Pattaya may be known worldwide as a surfer’s paradise and for its vibrant nightlife, but the beachside city along the Gulf of Thailand is also a haven for golfers with more than 20 excellent golf courses within easy reach.
The golfing inventory in Pattaya is not only large but high in quality as well, boasting layouts crafted by some of the world’s top designers in stunning locations. And of course, golfers can expect the best of Thai hospitality from the moment they step foot in any golf club and are greeted by caddies showering cheery greetings of ‘Sawadeekah’ as they whisk their golf bags away.
While it will take up to a month to sample each and every course in greater Pattaya, here’s our pick of the best seven to sample. But don’t stop at these … save the others for a return trip!
Burapha Golf Club
Located about half an hour from Pattaya city, this mature 36-hole course is one of the must-play courses here. Crafted by David Graham and Gary Panks in 1993, the golf course is made up of four nine-hole par-36 loops, the A and B nines which make up the East Course and the C and D nines which combine to create the West Course.
Burapha Golf Club
Burapha has been the venue for numerous professional events over the years, including the prestigious Thailand Open in 2021 when Chinese star Liang Wenchong won on the West Course.
The pretty, tree-lined course is located on a hilly site, with many elevated tees providing superb views of the surrounding countryside and ocean in the distance. The 6,948-yard East Course is more open and friendly, while the 6,828-yard West Course is a tougher challenge which will appeal to low handicappers. It’s possible to play other combinations such as A-C and B-D (which is used for professional tournaments).
Chee Chan Golf Resort
The latest addition to Pattaya’s golf portfolio, Chee Chan opened for play in 2019 to much acclaim.
The par-72 course measures a hefty 7,345 yards from the tips and boasts a stunning layout by David Dale of renowned American design firm Golfplan.
Chee Chan Golf Resort
Located about 40 minutes from Pattaya city in the Silverlake area, the golf course is surrounded by majestic limestone hills including the famous Khao Chi Chan which features a giant, gold leaf image of Lord Buddha laser-etched onto the cliff face. The hill had been harvested for marble and the Buddha image was created in 1995 in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee of His Majesty King Bhumibol.
Chee Chan provides a unique, links-style experience with firm, rolling fairways leading to large, undulating greens. Numerous bunkers await to trap errant shots, while wetlands areas line many holes to further punish balls sent drastically off-line.
The overall experience at Chee Chan is excellent, enhanced by great views of the hilly surroundings. The modern clubhouse is supplemented by excellent practice facilities including a top-class British PGA-certified academy.
Laem Chabang International Country Club
Designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, Laem Chabang’s 27-hole golf course is something of a legend itself. The course certainly raised the bar for golf in Pattaya when it opened for play in 1995 and continues to rank as one of the best golfing experiences in Thailand.
Laem Chabang International Country Club
Built on an undulating 700-acre site near Burapha, the layout is split into three distinct nines – the 3,446-yard Mountain Course, 3,419-yard Lake Course and 3,619-yard Valley Course – each named after its main feature. Nicklaus has used the natural terrain and features to create a challenging yet playable tract, characterized by his signature use of large bunkers, treelines and water hazards to dictate play. Rocky outcrops and creeks have been retained for aesthetic effect, occasionally coming into the equation when deciding the strategy for a hole.
Laem Chabang has hosted many high-profile tournaments over the years, most recently the 2018 Singha All Thailand Championship won by local stalwart Thanyakon Khrongpha. The clubhouse facilities are superb and there is also a golf lodge for those who want an overnight stay.
Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club
One of the older courses in the Pattaya area, the 27-hole Phoenix Gold layout was originally designed by Dennis Griffiths but underwent an extensive renovation and redesign by local architect Pirapon Namatra in 2015.
Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club
In recent years, the club has hosted a slew of professional events such as the Thailand Ladies Open (2016 and 2017) and the Thailand Masters in 2019 when Thai star Jazz Janewattananond won his second Asian Tour title. It was also the venue for the Ladies European Thailand Championship from 2017 to 2019, with Thai prodigy Atthaya Thitikul winning the inaugural edition at age 14 to become the world’s youngest winner of a professional tournament.
The parkland-style layout is routed nicely on hilly terrain with mature trees lining the fairways. The gently contoured fairways and sloping greens are guarded by a fair number of bunkers, which are generally shallow so golfers who have trouble with sand should not worry too much.
Each of the three nines – the Ocean, Lake and Mountain – offer stunning views of the surrounding hills and countryside, all the way to the Gulf of Thailand. From the Mountain Course, you can see Khao Chi Chan as Phoenix Gold is located close to Chee Chan.
Siam Country Club Old Course
Originally designed by Japanese architect Ichisuke Izumi, Siam Country Club’s Old Course went into the Thai history books as the first privately-owned golf course in the Kingdom when it opened for play in 1971.
Siam Country Club Old Course
Located less than half an hour from Pattaya, the classic parkland course underwent a comprehensive renovation and redesign in 2006-2007 by Lee Schmidt of the famed architectural firm of Schmidt-Curley Design.
While the original out-and-back routing was retained, the fairways were reshaped and the greens totally revamped and relocated. Modern, high-lipped bunker complexes and water hazards were added, creating a world-class, 7,163-yard layout capable of staging international events – which it did indeed, hosting the Honda LPGA Thailand from its reopening in 2007 until now (except for 2009 when it was moved to the club’s new Plantation Course). The most recent edition of the LPGA event was won by local star Ariya Jutanugarn.
The lush treelines often burst into colour when the flowers bloom, while hedges and bushes trimmed in the shape of animals enhance the intrinsic beauty of the course. While the clubhouse’s original structure is retained, the interior has been modernized and upgraded.
Siam Country Club Plantation Course
Just five minutes from the Old Course is Siam Country Club’s 27-hole Plantation Course, crafted by Lee Schmidt and his partner Brian Curley in 2008. The course was the venue for the 2009 Honda LGPA Thailand, won by Mexican legend Lorena Ochoa, and the 2015 Thailand Open.
Siam Country Club Plantation Course
The layout is masterfully routed through an undulating site, formerly a tapioca and pineapple plantation, traversing ravines while rising and falling with the natural elevation changes. Large beds of coloured shrubs and tall grasses adorn the areas near the tees and sometimes have to be carried, while huge, flashed-up bunkers, blind shots and closely mown run-off areas around the greens make this tract more than a match for even the best professionals.
The three nine-hole loops, Sugar Cane, Tapioca and Pineapple, are so named to honour the site’s plantation origins. Golfers will be able to play a unique triple green measuring an immense 20,000 square feet, shared by Tapioca’s par-three 7th hole and Pineapple’s par-four 4th and 9th holes.
The modern and minimalist clubhouse is a great place to chillax after around, while the practice facilities are superb.
Treasure Hill Golf & Country Club
While Treasure Hill is relatively far from Pattaya, taking around 50 minutes to reach, it’s worth the trip as the green fees are reasonable making a round here great value for money.
Treasure Hill Golf Club
The par-72, 7,401-yard course opened for play in 1994 and is located in a scenic rural setting, with mature trees lining the fairways and lush jungle beyond. Crafted by Japanese designer Yoshikazu Kato, the course is visually unassuming but the narrow fairways, sloping lies, numerous doglegs and small, tricky greens combine to provide quite a challenge.
The basic clubhouse has an excellent restaurant which serves local, Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Located north of Pattaya along the route back to Bangkok, it’s a good golfing stop if you’re heading back to the Thai capital.
Pattaya is expected to open up to vaccinated travellers from approved countries in October this year. For regular 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
Sunrise at Burapha Golf Club
