Guide to the best Pattaya golf courses and clubs
Siam Golf Club is one of Pattaya's best
Pattaya has to be one of the best places in the world to have a golfing holiday. It has more than 20 top-end championship courses, each of which has fine fairways, greens and facilities. Golf in Thailand is also significantly cheaper than playing at home, and in Pattaya you also have the advantage of pumping nightlife.
Golf courses in Pattaya suit all budgets and playing levels and there are golf lessons available at many of the better courses too. In addition, Pattaya has loads of driving ranges for practising and many of them have a pro onsite. More on what to do in Pattaya.
There are also options for golf packages in Pattaya, where you get to play a number of courses over several days at a good price. Many golf courses double as hotel resorts (combo resorts) and they regularly have deals with similar entities. These places will also arrange transport to and from a particular course.
The International Pattaya Golf Club allows visitors to play in their bi-weekly tournaments under the banner of the Pattaya Golf Society, known as the Bunker Boys. The fee is minimal and is valid for a couple of years. All you need to do is have proof of handicap and supply a photograph, along with the fee. The Bunker Boys are based at the OK Corral Bar at Rugland Village, South Pattaya.
Green fees, and caddy fees, vary from just a few hundred baht to a few thousand. There are some real quality courses in town – such as Leam Chabang which boasts championship quality links courses and unbeatable facilities – yet even these are much more accessible and a lot less pricy than those elsewhere in the world.
Virtually all clubs come with golf club hire and there are also buggies and obligatory caddies. Unfortunately, paying for a caddy is part n’ parcel of playing golf in Thailand - the notion of carrying one’s own clubs is most alien in this neck of the woods. The tipping of caddies is also expected, although don’t feel obliged to if they didn’t come up to par. More on Pattaya golf courses.
Recommended Pattaya golf courses
The following is a slice of Pattaya golf courses located in and around the city. There are several up around Pattaya 3rd Road and near Sukhumvit Road (the main route from Bangkok). The better known ones will need to be reserved, especially in-season, although several are walk-in.
Emerald Golf Palace has onsite condos for rent
Laem Chebang International Golf Club: one of the top clubs in Thailand is Jack Nicklaus-designed and comes with 72 excellent holes and unbeatable clubhouse facilities. This challenging course is set amid mountains and valleys and, although expensive for the area, is a fraction of the cost like-for-like back home.
Asia Hotel: features a nine-hole course at par 27, with small greens and lots of bunkers. Perfect for a short game as holes go from just 79 to 139 yards, plus green fees are very easy on the pocket. This course is located in the quieter part of Pattaya in the resort of Jomtien to the south.
St Andrews 2000 Golf Club: another Pattaya top-ender is this aptly-named course which is challenging and pricey. It was designed by Desmond Muirhead and has the standard 18 holes and par 72, along with compulsory golf carts.
Century Golf Club, Rayong: a tough course designed by Nick Faldo known for its lush jungle setting and cheap green fees. It is one of the best full size 18-hole courses in the region for experienced hands.
Pattaya Golf Club: this smart golfing centre on the way to Rayong (south of Pattaya) is an easy-going 18-holer that is one of the best value courses in the region. Features knowledgeable caddies, to boot, along with good facilities.
Bangpra International: this long-established 18-holer is a five-star course to the north of Pattaya. It is a par 72 course designed by Japan Promotion and comes with fantastic fairways, greens and facilities. Prices are fair despite the high rating.
Khao Kheow Golf Club: top-end course near Sri Racha with prices to match, features a championship 18 holes as well as a separate nine. The course is not far from Pattaya and is especially known for its water hazards.
Bangpakong Riverside Country Club: located off to the north of Pattaya with a setting beside the Bangpakong River is this stunning 18-hole, par 72 course. It was designed by famous Thai golf architect Cherd Bunyaratavej and is especially good for drivers.
Burapha Golf Club: one of the top courses near to Pattaya is rated four-star and comes with 36 holes. The main course (the Western) is a par 72 and was designed by Gary Panks and David Grayham. The other course, known as the Eastern, is easier-going. Reservations are a must at Burapha Golf Club.
Royal Thai Navy: fun course down near Sattahip at Plutaluang is especially popular with locals and is well priced. There are two full size courses here, including a par 72 course, and fine views.
Natural Park Hill Golf Club: tough course, designed by Ronald Fream, features narrow fairways through a mango plantation and boasts lots of water features and tight greens. Green fees run the gamut and there is also a zoo nearby.
Treasure Hill Golf and Country Club: located right out in the country is this less lower course, which is known for its generous fairways amid jungle clad hills and fair pricing. The clubhouse here has excellent facilities.
Pattaya golfing sundries
Most clubs in Pattaya allow visitors to have a knock, although the top-end ones require proof of memberships and handicap of a rated facility. Facilities are generally top-notch, where clubhouses have a pro shop, restaurant and bar.
Tee-off time: it is best to try and tee-off as early as possible when golfing anywhere in Thailand. The heat is the main factor and Pattaya is steamy year-round. Playing 18 holes here under midday sun is no fun, even with a caddy and buggy. Courses naturally become busier as the day wears on, too.
Caddies: they are mostly women and are an obligatory part of the game; that is, there is no option to not have one and you get charged for the privilege. Some caddies are switched-on and are good at digging out wayward balls, plus they can also offer advice on everything from swing to putting. Caddies expect a tip after the round, although don’t feel you have to they have been more of a hindrance than help.
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