Tee Off in Paradise: The Ultimate Guide to Golf in Koh Samui
Koh Samui, a tropical paradise in Thailand, is not only home to pristine beaches and luxury resorts but also a top golf destination. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to play golf in Koh Samui, from the best times to play, to accommodation, transportation, and other activities. With this information, you’ll be well-prepared to make the most of your Koh Samui golf holiday.
Overall weather and best time to golf in Koh Samui
Koh Samui is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand with pleasant weather all year round. With a tropical monsoon climate, its climate is warm and humid all year round with an average temperature of about 28 degrees. The weather in Koh Samui is divided into two seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. Here are some times you can consider when going golfing in Koh Samui.
- December to April: This is the most beautiful time of Koh Samui with a cool, dry and quite pleasant climate, convenient for you to visit and experience the beautiful beaches. It provides warm but bearable temperatures, little rain, calm seas and light winds, providing the most ideal golfing conditions for you.
- May to September: You can choose to go to Koh Samui around this time to avoid the peak tourist season above. However, the daytime temperatures are quite high, which can exceed 34°C (93°F), and the high humidity makes the weather even hotter. This period marks the beginning of the monsoon season, as rainfall also increases. You can book your golf tee times for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the daytime heat and the occasional afternoon shower.
- September to November: The rainy season begins, bringing more frequent and intense showers that can last for hours. Although there are still dry spells, the weather forecasts in Koh Samui can be quite unpredictable as conditions become unpredictable. Golf courses can be flooded, visibility is reduced by about 30%, and winds are stronger, making it almost impossible to play golf in these conditions. The downside of the low season in Samui is that golf courses are less crowded and hotel prices are lower. Koh Samui also has indoor activities to keep you entertained on rainy days.
Overall weather in Koh Samui
> > > Now that you know the best time to golf, let’s explore the top Koh Samui golf packages that offer seamless bookings, exclusive experiences, and the best value for your trip.
Golf courses in Koh Samui
Santiburi Samui Golf Club
Santiburi Samui Golf Club is one of the best golf courses in Thailand and is always the favorite of golfers. It is the first and only 18-hole golf course in Koh Samui, possessing an extremely favorable location surrounded by majestic hills, coconut trees and a direct view of the clear blue sea of the Gulf of Thailand. The course is designed in harmony with the natural landscape, the bunkers and fairways are carved deep into the mountainside and follow the contours of the hills, creating difficult challenges for players.
With its unique design and exciting challenges, Santiburi Golf Course has been chosen as the venue for many major tournaments in the Thai golf village such as the Bangkok Airways Open and the Queen’s Cup, … The course also has top-notch services and amenities such as a sea-view restaurant, a very large locker room and a professional pro shop.
Santiburi Samui Golf Club
> > > Explore Top 10 Toughest Golf Courses in Thailand through our blog here.
Royal Samui Golf Country Club
Royal Samui Golf Country Club is a 9-hole golf course on the slopes of Lamai and Cheweng, offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and islands. Royal Samui is known for being a challenging yet enjoyable course with tight fairways. With many challenges, you will need to carefully calculate each shot to win points.
Although there is no caddie service, the golf course does have buggies for hire. Access to the facility can be a bit difficult, especially during the rainy season, so check in advance to be sure of the road and course conditions.
Royal Samui Golf Country Club
What to do after golf in Koh Samui
Visit Koh Samui Highlights
Koh Samui is a beautiful island with many impressive attractions. Take at least one free day in your schedule to walk around the island and explore the destinations that you should not miss:
- Big Buddha Temple: Big Buddha Temple is one of the most famous and spiritual temples in Koh Samui. This temple owns a 12m high Big Buddha statue carved from bronze, surrounded by smaller Buddha statues. You can visit and worship the Buddha as well as learn more about the local culture at this beautiful temple.
- Wat Phra Laem: is a Buddhist temple on the northeast coast of Koh Samui, with the image of 18 white arms of Guanyin, the goddess of mercy and compassion. Surrounding the goddess are colorful wall paintings and murals depicting Buddhist myths.
- The Secret Buddha Garden: hidden on the high hills of Koh Samui. The garden gives an ancient feeling with small Buddha statues, some animal statues, temples and waterfalls covered with green moss.
- Angthong Marine Park: is a famous nature reserve in Thailand that you cannot miss. It has a large area with 42 large and small islands and many wild animals. Here, you can experience beautiful beaches and rich coral reefs. Besides, come and explore Bua Boke Cave, a fairly large cave with a wide entrance and beautiful nature.
- Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks: This place is impressive with two rocks shaped like male and female genitals (also known as male and female genitals). This is an interesting place to visit to help you understand more about fertility beliefs. In addition, tourists who come here are often quite excited and want to take photos.
Some famous tourist attractions in Koh Samui
Relax on pristine beaches
As a tropical island, Koh Samui is famous for its many beautiful beaches where you can rest and relax after a round of golf.
- Chaweng Beach: This is the most famous beach in Koh Samui, where tourists can swim, relax and enjoy the impressive specialties here. This place is known as the busiest land of Koh Samui with many bars and restaurants and a walking street at night.
- Lamai Beach: Lamai has a peaceful and dreamy beauty with a long stretch of white sand and coconut trees. The seawater here is clean and deeper than other beaches, suitable for swimming and bathing. Some bars and restaurants will serve delicious food and cocktails.
- Maenam Beach: Compared to the two islands above, this beach still retains its inherent wild beauty and is very peaceful. Although there are not many shops and hotels, they are still served with good quality and the hospitality of the people.
Chaweng Beach, the most famous in Koh Samui
Experience local cuisine
Koh Samui has a wide variety of cuisines, from Thai street food to fine dining. Visit the local markets and restaurants for dishes like Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong (spicy shrimp soup), Massaman Curry and Som Tam (papaya salad). For fresh seafood like grilled prawns, snapper and squid, restaurants in Bophut and Five Islands are perfect.
If you are looking for a fine dining experience, try Dining on the Rocks at Six Senses Samui for a romantic cliffside dinner with spectacular sunset views. In addition to local cuisine, you can visit The Beer Masons in Chewang for a selection of craft beers from around the world. The owner will guide you through a beer tasting and help you choose the one that suits your taste.
Some Thai street food at Bophut restaurants
> > > After savoring its delicious local cuisine, why not explore more of the island with our Koh Samui tours? From scenic adventures to cultural tours, there’s a perfect experience waiting for you.
Exciting evening activities
After a day of golfing on the course, spend the evening relaxing and enjoying the island vibe. One of the most popular activities is to visit the bars and beach clubs, sunbathe on bean bags, sip tropical cocktails and enjoy attractive fire shows. For foodies, the Fisherman’s Village Walking Street Market (held every Friday) is a must-visit, with delicious street food such as grilled seafood and Thai pancakes, handmade souvenirs and entertaining street performances.
For a more peaceful but luxurious evening, a sunset dinner cruise is a great option, with options such as the Red Baron Sunset Cruise, where you can enjoy delicious Thai cuisine while watching sunset.
The vibrant atmosphere of the island at night
Estimated cost for a Koh Samui golf holiday
On-course fees
Golf fees on Koh Samui are generally not as high as other popular golf destinations in Thailand such as Phuket or Bangkok. The island’s top golf course, Santiburi Samui Country Club, costs around THB 4,000 ($110) per round. You’ll also need to pay for two mandatory services, caddy and golf cart rental, which cost around THB 550 ($15) to THB 750 ($21) per round. A more economical option is the 9-hole Royal Samui Golf & Country Club, which costs around THB 900 ($25) per round. The course also includes golf cart rentals for THB 400-500 ($11-$14) but does not provide caddie services.
Accommodations
There are a variety of accommodations on the island, depending on your preferences, comfort level, location, and budget. Budget travelers can find small hotels or hostels with basic amenities for between 600 and 1,200 THB ($17-$33) per night, but they will not be conveniently located near golf courses and attractions. The most popular choices for golfers visiting here are the mid-range hotels near Bophut and Chaweng Beach. They offer better quality, modern facilities, and more modern amenities for around 2,000 and 4,000 THB ($55-$110) per night. These hotels are often located right on the beach or in a central location, making it easy to get to golf courses and other activities.
For a luxurious experience, Koh Samui has some of Thailand’s most stunning resorts, with private villas, infinity pools and direct beach access. High-end resorts like the Four Seasons Koh Samui, Banyan Tree Samui and W Koh Samui cost between 5,000 and 15,000 THB ($140 – $420) a night.
Estimated cost for a Koh Samui golf trip
Transportation
The most convenient way for golfers to get around Koh Samui, especially if you’re bringing your own golf equipment, is to rent a car. Car rentals typically cost 1,200 to 1,500 THB ($33 – $42) per day, including insurance. If you’re traveling in a group, it can be more cost-effective to hire a private driver, as they’ll know the area well and can make your trip more enjoyable.
Another alternative is taking a taxi, which is quick and comfortable, but can be quite expensive as you’ll be doing a lot of walking during the day. Taxis on Koh Samui do not use meters, and a single ride typically costs between 200 and 500 THB ($5.50 – $14), depending on the distance. If you want to explore the island at your leisure, rent a motorbike to discover hidden beaches, fishing villages, and tourist attractions that are difficult to reach by car or public transport. Renting a motorbike costs around 200 to 300 THB ($5.50 – $8.50) per day,
Dining and other activities
Eating out in Koh Samui is very affordable. Street food and local restaurants cost around 50 to 150 THB ($1.50 to $4) per dish. A meal at a mid-range restaurant will cost around 200 to 500 THB ($5.50 to $14) per person while dining at upscale restaurants like Dining on the Rocks at Six Senses can cost 1,000 to 3,000 THB ($28 to $83) per meal. In addition to dining, other activities like traditional Thai massages and water sports typically cost around 800 to 2,500 THB ($22 to $69). Beach bars and nightclubs are free to enter, but you will need to buy drinks, which cost between 150 and 300 THB ($4 to $8) per dish.
Some helpful tips
To get the most out of your experience, it is important to plan well. Here are some essential tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable golf holiday on the island.
- As Koh Samui has relatively few golf courses, tee times can fill up quickly, especially during peak season. Book your tee times at least 2 weeks in advance to ensure you get the best spots.
- This is a tropical island with hot weather all year round, so bring appropriate clothing and sunscreen. You should also apply mosquito repellent and sunscreen to protect yourself.
- Koh Samui does not have a well-developed public transport system, so you will need to plan how to get to the golf courses. If you are booking a golf package, check to see if transport is included, as this can save you time and effort.
- Although Koh Samui is a tourist-friendly island, it is important to respect local culture and traditions. Always be polite to locals and staff. Do not wear revealing clothing when visiting temples and other religious sites.
- Always carry cash as many shops in Koh Samui do not yet accept credit cards.
With this Koh Samui golf guide, you’ll be well prepared to tee off in paradise, explore the island’s top attractions, and relax at world-class resorts and beach clubs. So start planning your Koh Samui golf adventure today and get ready for an unforgettable experience both on and off the golf course!
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