Bangkok vs Pattaya Golf Getaway: Which One Is Better for You?

Thailand has long been known as the golf paradise of Southeast Asia. With a pleasant climate all year round, diverse landscapes, professional caddie services and typical hospitality, this country attracts hundreds of thousands of international golfers every year. Among the most famous areas, Bangkok and Pattaya are always on the top list of choices for those planning Thailand golf packages. The two cities are only about 2 hours away by car but offer 2 completely different golf styles: Bangkok is luxurious, sophisticated and dynamic, while Pattaya is close to the beach, liberal, fresh and suitable for relaxation.

The question is: If you could only choose one destination for your golf holiday in Thailand, would you choose Bangkok or Pattaya? Let’s compare and find out which best suits your playing style in this Bangkok vs Pattaya golf getaway guide.

Overview of Bangkok vs Pattaya Golf Getaway

Bangkok

  • Accessibility: Most golf courses are 30-60 minutes from the city center or airport
  • Style: Urban, sophisticated and luxurious, ideal for golfers who enjoy combining sport with city life
  • Golf Experience:  Courses are internationally recognized, professionally maintained and designed by top architects. High-class service, caddies and clubhouse create a premium golfing experience.
  • Best for: Golfers seeking championship-level courses, luxury amenities and easy access to entertainment, dining and shopping.

Pattaya

  • Accessibility: Around 2 hours’ drive form Bangkok, with resort shuttles and private transport options
  • Style: Coastal, relaxed and resort-oriented, perfect for a laid-back golf holiday by the sea
  • Golf Experience: Scenic courses with sea views, gentle terrain and numerous resort options adjacent to the fairways. Ideal for playing multiple rounds without the stress of city travel
  • Best For: Golfers who prioritize relaxation, resort-style amenities and scenic surroundings over urban sophistication.

Is It Better to Go to Pattaya or Bangkok?

If you’re planning a golf holiday in Thailand, the answer depends on your style and properties. Choose Bangkok for luxury, city convenience and world-class courses or Pattaya for a relaxed beachside resort experience with multiple rounds of golf. Both destinations offer unique advantages, so the best choice matches your personal preferences.

Distance

  • Bangkok: only takes about 45 minutes from the airport to most golf courses
  • Pattaya: About 2 hours from Bangkok, can take private car or resort shuttle service

Average cost in peak season

Region 18-hole Green Fee Accommodation Style
Bangkok 2500-3500 THB ( 80-108 USD) 5-star hotel, luxury resort
Pattaya 2000-4000 THB ( 60-123 USD) Golf resorts, Beach hotel

Golf in Bangkok – Classy, ​​Sophisticated and Convenient

The golf experience in Bangkok is always highly appreciated for its professionalism and stable quality. The expressway system makes it very convenient to move between courses and hotels. In addition, the Bangkok golf courses are all designed by famous architects, meeting international tournament standards.

Here are the most prominent golf courses in Bangkok that any golfer should try once

Thai Country Club

  • Location: 1 minute drive from downtown Bangkok
  • Design: Denis Griffiths
  • Length: 7,157 yards | Par: 72

Thai Country Club is synonymous with luxury and class. Tiger Wood won the Honda Classic and remains one of Asia’s most prestigious golf courses.

The course is meticulously maintained, the greens are fast and smooth, and the layout requires strategic thinking rather than just strength. The par-3 hole number 6 is particularly beautiful with its surrounding lake and trees reflecting on the water.

The clubhouse is considered one of the best in Asia, offering fine dining and a private, sophisticated atmosphere.

Playing at Thai Country Club is like entering another world where every detail is perfect. Caddies are always ready to read lines, hand out cold towels, and make you feel like a professional golfer.

Thai Country Club

>>> If you’re exploring some of the best Bangkok golf courses, Thai Country Club is a must-play destination known for its championship layout and world-class service.

Alpine Golf & Sports Club

  • Location: North of Bangkok, about 1 hour from the city center
  • Design: Ronald M.Garl
  • Length: 7100 yards | Par: 72

Alpine golf is one of the most famous Bangkok golf courses, having hosted the Johnnie Walker Classic and many other major tournaments. The course terrain is diverse, with natural slopes, interspersed lakes and strategically placed bunkers.

Although located close to the center, Alpine brings a sense of peace and separation from the city. The golf holes are cleverly designed, requiring players to control distance and read the wind well.

If you are looking for a course with an international tournament atmosphere, Alpine is definitely the ideal choice.

Alpine Golf & Sports Club

>>> For golfers seeking Thailand golf packages, this Bangkok Golf Package 3 Days offers a perfect blend of top-rated courses, comfortable accommodation, and seamless transfers.

Summit Windmill Golf Club

  • Location: Near Suvarnabhumi Airport
  • Design: Nick Faldo
  • Length: 6964 yards | Par: 72

Summit Windmill offers a rare experience: night golf. When the sun sets, the entire course is lit up, creating a sparkling scene that few Bangkok golf courses can match.

The course is surrounded by water, especially the 18th hole, a challenging par-5 with a green in the middle of the lake. The reflection of the light on the water makes the final shot extremely impressive.

If you are in Bangkok for work or have a busy schedule, this is the perfect course to end the day with a few relaxing swings in the cool air

Summit Windmill Golf Club

>>> Experience one of the finest Bangkok golf courses at Summit Windmill Golf Club, conveniently located near the airport and offering both day and night golf.

Golf in Pattaya – Coastal Freedom and Resort Relaxation

Pattaya is one of the largest golf centers in Eastern Thailand, located about 2 hours from Bangkok and is famous for its diverse golf courses near the sea and green hills. This city is especially suitable for those who like to relax, play many rounds in a row and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere by the sea.

Pattaya golf courses have gentle terrain, many open landscapes and are often attached to large-scale resorts. This is an ideal destination for golfers who want to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life and aim for complete relaxation.

Siam Country Club

  • Location: About 20 minutes from Pattaya center
  • Design: Schmidt & Curley
  • Length: 7200 yards | Par: 108

Siam Country Club is the heart of Pattaya golf and also the leading golf complex in Thailand. This is the place to hold Honda LPGA Thailand, a tournament that gathers the world’s top female golfers

Each golf course here has its own personality:

  • Old Course: classic, cool green, fast and precise green
  • Plantation: sloping terrain, ocean view, many beautiful par-5 holes
  • Rolling Hills: Modern, bold with the famous wall of death on hole 15
  • Waterside: Soft, friendly, suitable for average golfers

Whether you’re seeking a challenging round or a more relaxed game, Siam Country Club offers something for every level. The beautifully maintained fairways, strategic bunkers and scenic surroundings make it not only a test of skill but also a visual delight, ensuring every visit is memorable.

Siam Country Club

Chee Chan Golf Resort

  • Location: Near Khao Chee Chan Mountain, about 30 minutes from Pattaya
  • Design: David Dale & Ronald Fream
  • Length: 7245 yards | Par: 72

Chee Chan Golf Resort is one of the most impressive Pattaya golf courses. From any position on the course, you can see the giant Buddha carved in gold on the limestone cliff – a spiritual symbol of the region

The course has a modern, open style, large greens, deep bunkers, and a clear sea breeze that affects the shot. The quality of the grass and the course is always 5-star standard.

The transparent glass clubhouse, restaurant serving Thai and European dishes, and a balcony with a panoramic view of Chee Chan Mountain, making a top choice in many Thailand golf packages.

Chee Chan golf resort

Laem Chabang International Country Club

  • Location: 30  minutes from Pattaya
  • Design: Jack Nicklaus
  • Length: 7200 yards | Par: 108

Laem Chabang is one of the oldest and most beloved Pattaya golf courses. True to Nicklaus, the course is tactical in style, with each hole having its own direction and safe-risk options.

  • Mountain Course: The terrain changes, requiring precise tee shots.
  • Lake Course: Many lakes interspersed, creating a cool and challenging scene.
  • Valley Course: Soft, suitable for golfers who want to enjoy more than compete.

The course is surrounded by green trees, small streams and stone bridges – a feeling that is both natural and luxurious. After your round, you can enjoy traditional Thai cuisine at the restaurant in the clubhouse, overlooking the green fairways.

Laem Chabang International Country Club

>>> For those looking to enjoy multiple rounds at top Pattaya golf courses, check out this 7-day Pattaya golf tour for a complete experience.

Bangkok or Pattaya – Which one Should You Choose?

In general, the answer depends on your playing style and needs:

Choose Bangkok if you want:

  • Prefer international standard courses, high-class service
  • Want to combine golf sessions and other schedules
  • Like to eat, drink and entertain in the city atmosphere

Choose Pattaya if:

  • Want a long vacation by the beach
  • Like a resort style of golf, many course options
  • Want to relax, play many rounds without having to travel far

Bangkok and Pattaya are not rivals, but two perfect pieces of Thai golf.

One side has the sophistication and luxury of the city, the other side is the freedom of the sea and nature.

Or best of all, experience both because they are both integral parts of the ultimate Thailand golf packages experience.

Whichever direction you go, Thailand promises more than great courses it offers a feeling that stays long after your final putt. From sunrise tee-offs to evenings filled with local flavors and warm smiles, every moment here blends sport with discovery.

Plan your golf journey today and see why Thailand remains Asia’s most beloved destination for golfers worldwide.

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Lisa

Lisa, an avid golfer and seasoned travel writer, has carved a unique niche in the world of golf journalism with a focus on the vibrant and diverse golfing landscapes of Asia. With over a decade of experience, Lisa's expertise spans across several Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and the Philippines.

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