Thailand Golf Holidays, Phuket Golf Packages, Hua Hin Golf Vacations

4 Golf Holiday Destinations To Combine With Thailand

Mark — Mon, 28 May 2012 13:29:00 PDT

Many people ask me to suggest non-Thai golf destinations that can be combined together with a Thailand golf holiday. Here are a few of the most common locations outside Thailand that can easily be part of a two or three centered Thailand golf holiday.

1. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam: Low cost hourly non-stop flights between Bangkok and Saigon and numerous international connections make Saigon an easy destination to combine with any Thailand golf holiday. I suggest 4 days in Saigon including 2 golf outings and 1 or 2 days sightseeing. Be sure to schedule golf on weekdays though as the Saigon golf courses are very crowded and mostly for local members on weekends.

2. Siem Reap, Cambodia: Home to the Angkor Wat Temples (one of the world’s seven wonders), Siem Reap now boasts 3 international standard golf courses. There are 4 daily flights between Bangkok and Siem Reap and I suggest 4 days golfing in Cambodia as a perfect add-on extension to any Thailand golf holiday. The combination of golf and history will make you glad you took time to visit this fascinating country, albeit an unheard of golf destination.

3. Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia: In stark contrast to Thailand’s “Sabai Sabai” (relaxed) approach to life, KL is a fast-paced and modern city. The golf in Kuala Lumpur is excellent and you can play courses which regularly stage USPGA, European Tour, and Asian Tour events. Also, KL is easy to get to with direct flights from Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Phuket. Onward connections to most major cities of the world are easy to arrange and sometimes even less expensive than flights into/out of Thailand. Hotels are very reasonably priced and a wide range available to suit any budget and style of travel.

4. Bali, Indonesia: This might be stretching it a bit as the flying time between Thailand and Bali around 4.5 hours. Anyway, I thought I would mention Bali as the courses at the New Kuta Golf Resort and Nirwana Bali Golf Club taken together are the most spectacular duo in all of South East Asia. Add to this that Bali is an amazing tourist destination in its own right and you have what might just be the best island golf experience anywhere.

If you are looking for a Thailand golf holiday and wanting to try something different this year, check-out one of these destinations at the beginning or end of your Thailand trip; you might just be surprised how good the golf is and gaining an appreciation for 2 cultures in one vacation is always a good thing!

Bangkok's New Replica Golf Course

Mark — Tue, 22 May 2012 18:26:43 PDT

Damaged by the great floods in December 2011, Asia’s first and only replica course, The Royal Gems Golf City, is now reopened in Bangkok’s outskirts. Imagine playing famous holes as the ‘church pew bunkers” at Oakmont Country Club, the “Island Green” at TPC Sawgrass, Royal Troon’s “Postage Stamp”, and the “Road Hole” of St. Andrews Old Course?

If they are not enough to tantalize your appetitive for great golf holes, then maybe the back nine of Augusta National including “Amen Corner” will.

Last week, when playing Royal Gems Golf City with some friends, I had a laugh and I placed a ball in the exact spot off the right of the #10 fairway that Bubba Watson hit to win the playoff in The Masters. Not only is it difficult to get the ball back to the fairway, but I have no idea how Bubba could possibly make the green to get up and down in two. This is really impossible and goes to show you what an amazing shot Bubba hit.

Then two holes later I tried to hit the green on the short par-3 12th. As Tom Watson once said “this hole was made for suckers who insist in going for it.” Add me to this list as after 5 attempts I could only manage either getting stuck in the bunker over the green or worse short and wet.

Here is the complete hole-by-hole rundown of the new Royal Gems Golf City.

1- Oakmont #3 (Church pew bunkers)
2- Bay Hill #16
3- TPC Sawgrass #17
4- Doral #18
5- Royal Troon #8 (postage stamp)
6- St Andrews #17 (road hole)
7- Bethpage Black #7
8- Winged Foot #10
9- The Belfry #10
10-18- Augusta Natonal #10-18

Anyone golfing in Bangkok should have a go at The Royal Gems Golf City. The real holes might be better, but I bet you will have a blast playing these 18 replicas.

Note as of May 2012 a temporary clubhouse is in use. While adequate for Thailand golf visitors, the permanent facility will only be fully operational towards the later part of the year.

Thailand Golf Gloves

Mark — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:49:38 PDT

One of the most important but overlooked pieces of golf equipment in Thailand is the glove. With hot and oftentimes sweaty tropical weather conditions the only thing stopping a golf club from flying out of a Thailand golfers hand is the glove. If the glove is wet or slick, it will not grip the club and a mishit is very likely.

Moreover, one of the most important parts of a good Thailand golf swing is the grip. That comes as no surprise. If a Thai golfers grip is off, then the swing will probably be off. I see many golfers in Thailand slice, hook, and otherwise mishit the ball. That's because their hands are the prime mover of the shaft and the controller of the clubface. If the hands aren't doing their job, a poor shot will always result.

How can you tell if your glove is correct? I recommend an all-weather type that does not get slippery when wet, or at least holds some of its tackiness. Sometimes I use 3-4 gloves during a round alternating between gloves to keep them dry and fresh. Moreover, I always check the wear patterns on my golf glove.
Here are three common wear patterns and what it means to my golf swing.

1.    Worn-out palm: A worn-out palm is the most common wear pattern. It's caused when I hold the club in my palm instead of beneath the heel pad of the thumb and fingers. When I do this it leads to a slice or a lack of distance.

2.    Thumb tear: A thumb tear is usually caused by one of two things. That is either poor thumb placement or incorrect pressure between the thumb and club, resulting in a loss of control.

3.    Index finger wear: An index-finger wear pattern indicates a poor connection between my hands. When I use an overlapping grip, my right hand's pinkie finger digs into my left hand's knuckle.

My glove is key good golfing in Thailand. Using new gloves and rotating them thought the round helps allot. Using a good grip also helps my swing and score. I monitor the wear patterns on my glove and make adjustments to for longer straighter shots. Try the same and I bet you will improve your score and have more enjoyment golfing in Thailand.

Hua Hin’s Hidden Golf Gem: Kaeng Krachan Country Club

Mark — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:53:00 PDT

Everyone knows the best regarded Hua Hin golf courses are Banyan Golf Club and Black Mountain Golf Club. How about other Hua Hin golf courses for the more adventurous?

Located an hour north and 40km inland from Hua Hin in the Thai Kaeng Krachan Estate lies what might just be Hua Hin’s least known, most under rated and best valued golf course? The 27 hole Kaeng Krachan Country Club is hardly known by the locals, no less Thailand golf holidaymakers.

After travelling due north from Hua Hin and leaving the main highway, the road to Kaeng Krachan deteriorates into virtually a dust path. Don’t be put off by this or worry you have taken a wrong turn, just keep following the signs to the Kaeng Krachan Estate. Sure enough fifteen minutes later the Kaeng Krachan golf course can be seen and first impressions of a natural parkland course are excellent.

The original 18 at Kaeng Krachan was designed by the Thai architect Cherd Boonyaratavej in 1995. The main course meanders through the rolling hillside and the park land layout gives you the feeling of playing in Spain or Portugal.

The Jack Nicklaus designed new 9 holes opened in 2007 and is a typical Nicklaus design with generous driving areas and well bunkered greens. Classified as a mountain course it is well named as its set amongst spectacular mountains which is most untypical of the Hua Hin area and other Hua Hin golf courses. Whichever 18 you decide to play, you will not be disappointed as all 27 holes offer unique challenges among natural surroundings.

Kaeng Krachan is not practical to include in most mainstream Thailand golf package and with only $20 US dollar green fees Kaeng Krachan is too inexpensive for most tour operators to make any money on. So don’t be surprised if you have not heard of this Hua Hin golf course.

How To Judge Green Speed Of Thailand Golf Courses

Mark — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:45:00 PDT

Recently I have seen green speeds on Thailand golf courses run from a slow 7 on the stimpmeter at Majestic Creek Country Cub in Hua Hin to a speedy 10 at Red Mountain Golf Club in Phuket. At other times, like after a professional event, green speeds can run as high as 11 or 12. Siam Country Club Old Course was like this in February after the Honda LPGA.

With such a great variation in green speed and importance on distance in lag putting, how can the visiting golfer in Thailand be successful in judging the green speed at each Thai golf course?

Well fortunately all of the golf courses in Thailand have practice putting greens and I find that hitting some long pouts just before starting my round helps allot to be successful on the golf course.

I take five balls to the practice green and mark off distances of 10, 20, and 30 feet from the hole with tee pegs. Then I putt five balls in a row from each tee and try to get the ball to stop within three feet of the hole. I start at 20 feet, and then move to 30, and finish at 10. Staggering the distance like this prevents me from just grooving only one stroke as I go. I move to the next distance when I get five straight putts in a row within 2 or 3 feet (or the approximate length of my and most average putters).

This is a great little drill and simulates real golf with a little pressure. When I get the first 4 right, I then feel the heat to get the fifth within the circle.

This drill is also used by allot of the Asian Tour players and in fact I picked it up when I golfed in Cambodia at the Cambodian Open Pro-Am in March. The only difference between me and the golf professionals is that they normally used distances of 30 – 50 feet, while I prefer setting up the tees at shorter stations.

Give this drill a try and watch your game improve when golfing in Thailand!

The Best 18 Phuket Golf Holes

Mark — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:08:00 PDT

Golfing in Phuket is great from May until July as the courses are not crowded, accommodations very reasonably priced, and the weather is generally overcast with little other than a late afternoon shower to cool things off. Therefore it is timely that Ian, our semi-pro Phuket resident, has for a bit of fun put together his Phuket “Dream 18”, which when you take time to think about the golf options, it’s not that easy

Hole 1, Blue Canyon, Canyon Course – Not the easiest opening hole and a fairly tight tee-shot. Hitting the fairway is a must if you want to get your second close on this severe undulating green.

Hole 2, Loch Palm – Good par 5 winding its way round Crystal Lake. Water in play all the way to the green, but reachable in two for the long brave hitters

Hole 3, Red Mountain – Spectacular par 3 where the designer had made the very best of the rocks and the natural surrounds

Hole 4, Mission Hills – Probably the best view in Phuket, but a great little par 3 with outstanding views over Phang Nga Bay with spectacular islands jutting out of the water

Hole 5, Blue Canyon, Canyon Course – Tough uphill par 4 with trouble down the right and out of bounds left. Semi blind approach with the green sloping way from front to back. (more 3 puts here than anywhere!!)

Hole 6, Red Mountain – Scenic long par 4 played from an elevated tee with a shallow green well protected by bunkers

Hole 7, Loch Palm – Short par 4 with a fairway wood or long iron off the tee to position yourself for a short iron to a small green well protected by a front bunker

Hole 8, Laguna – Challenging slight dog leg par with water down the left and trees and bunkers down the right if you try to take off too much. A good drive will leave you a medium iron into the green.

Hole 9, Red Mountain – Elevated inviting tee-shot towards the clubhouse the premium on accuracy

Hole 10, Blue Canyon, Canyon Course – Only a short four, but a positional tee-shot is required to avoid the numerous bunkers down the left leaving a wedge into a well protected green.

Hole 11, Red Mountain – Medium length par 4, with a choice of two fairways. Semi blind second shot to a very tight green.

Hole 12, Laguna – Short 90 degree dog leg right with a demanding tee-shot over the corner of a Laguna. The more you cut off gives you only a short shot in the green, good birdie opportunity

Hole 13, Blue Canyon, Canyon Course – Made famous by Tiger Woods driving it in tournament play but for average golfers a tough drive over the Canyon leaving a short iron in to very small undulating green

Hole 14, Blue Canyon, Canyon Course – Par 3 signature hole with an island green shaped to the country of Thailand. The tee is sheltered by the hotel so often you cant feel the wind, very dangerous hole!

Hole 15, Blue Canyon, Canyon Course – Genuine 3 shot par 5, with a very tight tee-shot, second shot over water leaving a short shot into a severe slopping green

Hole 16, Blue Canyon, Lakes Course – Well designed dog leg left with a good carry needed to cut off the distance. Hitting the fairway is a must to have any chance of making the green in two.

Hole 17, Phuket Country Club – Most people would be surprised with many picking the Canyon 17th. But from the back tee, a well struck medium iron is required often into a cross wind onto a green surrounded by water

Hole 18, Blue Canyon Lakes Course – No real surprise here, an outstanding par 4 where you could run up any sort of number. A tight tee-shot and often a downhill lie for your second over water to a very shallow green

Enjoy golf in Phuket and watch out for Phuket “Nightmare 18” next time!

3-4-5 Star Hotel Or Villa For A Thailand Golf Holiday

Mark — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:58:00 PDT

It’s not always easy to recommend the right accommodation for a golf holiday. For example, there are many excellent value-for-money hotels that can make a Thailand golf package very affordable. Great deals can often found from May to October on the beach resorts of Phuket and Hua Hin where hotels sell at less than half their normal cost during the high season.

However, for some, luxury is more important than price. At the other end of the spectrum there are some 6-star properties that are truly luxurious luxury and will create an once-in-a-lifetime Thailand golf holiday memory. These properties can be found mostly in Phuket and Hua Hin.

For golf buddy groups and families, staying together is more important than anything else. In this case, a large villa or multi-bedroom suite can be a great option. My friend Ian recently visited some new Phuket golf villas near Blue Canyon. The villa owner lives on site, cooks breakfast, takes orders from the fresh market to cook in the evening after golf, arranges for in-villa massages, and practically everything else imaginable. This really comes across as a very relaxing way to enjoy a golfing trip with total privacy away from the main tourist areas.

Personally I favor, and often stay at, 4-star properties, as I cannot get the full value of a 5-star hotel when I am out golfing each day. Moreover, when I travel with friends I like that I can get a large 60 sq meter room in 4-star hotel for less than half the price of a similar size room in a 5-star hotel. This makes it easy for those who like to share rooms or use one room as the central gathering/partying place when traveling with friends. Excellent 4-star golf properties can be found in Pattaya, Hua Hin, and Chiang Mai.

Whatever one’s preference, it can most likely be found as there are over 1000 hotels scattered throughout all of the main Thailand golf destinations.

My Thailand Short Game

Mark — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:58:00 PDT

I was playing with friends last week at Royal Gems Golf City and they mentioned that my short game was pretty good. I was able to get up-and-down around 50% of the time, even on the sloped green on August #10. That saved par for me on an otherwise poorly played hole.

Therefore, this week I thought to share my Thailand golf short game tips here.
My chipping is mainly due to my special grip. So if your chipping leaves something to be desired, try changing grips.

Most Thailand golfers use a standard neutral grip to hit chips. But too often I see that leads to either long putts to the hole or worse fat shots that do not even make it to the green.

If this sounds like you when golfing in Thailand then you're not helping yourself. You need to get closer to the hole to have a short makeable putt.

Below are three keys that I use for the Thailand golf chip shot:

1. Turn both hands to the left and use a very weak grip. There's nothing wrong with using the standard neutral grip if it's producing results. The standard neutral grip is hit with both thumbs on top of the shaft. But if it's not working, you may want to do something about it. Using a weak grip prevents the club from digging into the turf and save you strokes.

To create a stronger grip, turn both hands to the left. If you're left-handed, turn your grip slightly right.

2. Keep your wrists firm. When you swing, keep your wrists firm, your hands ahead of the clubface, and the back of your left hand facing the target through impact and moving down the target line. Left-handers will want to keep the back of their right hand facing the target through impact and moving down the target line.

3. Hit down on the ball and keep the clubface moving to the target. While this shot is intimidating for the faint-hearted, in reality it is very easy, just relax and hit through the ball.

Follow these steps and I am sure you will chip like a pro when you golf in Thailand.

Après Golf Fine Dining in Hua Hin

Mark — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:16:00 PDT

Here are a few fine dining do’s and don’ts for Hua Hin golfers that were complied by long time area resident, gastronomical expert, and Swiss Amateur Golf Team captain Marco Scopetta.

If you plan to spend few days golfing in Hua Hin, these are the best restaurants you can experience after your round.

The well-established Sofitel Centara Grand Resort and Villas has become the Centara Grand Beach Resort and Villas Hua Hin. While the Hua Hin resort has been rebranded, the incredible Saturday night buffet at Railway Restaurant has not changed a bit! It is a MUST if you really want to experience a great dinner.

Insiders Tip: Bring your own wine and save a fortune. Corkage charges are only a fraction of the wine cost and the local wine shops in town have some great bargains.

Baan Itsara, beach front Thai restaurant not far from the center is well-known by the locals and Hi So of Bangkok. A little expensive compared to other local restaurants but excellent. The best grilled Lobster in town.

The new Chef at Rashnee Thai Cuisine has absolutely brought this restaurant to the list of the Hua Hin best places where to eat. The Thai food is out-of-this-world and reasonably priced. It is located not far from the town center just next to the Thai Silk Village. As a bonus dining here is also a good excuse for shopping, especially if you like silk.

If you prefer modern the Ocean & Beach Club, at the Putahracsa Hotel, is a great option. Big sofas, open air, and right on the Gulf of Thailand, you can chill out for drinks and experience excellent international and Thai cuisine.

Coco51 is located also on the beach. Soft music with a nice ambiance is played through the night. The food is mainly Thai and not too spicy because most of the clients are foreigners.

One place you should avoid is the restaurant La Mer located near the Temple on the reef. In the past it was very good, but now it is overpriced and the food and service not up to the standards of the past.

Enjoy your golf holiday dining in Hua Hin!

Sea Pine Golf Course: Nice But Be Aware Of....

Mark — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:43:00 PDT

The newest Hua Hin golf course is the Sea Pine Golf Course (also known as the Army Golf Club II). This golf course opened is the pride of the Royal Thai Army and much better than any Thai municpal course I have seen.

Designed by active Major General Weerayudth Phetbuasak (same designer as Suwan Country Club in Bangkok and Phokeethra Coutry Club in Siem Reap), Sea Pine is a good track with 4 holes longing the beach that play like a links-styled course. The majority of the other Sea Pine area is comprised of bracken pine trees and is enriched by the beauty of oceans and mountains.

My favorite hole is the 16th, a long Par 5 with an exciting 2nd or 3rd shot. The hole is facing the sea which means depending on the direction of the wind it can be extremely long and very challenging especially for the design of the hole. In front of the green there is a huge lake to cross and just behind it the ocean. The difficulty is that the green is not deep so you must get the distance right! The view is absolutely astonishing.

The maintenance of the golf course is generally good. If you want to play this Hua Hin golf course I recommend you to play weekdays. If there is a group of Thai army officials in front of you it can take more than 5 hours to play a round!.

Otherwise, if you do encounter slow play, as they say in Thailand, never mind! You are on a Thai golf holiday, so enjoy the nice pine tree lined environment, ocean views, and a Singha or two!

Just prepare yourself to this kind of eventuality and you will greatly enjoy your round at the new Hua Hin Sea Pine Golf Club.