GOLF IN THAILAND IS ALWAYS A FUN EXPERIENCE … AND WHERE BETTER THAN PHUKET TO REDISCOVER THE JOYS OF GOLFING IN THE LAND OF SMILES!
Anyone who’s played golf in Thailand will appreciate why the Kingdom is called the Land of Smiles.
When you arrive at the golf course, you’re greeted with smiles from the chattering caddies at the driveway, their genuinely happy faces brightening up your day even before the first shot is hit.
At the registration area, you’re inundated with more smiles from the front desk personnel and, if there’s an attendant in the changing room, the smile-fest goes on.
On the golf course, your score takes a back seat as each shot – good, average or downright awful – is greeted by squeals of delight from the caddies. Even cries of “tok nam” (in the water) or “tok sai” (in the sand) are pleasantly delivered with that unmistakably musical Thai intonation, taking the sting out of sliced or duffed shots.
And there are always huge smiles on golfers’ faces at the halfway huts, where lip-smacking Thai food and snacks go down well with ice cold beer or the signature Thai milk tea.
After the round, more smiles greet you at the restaurant as the waiters and waitresses take your orders from the always extensive and unfailingly delicious list of local and western cuisine.
A few buckets of Singha or Chang later, and everybody’s smiling all the way back in the bus/van to the hotel.
With Phuket reopening on July 1 to vaccinated tourists through the innovative Sandbox model, the famed island destination is the ideal place for you to rediscover the smiling Thai golf experience. Phuket has no less than seven golf clubs, each with its own distinct character and charm. Most offer excellent clubhouse, F&B and practice facilities, plus of course the trademark Thai hospitality.
The picturesque Laguna Phuket course ranks as one of the best resort golf experiences in Thailand. Formerly known as Banyan Tree Golf Club when it opened in 1993, the course underwent an extensive renovation and redesign by Paul Jansen in 2014.
The layout meanders past pristine waterways and coconut groves, occasionally opening up to stunning views of the beach. The course forms the centrepiece of the multi-faceted Laguna Phuket resort complex, which boasts numerous hotels and extensive leisure and F&B facilities.
Established in the early 1990s, Blue Canyon offers two superb layouts crafted by Japanese architect Yoshikazu Kato – the famed Canyon Course and the Lakes Course.
Venue for the Johnnie Walker Classic in 1994, 1998 and 2007 (won by Greg Norman, Tiger Woods and Anton Haig respectively), the dramatic Canyon Course challenges golfers with carries over gorges, cliff-hugging fairways and lots of water. The Lakes Course may not be as famous but is an excellent golfing experience as well with numerous water hazards, tree-lined fairways and tricky greens.
Many golfers rate Red Mountain as Phuket’s most exciting and challenging golf course and for good reason. Opened for play in 2007, the course is built on a spectacular site which was once a tin mine, dominated by imposing red cliffs – hence its name.
The routing takes advantage of the spectacular landforms and elevation changes, while rocky outcrops and wild grasses off the pristine fairways create a rugged yet pleasantly natural look.
Located next to Red Mountain, Loch Palm is also owned by property developer and mall operator MBK Group. While not as demanding as its sister course, it was built in 1993 and has matured well to offer a superb golfing experience with lush clusters of palm trees and lakes lining the fairways.
Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort
Designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, Mission Hills Phuket ticks all the boxes for those looking for a picture-postcard and challenging golfing excursion.
Opened for play in 2004, the layout is routed along mangrove wetlands and opens up to stunning ocean views. Nicklaus’ trademark huge bunkers and doglegs challenge golfers, while strong ocean winds will affect direction and club selection.
Golfers who enjoy old-school golf will love the 27-hole Phuket Country Club course, crafted by Thai architect Dr Sukitti Klangvisai in 1989.
The Old Course meanders past lush hills and limestone cliffs, while the nine-hole Country Club Course furnishes a good test of accuracy. The par-five 10th hole of the Old Course is one of Thailand’s most famous holes, making a U-shaped curve around a lake and daring long-hitters to go directly for the green.
While Phuket certainly ranks as one of Asia’s top golfing destinations, it’s not the only sporting activity that the island is famous for. Of course, you have the full spectrum of watersports to go for, from jet-skiing, parasailing and windsurfing to snorkelling, scuba-diving and fishing.
Land adventure sports enthusiasts are spoilt for choice as well and they can get their adrenaline rush from bungee-jumping and zip-lining, while less extreme activities include ATV rides, go-karting, paintball and even shooting!
And they all share one thing in common … smiles all round!
Story by Jonathan Ponniah
Phuket Sandbox
Vaccinated tourists from approved countries can visit Phuket from July 1 under the Phuket Sandbox programme crafted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in collaboration with travel industry stakeholders.
For details and other travel news, log on to www.tatnews.org.
Useful Contacts:
Tourism Authority of Thailand, Malaysia
Suite 22.01, Level 22, Menara Citibank
165, Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603-2162 3480
Email: info@tourismthailand.my
Website: tourismthailand.my
Royal Thai Consulate-General, Penang
No. 1, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman
10350 Penang
Tel: +604-226 8029 / 226 9484 / 228 6784
Email: thaiconsulate.pen@gmail.com
Website: penang.thaiembassy.org
