Eastern Star Country Club & Resort

On the way to Bangchang

The links-style course at Eastern Star, located near the Gulf of Thailand, is one of only five courses in Thailand designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The Pattaya golf course is set on 530 acres of land and meanders through lovely residential areas of Eastern Star Country Club & Resort.

The course features wide fairways and hundreds of coconut palm trees and is a popular local favorite. The gently undulating fairways and greens feature 65 bunkers, 11 lakes and more than 2,200 coconut palm trees. The golf resort is conveniently situated just 2 kilometers from the sea ensuring a constant cooling breeze. Like a true links course, it is only slightly above sea level in altitude.

Eastern Star has been the venue for local and regional golf tournaments. It offers plenty of challenge for the experienced golfer, but also offers enjoyment for beginners. This Pattaya golf course is a "thinking man's course" that can be successfully navigated with a little strategy and well-positioned shots. Tall mature coconut trees and some mango trees define the holes, enhanced by areas rich in flowers. There are numerous dog legs and a lot of water along the 18 fairways of Eastern Star.

The golf course can play quite long, particularly from the championship blue tees. The signature hole is the picturesque par 3 thirteenth, which lulls players into admiring the scenery. An accurate tee shot over water is required so as to stay out of the deep bunker or the lake on the right of the green. The key is play to the center of the green or slightly to the left. Too far left however, is sand and deep rough. Over the green gives entails negotiating a difficult down-hill putt. If the hole appeared intimidating from the tee, look back from the green for an entirely different perspective.

With open fairways this is surely a course to suit beginner and experienced golfers alike. There is a good practice area and driving range in addition to a basic clubhouse providing a wide range of facilities such as an Olympic sized beach pool, tennis courts and locker rooms. The restaurant, like most Thai golf courses, services a wide range of dishes at reasonable prices. Try a fruit smoothie for a great after the round beverage.