Surat Thani is a large southern province that stretches from the tropical islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao to the limestone karsts and rainforest of Khao Sok National Park on the mainland. The province has a small but unusually varied lineup of golf courses, covering everything from championship mountain layouts to a hidden jungle gem beside a reservoir.
Santiburi Samui Country Club is the headliner, an 18-hole Pirapon Namatra design on Koh Samui’s northern coast. Opened in 2003 and nicknamed “the Beast of Samui” after hosting Asian Tour Queen’s Cup events, it winds through coconut groves and jungle with Gulf of Thailand views on nearly every hole. Green fees are among the highest in southern Thailand, but the scenery and condition justify the price. Royal Samui Golf & Country Club offers a more relaxed 9-hole alternative on a mountaintop between Chaweng and Lamai beaches.
On the mainland, Rajjaprabha Dam Golf Course sits in a quiet corner of Khao Sok National Park. Built by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) around the Ratchaprapha Dam, this 18-hole, par-72 layout stretches 6,820 yards through dense jungle and native hardwood forest. Green fees around THB 1,000–1,500 make it one of the best-value rounds in the country, and the scenery alone is worth the drive from Surat Thani Airport.
Browse course details below and book through GolfLux for confirmed tee times, transfers, and English-language support across Surat Thani’s courses.
Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Surat Thani Province (Koh Samui island and mainland), Southern Thailand |
| Distance from Koh Samui International Airport (USM) | 15–35 minutes to island courses |
| Course Types | Mountainside championship, hilltop 9-hole, and jungle reservoir layouts |
| Caddie Service | Mandatory at Santiburi and Rajjaprabha; not available at Royal Samui |
| Facilities | Clubhouses, pro shops, on-course restaurants, rental clubs, on-site stays at Rajjaprabha |
| Best Playing Season | December to March (cool and dry) |
| Nearest Airports | Koh Samui International (USM), Surat Thani Airport (URT) |
| Best Suited For | Golfers combining tropical island golf with a jungle day-trip round |
110 Moo 4, Paradonpab Beach, Pak Nam, Chumphon, 86120, Thailand
Holes: 9 Par: 36 Length: 2594 yards Slope: N/AThe Novotel Chumphon Beach Resort and Golf is a 4-star hotel nestled on the picturesque Parandonpab Beach along Thailand’s southeast coast. Located just a convenient one-hour drive from Chumphon Airport,…
G34P+GVF, Wang Mai, Mueang Chumphon District, Chumphon 86190, Thailand
Holes: 9 Par: 72 Length: 6654 yards Slope: N/AKhet Udomsak Golf Club, situated near the picturesque region of Prachup Khiri Khan, Thailand, is a golfing haven that captivates both novice and experienced golfers. This 9-hole course offers a…
Bo Phut, Koh Samui District, Surat Thani, 84310, Thailand
Holes: 18 Par: 66 Length: 4162 yards Slope: 94The Royal Samui Golf and Country Club in Surat Thani, Thailand, is a hidden gem for golf enthusiasts seeking a unique and challenging experience. Established in 2006, the club was…
53 Moo 3, Rajjaprabha Dam, Bantkhun, 84230 Thailand
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6820 yd Slope: N/ARajjaprabha Dam Golf Course is a real head-turner and a joy to play thanks to the superlative layout, some very challenging holes and its picturesque setting. The course is beautifully landscaped with…
12/12 Moo 1, Maenam Beach, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84330 Thailand
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6930 yd Slope: N/ASantiburi Samui Country Club is one of Asia’s most spectacular course. For the golf nut, what could be more apt than a stunning highlands course set amidst a preserved coconut palm…
Discover some of the best golf courses near Surat Thani, just 1-2 hours away. These premier courses feature championship greens, breathtaking mountain views, and world-class facilities for every golfer.
Lam Kaen, Thai Mueang, Phang Nga 82210, Thailand
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 6825 yd Slope: N/ATublamu Navy Golf Course is a rural municipal course owned and operated by the Royal Thai Navy. The 18-hole layout plays along the Andaman Sea and is home to many sea…
51 Moo 4 Thung Kha Ngok District Mueang Phangnga, Thailand 82000
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 7023 yd Slope: N/AKatathong Golf Resort is an 18-hole championship course nestled between three stunning misty mountains in Phang Nga, Southern Thailand, Khao Nang Hong, Khao Tao and the tallest of the three…
157/12 Moo 9, Limdul Road, Thai Muang, Thai Mueang District, Phang-nga 82120, Thailand
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 7000 yards Slope: N/AThe Aquella Golf Resort And Country Club is situated along the Andaman Sea at Thai Muang Beach, which is about 40 minutes north of Phuket Airport. This 177-hectare site development…
200, A, Tambon Nong Thale, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81180, Thailand
Holes: 9 Par: 28 Length: 1367 yards Slope: N/ANestled within the stunning scenery of Klong Muang Beach in Krabi, the Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort boasts an international standard nine-hole golf course that stretches towards the…
339 Petchakasem Road Moo 12, Krabi Noi, Muang, Krabi 81000, Thailand
Holes: 18 Par: 72 Length: 5453 meters Slope: N/AConveniently located near the Krabi airport and Krabi town, Hula Hula Golf Club is a relatively new addition to the golfing scene in Krabi, Thailand. The course was officially opened…
Surat Thani is one of the more distinctive golf destinations in southern Thailand. It does not have the same volume of courses as Bangkok or Pattaya, but it offers something different: island golf on Koh Samui with sea views and hillside terrain, plus a more nature-driven golf experience on the mainland near Khao Sok and Rajjaprabha Dam. That contrast makes Surat Thani a strong choice for golfers who want to combine golf, relaxation, and scenic travel in one trip.
According to GolfLux, Surat Thani stretches from Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao to the limestone and rainforest landscapes of Khao Sok National Park. The destination has a relatively small but unusually varied golf offering, ranging from a championship-style island course to a jungle course beside a reservoir. That mix is what gives Surat Thani its appeal as a golf-and-leisure destination rather than a pure volume-play golf market.
1. Santiburi Samui Country Club
Santiburi Samui Country Club is the standout golf course in Surat Thani and the best-known option in Koh Samui golf packages. GolfLux lists it among the key courses in the destination, and the Surat Thani destination page notes that it is about 15 minutes from Koh Samui International Airport. It is also the core course featured in several related GolfLux packages, including the 3-day, 4-day, and 5-day Koh Samui tours.
2. Royal Samui Golf & Country Club
Royal Samui Golf & Country Club is a good option for golfers looking for a lighter and more scenic island round. GolfLux lists it as one of the main Surat Thani courses and notes that it is around 25 minutes from Koh Samui International Airport. Compared with Santiburi, it is better suited to travelers who want to add a relaxed golf session into a broader beach holiday.
3. Rajjaprabha Dam Golf Course
Rajjaprabha Dam Golf Course is the most distinctive mainland option in the destination. GolfLux describes it as an 18-hole, par-72 layout of about 6,820 yards, located near Rajjaprabha Dam in the Khao Sok area. It runs through dense greenery and reservoir scenery, making it ideal for golfers who want a more nature-focused round that feels very different from resort-style island golf.
Which Course Should You Choose?
If you want a polished island golf experience with the strongest destination recognition, Santiburi is the best pick. If you want a more casual and scenic round to complement a Koh Samui beach stay, Royal Samui is worth considering. If you want something more unusual and landscape-driven, Rajjaprabha Dam offers the most distinctive golf experience in Surat Thani.
The best time to play golf in Surat Thani is generally from December to March, when conditions are drier and more comfortable on both the islands and the mainland. April to June is hotter and more humid, so morning tee times are recommended. The rainy season usually runs from July to October, with heavier rain on Koh Samui often arriving from late October to mid-December. GolfLux also notes that courses such as Santiburi and Rajjaprabha drain well, so play can often continue even after showers.
If you want a short and efficient golf trip focused on Koh Samui, Surat Thani works well as a 3- to 5-day destination. If you want to combine Koh Samui with another southern Thailand golf destination, a 7-day itinerary works better. Relevant tours currently listed by GolfLux include:
One of Surat Thani’s biggest advantages is that golf is easy to combine with broader leisure travel. On Koh Samui, GolfLux highlights attractions such as Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach, Big Buddha Temple, Fisherman’s Village in Bophut, and boat trips to Ang Thong National Marine Park. On the mainland, the Khao Sok area offers longtail boat trips, floating bungalow stays, jungle trekking, and waterfalls. This makes Surat Thani especially suitable for couples, mixed-interest groups, or travelers who want more than just golf on their itinerary.
When planning a Surat Thani golf trip, the first decision is whether you want to focus on island golf or mainland golf. Santiburi and Royal Samui are convenient if you are flying into Koh Samui International Airport, while Rajjaprabha Dam is better suited to those arriving via Surat Thani Airport or combining golf with Khao Sok. GolfLux states that Santiburi is about 15 minutes from the airport, Royal Samui about 25 minutes, and Rajjaprabha about 90 minutes from Surat Thani Airport by road. Morning tee times are the safer option during hotter or wetter periods.
December through March brings the driest weather and most comfortable temperatures on both the islands and the mainland. April to June turns hot and humid, so early morning tee times are essential. The rainy season runs from July to October, with late October to mid-December bringing the heaviest rain on Koh Samui in particular. Both Santiburi and Rajjaprabha drain quickly, so play often continues even after showers.
Show more...
Koh Samui International Airport (USM) handles flights to the island courses. Santiburi is 15 minutes from the airport and Royal Samui is about 25 minutes. For Rajjaprabha Dam on the mainland, fly into Surat Thani Airport (URT) and drive 90 minutes on scenic winding roads, or take a ferry from Koh Samui (roughly 3 hours total including drive time). GolfLux can arrange transfers from any of these starting points.
Show more...
Prices vary widely. Santiburi green fees run THB 3,500–5,500 depending on the season, with caddie (THB 550) and cart (THB 750) billed separately. Royal Samui charges around THB 900–1,500 for 9 holes. Rajjaprabha Dam is dramatically cheaper at roughly THB 1,000–1,500 for 18 holes including caddie and cart. Tipping caddies THB 300–500 is standard. Note that Rajjaprabha requires cash for most services.
Show more...
On Koh Samui: Chaweng and Lamai beaches, the Big Buddha temple, Fisherman’s Village night market in Bophut, and boat trips to Ang Thong National Marine Park. On the mainland: Khao Sok National Park for longtail boat trips on Cheow Larn Lake, floating bungalow stays, jungle trekking, and waterfalls. Surat Thani city itself is mostly a transit hub but has good southern Thai food and night markets.
Show more...