Top 10+ Best Golf Courses in Thailand for 2026/2027
Thailand is frequently called a golfer’s paradise, and the claim holds up. The country is home to over 250 courses, with at least 150 of those designed specifically to meet international tournament standards. You can find championship layouts in the middle of bustling Bangkok or play on tranquil links right against the beaches of Phuket and Pattaya. These courses are well-maintained, but they also highlight the natural geography of the region, from the dense jungles of the north to the limestone cliffs of the south.
Below are the top 14 golf courses in Thailand that define the ultimate tee-off experience:
Best Golf Courses in Thailand’s Northern Region
Chiang Mai Highlands Golf Club
Chiang Mai Highlands Golf Club
Thailand has many new golf courses, but Chiang Mai Highlands Golf Club remains the standout choice in the north. It’s located in the countryside outside the city, set against a backdrop of mountains that makes the atmosphere feel completely different from the courses in Bangkok or the coastal regions.
The course was designed by Lee Schmidt of Schmidt-Curley Design. They used Paspalum grass for the fairways and TifEagle for the greens, which keeps the surface consistent and fast regardless of the season. It’s a difficult layout, primarily because of the 130 bunkers scattered across the property and greens that rarely give you a flat lie.
Beyond the 18 holes, the clubhouse is built in a traditional Thai style and is actually known for having food that’s better than your average golf course snack bar. They also have some of the best practice areas in the region, so it’s a good spot if you’re looking to work on your game while visiting northern Thailand.
Santiburi Country Club
Sanitburi Golf Course
Santiburi Country Club is out in Chiang Rai, far from the noise of Bangkok. It’s often ranked as one of the top courses in Thailand, mostly because of how it uses the northern hills to create a layout that feels integrated into the landscape rather than forced onto it.
Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed the course, and he utilized the rolling terrain to create a mix of water hazards and bunkers that require actual strategy rather than just long drives. While most people think of the mountains when they think of Chiang Rai, the course is famous for its wide, sweeping views that stretch out toward the horizon.
Local golfers and regulars in the Thailand circuit usually have this on their short list of favorites. It isn’t just about the grass or the maintenance which are both high quality, but the atmosphere of the place. If you’re heading to Northern Thailand, it’s worth making the trip out there to see why it has the reputation it does.
>>> Refer to our Chiang Mai Golf Tours for chances to play at these wonderful golf courses at an affordable price.
Best Golf Courses in Thailand’s Centre Region
Black Mountain Golf Club
Black Mountain Golf Course
Black Mountain is arguably the most famous golf club in Thailand, and it is the only one in the country to consistently rank in the world’s top 100. It is a regular stop for the European and Asian Tours, so the conditioning is always at a professional level. The name comes from the large black rocks that are scattered across the landscape, which provide a pretty sharp contrast to the green fairways.
The layout consists of 27 holes split into three nines: the East, North, and West courses. Because there are five different tee boxes on each hole, it is playable for average golfers even though it’s built to test pros. The terrain is naturally hilly, and the designers used a lot of creeks and ponds to create hazards that force you to think about your shot placement.
It is more of a full resort than just a golf course. They have pool villas on-site, a few different restaurants, and even a small shopping area. If you are staying at the resort, they have their own transport to get you around. It is a very polished operation, meant for people who want everything handled in one place.
Ayodhya Links
Ayodhya Links Golf Course
Ayodhya Links is the most exclusive golf club in Thailand. It’s a private, invite-only course located about an hour outside of Bangkok, and it is notoriously difficult to get onto. Unlike the more commercial resort courses, Ayodhya is built specifically for serious golfers who value privacy and a quiet environment.
The course was designed by Peter Thomson and Ross Perret. It is famous for its conditioning, the fairways and greens are usually kept in better shape than almost anywhere else in Asia. The layout itself is heavy on water and requires very specific shot placement; if you’re off by a few yards, the undulating greens or the hazards will penalize you immediately.
The atmosphere at the club is understated but high-end. There are no crowds, and the facilities are designed to be a retreat for its members. It represents a different side of the Thai golf scene, one that’s less about tourism and more about a high standard of play in a completely secluded setting.
Alpine Golf and Sports Club
Alpine Golf and Sports Club
Alpine Golf and Sports Club was Ron Garl’s first project in Asia, and it’s a bit of a miracle of engineering. He took flat paddy fields and moved massive amounts of earth to create a landscape of rolling hills and valleys that didn’t exist before.
The course is a par 72 that stretches over 7,100 yards. It is known for being quite punishing; the fairways are narrow and the greens are often elevated or tucked behind water and trees. If you aren’t hitting your lines, the course will let you know.
It gained a lot of fame back in 2000 when Tiger Woods won the Johnnie Walker Classic here, and it has kept a reputation for being one of the best-maintained courses in the Bangkok area. While many Thai courses are open and forgiving, Alpine feels more like a private woodland course where accuracy is the only way to get a good score. It’s a tough test, but the scenery makes it one of the more memorable places to play in the country.
Amata Spring Country Golf Club
Amata Spring Country Club
It could be a mistake if the list of the best golf courses in Thailand doesn’t refer to Amata Spring Country Golf Club, which is an exclusive private country club featuring one of the most prestigious and recognizable championship courses in Asia. Along with that, the facilities here provide you with the best private club experience that you will not experience in any course else in the country.
With the remarkable history of hosting some significant international events, such as the first four editions of the Royal Trophy, ‘World Golf Salutes King Bhumibol,’ the event of a skin which featured Tiger Woods, The Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Championship, and the Thailand Golf Championship, we believe that Amata Spring Country Golf Club will satisfy all the golfers, even the hardest ones, where you will experience the best and most professional service.
Siam Country Club – Pattaya Old Course
Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course
Siam Country Club’s Old Course was the first privately owned golf club in Thailand when it opened in 1969. It was designed by I. Izumi and underwent a massive renovation in 2007 to modernize the layout while keeping its traditional parkland character. It is located in Pattaya, about an hour and a half from Bangkok, and is widely considered one of the best-maintained courses in the country.
The course isn’t exceptionally long, playing at just over 7,100 yards from the back tees but it requires a lot of accuracy. The fairways are lined with mature trees, and the greens are notorious for being fast and difficult to read. It has a very classic feel, with many of the holes featuring elevated greens and deep bunkers that punish any missed approaches.
Because of its high standards, the Old Course is a regular host for the LPGA Thailand. The facilities are top-tier, and the clubhouse offers a great view of the 18th hole. If you’re looking for a course with a sense of history and tournament-level conditions, this is usually the first place people recommend in the Pattaya area.
Banyan Golf Club
Banyan Golf Club
Banyan Golf Club (recently rebranded as Pineapple Valley) opened in 2008 in Hua Hin and quickly became one of the most respected courses in the country. It is a regular fixture in Rolex’s Top 1000 list and was voted one of the best in Asia by Asian Golf Monthly for several years running.
The course is built on a former pineapple plantation, and the design uses the natural hills to create some interesting elevation changes. The signature hole is the par-3 15th, which looks out over the Gulf of Thailand, but most people remember the 18th for the views of the Burmese mountains at sunset.
The facilities are more in line with a high-end resort than a standard sports club. The clubhouse is built in a modern Thai style and includes Mulligan’s Pub and the Terrace Restaurant. They also have “club suites” on-site if you want to stay where you play. It’s a very comfortable, well-organized place that feels a bit more relaxed than the busier courses in Bangkok.
Thai Country Club
Thai Country Golf Course
Thai Country Club is one of the best golf courses in Thailand, which is a joint venture between the Phataraprasit Group and The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited. It was designed under US PGA international standards by Denis Griffiths, at that time president of the world-renowned American Society of Golf Course Architects, and opened in December 1996. The design adapts to everyday member use up to a very tough challenge for major international tournaments featuring the finest players in the world. The 7,157-yard course, from the professional tees, was tested during the 1997 Asian Honda Classic won by Tiger Woods.
This 18-hole club has been voted in the top 3 best golf courses in Asia many times, due to its regular year-round good maintenance, features with holes to holes, and the number of water hazards and sand bunkers.
Laem Chabang International Country Club
Laem Chabang International Gold Course
Laem Chabang International Country Club is about 30 minutes from Pattaya and is widely considered Jack Nicklaus’s best work in Thailand. The property covers 700 acres and is split into three distinct nine-hole loops: Mountain, Lake, and Valley, allowing for a 27-hole rotation that keeps the experience from feeling repetitive.
The Mountain course (Course A) plays at 3,446 yards and is defined by significant elevation changes as it runs along large hills. The Lake course (Course B) is slightly shorter at 3,419 yards, but it is much more technical because of the streams and ponds that come into play on almost every hole. The Valley course (Course C) is the longest at 3,619 yards and feels the most secluded, as it is tucked away in the lower parts of the property surrounded by dense vegetation.
The course is unique because each nine-hole section has its own specific environment, so playing a full 18 holes feels like visiting two different clubs. It is consistently maintained to international standards and is a popular choice for people who want a challenging round without the strict formality of some of the newer, more exclusive clubs in Bangkok. If you are staying in Pattaya, this is usually the top recommendation for a high-quality day on the course.
Chee Chan Golf Resort
Chee Chan Golf Resort
Chee Chan Golf Resort opened in 2018 and has quickly become a staple of the Pattaya golf scene. It is located about 30 minutes outside the city, and the most immediate thing you notice when you arrive is the scale of the place. It was built on a massive piece of land right next to Khao Chi Chan, the “Buddha Mountain” that features a giant gold-etched image of the Buddha.
David Dale designed the course to be wide and expansive. It is a par-72 layout that stretches over 7,300 yards from the back tees, making it one of the longer courses in the region. While the fairways are broad, the challenge comes from the wind which can be quite strong in this open valley, and the large, multi-tiered greens. There aren’t many trees on the course, so it has a bit of a “links” feel, though with much more elevation change.
The scenery is the main draw here. Because the course is so open, you have a view of the mountain and the surrounding countryside from almost every hole. The maintenance is consistently high, and they use Zoysia grass on the fairways, which provides a very clean lie for your shots.
The clubhouse is modern and looks out over the 18th hole, with a restaurant that is popular even with non-golfers who come for the view. It’s a very different experience from the older, tree-lined courses in Pattaya, focusing more on big views and a high-end, resort-style atmosphere. If you are in the area, it is worth playing simply for the unique setting next to the mountain.
Royal Bang Pa-in Golf Club
Royal Bang Pa-In Golf Club
Royal Bang Pa-In is only about 10 minutes from downtown and sits very close to Don Mueang Airport. It is one of the easiest courses to get to if you are trying to fit in a round right after you land or just before a flight.
The club uses an all-inclusive pricing model. Your single fee covers the green fee, a caddy, the cart, and even snacks and soft drinks while you’re out on the course. It simplifies the day since you don’t have to worry about carrying extra cash for everything except the caddy tip.
Schmidt-Curley designed the layout, and they went big with the greens, they are some of the largest and most undulating in the country. The fairways are kept quite firm, which helps with distance, but there is water on almost every hole to keep things difficult. The clubhouse is high-end and actually includes a heliport, which gives you an idea of the kind of crowd it was built for. It is a fast, efficient, and very modern place to play.
Best Golf Courses in Thailand’s Southern Region
Red Mountain Golf Club
Red Mountain Golf Club
Red Mountain is built on the site of an old tin mine in the center of Phuket. Since it opened in 2007, it has become one of the most famous courses in the region, mostly because of the way it uses the rugged, leftover landscape of the mine. Jon Morrow and Al Tikkanen designed it to follow the natural elevation changes, which are some of the most extreme you’ll find on a golf course.
The layout is a par 72 that requires a lot of accuracy. Because the course is carved through high cliffs and deep gullies, many of the fairways are narrow, and there are several holes where you have to hit from high tee boxes down to greens that look very small from above. The red soil and granite cliffs create a sharp contrast with the green grass, and it feels more like playing through a canyon than a traditional parkland course.
While the difficulty is high, the views across Phuket are the main reason people book a round here. It is consistently maintained to a high standard and is usually at the top of the list for anyone golfing on the island. It’s a technical course that punishes bad shots, but it’s easily one of the most visually memorable places to play in Thailand.
Blue Canyon Country Club
Blue Canyon Country Club Canyon Golf Course
Phuket is a must-visit destination for anyone who comes to Thailand. It is not only famous for its long stunning beaches, but also a well-known golf course. One of the best golf courses in Thailand located in this place is Blue Canyon Country Club.
Blue Canyon Country Club has been rated as one of the most prestigious Phuket golf courses, with two stunning, award-winning championship courses on its 700+ acres of succulent valley seamlessly winding its way through rubber plantations and tin mines.
This course was widely recognized after being selected for the Johnnie Walker Classic and became the only three-time host of the Johnnie Walker Classic in 1994, 1998 & 2007. This 18-hole club serves golfers with the best 5-star standard facilities from the clubhouse, dining, spa, etc. No matter if a golf-lover passes Phuket for a traveling or business trip, surely they will not miss this amazing experience.
Conclusion
Now, you know the 14 best out of more than 250 golf courses in Thailand. Some are easy to play while others are challenging. An advantage is that Thailand is an all-year-round golfing destination with a mild and pleasant climate throughout the year. You can golf in Thailand when and wherever you want. Be overwhelmed by these best Thailand golf courses and can’t decide how to plan your golf holiday in Thailand, don’t hesitate to contact us right now for a private consultation. We are always here to help you plan an enjoyable trip to this beautiful country.
Read more:
- 15+ Best Golf Courses in Vietnam
- Best time to visit and golf in Thailand
- Do’s & Don’t When Golfing In Thailand
FAQs
When is the best time to play golf in Thailand?
November through March is the most comfortable window for most regions. Temperatures are lower, humidity drops significantly, and courses tend to be in their best condition, April and May can be still be playable early in the morning, but afternoons get very hot. The rainy season runs from June to October, through Pattaya and Bangkok courses often open and fees drop during this period.
Are caddie required at Thailand golf courses?
At most courses in Thailand, caddies are either mandatory or effectively standard practice even when technically optional. Green fees usually include caddie service. A tip of 300-500 THB per round is expected and appreciated.
Which region has the best Thailand golf courses for first-time visitors?
Pattaya is generally the best starting point for first-time golf visitors to Thailand. The concentration of quality courses, competitive green fees, and well-developed tourism infrastructure around Chonburi make it easy to plan a dedicated golf trip without logistical complications.
Is golf cart hire included in green fees in Thailand?
In Thailand, don’t assume a golf cart comes with your green fee. Most courses require you to hire a caddie, but the cart is typically an extra 500 to 1,000 THB. You might find all-in deals where it’s included, and some high-end clubs make carts mandatory and bundle the cost, but it’s usually an added expense you pay at check-in.
Have a chance to play at Laguna Golf Phuket and had a terrific round. The fairways and greens were immaculately maintained, and those lush tropical backdrops made every hole feel unique. Caddies were friendly and knowledgeable, and though a couple of them slowed the pace slightly, it didn’t spoil the fun. Late afternoon breeze really helped with the heat.
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re glad to hear you had a great round at Laguna Golf Phuket. It’s truly a special course, and your insights are much appreciated!
Which of the listed golf courses in Thailand would you recommend for beginners looking for a balance between challenge and affordability? Thanks for sharing!
Hi Wilson, thank you for reaching us. For beginners, we recommend Bangpoo Golf & Sport Club. This course is designed by Arnold Palmer and offers a forgiving layout with minimal water hazards and benefits from cooling sea breezes, making it ideal for newcomers. Additionally, Bangkok Golf Club provides a convenient location near the city centre, featuring a shorter course with night golf options, perfect for those looking to practise after work. If you need further information, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Best regards,
GolfLux Team.