Golf Holidays in Thailand: Stay at a Luxury Phuket Resort
Article by Nikole
The beautiful tropical island of Phuket, Thailand is known for its pristine stretch of white-sand beaches, warm hospitality, mouth-watering food, exhilarating water sports and pulsating night life. However, Phuket is fast becoming a prime golf holiday destination and is reputedly has some of the best golf courses in Southeast Asia. It is, indeed, the Golf Capital of Asia with its more than 150 golf courses countrywide.
Golf enthusiasts troop to Phuket to play a round or two at the famed Blue Canyon Country Club noted for hosting the Johnnie Walker Classics same as the Honda Classic Tournaments.
If you have booked a lazy vacation somewhere in the Andaman Sea, consider lugging your golf clubs to hit the green at the Mission Hill Golf Resort and Blue Canyon Country Club. If you are hoping to experience the cool mountains of Northern Thailand, there are greens available.
The Thais have long been advocates of golf. In the early 20th century the Royal Family established a summer palace in Hua Hin. Since most of the Thai royalties and upper class Thais built summer homes in the same locality, O.J. Robinson, a Scottish course designer, designed and built an 18-hole golf course for the Royalties and their friends. From then on, golf has been an integral part of Thai pastime and relaxation.
Golf courses in Thailand have very reasonable rates as the USD goes a long way in Thailand. A usual package includes hotel accommodation, green fees, caddy fees, carts and shuttle to and from hotel, airport and golf course. A Westerner might find it amusing that caddies in Thailand are females. The lady caddies are knowledgeable in insider tips. They could very well give advice on the type of iron or wood to use in a particular hole or the hidden slope or curve in an apparently straight course.
Note that golf courses in Thailand were all planned by international designers such as Gary Player, Robert Trend Jones, Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer of course!
A golfing holiday in Bangkok, Phuket or Chiang Mai is a great idea. It would be a novel experience to hit the greens of Bangkok with its famed waterfall hole. Why not try the Thana City Course which is reputedly the most difficult course in Thailand.
For non-golfing companions, the entertainment and recreation facilities offered by the country clubs will keep happily occupied. For newbie, driving ranges with pro instructors are integrated with the golf courses.