Pattaya golf
Many people come to Pattaya just to enjoy the selection of more than twenty world-class golf courses, costing a fraction of the green fees and other costs 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 going out to the course.
For some Western people the best time to tee-off is around six or seven in the morning before the courses get too busy. This is the coolest time of day and allows 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 the Koreans, may prevent you playing on beyond them. For some people this can be tedious.
Companies from abroad and in Thailand frequently provide golf tours for visitors and Thais, with the ability to play many first class courses in a few days, while having the benefits of Pattaya nightlife and hospitality. Clubs can be hired at most of the 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 both for visitors and ex-pats living here 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. The society is based at the OK Corral Bar, Rugland Village, off South Pattaya Road. They can give you information and even organise hire of golf clubs.
The 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 Leam Chabang and S. Andrews 2000 courses not far from Pattaya will charge you 2500 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, often for free or for a nominal charge. Tips of 100 baht at least, are given to the caddies, who are often women. Prices outside of the November to March tourist season are a fraction of the ‘winter’ ones, and during the hot and wet seasons you can find an international standard course to play at 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. Tel: 03-825-0577 or 03-825-0401.
Bangpakong Riverside Country Club: north of Chonburi, is an 18-hole, par 72 four-star course designed by Cherd Boonyaratavej, and has a lovely clubhouse. Long hitters will love this course by the Bangpakong River. Green fees/caddie: approx. 1500 baht.
Bangpra International G.C. (1958): is one of the five-star courses around Pattaya. This one was designed by Japan Promotion Co Ltd. and is an 18-hole, par 72 course. The club is to the north of Pattaya and can be contacted on Tel: 03-860-2889. Green fees: approx. 1400 baht.
Burupha G.C. (1995): 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 much more of a challenge for the more experienced. You can make a reservation for this course, which is not generally open to the public, on Tel: 03-837-2700. Green fees: approx. 2000 baht.
Century G.C. 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 lovely natural jungle setting. Tel: 03-860-2889.
Chonburi Century C.C (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 approx. 300 baht. Tel: 01-304-1545.
Eastern Star G.C. (1992): is 58kms south of Pattaya and is another 18-hole, par 72 course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. This four-star course with a five-star clubhouse is set in an old coconut plantation and is popular with families due to its swimming pools and sports club adjacent to the course. For the facilities available the golf is cheap. Tel: 03-863-0410-6.
Great Lake G.C. (1995): is 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. Tel: 03-862-2630.
Khao Kheow C.C. (1993): is one of the several five-star clubs within easy reach of Pattaya. For less than 2000 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. Tel: 03-829-8224.
Laem Chebang International G.C. (1995): is 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 course is set in spectacular surroundings and presents a real challenge for golfers with its division into mountain, valley and lake. Carts are compulsory. Tel: 03-837-2273. Green fees: approx. 2500 baht.
Natural Park Hill G.C. (1993): is another of the really special Clubs in the area. 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. Tel: 03-839-3019. Green fees are between 500 and 2000 baht, depending upon the season.
Natural Park Resort G.C. (1998): has five-star ratings for both the course and the clubhouse. The 27-hole, par 72, Thai-designed course is perfectly manicured in park surroundings, and is not too difficult to play. Tel: 03-834-9370. Green fees: less than 2000 baht.
Noble Place G.C. (1993): has very reasonable green fees of between 350 and 650 baht for this well designed 27-hole, par 72 course (Wolveridge and Thompson). Heavy, rough and awkward bunkers make the otherwise rather uninteresting landscape a golfing challenge. Tel: 01-484-9069.
Pattaya C.C. (1995): located 25 kms outside Pattaya on Route 36 to Rayong is very popular with locals. This plain 18-hole course gives very good value for money, the staff are friendly and the facilities improve all the time. Tel: 03-842-3718.
Phoenix G.C. (1993): offers a five-star clubhouse and a four-star, 27-hole, par 72 course for between 500 and 1800 baht, depending upon the season. Dennis Griffith designed this course, which is situated between Pattaya and Sattahip with a sea view, especially for the long hitter. The enormous clubhouse is an attraction by itself. Telephone number is 03-823-9391.
Rayong Green Valley C.C. (1993): is another Wolveridge and Thompson course of 18 holes, classed as five-star for both the course and clubhouse. Between Pattaya and Rayong, this course suits all handicaps but beware of the water hazards. Tel: 03-889-3838. Green fees: between 800 in low season and 2000 baht in high season.
Royal Lakeside G.C. and resort (1993): as its name suggests, 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 American ‘White House’. Tel: 03-857-3275. Green fees: 18-holes will cost you less than 2000 baht.
Siam C.C. (1971): has a three-star, 18-hole course, a four-star clubhouse and a five star price. This quaint and old course is set in gentle hills with large trees giving it the feeling of Western golf courses. Tel: 03-824-9381.
Sriracha International G.C. (1992): was designed by Gary Player. With its very nice clubhouse and relatively easy course, this is a good venue for beginners. The green fees vary between 750 and 1500 baht. Tel: 03-833-8379.
St. Andrews 2000 G.C.: is considered to be one of the best courses in the area. Designed by Desmond Muirhead with the idea of making the golfer play against nature, this course is a serious challenge. It is another course where golf carts are compulsory, and the prices reflect this. A round on this 18-hole, 72 par links style course will cost you 2000 to 3000 baht. Tel: 03-889-3807.
Royal Thai Navy (Plutaluang) (1996): near Sattahip is a fine old mature course favoured by many locals. The green fees of 350 to 750 baht and the fine views ensure this 36-hole, par 72 venue is well used but it never really gets too busy. Tel: 03-870-1843.
Treasure Hill G. & C.C. (1988): will charge you between 460 and 680 baht for a round of their charming course, set in a valley surrounded by jungle clad hills. This course has a truly peaceful and natural feeling to it without any of the disturbances of 21st century life encroaching on your game. The clubhouse is also rated as four-star. Tel: 03-842-0766.
We have tried to provide a list of the most played golf clubs near Pattaya but the list is not exhaustive. There are other golf clubs within easy reach of Pattaya and these can be found by contacting the golf societies listed in the Pattaya directory.
If you want to practice your golf, there are various golf ranges in Pattaya city, particularly along 3rd Road and off Sukhumvit, as well as Harold’s near the Asia Hotel in Jomtien. Tel. 01-832-5338. Most have professional tuition available, many on a walk-in basis.
The quality and variety of golf courses in Pattaya means many people return frequently for the golf as well as for the other attractions available after the round is finished.
