Asian Golf Nation - March 2011

Golfasian is happy introduce a new member to the Golfasian Team to be in charge of organizing and supervising our future golf tournaments and group golf events.

Marco Scopetta, a young Swiss man aged 41 years, has been in the golf industry for the past 20 years and will bring his experience and support to Golfasian events. His career path includes being a PGA Golf Professional, General Secretary of the Swiss PGA, General Manager of the Golfpark Signal de Bougy, Player at the World Team Cup and former Swiss PGA Champion. Coming from Switzerland he speaks four languages fluently (German, French, Italian and English). After visiting Thailand a few years ago and loving it there so much, he decided to move from his home country to the Land of Smiles. [Contact Marco Scopetta]

Built among a pineapple plantation, Banyan Golf Club in Hua Hin opened in October 2008. The course provides for spectacular mountain and ocean views from most all of the holes and is one of the best layouts in the area. In fact Banyan Golf Club won the 2009 Best New Golf Course in Asia as voted for by the readers of Asian Golf Monthly.

Each hole has 6 tee boxes making the course more or less challenging depending on each golfers abilities and tee selection. Strategically placed water hazards, waste bunkers, and sand traps are spread out throughout the course. Significant use of native pineapple groves make local 'fruits' come into play if you stray too far off most fairways. [Read More about one of Thailand's Best Golf Courses]

AKA Resort is an exclusive all private villa lakeside retreat located in the historic seaside resort of Hua Hin, one of Thailand's oldest and most traditional resorts for both Thais and overseas visitors.

Hua Hin, a sanctuary frequented by the Thai Royal Family and nobility is home to the summer palace of King Rama VII, built by the King of Thailand as a hideaway naming it Klai Kang Won, meaning Far From Worries. Today, this is home for Their Majesties. Hua Hin is rich in cultural heritage and is within easy reach of Bangkok. [Find out more about one of Thailand's Best Hotels]

Preparations for the 2011 Golfasian Amateur Golf Week Tournaments are in full swing.

The events will tee off in Hua Hin starting 12th March through 18th March and then move throughout Thailand during 2011, playing the best courses in each area in a tournament style event, designed for amateur golfers to play in a pro style tournament and promises to show case the best courses that each area has to offer.

The Hua Hin golf week is almost full but a some spots are still available, so sign up NOW, before it's too late. [Visit our tournament site today]

BANGKOK, Thailand March 01, 2011 -- The average round of golf was 29 percent lower in Thailand than a similar number of clubs surveyed across six different countries, according to a recent survey.

Golf is often known as a rich man's sport. Apart from the equipment, membership of a golf course is not only a status symbol, but it can also become a very expensive hobby too. However, one of the most competitive areas to golf is in fact South East Asia's Thailand.

According to a recent survey conducted by Asian golf vacation specialists Golfasian, Thailand has some of the most competitive golf rates for visitors across Asia and the Middle East.

The average round of golf was 29% lower in Thailand than a similar number of clubs surveyed across six different countries. The survey compared the midweek high season visitor rates. The most expensive golf course was US$271.00 at the Emirates Club's Majlis course, home to the Dubai Desert Classic. At the other end of the scale, the lowest rate was US$111.00 at Bangkok's Muang Kaew Golf Club, and that rate even included a free massage! [Read the entire Press Release here]

Ladies Golf in Thailand

Whenever I am traveling overseas and extolling the attractions of golfing in Thailand, sometimes I hear men whining, "Oh, my wife would not let me go on a Thailand golf trip". 

In fact, I am seeing a growing trend where couples are favoring a Thailand golf tour over more traditional destinations. Also, Golfasian is hosting more and more dedicated lady golf groups.

Read more about Ladies Golf in Thailand...

Other golf stories can be found at the Thailand Golf Zone where there are over 500 other original articles dealing exclusively with golf in Asia and golf travel.

I would love to hear about any golf tips that any of you may have developed for getting the maximum enjoyment from your golf trips, and can incorporate some in future articles. Therefore if you have any golf tips or suggestions you would like to share, please let me know by dropping me an email.

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If you want to start your swing off smoothly here's something you should incorporate into your swing.

When addressing any shot (even putts), you should just hover the club above the ground. Do not ground the club. A lot of great players do this, including Jack Nicklaus.

The advantages are that you have the entire weight of the club in your hands. And you don't have to pick the club up and then move it away. You will be more relaxed and ready to go when you're starting the swing. Even close your eyes on your practice swing and imagine taking the club away with your shoulders and not your hands.

This will take some time to get used to, but the advantages will be worth any temporary feelings of discomfort. So do this for every shot you play for at least 30 days, and you'll notice your take-aways are smoother -- and you'll be more in control. Plus your swing will be smoother.

And even though this is a short and simple drill don't take it for granted, because if you make this into a habit you will improve your swing and your entire golf game for that.

If you have any other questions regarding golf tips to help you with your game email us at [email protected] and we will reply in upcoming newsletters

For more golf tips visit www.golfthink.com

Golfasian has a full schedule of tradeshows and roadshows during the next few months.

You can find us at the following exhibitions:

• March 19 - 21, 2011 - Salon du Golf de Paris
• March 20 - 29, 2011 - Golf Media FAM Trip - European & USA Market - (Pattaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai)
• April 15 - 17, 2011 - The National Golf Show 2011 (Birmingham, UK)
• June 21- 27, 2011 - Golf Media FAM Trip - Australian Market - (Bangkok, Khao Yai, Chiang Mai)

Arrange an appointment with Mark Siegel, MD of Golfasian, at one of these exhibits.

Golfasian Co., Ltd.

If any reader would like to suggest a topic to be covered or better yet contribute materials, photos, or even commissions an article please contact me by e-mail, I welcome the help.

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