Pattaya is a golfer’s paradise. Numerous courses can be found just a short trip away from the city, and they cater to people of all standards, from beginner to expert. In addition to excellently designed courses that offer a variety of challenges, the courses are also well-equipped with excellent club-houses and other facilities. With so much to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which course to use. Here’s a look at 5 of the best.
St. Andrews 2000 Golf Club
Located just outside Pattaya, this course was designed by Desmond Muirhead in 2000. It is a challenging course that will test even the best golfers, and is widely considered to be one of the higher-end clubs in the area. As the name would suggest, this course has been designed to replicate a Scottish links course.
With a back marker of 7700 yards, this course has two very long Par 6’s and is a par 74. In addition to requiring power, accuracy is also needed due to strategically placed water-hazards. Just next door you will find the Rayon Green Valley Country Club, which is another course that is well-established in the region. Facilities include accommodation, gym, massage, restaurants, swimming pool and tennis.
Visitors fees for 18 holes are 3,500baht at the weekends and 2,800baht during the week. Visitors are welcome but bookings should be made in advance.
Laem Chabang International Country Club
Designed by no other than golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, the Laem Chabang International Country Club is a course that makes the most of its beautiful natural surroundings. With a stunning hilly back-drop, streams and lakes help to make this course a treat to the eye. The natural settings also help to provide a varied challenge as each hole differs according its natural setting. It is a 27-hole course and spans some 700 acres.
Annual memberships fees are 100,000baht, excluding VAT. Fees for visitors are 3,500baht on weekends and 3,000baht during the week. Guests of a member can play for 2,625baht on weekends and 2,250baht during the week if unaccompanied by the member. If accompanied, they can play for 2,275baht at weekends and 1,950baht during the week.
On weekends and holidays, flight times are between 06:30 – 08:43 hrs in the morning, and 11:24 onwards in the afternoons.
Siam Country Club
As the home of the LPGA in Thailand, and having hosted the Thailand open 4 times, this is a course that comes with pedigree. Designed by I. Izumi and founded by Dr. Thaworn Phornprapha in 1971, it is the first privately owned golf club in the country.
This course has 18-holes and is surrounded by open parkland, trees and undulating terrain. Bunkers add aesthetic appeal to the course, as well as the challenge, and the ground is beautifully maintained and underwent significant refurbishment in 2007. Facilities include a shop, restaurant, banquet room, driving range and a locker room.
Fees for visitors are 5,000baht for weekends and 4,000baht during the week. Bookings should be made in advance.
Pattaya Country Club & Resort
Located on 2,000 rai of land with rolling hills, this spread out course is suitable for players of all levels. Players can expect long walks between holes. Water is only present on one hole, but the greens are well guarded by bunkers and have undulating surfaces.
Because the final 3 holes are the most challenging on the course, some unexpected finishes can occur. Good starts may not be enough to win the game. Although lacking in facilities, this course does have a restaurant and a small clubhouse and is known to provide a friendly service.
Fees for 18 holes are 2,500baht on weekends and 2,000baht during the week. For 9 holes, fees are 1,250baht on weekends and 1,000baht during the week.
Eastern Star Country Club & Resort
This picturesque course has some beautiful scenery, including flowering plants, coconut trees and mango trees. With a strategically designed layout, it is a course for tactically minded players that like to think through their play.
With dog legs and a lot of water, this course also plays long. Open fairways make it a course that is suitable for players of all standards. Facilities include tennis courts, an Olympic sized pool, locker rooms and a restaurant.
Annual memberships costs 82,000baht. Visitor fees are 2,100baht at weekends, and 1,500baht during the week. Information on promotions can be obtained by contacting the club.
Here at Seaboard Properties we are aware of the allure of Golfing here in Pattaya and have a number of properties located near Golf courses for you to consider.