Golf in Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai

Chiang Mai Green Valley Country Club
183/2 Chotana Road, Mae Rim, Chiang Mai 50180.
Tel: 053-298 222/3.
Holes: 18, Par: 72.
Yardages: Blue: 7,173, Gold: 6,921, White: 6,381, Women: 5,381.
Designer: Denis Griffiths (1992).
This long course sits on a slightly flat terrain sloping towards the Ping river. The greens and fairways are in excellent condition and the course offers a tough challenge. The heat and humidity, along with the 7,000 yards of wide open fairways, tough water hazards on every hole, plenty of bunkers, and few trees, make for a difficult and thirsty round of golf. The best times to play are early morning or late afternoon.
Green fees: Bt1,400 weekdays and Bt2,200 at the weekend.

Gymkhana Club Golf Course
Ratuthit Road, Chiang Mai City, Chiang Mai 50000.
Tel: 053-241 035 or 053-247 352.
Holes: 9, Par: 36.
Yardage: 2,953.
A pleasant wooded course with close boundaries and small greens. Created in the early 1900's and believed to be the oldest course in Thailand, this nine-hole, old-style course features large oak and monkey pod trees and native cow-grass fairways. Located in the middle of Chiang Mai, only five minutes from the night bazaar, the course makes up for in charm and atmosphere, whatever it may lack in maintenance, conditioning, and modern design features.
Green fees: Bt380 weekdays and Bt480 at the weekend. Introduction by a member necessary.

Khelang Nakhon Golf Club
Surasakmontri Camp, Ban Pichai, Lampang 52000.
Tel: 054-217 019 Exit 3383
Holes: 9 Par: 36.
Yardages: Men: 3,017, Women: 2,471.
Designer: Royal Thai Army (1988).
An undulating course that demands a broad range of shots.
Green fees: Bt540 mornings, Bt240 afternoons.

Lamphun Country Club
Baan Thi Road., San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai 50130.
Tel: 053-201 606.
Holes: 18 Par: 72.
Yardages: Blue: 6,808, White: 6,199, Red: 5,500.
Designer: Dr. Sukhum Sukapanpotharam (1990).
The course is set in a narrow valley and offers a pleasant mixture of the best English, Scottish and American designs. Located just 30 minutes' east of Chiang Mai this is a championship course set amid an enchanting forest of golden teak trees.
Green fees: Bt1,590 weekdays and Bt1,990 at the weekend.

Lanna Golf Club
Chotana Road, Muang District, Chiang Mai 50000.
Tel: 053-221 911 or 053-211 556.
Holes: 27, Par: 72 & 36.
Yardages: Blue: 7,174, White: 6,884, Red: 5,804.
Designer: Col. Chana Chayakul (1974).
Tree-lined fairways and panoramic views of Doi Suthep make the Lanna course a pleasure to play. Located 10 minutes' from downtown Chiang Mai, this is one of Thailand's finest old-style courses. Situated adjacent to the race track, it combines three distinct design styles, with panoramic views of Chiang Mai's famed Doi Suthep temple on the mountain top to the west. The course winds through impressive boulevards of huge mature trees, skirts many large lakes, ponds, and criss-crosses numerous bubbling streams and canals.
Green fees: Bt750 weekdays and Bt950 at the weekend.

Mae Sa Resort & Golf Club
Mae Sa Resort, Mai Rim, Chiang Mai 50180.
Tel: 053-298 095
Holes: 9, Par: 28.
Yardages: Men: 1,087, Women: 1,033.
Very short, but don't be deceived. The course provides a stern test and will try the golfer's patience.
Green fees: Bt50 every day.

Phrae Golf Course
Airport, Muang District, Phrae 54000.
Tel: 053-281 012/5.& 053-280 629
Holes: 9 Par: 36.
Yardages: Men: 2,984, Women: 2,948.
Designer: Royal Thai Air Force (1979).
A nine-hole course that's one of only a few in this region.
Green fees: Bt190 mornings, Bt130 afternoons.

Royal Chiang Mai Golf Club
169 Moo 5, Km.26, Chiang Mai - Prao Road, Mae Fak,
Sansai, Chiang Mai 50210.
Tel: 053- 849 303/5.
Holes: 18 Par: 72.
Yardages: Blue: 6,969, White: 6,387, Red: 5,624.
Designer: Peter Thomson (1996).
Set in beautiful countryside, this parkland style course is located 30 minutes from Chiang Mai in the foothills of Northern Thailand. Built on the site of a former fruit orchard, th course boasts breathtaking panoramic vistas of the mountains in the distance. The high altitude provides a cooler, less humid climates and refreshing, gentle breezes. The design uses elements from a British links-style course, including bumpy, gently rolling fairways, pot bunkers and closely mowed areas around the greens.
Green fees: Bt760 weekdays and Bt960 at the weekend.

Santiburi Country Club
12 Moo 3 Wiang, Wiang Chai, Chaing Rai 57240.
Tel: 053-662 821/8.
Holes: 18, Par: 72.
Yardages: Gold: 6,966, Blue: 6,335, White: 5,816, Red: 5,104.
Designer: Robert Trent Jones II (1992).
Widely regarded as one of the best conceived, and conditioned golf courses in Asia, Santiburi was the brainchild of Khun Santi Bhirombhakdi, the owner of Thailand's Singha Beer. An exquisite example of understated elegance, the course offers an aesthetic feast for the golf connoisseur. The course is world class, yet it is playable and enjoyable for golfers on every skill level. Set into the contours of a valley, it offers a superbly landscaped golf course that winds beneath a canopy of magnificent shade trees, across crystal clear lakes and streams, reflecting turquoise skies and pearl white clouds above. Good fairways and greens well protected by bunkers.
Green fees: Bt1,280 weekdays and Bt1,830 at the weekend.

Waterford Valley Golf Club
333 Moo 5, Tambon Pasang, Wiang Chai, Chiang Rai 57210.
Tel: 053-953 432.
Holes: 18, Par: 72.
Yardages: Black: 6,961, Blue: 6,458, White: 6,028, Yellow: 5,569.
Designer: Rathert International (1993).
Set on a plateau, surrounded by lush valleys and mountains in every direction, this championship course has to be one of the most scenic in Thailand. With excellent maintenance and conditioning of the fairways and greens, an abundance of lakes and streams bordering many holes, the course flows up, down and around the contours of the plateau. The natural beauty, incredible vistas, great design and refreshing climate, make for an unforgettable day of golf.
Green fees: Bt1,180 weekdays and Bt1,580 at the weekend.