The Royal Gems Golf & Sports Club

At Royal Gems Golf & Sports Club, designer Garry Roger Baird has built a 'gem' of a course equal to his others. These include the Shuzu course of the Shishido Kokusai Golf Club in Ibaraki, Japan, and the Hermitage Course, a permanent LPGA tournament site in the United States. Royal Gems Golf Club is one of only a handful of Thailand golf courses to be an official member of the United States Golf Association and certified for professional championships. The club hosted a European Seniors Tour event in 2009.

The environment around the Bangkok course is enjoyable and natural parkland. Royal Gems plays to 7,107 yards and features a handful of lakes, narrow fairways, thick rough, large bunkers and fast greens. The member’s only course is one of most stylish of all the golf courses in the greater Bangkok area.  Royal Gems has a mixture of American, Scottish and Thai features. Visitor play is allowed if staying at the onsite resort or booked through authorized agents.

Overall, Royal Gems Golf & Sports Club is a beautifully presented collection of golf holes, enhanced by top quality greens keeping.  Although relatively flat, each hole has been individually sculpted and presents its array of challenges, clearly visible from the tee. The par-5 holes are testing, and three of the four par-3 holes require the tee shot to be hit directly over water to reach the green.  Each hole is framed by trees to catch occasional wayward shots. Water is often in play, so too is the fairway and greenside bunkering.

A grass driving range and a host of other practice facilities for golfers are good for warming up. The onsite full golf resort is of a reasonable standard,  although best suited to those overnighting in the area as there are limited things to do locally and private transportation is a must. The clubhouse restaurant serves excellent Japanese, Thai, and Western delicacies.

These days there are many Bangkok golf courses to choose from, and Royal Gems is one on the premium list.