Hua Hin is the winner here, with Phuket’s north and west coasts posting an honorable challenge. Until recently the golf in Hua Hin was mostly ‘so-so’ quality, though that has changed with some of newer venues which are up to world class standards. Banyan Golf Club won the “2009 Best New Golf Course in Asia” award, while Black Mountain Golf Club, only 2 years old, was voted as the second best Thailand golf course, just behind Thai Country Club. Both courses are located in the foothills above Hua Hin, which make for spectacular après golf views from the clubhouses overlooking vast and fertile valleys below.
The old favorites like the Nicklaus designed Springfield Royal Country Club and Palm Hills Golf Club along with the newer Hua Hin golf courses mentioned are all only around 15 minutes from town, which makes golf in Hua Hin also the most convenient in Thailand.
Mature couples in particular are drawn to Hua Hin specifically because of the ‘quieter and gentler’ nightlife here, and it continues popular as a weekend retreat for Bangkok residents as well. The “downtown” area is populated by boutiques, shops, and quaint restaurants and in comparison with the other Thailand golf destinations like Pattaya and Patong Beach on Phuket, practically free of beer bars and discotheques.
The Hua Hin golf area is located 2 hours from Bangkok by road or 2.5 hours from the new Suvarnabhumi airport.
Honorable mention for the best place for a quiet Thailand golf and beach holiday is the north west of the island of Phuket. Near to Blue Canyon and Mission Hills Country Club’s are two beaches generally known only to the locals: Bang Tao and Naithon. Some excellent resorts such as the new Anantara and JW Marriott are on Bang Tao as is the trendy Indigo Pearl, home of Phuket’s best Sunday brunch!
With two of Phuket’s best courses just a stone’s throw away and the clear blue waters of the Andaman Sea in abundance this area of Phuket suits many holidaymakers looking for a more upscale and exclusive Thailand golf holiday perfectly.
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9 Responses
Hua Hin , “free from the beer bars” ?
When last were you in Hua Hin Mark ?
Hi Jock,
I was in Hua Hin 2 weeks ago and only saw around 10-15 beer bars on the second road in front of the Hilton. This is in contrast to the 10,000 or so beer bars found all over Pattaya for example.
What is your opinion on this? Do you know of some other entertainment areas that I missed in Hua Hin?
By the way, why don’t you use your real name?
So its not free of beer bars then Mark ?
oh my god!
I want to see you won the win, Jock. I cheer you up.
Hi Jock and Patty,
Yes you are both right and I have since amended the original post. Thanks for pointing this out and improving the information. Please do let me know if you see any other areas for clarification.
In fact I welcome you both to post on your positive experiences living and golfing in Thailand.
Best Regards,
Mark
Mark
If you have a customer ask you about playing Royal Hua Hin , do you try to put him off the idea of playing it , or do you agree with me , in that its the must play of the Hua Hin area ?
Jock,
For the most part yes, I do in fact recommend Hua Hin golf visitors play a round at Royal Hua Hin Golf Club.
While the course is no Black Mountain or Banyan it is appealing to the visiting golfer. Many golfers comment that they like seeing the temple that overlooks a few of the holes and they think battling the monkeys that live on the golf course is something they do not get to do back home.
My only complaint is that the course gets very soggy in August-September and the cow grass (Malay grass) in many areas of the fairways can be very difficult to hit from.
Is Royal Hua Hin your favorite course in this area?
Mark
Yes , I really do enjoy a round at RHH , I find it a very enjoyable strategic design compared to the more penal modern designs.
And there is something highly enjoyable about playing in town ,with a short stroll , clubs on shoulder ,over the railway line, and being on the first tee without fuss.
The reason I asked was, I know the golf tour shops in HH, pretend the place doesnt exist .
Wow! Absolutely speechless. Real life Thai Tiger Woods as you like to call yourself. However, you can’t put a price on all those Thailand golfing experiences. How old are you?