Golf in Thailand: Best Courses in Phuket, Bangkok & Hua Hin
Thailand is Asia's premier golf destination — a country with more than 250 quality golf courses, world-class affordability, friendly female caddies and a year-round tropical climate. The Big Three golf hubs — Phuket, Bangkok and Hua Hin — between them host the country's flagship layouts, where major championships have been played, where Tiger Woods has lifted trophies, and where international visitors enjoy a perfect mix of premium fairways, five-star clubhouses and rounds at a fraction of European or American prices. This guide covers everything you need to plan a Thailand golf holiday: best courses by city, when to play, what to pack, and where to stay.
Explore Tweet World Travel Thailand Small Group Tour or contact Tweet World Travel for a tailor-made travel experience.
History & Cultural Influence
Thailand's golf history is older than most travellers realise. The Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, opened in 1924, was the country's first course, built for King Rama VII and his entourage. Through the 1980s and 1990s, Thailand emerged as one of Asia's most active golf-tour markets — partly thanks to friendly female caddies (a Thai institution), tropical climate, world-class course design by Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman, and accommodation-and-green-fee bundles at unbeatable prices.
Today Thailand hosts the Thailand Open, the LPGA Honda Thailand and several international team competitions. Premium tour operators run dedicated golf-and-stay packages across Bangkok's suburb courses, the Phuket Andaman Coast layouts and the Hua Hin "Golf Coast" — a 60 km stretch that contains eight of Asia's top 100 courses.
Quick facts:
Courses in Thailand: over 250, with the largest concentrations in Bangkok, Hua Hin, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya
Best season: November–March (cool, dry; minimal afternoon thunderstorms)
Average green fee (international visitor): USD 80–250 depending on course and weekday/weekend
Caddies: mandatory at all courses; tip 500–800 THB per round
Best for: avid golfers, golf-and-beach combos, multi-generation family trips, corporate retreats
Top Attractions
Phuket — Blue Canyon Country Club (Canyon Course): twice host of the Johnnie Walker Classic where Tiger Woods won in 1998 and 2000; widely rated Asia's best course.
Phuket — Laguna Phuket Golf Club: a refreshed 18-hole layout inside the Laguna integrated resort complex; ideal for resort-based stays.
Phuket — Red Mountain Golf Club: dramatic former tin-mine course with elevation changes unique in southern Thailand.
Bangkok — Alpine Golf & Sports Club: a Robert Trent Jones Jr design and a perennial top-10 Thailand course.
Bangkok — Thai Country Club: a five-star layout that has hosted Asian Tour and LPGA events.
Bangkok — Nikanti Golf Club: a Phil Ryan-designed walk-only course with all-day inclusive package format (rounds, caddies, food and drink one price).
Hua Hin — Royal Hua Hin Golf Course: the original 1924 course, beautifully wedged between the Hua Hin Railway Station and the sea.
Hua Hin — Black Mountain Golf Club: regularly ranked among Asia's top 50; hosts the Asian PGA Tour and LPGA events.
Hua Hin — Banyan Golf Club: rugged hilltop course with stunning Gulf-of-Thailand vistas.
Must-Try Dishes
Clubhouse Thai-style breakfast — pre-round congee or jok rice porridge with chicken, ginger and egg.
Khao soi gai — Northern Thai curry noodles; the best Thailand clubhouse comfort food.
Massaman curry — rich coconut-and-peanut curry; the post-round indulgence.
Sangsom soda — Thai rum with lime soda; the 19th-hole staple at every Thai clubhouse.
Singha or Chang draught beer — cold Thai lager served by golf course terraces.
Festivals & Local Celebrations
Honda LPGA Thailand — February (Pattaya/Chonburi): one of the LPGA's premier Asian Swing events.
Thailand Open — December: the Asian Tour flagship event, usually at Black Mountain Golf Club (Hua Hin).
King's Cup — June: a Royal Bangkok Sports Club annual prestigious amateur tournament.
World Amateur Team Championship — biannual: hosted by Thailand in 2018 and 2026 (Phuket).
Hua Hin Golf Festival — September: a month-long deal-and-tournament programme across the Hua Hin Golf Coast.
What to Do
Build a 7–10 day golf holiday across two cities — typical itineraries are Bangkok + Hua Hin (3 nights each) or Phuket + Hua Hin (4–5 nights each).
Book tee times 1–3 months ahead in peak season (November–March).
Take a caddie even if you have a buggy — Thai caddies advise on club selection, read greens and rake bunkers.
Play one of the resort-bundled all-inclusive courses (Nikanti, Black Mountain Junior) for the easiest first-time Thailand golf experience.
Combine golf with wellness — Hua Hin (Chiva-Som, RAKxa) and Phuket (Six Senses Yao Noi, COMO) both offer perfect golf-and-spa pairings.
Charter a private golf-package transport: dedicated Thai golf-tour operators handle airport pickups, club transport, tee times and clubhouse food.
Shopping
Pro shop merchandise — most Thailand pro shops carry the international brands at competitive prices.
Caddies' embroidered hats and shirts — a unique Thai golf souvenir.
Custom-fitted clubs at Bangkok or Phuket club-fitting centres — a much-loved Thailand-trip add-on.
Singha-branded apparel and golf accessories — available at most Thai clubhouses.
Weather: Best Time to Visit
November–March (Best): cool, dry season; lowest humidity; perfect for golf.
April–May: hot season; play 6:30am tee times to beat the heat.
June–October: south-west monsoon; brief afternoon downpours but mornings often clear.
Best for golf-and-beach Phuket: November–April. Best for Bangkok or Hua Hin year-round (Gulf-of-Thailand monsoon is shorter).
Cultural Etiquette
Pace of play is brisk in Thailand — keep up with the group ahead.
Caddies are mandatory; tip 500–800 THB per round (USD 15–25).
Dress code: collared shirts, tailored shorts or trousers; some clubs require long socks with shorts.
Soft spikes only; metal spikes banned at all premium courses.
Never disrespect the Thai royal family, especially at the royal-named clubs (Royal Hua Hin, Royal Bangkok).
Essential Travel Information
Getting around: Most Thailand golf packages include hotel-to-clubhouse transfers. Bangkok's top courses are 30–60 minutes from the city centre; Phuket and Hua Hin courses are typically 10–30 minutes from the main hotel zones.
Clubs: Bring your own or hire on-site (USD 30–80/round for top brands). All major clubs offer rental.
Booking: Book through a dedicated Thailand golf-tour operator for the best green-fee rates, package discounts and confirmed tee times. Book 1–3 months ahead in peak season.
Money: Most clubhouses accept cards; bring 1,000–2,000 THB cash per round for caddie tips and refreshments.
Connectivity: Excellent 4G across all clubhouses; many have on-course Wi-Fi.
Where to Stay
Phuket — Laguna Phuket integrated resort (3 courses on-site), Anantara Phuket Layan, Trisara — best for a Phuket golf-and-beach week.
Bangkok — Anantara Riverside Bangkok, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok and Capella Bangkok — close to all major suburb courses with hotel transfers.
Hua Hin — Centara Grand Hua Hin (original 1923 royal hotel adjacent to Royal Hua Hin Golf), InterContinental Hua Hin, Anantara Hua Hin, Six Senses Hua Hin.
Best multi-city stay: 3 nights Bangkok + 4 nights Hua Hin + 4 nights Phuket gives you the country's top 10 courses in one trip.
Explore Tweet World Travel Thailand Small Group Tour or contact Tweet World Travel for a tailor-made travel experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful answers for golfers planning a Thailand holiday.
Is Thailand the best golf destination in Asia?
Yes — Thailand has the largest concentration of internationally rated courses in Asia, with year-round playability, affordable green fees, friendly caddies and excellent resort-and-golf bundles. Japan has prestige; Vietnam is growing fast; Thailand has the most variety.
How much does a Thailand golf round cost?
Premium courses charge USD 80–250 for international visitors including caddie. Mid-range courses cost USD 50–120. Package rates through Thailand golf operators can save 20–30%.
When is the best time for golf in Thailand?
November to March — cool, dry and clear. April–May is hot but playable with 6:30am tee times. June–October is monsoon but mornings are usually clear.
Do I need a handicap to play in Thailand?
No — most courses allow play without a handicap card. Some elite private clubs (Thai Country Club, Alpine) prefer a handicap below 24 for tournament play.
Can I combine golf with wellness or beach time?
Yes — this is one of Thailand's great strengths. Hua Hin and Phuket both pair golf with world-class wellness retreats. A typical 10-day combination is Bangkok temples + Hua Hin golf-and-Chiva-Som + Phuket Phi Phi-and-Six-Senses.
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