10 Things You Need to Know Before Your Golf Holidays in Thailand

There are more than 300  golf resorts in Thailand. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer in the country or just learning the ropes before flying in, there is a chance you may be wondering what to expect before you embark on a golf holiday in Thailand. Read on as GolfThai takes you on a guided tour of the ten things you need to know before you decide to make Thailand your stay-and-play destination.

1. Types of Golf Courses in Thailand’s Golf Resorts

 

If there’s one thing that keeps golf exciting, it’s the variety of courses that can be found in Thailand’s golf resorts. Golfers and non-golfers alike might be familiar with the near-ubiquitous 72-par layout that many golf courses are arranged in, but there is more to course design than the number of pars. Expect to encounter these courses during your golf holiday in Thailand:

Links Course

The links course is one of the most common types of golf courses a golfer can expect to run into. Links courses are typically located near the sea and feature wavy changes in elevation compared to the steep inclines you can find on other courses. Notably flat, links courses can be found in many golf resorts in Thailand. For the historically inclined, these designs have been around since the 15th Century, and are among the oldest course styles that golfers play on during their stay and play. A golf course that uses such a layout is the Seapine Golf Course, which is located in Hua Hin.

Parkland Course

Parkland courses are a type of golf course you may encounter during your golf holidays in Thailand. What makes these courses different from their contemporaries is that they make use of available parkland. Parkland courses in Thailand's golf resorts will follow a familiar layout in which the course cuts through the landscape and is surrounded by trees. Your biggest hazard in a parkland course is the trees themselves, so course manage properly!  Want to experience the verdant wonders of a parkland golf course? Consider the Blue Canyon Country Club - which blends the spirit of golf with Japanese simplicity and sophistication.

 

Championship Course

This term may seem vague, because a championship course could easily be a parkland course, or even a heathland course, depending on how it was designed by Thailand's golf resorts. A defining trait of a championship golf course is the number of holes it has. 18-hole layouts and upwards are usually considered to be championship courses. Alternatively, you might encounter a course with the label during your golf holidays in Thailand that simply hosts many tournaments. These are just two of the common traits that championship golf courses have, but each tends to follow a common theme, such as Cascata Country Club, which uses a whopping 36-hole 144-par layout.

Par-3 Golf Course

A par-3 golf course is simply a golf course that only has par-3 holes. A defining feature that these courses have is that they’re incredibly beginner-friendly and are typically small in terms of size. Golfing newcomers looking to experience a golf holiday in Thailand are recommended to give par-3 courses a try, as they can help you get a feel for how golf works as a sport. Although not a par-3 course, Thana City Country Club has a driving range that is an excellent primer to learning golf swings and other basics.

2. Golfing Hazards: Obstacles During Your Stay and Play

Golf hazards are part and parcel of the golfing experience. Simply put, these are the obstacles that are strategically placed around the golf course. During your golf holidays in Thailand, learn how to play around a golf course’s hazards and make the most out of your stay and play. From fairway bunkers to water hazards, these are just some of the obstacles any golfer will encounter during their stay at one of Thailand’s golf resorts.

3. Choosing a Golf Course During Your Golf Holiday in Thailand

Golf has existed for a very long time. Many courses and country clubs have sprung up over the years, with each promising a boutique experience unlike any other. When planning to visit Thailand's golf resorts, here are some useful tips to help you choose a golf course for future stay-and-plays.

Golf Course Design and Layout

A golf course’s design and layout can make the difference between a fun experience and an unexpectedly short stay and play. One thing to keep in mind about course layouts and designs is to find one that doesn’t just face the same direction and offers multiple routes around the course. 

Golf Course Schedule

A golf course with a flexible schedule is one way to ensure that you can book a tee time that is convenient for you. Thailand's golf resorts typically post their schedules on their website or on GolfThai, where the calendars can help you find the most convenient booking. 

Golf Course Difficulty

A well-designed golf course should have a great balance of difficulty. Not too difficult that it makes the stay-and-play a brief one, but not too easy that it becomes a walk in the park. During your golf holiday in Thailand, finding a golf course that lets you try out various layouts and golfing moves can help keep things interesting. 

4. What Should You Bring to Your Golf Game?

As a golfer, you should be aware that you have a bevy of equipment that you need to carry with you to enjoy a great golf holiday in Thailand. While Thailand’s golf resorts usually have equipment available for rental, bringing your equipment can save you a lot of trouble before your stay-and-play in the Kingdom. Here is a list of things that you should bring to a golf game: 

• Golf Clubs, Golf Balls, and Tees

• Headwear (A hat or visor, and sunglasses)

• Golf gloves and shoes

• Sunscreen

• A bottle of water

 

These are just a handful of the essentials to prepare for a golf game that you should bring with you. Do keep in mind that Thailand’s golf resorts also have stores stocked with items such as water or sunscreen. If you are uncertain if your chosen golf resort has any equipment or essentials available for you to use, check out GolfThai’s regularly updated website!

5. Your First Round of Golf: What to Expect?

Now comes the exciting part. Having flown to Bangkok on the first leg of your golf holiday in Thailand, you’re now stepping on the greens to begin your first round of golf. So what can you expect while you’re on one of Thailand's golf resorts? One thing you might immediately notice is the weather. It’s hot, so use sunscreen and drink plenty of water. Another thing you must keep in mind is the culture and the language. Thais love it when people try to learn a few phrases in Thai. Go practice a few with your caddie! They find it endearing! Finally, don’t forget to follow etiquette on the greens. Your fellow golfers will thank you for it.

6. Course Management: Strategy in Golf

Course management can be best summed up by the word: strategy. It covers many aspects of your stay-and-play at one of Thailand's golf resorts. From knowing which golf club you should use to using your knowledge of the golf course’s layout, course management helps you make better decisions while on the greens. Not only does this help you play better, but it also helps you enjoy your game better.

7. Golf Swings And You: The Basics

Most golfers are familiar with golf swings and how they work. This section is more for beginners, so consider this a primer before you take to the greens for the very first time. A golf swing depends on a person’s stance, one which you will be practicing often during your stay-and-play in Thailand’s golf resorts. A golf swing is a fairly complex motion that can be divided into four parts, which are:

The Backswing

This is the first part of the swing, in which the golfer takes away the golf club from the ball. A backswing helps you create a lot of power when you prepare for a downswing. When done right, the club’s head should hit the ball upon impact.

The Downswing

This is the part in which the golfer brings the club back down towards the ball. A downswing is where most of the power in a swing is generated, and making sure that you do it smoothly and efficiently can go a long way to improving your game.

The Impact

This is the most important part of a golf swing, during which the clubhead hits the golf ball. Make sure that you score a solid hit on the ball!

The Follow-Through

The final part of the swing ends with the golfer completing the swing and facing their target. This helps them with balance and also ensures that the clubhead is at the end of the swing. 

8. Golf Clubs And You: What to Use

There are several golf clubs that you can choose from during your stay-and-play at Thailand’s golf resorts. But which one do you select, and when? Let us give you a breakdown of each golf club and when they’re best used: 

• The Driver is ideal for making tee-offs and achieving long-distance hits.

• The Iron is used to get your golf ball across the greens. 

• The Wood is what you’ll use to make those long-distance shots.

• The Wedge is a club that is used to get your ball across the greens, particularly that area near the sand. 

• The Putter is used to get the ball into the hole, particularly when the ball is already on the greens.

Keep in mind that you will cycle through these golf clubs throughout your stay and play!

9. Golf As a Social Activity in Thailand

Golf is a popular social activity, particularly among the Kingdom’s wealthy and middle class. A stay-and-play in Thailand’s golf resorts can be a great way to meet new people, forge new friendships, or simply network. To make the most out of your golf holiday in Thailand keep an open mind! Golf is a sport that everyone of all ages and skill levels enjoys!

10. Golfing in a Tropical Climate

Golfing in a tropical climate comes with its unique challenges and opportunities. Thailand’s golf resorts offer more than just a stay-and-play opportunity for golfers traveling in from abroad. Thailand’s weather is pleasant for most of the year, and with over 300 golf courses throughout the country, a golf holiday in Thailand can be the start of a journey of a lifetime. 

Conclusion 

Planning for a holiday can be quite daunting, more so if you intend to stay and play at one of Thailand’s premier golf resorts. Golfing in Thailand can be a very rewarding experience, and you can immerse yourself in the Kingdom’s rich history, culture, and traditions. Whether you’re a beginner golfer on their first golf holiday in Thailand, or a seasoned professional returning to the country, the game of golf is a sport that transcends national boundaries. Book with GolfThai now, and make your golf holidays a reality!