Where to play golf in Phuket ?
While Phuket is best known for its tropical white sand beaches, it is also home to 8 outstanding golf courses. The golf courses are dotted across the island, so regardless of where you are staying, there’s surely to be a world-class golf course just a short distance away. You may ask however, what are the names of these courses? What are they like? Well, our local golf partner Asia Golf Experiences has put together a list of the golf courses in Phuket, complete with their unique features, locations on the island and what you can expect when heading out to hit the links in Phuket!
Red Mountain Golf Club
Red Mountain Golf Club is widely considered to be Phuket’s best golf course. Located at the site of an old Tin Min in the Kathu area, the course has some spectacular views, while being a true test of golf. Just 15 minutes from the famous Patong Beach, Red Mountain Golf Club plays through the carved out mountain with tight fairways, and forest right along the edges of the fairways. It is important to hit it straight here, though there is some space to miss in the event not every shot is accurate. The golf course is in great condition year round, and is known for its signature Par-3 seventeenth hole, which is straight downhill to a small, well protected green. When golfing here, be sure to bring your camera as there are so many memorable holes and picturesque views.
Loch Palm Golf Club
Loch Palm Golf Club is the sister course to Red Mountain Golf Club. Playing just over 6,000 yards from the blue tees, the course is very enjoyable and fair. The layout is set amongst hundreds of Palm Trees, but is not overly difficult and does not require a super straight ball. The course does have lots of water on it, particularly the front 9. The fairways are forgiving however, and the greens while having lots of undulation, do not require a deft touch to get the ball in the hole. The course is located just 15 minutes from Patong Beach, and a couple of minutes from Red Mountain, so for those die hards looking to play 2 rounds in one day, it is possible to include one round at Red Mountain and one at Loch Palm, with minimal travel between rounds. Loch Palm’s signature hole is the Par 3 fifteenth, which has a large drop from tee-to-green with the front, left and back of the green surrounded by water, and the right side by a large sloping hill. It’s a great hole, but we recommend listening to your caddie for club selection. Looking for a villa on a golf course in Phuket ? Check out this luxury villa overlooking Loch Palm golf course.
Phuket Country Club
Phuket Country Club is a course frequented by local golfers. It has 27 holes, with separate 18 hole and 9 hole courses. The 18 hole Old Course is a classic design, winding its way through the hills in Kathu. Having recently installed cart paths through the course, it is now more accessible for more golfers. One of the more memorable holes here is the 10th hole, which winds its way around the large lake, with an elevated tee shot really adding to the temptation of cutting of more lake than one can chew! There have even been rumblings of big hitters cutting off the whole hole, and going for the green in one! While not up to the international standard of other courses on the island, Phuket Country Club is an enjoyable day out with some very good holes.
Laguna Golf Phuket
Laguna Golf Phuket is one of the more popular courses on the island. Set in the Laguna complex nestled along Bang Tao Beach, the course is home to both Thai and Asian Tour events and is a popular stop on both of these pro tours. The course is relatively flat with a resort course feel to it, however the course’s defense is most definitely the wind. Being flat and set just off of the Andaman Sea, the wind does blow and it can blow a gale. The fairways are quite narrow and the greens can be quick due to the high winds, so placement off of the tee and on approach is paramount here. Driver is not always the best option around Laguna!
Mission Hills Phuket Golf
Mission Hills is set along the eastern coast of Phuket, and is one of only a few courses in Thailand that have holes that play along the ocean. This Nicklaus design is well liked by locals and visitors alike. The course is quite flat which can cause some problems during the rainy season, but the views are spectacular and there is nothing like playing golf along the ocean with majestic limestone cliffs popping up out of the sea while playing. While not to the level of other Mission Hills complexes in China, Mission Hills Golf Phuket can still be an enjoyable round, and one to bring your camera to!
Blue Canyon Country Club, Lakes Course
The Lakes Course at Blue Canyon Country Club is often considered the easier of the two courses at Blue Canyon, however with water coming into play on 17 of the 18 holes, that is disputed by many! The Lakes Course has a very traditional feel to it, with holes playing up hill, downhill, through forests and along the lakes. There is trouble everywhere, but the course is fair enough that a wayward ball is not always punished. Each hole is unique and offers a different challenge. The par-5s are fun and some reachable in two, the par-4s are anything from a mid-iron to a full driver from the tee, and the par-3s are fun, enjoyable and not too long. The Lakes course at Blue Canyon Country Club is a great day of golf, just be sure to bring a few extra golf balls!
Blue Canyon Country Club, Canyon Course
Blue Canyon Country Club’s Canyon Course is the championship course at the Blue Canyon complex, and has previously hosted the Johnnie Walker Classic on multiple occasions, with Tiger Woods winning here in 1998. The course has recently had major renovations done to it, which have brought the course back to its previous glory. When it comes to a traditional test of golf, there is no better course than the Canyon Course at Blue Canyon. Keep an eye out for the par-3 fourteenth which is a downhill par-3 to a green that is shaped like Thailand. While this is the signature hole here, Tiger Woods had said his favourite hole was the par-3 seventeenth – a very long par-3 playing along the lake to a smaller green with trouble everywhere. When in Phuket, a round at the Canyon Course is a must!
Aquella Golf & Country Club
Located about 25 minutes north of the Phuket entry point, Aquella Golf & Country Club is the newest golf gem to the region. Set alongside the Andaman Sea, this fair track is both exciting and memorable, with most holes being very unique. What stands out are the bunkers with the railway ties stood up as bunker walls, and the luscious white sand in the bunkers. This gives the course great aesthetics and a very relaxing feel. The signature hole here is the par-3 eleventh hole. It plays out towards the Andaman Sea, with the green right along the beach and the waves crashing up near the green. There is a deep front bunker on this hole that should be avoided, however going long here is sure to bring a high score!
In closing, Phuket has a great variety of golf to choose from. Whether looking for just 1 round or a multiple round golf holiday, Phuket is well suited to provide enjoyable golf to golfers of all levels and dedication. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us should you need any additional information or wish to book a tee time. We can help with the full golf and transfer set up, as well as rental clubs if required.
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By Asian Golf Experiences
Contact your golf expert AJ:
+66 842 441 112 (WhatsApp)
