Golf in Pattaya

Pattaya has to be one of the golfing world's best kept secrets. This popular resort, situated just a couple of hours east of Bangkok, boasts no less than 19 courses within 45 minutes' drive of the town centre, making it a true golfing paradise. While thousands of golfers flock to Spain and Portugal each year, those in the know head to Pattaya. Despite the longer flight, the combination of sunshine, inexpensive accommodation (from as little as 700 baht ($15) a night), superb facilities and a warm Thai welcome is simply too much to resist.

Pattaya Sport Club (PSC)
31/97 Moo.6 P.S.C. Buding Banglamung, Chonburi.
Tel: 038-361 167, 038-361 309 or 038-361 929.
This is not a golf course, but it does operate a golf society which is open to all. Membership costs Bt700 for the first year (Bt400 per year when renewing) and is a must for all visiting golfers. Membership can be obtained from the PSC office or at the Café Kronbery, situated behind the Diana Inn Hotel. As a member you are entitled to discounts of around 50 per cent at most courses, so you'll soon recoup your initial outlay. In addition, many courses operate 'sports days' when, on a particular day of the week you can play for a reduced rate. On some courses, this can be as little as Bt330, including a caddy!
PSC has many associated groups which play small competitions most days of the week. They are all very friendly and welcome visiting members who want to take part. Green fees range from a maximum of Bt900 ($22) to as little as Bt300 ($7). Carts are available on almost all courses for around $15 a round and if you are unused to playing in a hot climate, they are a must.

Bangpra Golf Club
281 Moo 4, Tambon Bung, Sriracha, Chonburi 20230.
Tel: 038-345 151/2.
Holes: 36, Par: 72 for each 18 holes.
Yardages: A course: Black: 6,948, Blue: 6,542, White: 6,024, Red: 5,338.
B course: Black: 6,590, Blue: 6,128, White: 5,666, Red: 5,201.
Designers: David Graham & Gary Panks (1994).
Two older-style courses, now owned by Japan Golf Promotion Ltd, featuring 36 holes in a beautiful setting. The courses are well known for their numerous trees, fast greens and exotic wildlife and you
can even enjoy a Japanese hot bath after your round. An excellent day out and just 35 minutes from Pattaya.
Green fees: Bt500-1,500. Closed Mondays.

Great Lakes Golf & County Club
77 Moo 5, Tambon Mabyangporn, Pluak Daeng, Rayong.
Tel: 038-622 630, 01-304 6865.
Holes: 18, Par: 72.
Yardages: Blue: 6,901, White: 6,399, Yellow: 5,866, Red: 5,150.
Designer: Nick Faldo (1995).
About 45 minutes' drive from Pattaya, this is a good course with tight fairways and many out of bounds areas. Fast greens and a good test for most golfers.
Green fees: Bt640 weekdays and Bt1,080 at the weekends.

Khao Kheow County Club
220 Moo 12, Bangphra, Sri Racha, Chonburi 20210.
Tel: 038-298 224/5.
Holes: 27, Par: 36 for each nine.
Yardages: Black: 7,041, Yellow: 6,359, White: 5,757, Red: 5,032.
Designer: Dye Designs Inc (1993).
A Dye Designs Inc. courses that lives up to all expectations. The 27 holes are always interesting, always fair, and you'll never get a straight putt. Superb value, 45 minutes from town.
Green fees: Bt1,080 weekdays, Bt1,740 Saturdays and Bt670 on Sundays.

Laem Chabang International County Club
106/8 Moo 4, Tambon Bung, Sri Racha, Chonburi 20230.
Tel: 038-372 273/275.
Holes: 27, Par: 36 for each nine.
Designer: Jack Nicklaus (1994).
27 holes offering everything you would expect from a Jack Nicklaus design. Lots of water obstacles
but they're well incorporated and only come into play after a poor shot. Very well maintained and a pleasure to play, though it can get busy.
Green fees: Bt1,700 weekdays and Bt2,700 at the weekend.

Natural Park Hills Golf Club
159/1 Sansuk-Bangphra Road, Banmuang, Chonburi 20000.
Tel: 038-393 001/16.
Holes: 18, Par: 72.
Yardages: Blue: 6,807, White: 6,352, Yellow: 5,889, Women: 5,094.
Designer: Ronald Fream (1992).
A well maintained course requiring accurate play to avoid the many hazards awaiting the errant shot.
In the same group at Natural Park Resort this is also has to be near the top of your play list. A bit tighter than its namesake but again well worth a visit.
Green fees: Bt1,200 weekdays and Bt2,000 at the weekend.

Natural Park Resort & County Club
504 Moo 10, Sukhumvit Road, Bangphra, Chonburi 20210.
Tel: 038-349 376/9.
Holes: 27, Par: 36 for each nine.
Yardages: Blue: 7,009, White: 6,494, Yellow: 6,095, Women: 5,473.
Designer: Takenaka Co. Ltd (1988).
An excellent 27 hole course which is challenging yet not too punitive to a misplaced shot. Can get a little crowded but well worth the 35 minute trip from Pattaya.
Green fees: Bt1,200 weekdays and Bt2,000 at the weekend.

Noble Place Resort & County Club
88/8 Moo 6, Klong Kiew, Bang Bung, Chonburi 20210.
Tel: 01-484 9069.
Holes: 27, Par: 36 for each nine.
Yardages: Black: 7,065, White: 6,599, Yellow: 6,191, Women: 5,801.
Designer: Peter Thomson (1994).
If you don't like sand, keep away from this place - there are more bunkers here than you can shake a stick at! On the other hand, if you want a challenging round of golf on a British links-style course, then you'll be in your element. About an hour's drive from Pattaya, beyond Pattaya County Club, Noble is a little further out than some of the others listed here, but still worth a visit.
Green fees: Bt550. Caddy fee: Bt200.

Pattaya Country Club and Resort
31 Moo 2, Khao Mai Khaw, Banglamung, Chonburi 20210.
Tel: 038-423 718.
Holes: 18, Par: 72.
Yardages: Blue: 6,775, White: 6,341, Women: 5,473.
Designers: Virayuth Phetbuasak and Peter Rehn (1995).
Just 20 minutes from Pattaya, this course has improved over the past few years. Good value on a reasonable course where the greens putt well but are not overly receptive to longer shots.
Green fees: Bt900 weekdays and Bt1,380 at the weekend.

Phoenix Golf & County Club
Huy-Yai, Bang Lamung, Chonburi 20210.
Tel: 038-239 392/5.
Holes: 27, Par: 36 for each nine.
Yardages: Blue: 6,781, White: 5,870, Women: 5,206.
Designer: Denis Griffiths (1993).
Close proximity to Pattaya (20 minutes) makes this course very playable. Interesting layout but can get a bit brown in the dry season. Comprises three nines: 'Ocean', 'Lakes' and 'Mountain'.
Good clubhouse.
Green fees: Bt1,000 weekdays and Bt1,700 at the weekend.

Rayong Century Golf County Club
99-99/11 Moo 1, Sukhumvit Road, Ban Chang, Rayong 21130.
Tel: 038-602 889, 038-603 999.
Holes: 18, Par: 72.
Yardages: Tournament: 6,554, Champion: 5,993, Regular: 5,600, Women: 5,036.
Designers: Nick Faldo and Desmond Muirhead (1996).
Five minutes further down the road from Treasure Hills, this is a cheaper course with reasonable greens. Pleasant, but the clubhouse is poor.
Green fees: Bt430 weekdays and Bt680 at the weekend.

Rayong Green Valley Country Club
23 Moo 7, Ban Chang, Rayong 21130.
Tel: 038-893 838 & 038-893 840/2.
Holes: 18, Par: 72.
Yardages: Blue: 7,141, White: 6,202, Women: 5,552.
Designer: Peter Thomson (1992).
A favourite with local expats, Green Valley is always in good condition, is very user friendly and has some of the most helpful management around. Well worth the 35 minute trip. Also operating from the same clubhouse is the St. Andrews course. In contrast, this was obviously designed for the masochists' golf society, being ridiculously long, ridiculously difficult, and ridiculously expensive at $40 a round.
Green fees: Bt1,200 weekdays and Bt2,200 at the weekend. Closed Tuesdays.

Siam C.C.
50 Tambon Poeng, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150.
Tel: 038-249 381/6.
Holes: 18, Par: 72.
Yardages: Back: 7,016, Men: 6,448, Women: 5,885.
Designer: I. Izumi (1971).
The first course in Pattaya and closest to town at just 15 minutes away. Eighteen well manicured holes with many beautiful flowers and sculptured bushes. Start early as it can get busy.
Green fees: Bt1,300 every day.

Treasure Hills Golf Club
22 Tambon Klong Kiew, Ban Bung, Chonburi 20220.
Tel: 038-420 766.
Holes: 18, Par: 72.
Yardages: Black: 7,036, White: 6,578, Yellow: 6,284, Red: 5,505.
Designer: Yoshikazu Kato (1996).
Situated on the road past Pattaya Country Club about 45 minutes from town. A very nice layout with good greens, but the fairways are affected by small, one-inch, sand hills caused by ants. Preferred lies gets round this problem. Very good value, worth the trip and usually crowd-free. Private club, members only.
Green fees: Bt660 weekdays and Bt880 at the weekend.