and challenges, including steep uphill and downhill slopes, and winding fairways cut into the forest that meanders around cliffs and streams, making it one of the top Thailand PGA golf courses. The Tifeagle grass greens are renowned for their fast speed, while the new shade-resistant Sea Isle Paspalum tees and fairways ensure good playing conditions year-round.
The golf course begins with a few holes playing through a mature coconut forest before progressing up the mountain. The fairways follow the natural line of the hills, creating an interesting and challenging golf game. Rock outcroppings found on several holes add to the challenge. Due to its shortish mountainous layout, the course rewards accuracy, not distance. Small fairways are common on most holes, but the large greens make approach shots easier.
Alpine Golf & Sports Club
Alpine Golf & Sports Club is also a must-play course for golf enthusiasts visiting Thailand. The perfect design and picturesque location makes it one of the top Thailand PGA golf courses. In 2013 and 2014, it hosted the Asian Tour Chiang Mai Classic; since then, its world-class layout earned further recognition.
The first 18 holes were designed by the renowned golf course designer, Mr. Ron M Garl, who was inspired by the stunning hills on the horizon. With the nearby forests that feature a variety of trees such as golden teak wood and mahogany, every hole on the course offers an opportunity to experience nature at its finest. The course stretches over 7,541 yards from the black tees, presenting a challenge to professional golfers. But even amateurs will find it equally delightful to play from either the white or blue tee boxes, enjoying the fresh country air close to nature.
The new nine holes, which opened in 2016, add to the charm of this course. The course is divided into three zones, each with its own distinct features. The pine tree zone is a parkland area, while the wetland zone winds through marshes. The paddy zone is characterized by working rice paddy fields, and one of the par-3 holes is surrounded by rice fields, forming Thailand’s only rice paddy green. Currently, the new nine holes are interspersed with the original 18, so players must navigate both the old and new layouts.
Banyan Golf Club
Banyan Golf Club in Hua Hin is a world-class 18-hole championship course designed by a Thailand golf architect. Opened in October 2008, it was immediately recognized with the 2009 Best New Course in Asia-Pacific award by the readers of Asian Golf Monthly. It also ranks top 3 in Asia awards and has been featured in the Rolex Top 1000 in the World.
The PGA golf course is one of the best in Hua Hin, with each hole offering six tee boxes to accommodate golfers of all levels. Strategically placed water hazards, waste bunkers, and sand traps add challenge, while native pineapple groves come into play if straying too far off the fairways.
One of the signature holes on the course is the 15th hole, a 139-yard par-3 with panoramic ocean views. Another challenging hole is the par-5 12th hole, a 610-yard monster that is all uphill, making it difficult to reach for even the most accomplished of golfers. Other holes feature elevated greens, sloping fairways, meandering creeks, and waste areas, and well-placed fairway and greenside bunker complexes.
With this list of the best Thailand PGA golf courses, hope you have collected the necessary information for your next Thailand golf holidays. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need a consultation or a tailor-made Thailand golf package.
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