Thailand Golf Holiday, Thailand Tours, Golf Resorts & Vacation Information

Become An Expert At Reading Thailand Golf Greens

Probably the most important thing to learn about golf in Thailand is how to read the greens.  While Thai caddies can tell you where to hit a putt, it is always helpful to understand why putts break the way they do.  Grass in Thailand is mostly Bermuda and very grainy.  Grain, or the direction the grass blades grow, is many times just as important to the line and speed of a putt as is the slope of the green itself.  To read the grain, there are a couple of things to pay attention to. 

First, look at the color or shade of the grass between your ball and the hole.  If it all looks the same color, turn around and look in the opposite direction.  You should be able to see that in one direction the grass is a lighter color or shiny and in the other direction it will appear darker.  The light shade means the grass is growing in that direction, or “down grain”.  If your putt will travel over mostly light shaded or shiny grass, it will be much faster than normal.  Conversely, if the grass is a darker shade, your putt will be slower than normal, as it is “into” or “against” the grain.  Grass is darker because you are actually looking under the blades of grass and the small shadows they cast as it grows toward you.  Grass is shiny because you are looking at the top of the blade as it grows away from you.  If grain is growing to the right or left, you will have to play more or less break depending on slope and grain direction of that putt.

The second trick you can use to determine grain is to look at the hole itself.  All of the better Thailand golf courses like Alpine and Amata Spring will relocate the hole each day. After it has been cut in the morning, as the day goes on, one side of the hole will turn brown.  This happens as the grass blades die around that edge of the hole, where the roots have been cut.  Only one side or portion of the hole will turn brown and this will tell you the grain is growing in that direction.  Again, if you are putting toward the brown side of the hole the putt will be slower than normal.  Remember, this trick will only tell you where the grain is growing at the hole.  You must look at the entire putt to able to judge accurately.  Also, how the grass is growing near the hole will have slightly more influence on a putt, as the putt will typically be moving slower the closer is gets to the hole and be more vulnerable to the grain. 

Once you get the hang of reading grain, you will be good at putting on your Thailand golf holiday!

Thailand Golf Tips

Golfers travel from thousands of miles away everyday to enjoy Thailand golf courses, tourist attractions and cultural experiences.  Tour guides can answer many questions and provide necessary insights regarding the sights.  Likewise, golfers in Thailand benefit from the help they get from the delightful caddies at all Thai golf courses.  Still, there are some things all golfers should learn about golf in Thailand, which will make their rounds more enjoyable.

Thailand is in the tropics and while that affords all year golfing weather, the heat, especially in the sun, can be quite taxing. Drink lots of water before you play and keep drinking during the round.  Isotonic drinks, such as Gatorade, M Sport and the locally made B-Ing are available at drink huts every 3-4 holes on all Thailand golf courses. They are quite helpful for keeping up your stamina. For food, bananas and boiled eggs are good choices on the Thai golf courses as they will replenish many of the minerals that your body looses during the round. Beers and fatty meats will do the opposite and should be avoided, at least until the end of the round.

Gold Mountain Golf Club, Chiang Mai

 
Gold Mountain Golf Club is the latest addition to the northern Thai golf scene.  Currently it is in a ‘soft opening’ phase and conditions are a bit rough, though all 18 holes are open for play.  The front nine opened in 2009 and the back nine earlier this year.  The clubhouse won’t be finished until 2010.  For now the caddie shack serves as a limited service clubhouse and serves up a bit of Thai food along with an assortment of beverages.

Gold Mountain is located near Lamphun, just over an hour’s drive from Chiang Mai.  The location is a bit remote, and in fact they don’t even have a landline phone yet.  Finding it is not easy, as the entrance road at this time is a small and almost hidden dirt track over a hill with no indication of a golf course from the main road other than a small hand painted sign, in Thai, lying on the ground next to the dirt road.

From the very first tee you get a good indication of what is to come, as the most noticeable design element is a tree 100 yards directly in front of the men’s tee box smack in the middle of the fairway.  The fairway is otherwise fairly wide, in fact one of the widest on the course.  But you have to decide what to do about that damn tree.  Loft a shot over it.  Fade or draw your ball around it.  Hit a low liner under the overhanging branches.  Or go straight at it on the gamble that trees are 90% air plus your swing also has a high error percentage, then your chances of actually hitting it are rather low.

Three Ball Golf Thailand

In my view, and I am sure many of you will agree, the best form of golf in Thailand is a ‘friendly’ four-ball, better-ball with three like-minded pals. The amicable banter and gamesmanship all go to make for a fun round, especially if there are a few bucks, or even the post-match round of drinks, riding on the result – in particular, in Thailand, if the caddies are encouraged to join in the wagering, say by doubling the tip of the caddies carrying for the winning pair.

Sometimes people are nervous about venturing on a Thailand golfing holiday when they are single travellers, particularly if it is their first visit here. Don’t worry: firstly, most of the golf courses will try to match you up with other players – indeed, many golf courses will not allow singletons to play because they know a customer who has to wait on every shot will, most likely, be an unhappy golfer. If you are travelling with a Thailand golf vacation company, they also will do their best to link you up with other clients of a similar level. I know of golfing visitors who have made life-long friends in this way., myself included

How I Avoided Three-Putting Golfing In Thailand?

Can you believe it? Over the past 2 weeks I played Thai Country Club twice, and Banyan Golf Club and Black Mountain Golf Club once each without a single three-putt. Here are the two steps how I did it.

1. Three years ago I took some lessons form an Australian golf professional in Bangkok. At that time he insisted that I go for every green every chance I had, as a lay-up shot would never get the ball in the hole. After following his advice ever since and thinking about it some more, I decided that this approach is better left to the professional golfers and not for me.

In my latest 4 rounds of golf in Thailand, instead of going for every green I decided to lay-up anytime I had more than 175 yards to the green. Then, instead of having very long putts, or worse terrible lies in those high lipped greenside bunkers at Black Mountain and Banyan, I was able to position my ball 50 yards or so safely in the fairway and on the “easy approach” side of the green. This all but assured me of a simple chip close to the hole and a one or at worst two-putt.

6 Thailand Golf Picks That Are “Twice As Nice” (Part 2 of 2)

Here are the final 3 picks for playing the best “Twice As Nice” Thailand golf courses. Two are Pattaya golf courses and the final one is a Phuket golf course.


4. Siam Country Club is situated just 10 minutes from Pattaya.  The original Siam Country Club, built in 1971, is now called Siam Country Club Old Course, after a two- year renovation.  A traditional shot-makers layout, this is one of the more well known tracks in Thailand and hosted the 2007 LPGA Honda Thailand upon re-opening.  The new Siam Country Club Plantation Course boasts a more challenging design with 27 holes of tremendous views toward Pattaya and the Gulf of Thailand.  The course recently hosted the 2009 LPGA Honda Invitational and received high praise from the world’s best lady pros. The same event is planned for February 2010. Both have very modern clubhouse facilities perfect for relaxing after the round.


5. Burapha Country Club is located about 30 minutes outside of the tourist friendly city of Pattaya.  The four nine holes are referred are Augusta, Belfry, Cypress and Dunes, referred to as A, B, C, and D.  The designers are famed architect Gary Panks and Australian touring professional and former US Open Champion David Graham.  All four nines offer scenic views, elevation changes, challenging greens and a mix of long and short holes.  Located just outside Pattaya I suggest staying at the Woodlands Resort, which provides an excellent choice for overnight fun in between playing all 36 holes.

6 Thailand Golf Picks That Are “Twice As Nice” (Part 1 of 2)

Of the many quality golf courses available to visitors in Thailand, some of the best are at facilities with 36 holes.  A visit to any of these will provide a golfing experience that is “twice as nice” as an 18-hole offering. Here are 6 of the best picks; 3 today (all by chance happen to be Bangkok golf courses) and 3 in the next post.

1. Lam Luk Ka Country Club is located about 30 minutes from the old Don Muang International Airport.  Lam Luk Ka is a real “sleeper”, as it is quietly one of the best-kept secrets in Thai golf.  The short Resort West Course is a favorite amongst tourists; however, with water on 15 holes one must manage their shots carefully.  The Championship East Course has hosted several professional events including the 2009 Asian tour qualifying event. Its small, sloping greens will provide a daylong challenge for even the most skilled players.  Tree lined fairways, well placed bunkers and menacing water hazards call for accuracy and skill but good shots are consistently rewarded on this well manicured layout.  The clubhouse offers scenic views back to the course while enjoying a cold beverage or meal at the fine dining facilities inside.

Phuket Golf Memberships

Owning a membership at of one of the golf courses in Phuket seems like a good idea to some, especially frequent golfers to the island who shun the idea of paying high green fees.

Thailand golf club memberships may be held by overseas residents and their prices are much lower than what one would pay at clubs in the USA, Europe, and Australia. Generally, the golf club membership secondary market in Thailand offers some even better deals than from the clubs directly. That is the good news.

However, like anything else, buyers beware!

Membership prices have been on a declining trend over the past year. The global economic slow down is apparent in Thailand and many expatriates are returning home and need to sell. There are very few buyers in the market, and Phuket is the worst hit area. I know of 4 high profile Phuket real estate projects that have been cancelled and put on indefinite hold.

Take note of the many Phuket golf club memberships now available and advertised in print and on the internet. The prices shown often do not include the transfer fee, back dues (can be as much as the membership itself), and taxes. These hidden fees are subject to negotiation with the seller. Make sure you check with the golf club in question about any specifics.

5 THAILAND GOLF ETIQUETTE TIPS

When golfing in Thailand remember these 5 simple points of golf etiquette and everyone will be assured of a satisfying golf experience. The overriding principle is that consideration should be shown to others on Thailand golf courses at all times.
 
1. The Spirit of the Game in Thailand
Unlike many sports, golf in Thailand is played without the supervision of a referee. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other golfers in Thailand and to abide by the rules of golf. You should conduct yourself in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how you are shooting. This is the spirit of the game of golf in Phuket and all golf destinations in Thailand.

2. Safety for Golf in Thailand
When golfing in Thailand, you should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club when you make a stroke. You should not play until the players in front are out of range, especially at the best golf courses in Pattaya such as Siam Country Club.  If you hit a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, immediately yell (not whisper) FORE, even when playing golf with Thai golfers who speak Thai.

3. Consideration for Other Golfers in Thailand
Always show consideration for other players on the Phuket golf course and do not disturb others play by moving, talking or making any unnecessary noise.  Thailand golf visitors should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players. TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE ON THE COURSE!

How To Golf With A Caddie In Thailand?

More from our roving golf reporter in the USA, Mr. Andy Harris.

Golf with a caddie is the most enjoyable way to play golf. To have the best possible experience and get the most out of your rounds with your Thai golf caddies, I’d like to offer six helpful tips:

1.    First and most importantly, establish a rapport with your caddie quickly. Ask your caddie her name, tell her you’re going to have fun today, smile and generally have a positive attitude.

2.    Figure out early on if your Thailand golf caddie is any good at reading greens. Accept her early reads and see how she does. If she is off (and they are human so they can make mistakes) laugh about it and make a mental note to rely more on your own judgment for the rest of the round. As an aside, it never ceases to amaze me how often experienced golfers who are very successful business men become completely helpless and rely on their young female caddies for every decision on the golf course – someone they probably wouldn’t even allow to make the tea in their office.

3.    Never blame your caddie for a poor shot, bad read or incorrect club selection. They always do their best and hey, you’re not that good anyway. I’ve seen 18 handicappers at Blue Canyon Country Club yelling at their caddies for what they considered bad information (and they can’t hit it anywhere close to where they were instructed anyway)  – it’s not going to change anything and you just make a fool of yourself in front of your playing companions and other caddies.