Pattaya – Golf Destination Review by Richard Clarke
A two hour drive from Bangkok, Pattaya is a true golfer’s paradise. There are twenty golf courses golf courses in the Pattaya, Rayong and Chonburi area with an excellent mix of world class courses and some gems I have discovered there over the last few weeks. Other than flying into Suvarnabhumi Airportt and transferring down to Pattaya a lot of our customers coming from local countries fly directly into U-Tapao International Airport where you can be in downtown Pattaya within a thirty minute drive. Given its accessibility, abundant hotels choices and golf courses it certainly gives Hua Hin a run for its money. Of the courses available, the top and most popular to play are three at the world famous Siam Country Club. Siam Country Club Old Course designed by Ichisuke Izumi recently hosting the Honda LPGA , Siam Country Club Plantation designed by Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley, Siam Country Club Waterside under IMG Golf Course Management and The Jack Nicklaus designed Laem Chabang International Country Club. These four courses you would find hard to beat anywhere in the world. In terms of new courses being built in Pattaya there is the planned fourth course underway at the world famous Siam Country Club brand. The plans looks amazing and although yet to be named it is due to open in 2020. Cheen Chan Golf Resort under the IMG Golf Course Management is due to open in the second quarter of this year. With amazing views of Khao Chee Chan, lakes, temples and mountains it certainly looks to be a fabulous setting for what is planned to be one of the finest modern courses in Asia. The addition of the two courses will only heighten the reputation of Pattaya as a world class golf destination. If you have and any free days on your trip here I would recommend a day trip to Koh Larn Island. I did this recently taking a speed boat from the Bali Hai Pier which is a few minutes from Walking Street. The beautiful beaches and clear water aren’t to be missed. A fifteen minute speed boat ride back into Pattaya gives you a glimpse at what a sprawling city Pattaya it is up and down the Beach Road and beyond. The introduction of the ferry from Pattaya to Hua Hin has been a great addition. A lot of our customers have started to use this and its makes a two destination stay easier than ever. The ferry operates from the Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya and the Khao Takiab pier in Hua Hin and can take two to three hours depending on sea conditions. Only twelve miles from Pattaya is Bang Saray, a picturesque fishing village which is becoming popular for tourists to go and enjoy the beaches, sea food restaurants and escape the hectic scene in Pattaya. It was my first time visiting and playing five golf courses I had never been to before and I was truly impressed. Eastern Star Golf Course which is the only Robert Trent Jones course in Pattaya. Pattana Golf Club which is a huge twenty seven hole complex set in stunning surroundings. Silky Oak Country Club, around 40 minutes from Pattaya, huge undulations and some quirky holes make for a great test. Treasure Hill Golf and Country Club which is a little further out but offers tricky greens and tight fairways and Mountain Shadow Golf Club which is designed by Robert Fream and is a very attractive golf course and one that is definitely under estimated. For me the great thing about Pattaya is the huge selection, mix of golf courses and the value for money you can get from a trip here. Whether you are on a budget or have some cash to spend Pattaya really does offer up everything. It will take a few trips here to get around all of the golf courses, one of the great reasons to keep coming back!
