Asian Golf Travel Nation - October 2013

We have asked Dave W., a frequent golf traveler to Thailand a few questions about his golf experiences in Asia. Dave told us what makes Thailand such a great golf destination and how it is different to his homecountry, Australia.

1. When was the first time you came to Asia / Thailand to play golf and what was your first impression?
   We first went to Thailand in November 2012. Our first impression of Thailand was very green and tropical.
   
   
2. How many times have you travelled to Asia in total for a golf holiday and why do you chose to come back here?
   Since then we have been back once more, so far. We choose to travel to Thailand for golf mainly due to the people. They are friendly happy people and a pleasure to be around.
   
   
3. In your opinion, how is the golf experience different in Thailand compared to Australia?
   The golf differs to Australia mainly due to the quality of golf courses, Thailand offers immaculate golf courses, greens are always pristine, fairways are excellent, caddies are generally amazing. Being able to play golf where all you need to do is hit a ball is very unique and rewarding.
   
   
4. What is the most unique aspect of a golf holiday in Thailand that you cannot have anywhere else?
   I think the most unique thing has to be the caddies. They are fun loving, never complain, and can joke along with you whilst playing, but still tell you exactly where to hit the ball and how far. They will get excited when things go well, or make fun of you when it doesn't (in a nice way of course)
   
   
5. Which destination in Thailand would you recommend to your friends when they plan their next golf holiday to Thailand?
   For us Patong is an ideal location for golf in Thailand. Great central location to some excellent golf courses (Red Mountain and Loch Palm), close to shopping centres and restaurants, close to beach.
   
   
6. What is your favorite golf course in Thailand and why?
   Favourite golf course in Thailand, would have to be Red Mountain. Beautiful scenery, challenging course, pristine condition, great caddies, what more do you need?
   
   
7. What services of Golfasian stand out most in your opinion and on which areas could we improve?
   Golfasian has always been of exceptional service, nothing is too much trouble, and never have we had a hiccup with anything they have organised for us. Highly recommend dealing with these guys for your next golfing holiday, and don't be afraid to ask for anything, they will go out of their way to accommodate. The only thing I could probably hint at is update their website with current pricing and packages.
   
   Dave W.
   Australia, October 2013
   [Read more golf travel testimonials]
   [Find out about Golfasian's Travel Satisfaction Guarantee]

Phuket is located in Southern Thailand, an hours flight south of Bangkok and is still proving as popular as ever for our golfing clients. Whether you want the solitude of the islands and beaches, or the vibrant nightlife, it's all here and there is plenty of choice for everyone to craft their unique Phuket golf holiday. The Andaman coastline boasts beautiful scenery and stunning beaches which brings back more and more tourists every year and the recent expansion of Phuket International Airport is a testament to that.

Accommodation in Phuket is varied from guest houses to luxurious villas and recently opened hotels such as the Outrigger Laguna Beach Resort and the Pullman Arcadia Naithon Beach have proved very popular with our clients this year. There are some exciting top quality new projects on the way such the new Hyatt Regency and The Novotel Phuket at Kamala Beach as well as the Anantara project at Layan Beach.

As far the golf courses in Phuket is concerned, I feel that we are in a transitional period with Laguna GC and Loch Palm which are both currently undergoing renovation changes. Mission Hills continues to improve, but Red Mountain is certainly the number one course as far as the golfers are concerned and not to be missed if you are in Phuket. So, with the golf course renovations and new hotels, I think the future is very bright for golf in Phuket.

The Loch Palm 18 hole par 72, 6,555 yards golf course is one of the most enjoyable and consistent Phuket golf courses.  Nestling beneath a panoramic range of jungle-clad hills, Loch Palm is easy going although still capable of throwing down many challenges and giving any Phuket golfer a thorough workout. As the club's name suggests, palm trees are liberally dotted around this parkland layout, although never too densely.

On the front-nine the main objective is keeping the golf ball on dry land; many holes are played alongside the loch (a sizeable lake), which has a habit of cutting across some of the gently undulating fairways.

[Read more about one of Thailand's Best Golf Courses]

Avista Hideaway Resort & Spa Phuket is located near Patong Beach and is the ideal resort to explore Phuket and its environment.

A sanctuary of pleasure, the resort will offer visitors excellent services and a wide range of facilities; Avista Hideaway Hotel & Spa Phuket is dedicated to guarantee that your stay is as tranquil and comfortable as possible.

[Read more about one of Thailand's Best Hotels & Resorts]

The Best of Thailand Golf Expedition covers four top golf destinations. This golf package is an excellent for first time Thailand visitors wishing to combine the best golf with Thai culture & history. Soft adventure and non-golfer activities are included. Play golf and explore each Thai destination all in one golf holiday package.

[Best of Thailand Golf Expedition Itinerary...]

Bangkok, Thailand, October 01, 2013 -- Lotus Valley Golf Resort near Bangkok has become the lucky 13th member of Thailand's prestigious Golf In A Kingdom marketing collective.

Formed five years ago, Golf In A Kingdom, "The Thai Golf Experience", has grown to 24 members, comprising 13 of Thailand's best golf courses, 10 hotels and resorts and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Lotus Valley's entry into the program means there are now five golf course members in Bangkok, three in Pattaya, two each in Hua Hin and Phuket and one in Chiangmai. They complement three hotels each in Bangkok and the Hua Hin/Cha'am region, two in Chiangmai and one each in Phuket and Pattaya.

[Read the entire Press Release]

Bangkok

• Panya Indra Golf Club - The A, B, and C courses will each be closed for one week renovation respectively. During this time only 2 of the courses are playable while the other is closed.
• Royal Gems Golf City - Coring green in October 2013 (approximately one month for completion).
• Windsor Park & Golf Club - Due to renovation, 2 courses will be open during weekdays. 4 courses will be open on weekends.
• Thana City Golf & Sports Club - Coring Green planned for 13 October.
• Royal Gems Golf City, Klong 6 - Coring Green planned for 22 - 24 October. Will take about one month for 100% completion.
• Alpine Golf & Sports Club, Lakewood Country Club, Lam Luk Ka Golf Course, Muang Kaew Golf Club, President Country Club, Riverdale Golf Club, Royal Gems Golf & Sports Club, Royal Golf & Country Club, Summit Windmill Golf Club, Suwan Golf & Country Club, Thai Country Club, are all in excellent condition.

Hua Hin

• Majestic Creek Country Club - Course C is closed until ~January 2014.
• Banyan Golf Club, Black Mountain Golf Club, Imperial Lake View, Majestic Creek Country Club, Palm Hills Golf Club and Residence, Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, Sea Pine Golf Course, and Springfield Royal Country Club are in excellent condition.

Pattaya

• Pattana Sport Club - One of the three courses will be closed on rotation for renovation.
• Phoenix Golf & Country Club - The Ocean Course is closed from 15 July to 31 October. However, the Mountain Course and Lakes Course remain open.
• Burapha Golf Course, Greenwood Golf and Resort, Khao Kheow Country Club, Laem Chabang International Country Club, Pattaya Country Club, Siam Country Club, St. Andrews 2000 Golf Club & Burapha Golf Club are in excellent condition.

Phuket

• Blue Canyon, Canyon Course - Coring green from 4 - 6 November 2013.
• Blue Canyon, Lakes Course - Coring green from 30 September - 2 October 2013.
• Laguna Phuket Golf Club - 9 holes (starting with the back 9) will be closed for 18 months from July 2013 onwards. The front 9 are playable until March 2014, while the back 9 are under renovation. The front 9 will start renovation in March 2014 while the freshly renovated back 9 will have been reopened for play.
• Loch Palm Golf Club, Mission Hills Phuket, Red Mountain Golf Club are in excellent condition.

Chiang Mai

• Gassan Khuntan Lake City - Closed for renovation from now until 20 November 2013.
• Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort - Partial fairway renovation to be complete by January 2014.
• Alpine Golf Resort & Chiang Mai Highlands Golf and Spa, Mae Jo Golf Club are in excellent condition.

Chiang Rai

• Santiburi Chiang Rai Country Club - Coring green on some holes during October..

Vietnam

Hanoi

• Van Tri Golf Club, Kings Island Golf Resort - excellent condition.

Danang

• Danang Golf Club, Laguna Lang Co Golf Club & Montgomerie Links Vietnam are in great condition. There will be a tournament at Danang Golf Club from 19 - 20 October.

Saigon

• Vietnam Golf and Country Club - The East or West courses are closed every Monday and Friday until 11am. Further, the East course will be closed on the 4th, 7th, 18th & 21st October. The West course will be closed on 11th, 14th, 25th & 28th October.
• Song Be Golf Resort - 2 new holes are being built for future rotation maintenance schedule.
• Long Thanh Golf Course - excellent condition. Hill course is closed on Mondays and Lakse course is closed on Tuesdays for maintenance.

Phan Thiet

• Sea Link Golf Course - One of the practice putting green facilities will be under renovation. Front 9 half green still under recovery due to annual maintenance in September and will be in good condition before the end of October.

Nha Trang

• Vinpearl Golf Club and Diamond Bay Golf Course are in great condition

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

• Saujana Golf & Country Club – Palm 1 will be under renovation from 1 August 2013 for 8 months. Palm 10 - immediately after completion of Palm 1 and will go on for 8 months.

Pattaya Amateur Golf Week - October 2013
Date: October 19 - 26, 2013 | Location: Pattaya, Thailand [Find out more]

Chiang Mai Amateur Golf Week - October 2013
Date: October 26 - November 03, 2013 | Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand [Find out more]

Hua Hin Amateur Golf Week - March 2014
Date: March 1 - 8, 2014 | Location: Hua Hin, Thailand [Find out more]

Pattaya Amateur Golf Week - March 2014
Date: March 8 - 15, 2014 | Location: Pattaya, Thailand [Find out more]

Phuket Amateur Golf Week - June 2014
Date: June 8 - 14, 2014 | Location: Phuket, Thailand [Find out more]

Cambodia Amateur Golf Week - July 2014
Date: July 27 - August 4, 2014 | Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia [Find out more]

Vietnam Amateur Golf Week - August 2014
Date: August 4 - 10, 2014 | Location: Danang, Vietnam [Find out more]

Pattaya Amateur Golf Week - October 2014
Date: October 18 - 25, 2014 | Location: Pattaya, Thailand [Find out more]

Chiang Mai Amateur Golf Week - October 2014
Date: October 25 - November 01, 2014 | Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand [Find out more]

What are the main differences between Siam CC Old Course and Siam CC Plantation Course?
Which course should I play and why?

Siam Country Club Old course has been set up as a championship course to host national and international events. The course has large bunkers and greens that have run off area that filter the ball away from the green for a shot that hasn't been hit crisp. The fairways are quite wide from tree line to tree line but the rough is cut in quite dramatically offering the fairway to the straight drive. Fairway bunkers are placed very strategically to protect the ideal line and are located right on the driving distance for the players, regardless of the colour markers you use.

[Read the entire article]

Other golf stories can be found at the Thailand Golf Zone, Vietnam Golf Zone and Phuket Golf Zone where there are over 600 other original articles dealing exclusively with golf in Asia and golf travel.

I would love to hear about any golf tips that any of you may have developed for getting the maximum enjoyment from your golf trips, and can incorporate some in future articles. Therefore if you have any golf tips or suggestions you would like to share, please let me know by dropping me an email.

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I think some golfers think there is no need to warm up, just because you are golfing in a hot tropical country... not true! You may have just got off a long haul flight, or had a nights rest in a strange hotel bed, so it's always useful to loosen up by swinging a couple of golf clubs slowly or better still go the range and hit a bucket of balls starting with short pitching club and leading up to long swings with driver. You will feel a lot more comfortable when you arrive on the 1st tee!

[Read more Golf Tips Articles]

If you have any other questions regarding golf tips to help you with your game email us at [email protected] and we will reply in upcoming newsletters

For more golf tips visit www.golfthink.com

Golfasian has a full schedule of tradeshows and roadshows during the next few months.

You can find us at the following events:

• November 11 - 14, 2013 - IGTM (Costa Daurada, Spain)

Arrange an appointment with Golfasian at one of these exhibits.

• Licensed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), License No: 14/00515
• Licensed by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, License No: 79-302/2011
• Recommended by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO)
• Member of Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA)

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