Tiger Woods won the 1998 Johnnie Walker Classic at Blue Canyon (Photo by Andrew Redington/Allsport)
Phuket certainly needs no introduction, having been at the forefront of inbound tourism to Thailand since what seems like time immemorial.
The island province off the south-eastern coast of the Kingdom is famed for its stunning beaches, world-class resorts, diverse culture (due to its maritime trading post origins) and resulting superb cuisine – as well a legendary party scene centred around the bustling tourist hotspot of Patong Beach.
Enjoy pristine beaches in Phuket
All the major beaches such as Patong itself, Kata, Karon, Nai Han, Mai Khao and Nai Yang offer the full range of watersports as well as diving, snorkelling and island-hopping excursions.
Phuket is also renowned as one of the region’s top golfing destinations with numerous superb courses on the island itself or within driveable distance on the mainland. In 1998, a certain Tiger Woods won the Johnnie Walker Classic at Blue Canyon Country Club, coming from eight shots back in the final round to edge arch-rival Ernie Els in a playoff.
Canyon Course, Blue Canyon
Established in the early 1990s as Phuket’s first tourist-driven golf facility, Blue Canyon Country Club still ranks as one of the island’s best courses with two stunning layouts crafted by Japanese architect Yoshikazu Kato.
The championship Canyon Course achieved international acclaim as the venue for the prestigious Johnnie Walker Classic in 1994 and 1998, won by golfing greats Greg Norman and Tiger Woods respectively. The tournament returned in 2007 when South African Anton Haig triumphed.
Built on an abandoned tin mine, the Canyon Course plays 7,179 yards off the tips and challenges golfers with dramatic carries over gorges, cliff-hugging fairways and lots of water. The most famous hole is the par-three 14th, which plays from hillside tees to a peninsula green, requiring a well-struck long-iron or even a fairway wood to avoid getting wet.
The 7,129-yard Lakes Course is the friendlier of the two layouts but is no pushover either with numerous water hazards, tree-lined fairways and tough greens.
Blue Canyon is located close to the airport and is thus a popular first or last golfing stop for tourists.
Laguna Golf Phuket
Laguna Golf Phuket offers arguably the best resort golf experience in and around the island. Formerly known as Banyan Tree Golf Club when it opened in 1993, the course underwent a massive renovation and redesign in 2014 helmed by South African architect Paul Jansen.
The 6,756-yard layout furnishes a far but stimulating round of golf as the undulating fairways meander past scenic waterways and coconut groves, occasionally opening up to great views of the beach and ocean. Well-placed bunkers and water hazards place a premium on accuracy, while playing conditions are right up there with the best even by Thailand’s lofty standards.
The par-four 18th provides a superb finish to a round, requiring two well-struck shots to reach the green in regulation.
The golf course forms part of the multi-faceted and self-contained Laguna Phuket resort complex, which offers no less than nine hotels and extensive leisure and F&B facilities along a pristine beachfront.
Red Mountain
Opened for play in 2007, Red Mountain Golf Club is hailed as Phuket’s most exciting golf course and for good reason.
The 6,900-yard tract, designed by Jon Morrow and Al Tikkanen, occupies a spectacular site which was once a tin mine, dominated by imposing red cliffs – hence the name, Red Mountain. The course has been cleverly routed to take advantage of a huge variety of landforms and dizzying elevation changes, creating a unique golfing experience while maintaining an indelible link to the island’s mining past.
While the fairways and greens are well-kept, rocky outcrops and wild grasses off the mown areas create a rugged yet pleasantly natural look. Golfers will have to be on their toes throughout, especially on the closing stretch which is highlighted by the stunning par-three 17th, playing downhill to a miniscule green, and the demanding par-five 18th which curves gently right to a dramatic greensite trapped by a lake on the right and hillside on the left.
Red Mountain is excellently located in the central part of Phuket and is thus easily reached from most of the tourist areas.
Loch Palm
Loch Palm Golf Club is located next to Red Mountain and is in fact owned by the same company, property developer and mall operator MBK Group.
The 6,555-yard Loch Palm is a much friendlier test of golf than its sister course, with the main hazard being the clusters of palm trees that line the fairways. As the name ‘Loch’ suggests, water is also a strong feature especially on the first nine where a huge lake influences play on many holes.
The closing nine is hillier and has some dramatic holes such as the par-three 14th, which drops downhill to a green trapped by water on three sides.
The course was built in 1993 and looks like and plays like the mature layout it is. Bring your ‘A game’ here and you can expect an enjoyable round of golf with a good scorecard to boot.
Onsite accommodation is available for those who wish to stay close to golf.
Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort
Mission Hills Phuket
Located on the less congested and scenic northeast coast of the island, Jack Nicklaus’ Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort provides a picture-postcard golfing excursion.
Opened for play in 2004, the 7,015-yard layout is routed along mangrove wetlands and features stunning ocean views virtually from the moment you tee off to the end of your round. Nicklaus’ trademark use of huge bunkers and doglegs are evident throughout the round, with heaving mounding defining the holes and greensites. The winds can get gusty due to its proximity to the ocean, so pay heed to your caddie’s advice on clubbing and direction.
Highlights of a round include the par-five 2nd hole which ends at an island green and the par-three 14th which plays from island tees to yet another island green.
Phuket Country Club
Phuket Country Club may be an old school design, crafted by Thai architect Dr Sukitti Klangvisai in 1989, but its excellent condition and superb service provide an exceptional golfing experience.
The club offers 27 holes of golf, consisting of the par-72 Old Course which measures 6,483 yards and the par-36 Country Club course which was added a few years ago and weighs in at 3,375 yards.
Set in a valley, the Old Course meanders through hills and limestone cliffs, traversing three distinct environments with six holes located on hilly terrain, six holes on level ground and six holes set in a lush forest.
The par-five 10th hole is one of the most famous in Thailand and for good reason. From hillside tees, the 557-yard track makes a full U-shape curve around a lake and tempts long hitters to go directly for the green and a rare albatross chance.
While golfers prefer to play the full 18 at the Old Course, the nine holes of the Country Club course are actually pretty good with more emphasis on accuracy and course management.
Mainland Golf
Kathatong
If time permits, golfers can make the trip over Sarasin Bridge to Phang Nga province on the mainland and check out a few more courses there, such as the beachside Tublamu Navy Golf Course and the funky but fun Katathong Golf Resort & Spa.
Set to join the golfing inventory later this year is Aquella Resort & Country Club, which is the new incarnation of Thai Muang Country Club originally designed by Pete Dye and opened for play back in 1995. The course is being extensively revamped and re-routed by Pacific Coast Design, forming the centrepiece of a 177-hectare seaside resort and residential development.
