Asia's Original Golf Paradise
Thailand has been Asia's premier golf destination for four decades and hasn't been seriously challenged. More than 250 courses spread across five distinct regions, international design signatures from Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Greg Norman, Gary Player, and Pete Dye, and — most memorably for first-time visitors — the country's famous smiling caddies, who arrive at your tee box like tour pros and know your yardage better than you do.
The Land of Smiles divides into five distinct golf hubs. Pattaya, two hours east of Bangkok, packs twenty courses including the three Siam Country Club layouts (regularly ranked Asia's best) and the Nicklaus Laem Chabang. Hua Hin, two hours south-west of Bangkok, is the royal weekend retreat and home to Black Mountain, Banyan, Majestic Creek, and the venerable Royal Hua Hin. Phuket brings Blue Canyon (Tiger Woods's Asian Honda Classic venue), Red Mountain, and Laguna Phuket. Chiang Mai in the cool northern highlands adds mountain-air rounds. And Bangkok itself has two dozen quality courses within an hour.
What makes Thailand so consistently popular is the combination: world-class golf at a fraction of European/American green fees, plus the legendary Thai hospitality that extends from the caddie on the first tee to the 5-star beach resort waiting for you afterwards. Add tropical beaches, spa culture, Buddhist temples, the best Pad Thai on the planet, and nightlife that runs the full spectrum from quiet to loud. Trips typically base in one or two hubs for 6-10 nights.
Thailand Itineraries
Our Thailand itineraries — each a distinct way to experience the destination. Every trip is fully customizable.
Thailand’s Greatest Courses
Four Distinct Regions
Each Thailand golf region has its own character, courses, and cultural treasures. Explore them below.
Pattaya
Two hours south-east of Bangkok on the Gulf of Siam, Pattaya hosts 20+ world-class courses at prices that would embarrass European resorts. The headliner is the three-course Siam Country Club — the Plantation, Old Course, and Waterside — regularly named the best course in Asia. Nearby, the Nicklaus-designed Laem Chabang and the 36-hole Burapha round out a cluster as dense as anywhere in Asia.
Off the course Pattaya is Thailand's party town — from the water-sports beaches by day to Walking Street after dark. Family-friendly alternatives include the Sanctuary of Truth, the Pattaya Floating Market, and Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. 5-7 night base works for most golf-focused trips.
Top Attractions
- Sanctuary of Truth
- Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
- Walking Street
- Pattaya Floating Market
- Wat Phra Yai Temple
- Coral Island snorkeling
- Art in Paradise museum
- Tiffany Show
Hua Hin
Thailand's most elegant golf town. The royal family has summered here for generations and the vibe is more polished, less party than Pattaya. Black Mountain — the Gary Playerless, Yann Kerr-designed layout in a valley of dark granite hills — is regularly rated top 100 in the world. Banyan, Springfield Royal (Nicklaus), Majestic Creek, and the oldest course in the country, Royal Hua Hin (1924), complete an excellent rotation.
The town itself is full of beachfront cafés, night markets, the famous royal railway station, and vineyards producing surprisingly decent Thai Shiraz. Three hours' drive from Bangkok, an easy pairing with a couple of capital nights.
Top Attractions
- Royal Waiting Room, Hua Hin Station
- Hua Hin Night Market
- Khao Takiab Beach & Monkey Temple
- Monsoon Valley Vineyards
- Plearn Wan Vintage Village
- Cicada Night Market
- Phraya Nakhon Cave
- Santorini Park
Phuket
Thailand's largest island combines world-class golf with tropical-island luxury. The jewel is Blue Canyon Country Club's Canyon Course — famous from 1998 when Tiger Woods shot a course-record 63 here. Red Mountain is cut from an old tin mine; Laguna Phuket is the resort classic; Loch Palm wraps around Phuket's largest lake.
Between rounds: Phi Phi Island snorkeling, James Bond Island in Phang Nga Bay, Patong Beach nightlife, the heritage shops of Old Phuket Town, and sunset at Promthep Cape. An hour's flight from Bangkok — the easy way to combine golf with beach time.
Top Attractions
- Phi Phi Island day trip
- James Bond Island (Phang Nga)
- Old Phuket Town
- Bangla Road Patong
- Big Buddha
- Wat Chalong Temple
- Elephant Sanctuary
- Phuket FantaSea show
Bangkok & Chiang Mai
The capital sits at the heart of Thai golf — over two dozen courses within an hour, plus the international airport everyone connects through. Use Bangkok as your 2-3 night arrival/departure base: book rooftop-bar dinners, evening canal tours, and a morning round before flying on.
For something completely different, Chiang Mai in the northern highlands delivers cooler mountain-air rounds (70-85°F year-round), temple tours, and day trips to the Golden Triangle. The Alpine Golf Resort and Summit Green Valley are the leading local courses. A 3-4 night add-on at the end of a Pattaya or Hua Hin trip.
Top Attractions
- Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
- Wat Arun at sunset
- Chatuchak Weekend Market
- Chao Phraya river cruise
- Doi Suthep Temple, Chiang Mai
- Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
- Elephant Nature Park
- Golden Triangle
Featured Accommodations
From historic castle hotels to modern 5-star resorts adjacent to the fairways, Thailand’s accommodations are as unforgettable as its courses.
Best Time to Play Thailand
Peak Season
Thailand's cool-dry season. 75-88°F, low humidity, minimal rain — ideal for golf and sightseeing. Book 4-6 months ahead for premium tee times at Siam Country Club and Blue Canyon. Christmas-New Year sells out a year out.
Shoulder Season
Thailand's hottest time (90-100°F) — Songkran water festival in mid-April is wild fun but disrupts travel. Prices drop, crowds thin. Golf is playable with early tee times; pack light and hydrate.
Rainy Season
The monsoon. Short, intense afternoon storms but mornings usually stay dry. Green fees can drop 40-50%; resorts offer their best deals. If weather is a priority, stick to peak season — if value is, July-September is a steal.
Regional Differences
The Andaman (Phuket) and Gulf (Pattaya/Hua Hin) coasts have slightly different rain patterns — when one is wet, the other is often drier. Chiang Mai stays 5-8°F cooler year-round. Ask us to tailor dates to your hub of choice.