Pattaya has a huge number of excellent courses all within approximately round one hour’s drive from the city.
At the last count there were over 26, with two new clubs joining the group in the past year. How many golf cities can boast that many and are opening new courses when we read about other countries where clubs are struggling to even stay in business.
In Thailand there are over 250 courses, and golf vacationers are used to heading to Phuket, Bangkok and Chaing Mai for the golf fix.
Pattaya on the other hand has stayed off the radar, perhaps being more famous for its nightlife.
Well things are changing around the city with new attractions for all the family, and golf is very much a major attraction for the Pattaya tourist industry too.
Back in the 90’s the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley came and weaved their magic here.
Move forward to the current decade, and golfers on a large scale have started to realise the attraction of playing in an area with 365 all year-round great golfing weather.
It is a very expensive investment to create and build a new 18-hole golf course however in the past few years Pattaya has added three new 5 star 18 holes at Siam Country Club’s Waterside, Chee Chan and the new kid on the block Rolling Hills.
It is all subjective of course to create a top ten list, however from the reactions from our many Golfasian international vacationers, here is their top ten courses in the Pattaya region.
We tried to be fair and keep our list to the closest to the city. Maybe you agree or maybe you feel we have missed out a favorite, so do let us know. Happy golfing!
10. Plutalaung Royal Thai Navy Golf Club
Designer: ROYAL THAI NAVY. 1969 Course: 36 Holes, 7,063 Yards Location: 30 minutes East of Pattaya. A firm favorite with expiates and Navy top brass, this 36-hole set up take advantage of the natural beauty of the area in a wooded valley built around a natural reservoir. There is even a full-sized lighthouse here next to their par 3 signature hole. The fairways are Zoysia grass which helps conserve water. There are for nines with nautical North, South, East and West layouts. Each has a par of 36 and have narrow fairways, well protected greens and fairly thick rough. All though a fairly old course and maybe not normally added to a top ten list, it does offer a lot of interesting challenges, is great value and has wonderful Thai food as well.
9. Rayong Green Valley Golf Club
Designer: PETER THOMPSON 1992 Course: 18 Holes, 7,096 Yards Location: 40 minutes N. East of Pattaya. Part of three courses next to St Andrews 2000 and Silky Oaks, this 18-hole masterpiece attracts many tournaments and is a favourite with the pros and golf vacationers. Sitting on a side of a hill, Rayong Green Valley has many inviting undulating fairways, large rocky outcrops, boulders, cactus and beautiful local flora to admire. Bunkers have been fairly positioned, allowing the experience golfer to drive over, while shorter hitters have room for their layup. Their greens, some slightly elevated vary in size and have very subtle undulations to conquer. A great day out in a beautiful part of Pattaya.
8. Siam Country Club- Waterside
Designer: IMG 2014 Course: 18 Holes, 7,407 Yards Location: 25 minutes East of Pattaya near Plantation. The third course owned by the Siam Country stable was designed by IMG as a Championship set up, however it is perhaps the easiest of their courses and ideal for casual golfers and tourists. Spread out around a couple of large lakes, the grass is Paspalum and Bermuda for the greens, which are mainly generous but with some interesting undulations. Flatter than their other layouts, this course benefits from some cool breezes especially on the holes around the lakes. Modern clubhouse and one of the best golf academies’ in Thailand add to the appeal.
7. Pattana Golf Club & Resort
Designer: GASSAN 2004 Course: 27 Holes, 7,301 Yards Location: 45 minutes off route 331. A large resort with hotel, sports stadium, huge club house and a wonderful 27 hole set up owned by a wealthy Thai family. Each of the three 9-hole courses (Andreas B, Brookei B and Calypso C) offer a wide range of challenges, from tricky par 3 island greens to monster par 6’s. Here they use Tifdwarf for the fast greens, and the course is maintained to a very high standard. Caddies here are well trained, so can read the undulating greens like a book. The club regularly host professional and amateur tournaments, and the overall experience on the course and in the several restaurants is tip top.
6. Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club
Designer: DENNIS GRIFFITH 1993 Course: 27 Holes, 6,812/3,261 Yards Location: 20 minutes East of Pattaya. A great course sitting on top of a hill and overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. The new owners have upgraded all three nine holes, Ocean, Mountain and Lake and the up keep here is 1st class. The club has hosted both Asian Tour, LET and European Tour events and is a firm favourite with vacationers as it is very close to the city and the beaches. Fairly generous contoured fairways, numerous well-placed bunkers and sloping greens all add to the fun of playing this tree lined parkland course. Apart from their Lake course, most holes are water free. They have invested heavily on their large club house, which has an excellent restaurant and superb changing facilities. Popular but fun layout that will appeal to golfers of all levels.
5. Siam Country Club – Plantation
Designer: LEE SCHMIDT & BRIAN CURLEY 2008 Course: 27 Holes, 7,495 Yards Location: 25 minutes East of Pattaya. Since it arrived on the scene back in 2008, they have attracted the 2009 LPGA and in 2015 The Thailand Open. Formerly a tapioca and pineapple plantation, the designers have cleverly used the geological and natural characteristics to produce one of the most difficult layouts in Thailand. Here you have elevated tees, sloping wide fairways and large and very undulating greens to conquer. The views from its elevated location are breathtaking and allows for a welcome breeze. Tapioca at 3,759 yards and Pineapple at 3,645 yards feature Asia’s first triple green with three holes sharing this monster 20,000 sq. foot area. Sugar Cane which plays to the left of their driving range is 3,736 yards and is perhaps the most challenging of the three with a par 5 with a staggering 28 holes. Beware here!! Club house is very modern and you can have a meal over looking three holes, and the views and sunsets here are stunning.
4. Siam Country Club- Rolling Hills
Designer: LEE SCHMIDT & BRIAN CURLEY 2008 Course: 18 Holes, 7,259 Yards Location: 25 minutes East of Pattaya. The new kid on the block and the fourth club in the Siam Country Club set up. Here they have used a flat piece of scrub land and molded an 18-hole layout to make a tradition parkland style course. The front nine moves away from the clubhouse over fairly flat terrain, with a fairly open feel. This will change with time when trees and shrubs eventually mature. Hole five is unique in it has two greens switched in and out to alternate length and difficulty. The back nine has more elevation, and two large lakes come into play here, one of which sits between 10 and 18. Their signature hole is already known as the wall of death 15th, with a series of 12-meter-tall bunkers. Definitely a kodak moment for sure. The final three holes use the highest point on the course with views of the surrounding countryside. Enjoy the modern Thai style clubhouse too. A worthy addition to the Pattaya top ten.
3. Laem Chabang International Country Club
Designer: JACK NICKLAUS 1995 Course: 27 Holes, 7,065 Yards Location: 30 minutes North of Pattaya. Known as Jack’s favorite Asian course, and one of the best layouts in Thailand, he has used the unusual hills and valley to create three nine holes, namely Mountain, Lake and Valley. Mountain kicks off through a small valley past a sloping fairway up to an elevated green. Lake as the name suggested has several water hazards, and Valley is a thinking mans layout and possibly the trickiest of the three. The large undulating greens are mostly elevated and protected by well placed bunkers. The rolling hills of the surrounding countryside have been used to great effect, and there are hazards at every turn. The course is always maintained to a very high level and the elevated club house, which has recently been upgraded, offers fabulous buffets and live entertainment. A must on your list to play.
2. Chee Chan Golf Club
Designer: DAVID DALE 2019 Course: 18 Holes, 7,345 Yards Location: 35 minutes East of Pattaya. A welcome new addition to the Pattaya golfing family, this modern 18-hole course occupies a valley with views up to the famous golden Khao Chee Chan Buddha on a mountain. The gentle rolling hills are reminiscent of a Scottish Highlands playing experience. Fairways and tee boxes are planted with the latest Zoysia grass and the greens have Tifeagle Bermuda grass, with intricate bunker facing native landscapes and wetlands. There are some very long holes and the course is designed to suit the low handicapper. Trees and shrubs will mature with age changing the fairly open layout of today. Everyone is enjoying this exciting new 18 holes and with a 5-star club house it is worthy of its lofty position at number two on the list.
1. Siam Country Club Old Course
Designer: Isao Mazumi and Schmidth Curley 1977 Course: 18 Holes, 7,162 Yards Location: 25 minutes from Pattaya Pattaya is very lucky to have a truly World-famous Championship 18 holes, and the Old Course certainly does not disappoint. Many a Thai soap opera has been witnessed over the years on their famous 18th hole, where several LPGA super stars have come up against one of the most talked about greens around the world. Busy all year around, it is worth booking ahead to experience this very well-maintained park land course with raised tee boxes, sloping fairways, cunningly placed bunkers and some of the slipperiest greens you will ever tackle. From the raised tee on the 1st overlooking the countryside, all the way to the exciting final hole, the whole golfing experience is breath taking. A classy clubhouse with excellent restaurant awaits. There are a lot of contenders nocking at the door, however we and our customers agree it is a worthy winner in all departments.
