Royal Lakeside Golf Club

between Bangkok and Pattaya off the Bangna-Trat Highway

Opening in 1993 and renovated in 2011, the Royal Lakeside Golf Club located at the mouth of the Bangpakong River features beautiful surroundings, with a profusion of shrubs and flowers. Some holes play right along the Bangpakong river bank, while others feature a wide lagoon, which encircles the course. The lagoon provides a useful buffer zone, protecting the villas on its opposite bank from any wayward shots.

The riverside setting ensures for cool breezes throughout the day and golfing enjoyment is enhanced by the beautiful surrounding. A unique feature of the golf course is that there is the private marina for yachts wanting to dock in the area. Members can enter the golf course from the Yacht Club which makes it possible to reach the golf course by boat from Bangkok or Pattaya.

New greens constructed in 2011 are of the latest ultra-dwarf Bermuda turf. They are undulated and roll fast and true. Zoysia grassed fairways always kept in good condition. However, some bunkers and waste areas, while adequate could do well with more frequent maintenance. Often strong winds from the sea provide a special dimension for the game rarely experienced in Bangkok.

There is quite an open feel to Royal Lakeside, created by good-width fairways and light semi-rough that makes ball-finding relatively easy. The golf course has only subtle breaks, but significant earth mounding to the sides of the fairways and around the greens make approach shots very tricky. Plenty of palms, eucalyptus and many other tree varieties, combine with an array of flowers, shrubs and occasional streams, to create a garden-like quality to the Bangkok golf course. The main hazards to avoid are expansive waste bunkers which line many fairways. The par-3’s, while short are well bunkered. Water hazards also need factoring into course management, whether in the form of small creeks crossing some fairways or the perimeter lagoon surrounding the golf course.

From the 9th tee a small lighthouse marks the entrance to Royal Lakeside's marina, while the par-4 5th gives a wonderful view of another impressive structure - the dome topped clubhouse. The palatial, yellow dome-topped clubhouse could be a distant cousin of the White House in Washington DC.

Well-appointed lockers and showers are also available for golfers. Two excellent Japanese and Thai restaurants make for a nice choice of fine dining after a round. The quality of service at Royal Lakeside is generally good. However most of the staff only understands limited English so do not expect deep conversations or very special requests. Royal Lakeside is very popular with Japanese golfers, especially at weekends. That being said, low green fees and pleasant surroundings make for a pleasant day out golfing at this relatively lesser known Bangkok golf course.