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North/
West of Bangkok
Ekachai
4 km right at km marker
21 on Highway 35 (to Samut Sakhon)
Tel: 416-5557: Fax: 416-5580
Flats ,tight course,
it seems to have more water than fairways. Although the
water has been moved away from some holes, it is still
easy to lose a dozen balls in the course of a round. There
are 27 holes. 18 of them floodlit for night golf. although
insects are a problem. There are nice riverside restaurants
at nearby Samut Sakhon, but it is best to stay in Bangkok.
Booking: advisable at weekends
Green fees: weekday $$; weekend $$$.
Mission Hills
On Highway 3089 (via Highway
323) past Bang Pong, 126 km west of Bangkok
Tel: 253-2650. Fax: 253-2651
This multi-million
dollar 18-hole par 72 course was designed by Jack Nicklaus,
complete with his waste bunkers. Set on a shallow hill,
sloping away from the big timber-clad clubhouse, the wide
fairways are decorated with thousands of mature palms.
An unusual feature is the camouflaged drink-huts, their
roofs turfed cover. A long way from Bangkok, there is
moderately expensive accommodation to rent alongside the
course in mini-condos by a lake; but there is a total
absence of nightlife for miles around.
Booking: It is not usually crowded, but reservations
are advisable at weekends. Closed on Mondays.
Facilities: pro shop, club hire, carts, restaurant,
tennnis, swimming pool, snooker, karaoke, banquet room.
Green fees: weekday $$; weekend $$$.
Ratchaburi
On Highway 3087 near Chom Bung, west of Rachaburi, 105
km from Bangkok.
Tel: (01) 312-0484; Fax: 282-9205
Also known as
Castle Hill, this pretty 18-hole par 72 course traces
a figure-of-eight round two craggy hills. On the ridge
between them stands one of the most outrageous buildings
on any Thai golf course - a 5-storey combined clubhouse
and condotel that is a copy of the Schonbrunn Palace in
Vienna. An exotic place to hide away for the weekend,
it is far enough from Bangkok to ensure that it is rarely
crowded. Recommended.
Booking: A members' club, but visitors are welcome.
Best to reserve at weekends.
Facilities: pro shop, club hire, carts, restaurant,
banquet room.
Green fees: weekday $; weekend $$.
Rose Garden
On highway 4 at the 32 km
marker from Bangkok (turn right past footbridge)
Tel (034) 322-771; Fax: 253-2625
Once voted by
an international golf magazine among the best 20 resort
courses in the world, Rose Garden's flattish fairways
wind through mature woodlands. It can be rather soggy
after heavy rain, and the elevated greens have never really
been top class. Although no longer pre-eminent, Rose Garden
is always a delight to play, because the visitor is offered
supremely excellent service. The 18-hole par 72 course
has its own hotel nearby, but is within easy reach of
Bangkok. The family can spend the day at the nearby pleasure
park and enjoy an elephant show.
Booking: open to all, but reservations essential
at weekends, when it is often full. Closed on Mondays.
Facilities: pro shop, club hire, carts, restaurant.
Green fees: weekday $; weekend $$$.
Royal Gems
Off Highway 310 (turn right
off Highway 308 at 20 km marker) about 29 km west of Bangkok
Tel: 353-2579; Fax 441-9843
The designer,
Gary Roger Baird, has built a truly excellent course on
this open site within easy reach of Bangkok. By constructing
a series of wide dams and linked waterfalls, he has turned
a mundane piece of land into a delightful landscape. The
18hole par 72 course is quite challenging, but its wide
fairways and large greens make it very fair and enjoyable
to play. It is not the cheapest course in Thailand, but
represents reasonable value. There is a big sports centre
adjacent to the modern clubhouse.
Booking: open to all, but reservations essential
at weekends.
Facilities: pro shop, club hire, carts, restaurant,
swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna.
Green fees: weekday $$; weekend $$$$.
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