1. fashionwear
Black Mountain HUA HIN
GREEN, TEES
AND THAILANDGorgeous beaches and bustling cities aren’t
the only attractions in the Land of Smiles...
story by Stuart Langrish
Already considered one of the pearls of Asia, there’s
anothertitleThailandcanproudlyclaim–thecontinents
golf capital. With a rich heritage dating back nearly
100 years, the first recognised 18-hole course was
approved for construction at Hua Hin by King Rama
V in 1923. Today there are more than 290 golf courses
nationwide, with designers including - Jack Nicklaus,
Gary Player, Greg Norman, Arnold Palmer, and the
architects Schmidt-Curley. Over two-thirds of all golf
tourists who travel to and in Asia visit Thailand, some
750,000 each year - bringing in 10.5 billion baht to the
Kingdom in 2013.
After an eight year absence, this February the first
PGA European Tour men’s event was played at the
prestigious Black Mountain golf course, in Hua Hin.
With competitive green fees cheaper than their
Western counterparts, luxurious club houses and
Thailand’s famed female caddy service, it’s no surprise
that foreign investment is on the increase. Combine
that with the Kingdom’s year round golfing climate
and the rich, diverse destinations – beach resorts in the
South, to the mountainous regions in the North, or the
bustling cities of Bangkok and Pattaya. It is now almost
impossible to be more than 90 minutes away from a
championship course.
If there’s one thing for sure, it’s that the grass is most
certainly greener for golf in Thailand. With this in mind,
One Coast Magazine donned its finest plaid and
checked out some of the country’s best courses.
One Coast Magazine One Coast Magazine42 43

2. One Coast Magazine One Coast Magazine44 45
BANGKOK
Amata Spring
This elite members-only course is situated hallway
between the capital and Pattaya and is famous for
its signature 17th hole, the short par-3 floating island
green which requires a rowing boat to visit. Built
around two lakes it is exceptionally well presented and
features rolling fairways, sizeable bunkers, and fast,
undulating greens. It hosts the two richest golf events
in the country each year, the Royal Trophy, and the
Honda LPGA Thailand.
Alpine
Designed by one of the world’s most famous architects
Ron M. Garl, Alpine golf course is considered the
toughest course in Bangkok. Though once flatlands,
this course has characteristics more akin to its Northern
cousins with its abundance of vegetation, stately trees,
and rolling hills. The large parkland lay-out is a course
not for the faint-hearted with jungle lined fairways and
water-protected holes. Alpine has previously hosted
the world-class tournament Johnnie Walker Classic in
2000, where Tiger Woods famously eagled the colossal
555 yard par-5 7th on his way to winning, and 2004.
Amata Spring BANGKOK
Thai Country Club
Remodelled in 1996 and home to the most luxurious
clubhouse in all of Asia, it hosted the Asian Honda
Classic the following year with Tiger Woods setting a
course record of 64. Exquisitely maintained to United
States Golf Association standards, it features a great
variety between holes, with numerous water hazards
and elegantly designed sand bunkers. Thai Country
Club was recently recognised by Forbes Travel Guide
as one of ‘Asia’s 10 Most Elite Golf Courses’.
Ayodha Links
Formed in 2007 by some of Thailand’s wealthiest
people, this golf club is one of the most exclusive in
all of Asia. Membership is by invitation only so if you
find yourself playing here you’ll be in the presence of
the country’s most well to do crowd. Considered a
real test, the course measures a fearsome 7,639 yards
from its championship tees and features lightning fast
greens and a variety of deep bunkers.
HUA HIN
Black Mountain
The only course in Thailand named in Golf Digest’s Top
100 outside the US, Black Mountain might be the best in
Asia. Opened in 2007 against the backdrop of the large
black rocks set into the mountains, the layout features
interconnected waterways, and undulating fairways
and greens in a breathtaking natural landscape.
Designed with both professionals and amateurs in
mind, each hole requires careful shot placement, a
measured risk and reward system, and has stunning
panoramic views of the course from its clubhouse.
Banyan
Designed in 2008 by Thailand’s leading golf course
architect, Pirapon Namatra, on the site of a former
pineapple plantation, Banyan is considered one of the
best layouts in the country. With spectacular views of
the Burmese mountains on one side and ocean views
the other, this is a course to be truly savoured. The
signature 15th par-3 features panoramic views of the
Gulf of Thailand and Singtoh Island in the distance.
PATTAYA
Siam Country Club
The first privately-owned course in Thailand, Siam CC
was built more than 35 years ago and redesigned
by Schmidt-Curley in 2007. Hosting the annual LPGA
Honda Classic since 2010, the course is impeccably
maintained all year round. A daunting 7,016 yards in
total, it features an abundance of fruit trees, creeks,
stunning bunkers, and over 100 sand traps. Considered
the premier course in the region - notable holes include
the 9th, with a large golden Buddha watching carefully
over the green.
PHUKET
Red Mountain
Opened in 2007 on the site of an abandoned tin mine,
this course is considered Phuket’s most spectacular and
a golfing landmark in Thailand. Just how this course fits
among such dramatic shifts in elevation, dense jungle
Alpine BANGKOK
Thai Country Club BANGKOK
Ayodha Links BANGKOK

3. One Coast Magazine One Coast Magazine46 47
and red rock landscape is a credit to its designers, Jon
Morrow, and Al Tikkanen. The highest on the island with
views to match, golfers here must brave a full range of
natural hazards to make it home safely. The short par-3
17th takes you from a breathtakingly precipitous ledge,
down over 40 meters through the jungle to a lush green
valley carved out of the bright red rock below.
Laguna
Re-designed and renamed in 2014, the former Banyan
Tree Golf Club facelift has been impressive. The
once flat fairways now roll and dip, strategic hazards
have been added and more mature trees enhance
the woodlands setting. Set amongst the tropical
surroundings of Bang Tao Bay with pleasant breezes
from the Andaman Sea, the course offers good variety
and is within easy reach of some of Phuket’s luxury
resorts.
Blue Canyon Country Club
As the one and only three time host of the Johnnie
Walker Classic, this venue features two award-winning
championship courses (‘Canyon’ and ‘Lakes’) within
its grounds. Designed in 1988 by Japan’s famed golf
architect, Yoshikazu Kato on the site of another tin
mine, it’s flanked by rubber plantations and features
many characteristics as a nod to its past.
CHIANG MAI & CHIANG RAI
Santiburi Chiang Rai Country Club
Located in the Golden Triangle, this was Chiang Rai’s
first golf course, designed in 1992 by Robert Trent-Jones
Jr. Exploiting the natural terrain of the northern region,
this highly regarded resort features rolling hills guarded
by countless sand bunkers, sloping lies, trees, and huge
water hazards. Owned by the Singha beer family, the
Banyan HUAHIN
Laguna PHUKET
course is impeccably well maintained and definitely
worth a visit.
Chiang Mai Highlands
Opened in 2005, plaudits soon followed this
Schmidt-Curley creation, and it’s now firmly in the
international golf course fraternity. Designed to capture
the natural beauty of the surrounding hills, its elevated
position, cool climate, and fresh air inspire tranquillity
as memorable as its holes. Do not be fooled though,
this course demands focus and skilled shots, as the
undulating fairways are unforgiving, with tight bunker
complexes, and consistently fast, sloped greens. The
18th hole, a 558 yard par-5, is considered one of the
greatest closing holes in Thailand and bound to ensure
an exciting finish.
KOH SAMUI
Santiburi Samui Country Club
The only championship course on the island, it
stretches along the hills of the northern coastline
offering spectacular views of Mae Nam beach below,
the Gulf of Thailand, and Koh Phangan. Set amongst
the lush, natural beauty of coconut forests, waterfalls,
and meandering creeks, Santiburi offers a picturesque
backdrop to one of the most unique courses in
Thailand. Steep mountain slopes, fast greens, and
rocky outcrops, create a challenging environment for
all golfers.
With special thanks to John Carter at www.golfasian.
com, Paul Myers at www.asiantravelmedia.com, and
Harry Scott at www.golf-tours-thailand.com.
Siam Country Club PATTAYA
Red Mountain PHUKET
Chiang Mai Highlands
CHIANG MAI & CHIANG RAI
Santiburi Samui Country Club
KOH SAMUI
Blue Canyon Country Club
PHUKET