Golf in Pattaya
Pattaya has many exceptional golf courses
Many people come to Pattaya just to enjoy the selection of over 20 world-class golf courses, costing a fraction of the green fees in their own countries. Pattaya is truly a golfer’s paradise, with a choice of courses to suit all pockets and abilities. Golf lessons are also much cheaper, and the many driving ranges around Pattaya City normally have a pro there to help perfect your swing before heading out.
The best time to tee-off is early in the morning (around 06:00) before the courses get too busy. This is also the coolest time of day in Pattaya and allows for a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Later on in the day it can get very hot and the temperament of some of the other golfers, particularly Korean nationals, may prevent you playing on beyond them - this can be tedious.
Companies from abroad, and in Thailand, frequently provide golf tours for visitors and Thais, with the ability to play several first class courses in a few days, while having the benefits of Pattaya nightlife and hospitality. Clubs can be hired at most courses, and the facilities at all clubhouses are excellent - they usually include a restaurant and bar, pro shop and massage and health services.
A popular way to play golf in Pattaya is to join the International Pattaya Golf Club via the Pattaya Golf Society (the Bunker Boys). For a membership fee of 200 baht for two years, and with a photo and proof of your handicap, anyone is able to play in their twice weekly tournaments at different courses in the area.
Green fees, caddies and golf cart rates vary, depending upon the courses you wish to play. The cheaper courses will only cost you around 500 baht for green and caddie fees; however, if you want to test yourself at the higher end, the Laem Chabang and St Andrews 2000 courses, not far from Pattaya, will charge you 2,500 baht (or more) for championship quality links, with services to match their justly-superb reputations.
Many of the golf clubs and societies mentioned below will arrange transport from Pattaya for a nominal charge and often for free. Tips of 100 baht are generally given to the caddies, who are often women, although don’t feel obliged if they do a poor job/act bored. Prices outside the November-March tourist season are cheaper than the hot and wet season months when you can find an international-standard course for as little as 500 baht.
Golf courses near Pattaya
Asia Hotel: Has a nine-hole, par 27 course which is well kept and features holes between 79 and 139 yards. The small greens and deep bunkers are good for your short-game and green fees are very reasonable. As this course is in Jomtien, just south of South Pattaya, it is a handy one to get to. 352 Moo12, Pratamnak Road, Nongprue, tel: (038) 250 401-11.
Bangpakong Riverside Country Club: An 18-hole, par 72, four-star course north of Chonburi by the Bangpakong River. It was designed by Cherd Boonyaratavej, has a lovely clubhouse and long-hitters will love it. Green fees/caddie: around 1,500 baht.
Weekend golf packages are offered at select resorts
Bangpra International Golf Club (1958): One of the five-star courses around Pattaya; an 18-hole, par 72 course designed by Japan Promotion Co Ltd. The club is to the north of Pattaya. Green fees: around 1,400 baht. 45 Moo6, Bangpra, Sriracha, tel: (038) 341 149-50, Fax: (038) 341 151
Burapha Golf Club: Has a four-star, 36-hole, par 72 course designed by David Grayham and Gary Panks. The Eastern course is good for up-and-coming golfers, while the Western one is more of a challenge. You can make a reservation for this course, which is not generally open to the public. Green fees: around 2,000 baht. 281 Moo4, Tumbon Bung, Sriracha, tel: (038) 372 700-2, Mobile: 089 888 0648 email: info@buraphagolfthailand.com. Yone_buraphagolf@yahoo.com
Century Golf Club, Rayong (1992): Provides some of the most difficult par threes in the area. The course, designed by Desmond Muirhead and Nick Faldo, is a sloping one in a natural jungle setting. 99/1 Moo 1 Sukhumvit Road, Tambon Pala, Ban Chang, Rayong, tel: (038) 602 889, (038) 603 999.
Chonburi Century Country Club (1993): Designed by Nick Faldo, is an inexpensive course on which to learn. It’s an 18-hole, par 72, and usually not too busy. Green fees: around 300 baht. 99/1 Moo5, Klongkiew, Banbung, tel: (038) 411 923-6, Mobile: 08 1304 1545.
Eastern Star Golf Club (1992): An hour south of Pattaya is this 18-hole, par 72 course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. This four-star course has a five-star clubhouse set in an old coconut plantation and is popular with families due to its swimming pools, good value and sports club (adjacent to the course). 241/3 Moo3, Ban Chang, Rayong, tel: (038) 630 410-6, fax: (038)630 418.
Great Lake Golf Club (1995): Another 36-hole, par 72, Nick Faldo-design to the east of Pattaya. The 120 bunkers, water hazards and lovely setting by the reservoir make this a challenging course at moderate prices. 77 Moo5 (off Highway 36), Bangkok-Rayong Road, Mab Yang Porn, Pluak Daeng, Rayong, tel: (038) 622 630, fax:(038) 662 418.
Khao Kheow Country Club (1993): One of the several five-star clubs within easy reach of Pattaya. For less than 2,000 baht you can play a Pete and Perry Dye course of 27 holes at par 72. The course is surrounded by jungle-clad hills, with large bunkers and water hazards being special features. 220/15 Moo12, Bangphra, Sriracha, tel: (038) 318 000, mobile: (08)5359 3200, Fax: (038) 318 049, email: info@khaokheowgolf.com.
Laem Chabang International Golf Club (1995): One of the really top clubs in the area in terms of course, clubhouse facilities and expense. The Jack Nicklaus, 27-hole, par 72 design is set in spectacular surroundings and presents a real challenge for golfers, with its division into mountain, valley and lake. Carts are compulsory. Green fees: around 2,500 baht. 106/8 Moo 4, Beung, Sriracha, tel: (038) 372 273, fax: (038) 372 275, email: info@laemchabanggolf.com.
Natural Park Hill Golf Club (1993): Another really special club, designed by Ronald Fream and built on a mango plantation, the narrow fairways and water features test the best golfers. This course is near Khaow Keow open zoo in Bangpra. Green fees: 500-2,000 baht (depending on season). 159/1 Moo2, Saensuk-Bang Phra Road, Muang, tel: (038) 393 001-8.
Natural Park Resort Golf Club (1998): Has five-star ratings for both the course and clubhouse. The 27-hole, par 72, Thai-designed course is perfectly manicured in park surroundings and is not too difficult. Green fees: under 2,000 baht. 52 Moo10, Bang Phra, Sriracha, tel: (038) 349 370-81.
Noble Place Golf Club (1993): Well-designed 27-hole, par 72 course (Wolveridge and Thompson) with very reasonable green fees. Heavy, rough and awkward bunkers make the otherwise rather uninteresting landscape a golfing challenge. Green fees: 350-650 baht. 88/8 Moo6, Klongkaew, Banbung, tel: (08) 1484 9066.
Pattaya Country Club (1995): Located 25 kms outside Pattaya on Route 36 to Rayong, this one is popular with the locals. The plain, 18-hole course gives very good value for money, with friendly staff and improving facilities. Highway 331, Kao Mai Kaew, Bang Lamung, tel: (038) 423 718-9, mobile: (08)1654 5654, fax:(038)423 719, email: marketing@pattayacountryclub.net.
Phoenix Golf Club (1993): Offers a five-star clubhouse and a four-star, 27-hole, par 72 course for between. Dennis Griffith-designed course situated between Pattaya and Sattahip with sea view. Good for the long hitter ad has an enormous clubhouse. Green fees: 500-1,800 baht (depending on season). 111 Moo9, Sukapiban Road, Huayyai, Banglamung, tel: (038) 239 391-5.
Rayong Green Valley Country Club (1993): A Wolveridge and Thompson course of 18 holes, classed as five-star for both course and clubhouse. Between Pattaya and Rayong, this course suits all handicaps, but beware of the water hazards. Green fees: 800-2,500 baht (depending on season). 9/36 Moo 7, Samnak Thone, Ban Chang, Rayong, tel: (038) 030 660-2, (038) 030 671, fax: (038) 030 663.
Royal Lakeside Golf Club and Resort (1993): As its name suggests, this is the five-star lakeside creation of the Sumitomo Construction Co Ltd. Situated between Pattaya and Bangkok at the mouth of the Bang-Pakong River the course enjoys good views and a welcome sea breeze, while the clubhouse is modelled on the White House. Green fees: under 2,400 baht. Tel: (038) 573 275-8, Fax: (038) 573 281 email: info@royallakeside.com.
Siam Country Club (1971): Has a three-star, 18-hole course, a four-star clubhouse and a five-star price. This quaint, old course is set in gentle hills with large trees giving it the feeling of Western golf courses. 50 Moo9, Pong, Banglamung, tel: (038) 909 600, mobile: (08)9749 9077, Fax: (038) 909 699, email: plantation@siamcountryclub.com
Traveller tale: Pattaya a golfer’s haven
Pattaya has become an ideal destination for beginner and experienced golfers alike. Golf-lovers will be pleasantly surprised by the inexpensive green fees and attention to detail...more
Sriracha International Golf Club (1992): Designed by Gary Player, this is a good venue for beginners and has a nice clubhouse. Green fees: 750-1,500 baht (depending on season). 284-285 Moo 6, Bung, Sriracha, tel: (038) 338 375-8, fax: (038) 338 379.
St. Andrews 2000 Golf Club: Considered one of the best courses in the area and was designed by Desmond Muirhead with the idea of making the golfer play against nature, a serious challenge. An 18-hole, 72 par links-style course where golf carts are compulsory and the prices reflect this. Green fees: 2,500-3,000 baht. 9/36 Moo7, Samnakthon, Ban Chang, Rayong, tel: (038) 030 660, (038) 030 662, Fax: (038) 030 663, mobile: (08) 1940 8181, email: golfing@standrews2000golf.com rgvst@hotmail.com
Royal Thai Navy (Plutaluang) (1996): Near Sattahip, this fine old course is favoured by many locals with cheap green fees and rarely busy. Green fees: 800-1,200 baht. Moo 6, Plutaluang, Sattahip, Tel: (038) 246 056-7 ext.124, email: plu.1969@hotmail.com.
Treasure Hill Golf and Country Club (1988): Charming course set in a valley surrounded by jungle clad hills. Has a truly peaceful and natural feeling without any of the disturbances of 21st century life. The clubhouse is rated as four-star. Green fees: 900-1,200 baht. 222 Moo7, Klongkyu, Sriracha, tel: (038) 420 766.
We have provided the most played golf clubs in and around Pattaya, although the list is non-exhaustive. For a full list of golf clubs within reach of Pattaya, check out the golf societies listed here: Pattaya directory.
If you want to practise golf, there are various golf ranges in Pattaya, particularly along Third Road and off Sukhumvit. Popular ones include: Fairways, directly across from the traffic lights at Central Pattaya Road and Sukhumvit, and Harold’s, near the Asia Hotel in Jomtien. Most have professional tuition available, many on a walk-in basis.
Updated and correct: January 2012
You can arrange complete golfing vacations and tours on Pattaya Golf.com.
