Phuket Golf Courses

Blue Canyon Country Club Canyon Course

Blue Canyon leaped to fame when it was selected as the venue for the 1994 Johnnie Walker Classic and since then it has been recognized as a world championship golf course and constantly ranks as Thailand’s number one golf club.
Often considered one of the best layouts in Asia, The Blue Canyon, Canyon Course is the jewel of Phuket golf. The back nine is arguably the best in Thailand with several memorable golf holes that will most likely be the center of your after round discussions.

The famous Par 4 13th over a huge canyon tempts the daredevil in all of us, and the following Par 3 14th from an elevated tee to an island green is one of the most beautiful, while also challenging par 3’s for all players who tee it up. There is no bail out area and unless you’ve played the course on several occasions, trusting you’ve got the right club and gauging the wind effects is difficult.

The 17th is also one of the most intimidating Par 3’s you’ll find anywhere, and even from the white tees, for most players it’s a long iron or fairway wood to a partially hidden green.
Blue Canyon has an excellent club house, with 3 gourmet restaurants, clean and luxurious changing rooms, massage and spa, and on site golf resort for those who prefer an all inclusive resort style golf holiday. In any case, stay and play or just play, Blue Canyon is an ideal choice for a Phuket golf vacation.

The original 18 holes, 72 par course was designed by Yoshikazo Kato in 1991. This championship course has featured in many major golf tournament including the Johnnie Walker Classic.

The Canyon Course was designed with minimal disruption to the natural landscape. This feature, along with the use of existing canyons and rubber plantations helped create the masterpiece that the Canyon Course is renowned today. The

Canyon Course has an intriguing mix of narrow tree-lined fairways requiring accurate tee shots. A number of dog legs demand precise shot making, and there is a selection of testing Par 3's. These features, along with numerous water hazards, long carries the and beautifully manicured fairways, all lend themselves to one of Asia's most sought after golfing destinations.
Golf Course Summary • Designed by Yoshikazo Kato • Opened 1991 18 holes, 72 par
• Total Yardage Black 7179, Blue 6664, White 6330
• Fairways - Zosyia Matrelia
• Greens - Bermuda Tiff Dwarf Grass
Design Features
• Use of natural canyons and rubber plantations.
• Each hole designed with its own uniqueness
• Manicured landscaping, blending naturally into the environment.
• Large, fast undulating greens.
• 4 Tee layout catering for professionals & amateurs alike
• 87 Bunkers covering key landing areas and green surrounds
• Championship standard course.
• Walking course with caddies.

Awards
• Asian & Pacific Golf Resort of the Year - by Hertz International Golf Travel Awards - London 1999 & 2000 -
• Member of the Finest Golf Clubs of the World
• Awarded - Top 500 Best Holes in the World for its par 3, 17th hole on the Canyon Course
• Hosted the 1994 and 1998 Johnnie Walker Classics
• Hosted for the Honda Invitational in 1996
• Welcomed world ranked players like Tiger Woods, Greg Norman & Ernie Els.
www.bluecanyonclub.com

Blue Canyon Country Club, Lakes Course

The Blue Canyon Lake golf course is the 2nd golf course at Blue Canyon Country Club and is a mixture of water-filled canyons created by abandoned open cast tin mining with natural land flow left relatively unchanged from the original jungle contours
There are plenty of water hazards. In fact, water comes into play on 17 holes!
When playing the Blue Canyon Lakes course driving it in the fairway is important to have any chance at scoring well. Many of the approach shots are over small creeks that run across the fairways, and getting to the greens in regulation is only possible from a good lie. These meandering creeks consume so many balls one golf ball diver reportedly can retrieve an average of 200 golf balls per day per hole.
With silver tees added between the red and white tees, this course caters to a wide range of golfers from professionals to the amateurs alike.

The Blue Canyon Lakes course underwent a total renovation and further upgrading in 2006. The course quality is at least on par with the more famous Blue Canyon, Canyon course. With less trick holes and a more honest test of golf the Lakes Course may be arguably the best 18 holes in Phuket.

Optional electric golf carts are now available and this makes the Lakes course an attractive option for the golfer on a Phuket golf holiday and who prefers riding over walking courses. The remodeled Lakes golf course with optional golf carts combined with the luxurious open air and up market club house facilities make the Blue canyon Lakes Course the single choice for the best balanced and most luxurious golf course in Phuket.Lakes Course is another award winning masterpiece by renowned architect, Yoshikazu Kato. With his trademark design philosophy of harnessing the natural landscapes and habitats, Mr. Kato has again excelled in creating a course of authentic natural beauty and challenging golf.As it name suggests, water features heavily on the Lakes Course in the form of water filled canyons left from when the land was used for tin mining. No fewer than 17 of its 18 holes exhibit these striking water hazards, offering an exciting challenge to your round of golf. Gently winding its way over the natural roll of the land and through stands of old, colonial rubber plantations, the Lakes Course is a stunning combination of natural landscape and ingenious design.

The course has five sets of tees for you to choose from, allowing you to select the pace and complexity of your round. The range of tees and large greens means the Lakes Course can be enjoyed by the amateur golfer while at the same time, the championship tees offer a rigorous test leading you round a challenging 7,129 yard course which demands the best even from the top players in the world. Add to this the breathtaking vistas across the lakes to the enchanting Phang-nga mountains, and you have a golfing experience quite apart from any other.

Laguna Phuket Golf Club

Phuket Laguna is a resort golf course with pleasant breezes from the Andaman Sea. It is not too demanding and reflects the natural beauty and tropical surroundings of Bang Tao Bay.
GThe golf course is set on a valley floor overlooked by low wooded hills. The fairways flow nicely, the bunkers are molded, and the greens are generally large and welcoming. The front nine are particularly gentle, while some difficulty comes into play by the time you reach the turn.

In fact, the finishing 2 holes, both par fives, are the most challenging: the monster 612 yard par five 17th, requiring play at least twice over water; and the fine 527 yards par five 18th hole, where three well struck shots give a chance for a finishing birdie.

Extensive facilities include a driving range, 2,500 square meter putting green, chipping green and practice bunkers. The modest clubhouse provides a first class restaurant with well-stocked full bar. Non-golfers are encouraged to make use of the on-site complete golf resort spa facilities, which makes a 4-hour spa and massage treatment the perfect companion to a round of golf.

The Phuket Laguna golf course is a good choice for your first round of golf in Phuket as the difficulty is far less than other Phuket golf courses. It is also conveniently located in the Laguna area, which makes for easy transportation for those staying at any of the area luxury Phuket hotels. An early morning round of golf will have you with your family for lunch and the rest of the day on the beach or left to explore Phuket Island.
Laguna Phuket Golf Club also offers a wonderful opportunity for you to refine your game at its extensive practice facilities. Features include a covered area for sun and rain protection, a driving range, putting greens, practice bunkers and chipping areas; so you can work on both your short and long games. The Club also provides professional golf instruction.

The well-appointed clubhouse and pro shop offer an impressive range of golfing accessories, as well as three tennis courts and the Banyan Café.
In terms of location, Laguna Phuket Golf Club is just 20 minutes from Phuket International Airport, and only 25 minutes from Phuket Town. In fact, it is easily reached from virtually all points on the island.
The course is accessed by a complimentary shuttle bus service within the Laguna Phuket resort complex, which features six deluxe hotels: Banyan Tree Phuket, Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Laguna Beach Resort, Allamanda Laguna Phuket and Laguna Holiday Club Phuket Resort.
http://lagunaphuket.com/golfclub/

Loch Palm Golf Club

Fantastic course built around a huge lagoon with many dog legs where accurate shot making is required.
Loch Palm has smooth slopes and dramatic elevation changes. It will take you across and around ravines and plateaus that will test your skills at many levels of play.
The front nine sits amid lakes and palm trees. The second nine moves you though mountains, hitting uphill and downhill with woods, irons and even your putter!!
Carts are available and the course is always in top playing condition making it a must play for anyone visiting Phuket.
An additional 18 holes are under construction of which as of Novemebr 2006, the first nine are open for play.

Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort and Spa

If you are looking for a sea facing picture postcard golf course to play while in Phuket, the Jack Nicklaus designed course at Mission Hills Golf Resort and Spa in Phuket is the one to play. The golf course sits among mangrove forests on the scenic north-east coast of Phuket. The course has incredible ocean views from almost every hole and even includes several ocean holes playing out over the Andaman Sea like you sometimes see on the televised PGA tournaments.

Large white sand beach bunkers contrast with the translucent blue hues of the ocean waters and the vibrant greens of the Paspalum Sea Isle 1 grass on the fairways and Paspalum Sea Isle 2000 grass on the putting surfaces. The ocean views come at a price, as water comes in to play on seven holes and the prevailing sea breezes make play at certain times of the day very tricky.

Jack Nicklaus designed some distinguishing features at Mission Hills Phuket. The top holes include the par five 2nd hole requires two well-placed shots to give the golfer a reasonable third shot into the island green. Also, the 4th which is the first of the ocean holes, and a medium-length par three with spectacular views across the sea. The putting surface is an island of grass in a sea of white sand.

The par 4, 5th hole plays to an island green from an island tee. A huge sandy waste near the beach with a strong elevation change that runs through the middle of the fairway also adds to the excitement of the hole.
The signature 12th hole and handicap 1 is the longest par 4 on the golf course, measuring 481 yards from the black tees! To reach the green in regulation and make par, two big straight hits are required, or an accurate one-chip and one-putt for a shorter hitter. The tee shot needs to carry well above 250 yards from the black tees, and land on the left hand side of the fairway,. This will give the shortest and best angle in to a well guarded green.

The difficult green is protected by a lake down the right hand side and a deep hollow to the left, penalizing those bailing out to stay away from the water. If you are fortunate to land your second shot safely on the green, or close by, you should walk away happy with a par, or even a respectable bogey. Whatever the outcome, take your time on this most difficult hole and appreciate the breathtaking ocean view by the green and panoramic mountain peaks in the distance.

Mission Hills is kept in pristine playing conditions. Fairways are lush carpet grass and greens roll fast and true. Individual golf buggies are included for all players and you can choose to drive, or if you prefer to walk, your caddie can easily handle this role. Tee times are strictly adhered to and good on course marshalling is a big plus for those golfers visiting Phuket who want to be assured of smooth four hour rounds, even in the most crowded high season. For these, and all the other points mentioned, the Jack Nicklaus signature course at Mission Hills is one of the two best courses in Phuket and must be played by all Phuket golf visitors.

Service both on the golf course and at the accompanying spa and resort is first class. You can even order snacks to be delivered to you on the course as you play. Afterwards the spa facilities and well stocked club house restaurants are always available for those golfers having the time and wishing to make their round at Mission Hills into a full day’s total golfing experience!

This medium length par 4 should allow the golfer to get off to good start and hopefully get ahead of the golf course. The fairway bunkers along the left side of the golf hole protect the landing area for tee shots. From here the golfer has the best angle into the green. Those bailing out to the right side of the fairway will have to contend with the right greenside bunkers.

www.missionhillsphuket.com

Phuket Country Club

Phuket Country Club’s Old Course was the first championship standard 18-hole golf course built on Phuket Island. It is located almost in the center of Phuket and can easily be reached from any of the main beach and hotel areas.
The Old Course at Phuket Country Club is best described as a friendly resort golf course. Not intimidating or humiliating; wayward shots are not severely punished. High handicappers can score well, while at the same time low handicap golfers will find the course quite a challenge.

The Phuket golf course is set in a valley with the golf course meandering through hills and limestone cliffs and traversing 3 distinct environments (6 holes in undulating hills, 6 holes on the level and 6 holes through landscape forest).
The layout gets off to a fairly challenging start, with the front nine providing some of the most undulating and testing holes. Several tight and accurate drives are required on these holes. The back-to-back short par-4’s at 6 and 7, are both played from elevated tees set right at the edge of the jungle. The slightly more open and flatter back-nine introduces the first water hazard of any significance at the par-5, 557 yard, 10th, and what an introduction it is.
The most famous golf hole in all Phuket, the 10th, from an elevated tee box, makes its way 180 degrees around a u-shaped fairway laid out around a large lake. It’s up to each golfer how much of the water hazard to bite off. Long hitters can go straight for the green, with an albatross or a hole-in-one a possibility. Love it or hate it, this hole is certainly different and claims dozens of balls on a daily basis.

Water is also notable at the short par-4 16th and again at the island green par-3 17th, one of the best short holes in Phuket. A fine array of straight-faced pot bunkers guard several greens, while the more open fairway bunkers provide clear indications of where to drive from the tee.

The club house and facilities are extensive, but have seen better days in the past and are in need of some renovations to bring them up to the standard set by the golf course. Nevertheless, all the practice areas are open to the public and the just may be the most comprehensive golf training facility on Phuket island. The beauty and elegance of the course, together with the typical Thai charm and hospitality in the club house guarantees all golfing at Phuket Country Club a truly memorable occasion.

The new 9-hole course is typically reserved for members or played by those who only have a few hours for golf during their Phuket holiday. It was designed as a par 34, but a few years back a new layout was implemented making the course into a full 9-hole, par 36. The course is also used as the back nine to the Old Course 2 times a month, every other Wednesday, when 9 holes of the old course undergoes maintenance.

COUNTRY CLUB COURSE is a challenging 3575 yards (championship tee) par 37, 9-hole course, particularly suitable for the low handicap golfer. The picturesque beauty of the scenery and layout, somewhat softens the difficulty of the course. Watch out for those wayward shots; all are penalized either landing in water or out-of-bounds. However, with five tee-off boxes at each hole, you have a choice of making it less of an ordeal.
The distinct feature is water- water comes into play 90% of the time. Black swans glide amongst the water lilies taking very little heed of your slices! (Hint: high handicap golfers, remember to purchase a few dozen second hand balls from the Pro Shop before tee off! You just might need a few!)

www.phuketcountryclub.com

Thai Muang Beach Golf & Marina

Situated along the Andaman Coast, with beautiful mountains and wild forested hills as its backdrop, the impressive Thai Muang is one of Thailand’s few links’ style golf courses. It offers a fascinating challenge to high and low handicappers.

With its combination of a sandy shoreline studded with mature trees, lagoons, ponds, creeks and the sea itself, the site is impressive and the play challenging. Twelve holes feature water carries and water comes into play on another four holes. The undulating fairways are very often coupled with elevated greens that test the best of putters. You need to avoid the deep greenside bunkers to score well here.

The three finishing holes are most memorable, each of which is superb. It starts with the 16th, a reachable dogleg left Par 5, then is followed by the annoying little Par 3 17th (dubbed ‘the lady’), and finishes with the extremely difficult 18th (dubbed ‘the gem’). This 463 yard Par 4 plays along the side of a white sandy beach. Standing on the tee, you’re leaning into what is usually a two or three club wind. With out of bounds right and the Andaman Ocean left, the green seems like its miles away. For most players, this is a three shot to the green hole.

Thai Muang Beach Golf Club lies just over the bridge from Phuket Island, some 40 minutes drive from Phuket International Airport and a leisurely 75 scenic minutes from Patong Beach. While further ashore than the other Phuket Island golf courses, golfers chhosing to play at Thai Muang will be well rewarded for making the trek.

The Thai Muang Golf Course offers the only championship golf course available along the breathtaking Andaman Coast. Located in Phang-nga province, just 30 minutes by road from Phuket International Airport, it sits in arguably one of the most stunning areas of Thailand’s west coast. Far enough from the bustle of Phuket to retain its natural calm and tranquility, yet close enough to take advantage of the conveniences the international island affords, Thai Muang offers an experience hard to match on Phuket.

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