Golf arrived in Thailand

Thailand

Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...

during the reign of King Rama V one hundred years ago. It was first played by nobles and other elitists of high society but over the past decade or so, the popularity of golf in Thailand has escalated, played both by local Thais and visiting foreign tourists and expatriates.

Statistics

There are an average of 400,000 foreign golfers coming to the Kingdom annually, golf in Thailand

Thailand

Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...

 has turned into a huge local industry with new courses constantly being developed. Golf alone is annually bringing an income of 8 billion baht into the local economy. The country has been given the nickname 'The Golf Capital of Asia'.

Thailand has over two hundred courses which are rated as the highest world standard. Many of them have been designed and created by some of the classic names in the golfing world such as Nick Faldo, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Gary Player, and Greg Norman.

Thailand's golfers

Thongchai Jaidee

Thongchai Jaidee

Thongchai Jaidee is a Thai professional golfer who plays on the Asian Tour and the European Tour. He holds the record for most career victories and most career earnings on the Asian Tour....

 is the country's most successful golfers, winning a handful of major international tournaments. Other Thais who have had international success include Prayad Marksaeng

Prayad Marksaeng

Prayad Marksaeng is a Thai professional golfer.Prayad was a member of Thailand's winning golf team at the 1987 South East Asian Games and turned professional in 1991. He has been a member of the Asian Tour since it began in its modern form in 1995. He was won six events on the tour, becoming one...

, Boonchu Ruangkit

Boonchu Ruangkit

Boonchu Ruangkit is a Thai professional golfer who plays on the Champions Tour.As a young man, Boonchu tried for a career in kick boxing, but he gave it up after being knocked out cold in his third bout. He made his mark in golf when he won the 1985 Australian Amateur and he turned professional...

, and Pornanong Phatlum

Pornanong Phatlum

Pornanong Phatlum is a Thai female professional golfer playing on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour.-Ladies Asian Golf Tour wins :*2006 Hong Kong Ladies Masters *2008 Thailand Ladies Open, DLF Women's Indian Open...

.

Tournaments in Thailand

There are several different types of golf presently played in Thailand, they are:

• Corporate Golf Tournaments
• Corporate Pro-am Golf Tournament
• Charity Golf Tournaments
• Golf Tour Management
• Miniature Golf Tournaments

A Corporate Golf Tournament

This kind of tournament is usually played while talking business, entertaining clients and meeting new contacts. The services available in Thailand include:

• Course selection and advance group reservations
• Event coordination and supervision with on-site staffing
• Administration of pairings, cart signs, scorecard and rule sheets
• Implementation of format, special competitions and scoring
• Sourcing of special rental equipment
• Centralized billing

Pro-am Golf Tournament
This type of tournament affords the opportunity for everyone regardless of how well they play to mingle with golfing superstars. It is very popular for company directors to take clients or prospective clients along to enhance a closer relationship.

Charity Golf Tournaments
This tournament is suitable for companies who wish to boost their company name with plenty of heavy advertisement; while, at the same time, financially assisting needy charities.

Golf Tour Management

This is simply a golf tour with a golf tour management program.

The Honda LPGA Thailand, the 30th tournament on the tour's annual roster, is just one of many international tournaments which have come to be played in Thailand. In 2006 the amount of prize money involved was $1.3US million.

Bangkok

Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...

 & Central Region

Just outside of Bangkok

Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...

 are a variety of world standard golf courses and facilities in the neighbouring provinces of Chachoengsao

Chachoengsao Province

Chachoengsao is a province of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, Chon Buri, Samut Prakan, Bangkok, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Nayok. It also has a short coast to the Gulf of Thailand.-History:Chachoengsao or Paet Rio is a province in the Central region...

, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Pathom

Nakhon Pathom Province

Nakhon Pathom ) is one of the central provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi, Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi...

. The popular courses in this region that are chosen to host PGA tournaments are:

• Alpine Golf & Sports Club has hosted many international competitions including the prestigious Johnny Walker Classic and the 13th Asian Games.

• Thai Country Club has been voted Thailand's Best Golf Course 2001–2007 and Best Club House in Asia 2000–2007. They have been host to many major competitions such as the Johnny Walker Super Tour, Asia Honda Classic and Volvo Masters Asia.

• Amata Spring Country Club
• Krungthep Kreetha Golf and Sports Club
• Navatanee Golf Course

Other popular course in and around Bangkok

Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...

 include:

• Muang Kaew Golf Course
• Subhapruek Golf Club
• Lam Luk Ka Country Club

Hua Hin

Hua Hin

Hua Hin is a famous beach resort town in Thailand, in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula, some 200 km south of Bangkok. It has a population of 84,883 in an area of 911 km², and is one of eight districts of the Prachuap Khiri Khan province.Hua Hin is closely associated with the...

Hua Hin

Hua Hin

Hua Hin is a famous beach resort town in Thailand, in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula, some 200 km south of Bangkok. It has a population of 84,883 in an area of 911 km², and is one of eight districts of the Prachuap Khiri Khan province.Hua Hin is closely associated with the...

 is home to two well-known golf courses, the Black Mountain Golf Club and Royal Hua Hin, the latter of which was the country's first course.Now the latest five stars golf course is Banyan Golf Course which is soft opening since 1 October 2008

Pattaya

Pattaya

Pattaya is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located within but not part of Amphoe Bang Lamung in the province of Chonburi....

There are some well-known courses in Pattaya

Pattaya

Pattaya is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located within but not part of Amphoe Bang Lamung in the province of Chonburi....

 which include:

• Laem Chabang International Country Club which is considered the finest golf course in the area and ranked in Thailand's Top 5. Even Jack Nicklaus designed some of the course.
• Siam Country Club
• St. Andrews 2000
• Mountain Shadow

Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi ) is a town in the west of Thailand and the capital of Kanchanaburi province. In 2006 it had a population of 31,327...

 Area

The most popular golf courses in this area are:

• Nichigo Resort and Country Club championship course
• Mission Hills Golf Club
• Evergreen Hills Golf Club
• Dragon Hills Golf and Country Club
• Royal Ratchaburi Golf Club.

Northern Region

The Chiang Mai Lamphun Golf Club is a championship course which was the venue for the 18th SEA Games. The Lanna Sports Club is also one of the beautiful golf course in the region. Other places include:

• Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort
• Mae Jo Golf Club & Resort
• Gassan Khutan Golf Club and Resort
• Gassan Lake City Golf and Resort
• Gassan Marina Golf Club and Resort.

North-eastern Region

Khao Yai

Khao Yai

Khao Yai, meaning "large mountain" in the Thai language, can refer to:* Khao Yai, a tambon in Ao luek District, Krabi Province, Thailand* Khao Yai, a 1050 m high mountain in the Tenasserim Hills, Ratchaburi Province...

 300 km from Bangkok

Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...

, has a variety of different popular courses to play at, they include: Kirimaya Golf Resort, Mission Hills Khao Yai, Voyage Panorama Resort and Golf Club and Friendship Meadows Country Club.

Koh Samui

This island in the south of the country has only one full-size golf course, Santiburi Samui Country Club.

Phuket

Phuket Province

Phuket , formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon , is one of the southern provinces of Thailand...

This exotic tropical island in the Andaman Ocean is home to a host of world-class golf courses. The Blue Canyon Country Club which has been host to the Johnny Walker Classic, one in fact Tiger Woods won. Other venues include: Laguna Phuket, Thai Muang Beach Resort, Phuket Country Club, Loch Palm Golf Club and Red Mountain.

Golf courses

From Thailand's about 200 golf courses more than 65 courses are categorized as outstanding out of which 25 - 30 are considered to be world class courses. Some of these are also complimented by their adherence to a traditional Thai-style look. They are:

• Santiburi in Chiang Rai
• President GC
• Green Valley in Bangkok,
• Eeastern Star near Pattaya
• Windsor Park Bangkok
• Mount Shadow near Pattaya
• Imperial Lake View Cha Am/Hua Hin
• Khao Kheow near Pattaya
• Mission Hills GC's in Kanchanaburi/River Kwai and Khao Yai National Park
• Legcy in Bangkok
• Laem Chabang near Pattaya
• Springfield Royal in Hua Hin
• Mission Hills Phuket
• Re-opened after extensive renovation has KIRIMAYA, the former Khao Yai Country Club.
• Blue Canyon
• Nichigo River Kwai,
• famous Pinehurst
• Bangphra
• Crystal Bay near Pattaya
• the honorable Siam Country Club
• Chiang Mai Lamphun
• Rose Garden
• Phuket Country Club
• Majestic Greek in Hua Hin.

Outstanding courses

The major outstanding courses considered at different destinations are:

Bangkok

Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...

• Bangpoo Golf & Sports
• Bangsai Country Club
• Best Ocean Golf and Hotel
• Kiarti Thanee Country Club
• Krung Kavee Golf Course & Country Club Estate
• Krungthep Kreetha Sports Club
• Muang-Ake Golf Club
• Pinehurst Golf & Country Club
• President Country Club
• Rachakram Golf Club
• Rose Garden Golf Club
• Royal Lakeside Golf Club
• Thana City Golf and Country Club
• Thanont Golf View & Sport Club
• Alpine Golf & Sports Club
• Amata Spring Country Club
• Bangkok Golf Club
• Bangpakong Riverside Country Club
• Cascata Golf Club
• Green Valley Country Club
• Lakewood Country Club
• Lam Luk Ka Country Club
• Legacy Golf Club
• Muang Kaew Golf Club
• Navatanee Golf Course
• Panya Indra Golf Club
• Royal Gems Golf & Sports Club
• Royal Golf & Country Club
• Subhapruek Golf Club
• Summit Windmill Golf Club
• Suwan Golf & Country Club
• Thai Country Club
• Vintage Golf Club
• Windsor Park & Golf Club

Phuket

Phuket Province

Phuket , formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon , is one of the southern provinces of Thailand...

• Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort & Spa
• Thai Muang Beach Golf & Marina
• Tublamu Navy Golf Course
• Blue Canyon Country Club, Canyon Course
• Laguna Phuket Golf Club
• Loch Palm Golf Club
• Phuket Country Club
• Red Mountain Golf Course

Hua Hin

Hua Hin

Hua Hin is a famous beach resort town in Thailand, in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula, some 200 km south of Bangkok. It has a population of 84,883 in an area of 911 km², and is one of eight districts of the Prachuap Khiri Khan province.Hua Hin is closely associated with the...

• Majestic Creek Country Club
• Milford Golf Club
• Palm Hills Resort & Golf Club
• Royal Hua Hin Golf Course
• Sawang Resort & Golf Club Black Mountain Golf Club
• Imperial Lake View Hotel & Golf Club
• Springfield Village Golf & Spa

Pattaya

Pattaya

Pattaya is a city in Thailand, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 165 km southeast of Bangkok located within but not part of Amphoe Bang Lamung in the province of Chonburi....

• Bangpra International Golf Club
• Burapha Golf Club
• Crystal Bay Golf Club
• Eastern Star Resort & Country Club
• Emerald Golf Club
• Great Lake Golf & Country Club
• Greenwood Golf Resort
• Pattaya Country Club & Resort
• Plutaluang Navy Golf Course
• Treasure Hill Golf & Country Club
• Wangjuntr Golf Park Khao Kheow Country Club
• Laem Chabang International Country Club
• Mountain Shadow Golf Club
• Pattana Sports Club
• Phoenix Golf & Country Club
• Siam Country Club
• Soi Dao Highland Golf Club & Resort
• St Andrews 2000 Golf Course

Rayong

Rayong

Rayong is a city located on the shore of the Gulf of Thailand, in the east coast region of Thailand. It is the capital of Rayong Province, and covers the tambon Tha Pradu and Pak Nam and parts of tambon Choeng Noen and Noen Phra, all within Mueang Rayong district...

• Rayong Green Valley Country Club

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. It is the capital of Chiang Mai Province , a former capital of the Kingdom of Lanna and was the tributary Kingdom of Chiang Mai from 1774 until 1939. It is...

• Gassan Lake City Golf Club & Resort
• Gassan Marina Golf Club
• Lanna Sports Center Golf Course Chiangmai Green Valley Country Club
• Chiangmai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort
• Chiangmai Lamphun Golf Club
• Gassan Khuntan Golf & Resort
• Mae Jo Golf Club & Resort
• Royal Chiangmai Golf Resort

Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai

-Demographics:Official Population count: According to the Thailand National Statistical Office, as of September 2010, Chiang Rai municipal district has a population of 199,699...

• Santiburi Golf Clubs
• Waterford Valley

Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi ) is a town in the west of Thailand and the capital of Kanchanaburi province. In 2006 it had a population of 31,327...

• Blue Sapphire Golf
• Dragon Hills Golf & Country Club
• Evergreen Hills Golf Club & Resort
• Grand Garden Resort & Golf Club
• Green World Hot Spring Resort & Golf Club
• Mission Hills Kanchanaburi Resort & Golf Club
• River Kwai Golf & Country Club
• Royal Ratchaburi Golf Club Nichigo Resort & Country Club

Ko Samui

Ko Samui

Ko Samui island of Surat Thani Province , or often, simply Samui as it is referred to by locals, is an island off the east coast of the Kra Isthmus in Thailand, close to the mainland Surat Thani town. It is Thailand's second largest island, with an area of 228.7 km2 and a population of over...

• Santiburi Samui Country Club

Travel Agents

• Quality Golf Thailand Ltd. (http://www.QualityGolfThailand.com; quality golf tours across Thailand)
• Royal Fox Golf Tours Hua Hin Thailand (http://www.royalfoxgolf.com)
• Siam Golf Tour (http://www.siamgolftour.com; Golf Holiday Adventure)
• On Green Golf (http://www.golf-tours-thailand.com; Thailand Golf Vacations)
• Golfasian (http://www.golfasian.com; Golf Vacations Throughout Thailand)
• BookingAnywhere (http://www.bookinganywhere.com; Thailand Golf Courses)
• Phuket Tours (http://www.phuket-tours.org; Phuket Golf Booking)