The northern Thai city of Chiang Mai is certainly one of the best holiday destinations in the Kingdom with its stunning highland scenery, pleasant climate and enticing mix of old and new.
For golfers, there are more than a dozen courses in and around Thailand’s second largest city, offering a variety of experiences but with a few things in common – excellent weather if you’re there in ‘winter’ (mid-November to mid-March), and of course the trademark warm Thai hospitality.
If time is a constraint, here’s a look at five courses within easy reach of Chiang Mai that should be on a first-time visitors’ itinerary – saving the rest for the next trip!
Chiangmai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort
About 45 minutes from the city, Chiangmai Highlands is an absolute gem with 27 excellently crafted and well-routed holes. Each of the three nines – the Valley, Highlands and Mountain – features wide, receptive fairways and postcard-perfect views of the surrounding hills.
Hole 11, Chiangmai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort (Photo by Richard Castka/Sportpixgolf.com)
Designed by Lee Schmidt of Schmidt-Curley Design, the course opened for play in 2005 and has matured nicely. The undulating site brings subtle elevation changes into play, while the main shot-making challenge comes on the approach to the large greens which are trapped by high-lipped bunkers, mounds and run-off areas.
Chiangmai Highlands is certainly a superb experience with its well-manicured fairways and fast greens. Standout holes include the par-five ninth of the Highlands, a sweeping dogleg left measuring 558 yards from the black tees. A good drive to the bunkerless fairway will open up the option of going for the green in two, over a stream bisecting play about 120 yards from the green.
The Thai-style clubhouse is simple but has the full range of facilities and an efficient flow, getting golfers to the tees with minimal fuss. There is also a day spa as well as villa accommodation.
Alpine Golf Resort
Crafted by Ron Garl in the mountainous countryside about 45 minutes from Chiang Mai city, Alpine Golf Resort earned international acclaim as the venue for the Asian Tour’s Chiangmai Golf Classic from 2013 to 2014.
Hole 6, C Course, Alpine Golf Resort
The original 18 was completed in 2008 and an additional nine holes crafted by local design firm Golf East were added in 2015, incorporated into the existing 18 to create a routing change. The layout winds its way through undulating terrain and offers a nice mix of straight holes and doglegs, with some even built within paddy fields.
The signature hole is the sixth of the C Course, a short par-three playing to an island green modelled after TPC Sawgrass’ infamous 17th hole. Water is also a big factor in another of Alpine’s most memorable holes, the par-four ninth of the A Course which plays to an ‘island’ fairway and ends at a peninsula green.
Facilities are excellent with the clubhouse offering a day spa and a hotel for those who wish to avoid the trip back to the city.
Summit Green Valley Country Club
Opened for play in 1990, Summit Green Valley Country Club offers a lush, mature course designed by American architect Denis Griffiths who also crafted Thai Country Club in Bangkok. For golfers who enjoy traditional, parkland-style courses, thus is definitely a must-play – and it’s just 20 minutes from the Chiang Mai CBD!
Summit Green Valley Country Club
Clusters of indigenous trees and other foliage combine with well-placed bunkers and water hazards to place a premium on accuracy off the tee. The elevated, saucer-like greens are large and generous, with speeds kept at manageable levels to reward good approach play. At more than 7,200 yards off the back tees, golfers will also need to strike the ball solidly to score well.
One of the most memorable holes is the par-four 9th, which demands two water carries and ends at a pretty island green surrounded by palm trees.
The full-facility clubhouse has everything a golfer would need pre and post round.
North Hill Golf Club
If you want to sample golf with a strong local flavour, then North Hill Golf Club is your cup of tea. Located just 20 minutes from the city centre and even closer to the Chiang Mai International Airport, this is a great golfing stop upon arrival or before a late day departure.
North Hill Golf Club
Opened as a nine-hole course in 2011, the locally designed tract was expanded to a full 18 a few years later and has become a favourite golfing haunt for locals and expatriates. The course meanders through flat terrain and has generally wide fairways, lined rather sparsely by palm and other trees. Bunkering is minimal and, while there are many lakes and streams, most of the carries are not long enough to be visually intimidating.
During a round, golfers get to enjoy superb views of Doi Suthep mountain and its famous hilltop temple.
The modern clubhouse is smaller than your typical Asian facility but has all the necessary amenities including an on-site Italian restaurant which is rated as one of the best in Chiang Mai.
The Royal Chiangmai Golf Club & Resort
Set in a valley about 40 minutes north of the city, The Royal Chiangmai Golf Club & Resort is one of the most picturesque courses in Thailand.
The Royal Chiangmai Golf Club & Resort
Australian golf legend Peter Thomson has created a masterpiece in this lush layout, which opened for play in 1996 and is built on a former fruit orchard. Mature trees of countless varieties, scenic water features and pretty landscaping combine to create a pristine setting for golf as well as a thriving habitat for local fauna.
The course is routed through a parkland setting but five-time Open champion Thomson has incorporated links-style elements such as contoured fairways, pot bunkers and steep run-off areas around the greens. The elevated greens are protected by some really deep bunkers, so extra attention is needed on approach shots.
While looking its age, the clubhouse has full facilities for golfers and there’s accommodation as well for those who wish to stay on-site.
Selected districts in the province of Chiang Mai are set to reopen to fully vaccinated international visitors this October. For updates on the tourism-related Covid-19 situation in Thailand, visit the TAT Newsroom at www.tatnews.org.
For more information on upcoming golf packages to Pattaya, email escapades@pargolf.my
Stunning sunset at Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai
