Bangkok Golf Holidays - Geography and Travel
Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and the most populated of any city in the country. It is in Thailand’s central plains and the Chao Phraya River runs through the city before reaching the Gulf of Thailand, some 25 kilometres to the south.
Bangkok is home to over 11 million people yet started life as a small trading post on the banks of the river before becoming the huge cosmopolitan city we love today.
Due to the size of the city, Bangkok has been split into 50 districts and each offers something different ranging from the modern commercial zone of Siam Square, with shopping malls and hotels to Rattanakosin, which is home to ‘Old Bangkok’ and boasts many of the city’s top sights, such as the Grand Palace.
Bangkok is home to two airports, Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Muang Airport and each of them are roughly 30 kilometres from the city centre. Most foreign visitors to Bangkok will arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport and from there it easy to travel into the city, using either the Airport Rail Link or a taxi, the latter of which are quite cheap by world standards.
There are several ways to move around the city itself, including the Skytrain, which is modern and covers the majority of downtown Bangkok. The metro, which opened in 2004 connects the central and northern areas of the city and you can also travel by boat, taxi, the traditional tuk-tuk and local buses, although the latter can be time consuming.
If you require transport to get to a golf course, the best way is to ask your hotel, the golf course or ourselves to arrange transport to pick you up and return you after your round.
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation in Bangkok and have a wealth of options when it comes to deciding where to stay.
Bangkok is home to some of the best hotels you will find anywhere in the world. The areas of Silom and Thonburi is where you will find these hotels, including The Peninsula and The Mandarin Oriental, both of which are very highly regarded.
For other top-quality hotels, you should look at Siam Square and Sukhumvit, as both these districts boast many well-known brands and stylish boutique accommodation.
When booking accommodation in Bangkok, you are advised to check the transport options near the hotel and make sure your room has air conditioning because even in the night the temperature outside can be hot.
You also have the option of booking a stay at one of the many golf courses which surround Bangkok. This can be a great way to experience a different side of Thailand and get out of the city for a few days if you have seen everything you would like to visit. You could combine a city and golf club stay as part of your Bangkok golf package.
Weather and Best Time to Travel for a Bangkok Golf Break
Just the like rest of Thailand, Bangkok has a tropical climate and this means temperatures remain hot throughout the year.
You will find the average low does not fall below 20 degrees whereas the average high hits 35 degrees during the warmest part of the year. However, the climate in Bangkok can be split into three distinct climates and this will help you when booking a Bangkok golf package.
The ‘cool’ season is between November and February and this is the best time to visit Bangkok and play golf. It is the coolest and driest period in Bangkok and you will have plenty of great weather to enjoy the golf course and the local sights. Despite being classed as the cool season, temperatures can still reach 30 degrees in the day time, so always be prepared for hot weather when on the golf course.
The hottest time of the year in Bangkok falls between March and April and this is when you can expect to see temperatures reaching 35 degrees and sometimes beyond. A good tip is to stay somewhere with air conditioning and a swimming pool, which you can enjoy after a round of golf.
The third season is known as the ‘wet’ season and as the name suggests, this is when Bangkok receives the most rain. There are some heavy downpours and these may stop you during a round of golf but often you will get an afternoon shower, which can be quite refreshing.
However, for the optimal golf conditions in Bangkok, you should visit between November and February.
Things to Do Away from the Golf Course on your Bangkok Golf Package
There are many things to do in Bangkok when you have some free time away from the golf course and all of them are easy to reach.
You cannot visit Bangkok and leave without having seen the Grand Palace and Wat Prakaew. Featuring stunning architecture and incredible attention to detail, the Grand Palace is truly a sight to behold.
The floating market is an experience not be missed when staying in Bangkok and Damnoen Saduak has retained much of its traditional character with many wooden boats selling fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers in addition to those cooking food.
Also, don’t forget to visit the old city at Wat Pho, which is home to the famous reclining Buddha. You will learn about various aspects of Thai history and enjoy a traditional Thai massage and landscaped garden.
These are just three of the many things you can do when staying in Bangkok on a golf holiday. With some many districts to choose from, each offering something different, you are spoilt for choice.
Top Golf Courses in Bangkok
Bangkok is home to a seemingly endless supply of top quality golf courses and one the best, not only in this region of Thailand but the whole of Asia is Alpine Golf and Sports Club.
This 18-hole golf course has hosted the Johnnie Walker Classic PGA event on two occasions and boasts stunning undulating fairways and very quick greens. You will rarely have an even lie on this course and with many greens sloping away from you, approach play must be accurate to stick on the green.
The conditioning of the course is superb and you could not ask for better a playing surface. Situated just an hour outside central Bangkok, the course coupled with the clubhouse, which serves excellent food, makes Alpine Golf and Sports Club a must play golf course when staying in Bangkok.
No Bangkok golf package would be complete without enjoying a round of night golf. If you have enjoyed a day of sightseeing in the city, why not book a tee time at Summit Windmill Golf Club? It’s located just 30 minutes from the city centre and the Nick Faldo designed course comes complete with floodlights, meaning you can play after dark.
The course itself is quite short but with water coming into play on many of the holes, accuracy and strategy play a huge role in every round. Due to its proximity with the airport, Summit Windmill Golf Club is also a good choice before you leave or just after you have arrived.
If you are willing to travel a little further out of the city, you will find one of the best golf courses in the Bangkok area just 40 minutes away. Lotus Valley Golf Club is the only Gary Player designed golf course in Thailand and that alone makes it stand out from the crowd.
However, along with the big name, this golf courses delivers a tremendous playing experience and is regarded as one the best layouts of any golf course in Bangkok. There are several risk/reward holes and the close-cut fairways and fringes make it reminiscent of a Scottish links course. Lotus Valley Golf Club is always well maintained and those who have played there say it is worth the extra journey time from Bangkok.
For one of the best and most unique golfing experiences in Bangkok and possibly the whole of Thailand, head to Nikanti Golf Club, a parkland style course situated to the west of the city.
Here you pay a single fee and everything is included. That includes your 18 holes of golf, food, drink and caddie tip. Nikanti Golf Club is an all-inclusive golf club so once you have paid your fee, you can enjoy everything the club offers without having to pay another Baht.
Not only is the payment policy unique, the golf course is too and you will find three six-hole layouts, with two par-3’s, two par-4’s and two par-5’s within each set of six holes. The conditioning of the course is outstanding and many visitors rank this up with the best golf courses in the country. Nikanti Golf Club must be near the top of your list when planning a Bangkok golf package.
However, you cannot visit Bangkok for a golf holiday and miss out on playing a round at Royal Gems Golf City. This course is not far from the centre of Bangkok and as you play your way around the 18 holes, you may have the feeling you have seen the holes somewhere else before.
That’s because Royal Gems Golf City has recreated some of the most iconic holes from around the world. So, if you have always dreamed of playing the Road Hole at St Andrews or testing yourself on Amen Corner at Augusta, the home of the US Masters, you can do just that at Royal Gems Golf City.
Those golfers who have had the pleasure of playing this course rank it up as one of the best playing experiences in Bangkok and the next best thing to playing at Augusta. It will certainly leave you with great memories of your Bangkok golf holiday.
Finally, if you are happy to travel a little further outside Bangkok, you will find Suwan Golf Country Club, which will give you a lovely contrast with the city thanks to its rural location.
Set in the countryside, Suwan Golf Country Club is home to a championship golf course and has played host to many major golf tournaments, including the 2010 Asian Tour International and 2011 Thailand Open.
The course is surrounded by nature and you will see rice fields, palm trees, fruit orchards, rural villages and lotus ponds and its these features which make Suwan Golf Country Club one of the best golfing experiences while staying in Bangkok.
The course has won several awards and is always in great condition. However, don’t expect an easy time as this course is a challenge for golfers of all abilities and features many significant elevation changes and well protected greens.
The clubhouse at Suwan Golf and Country Club is outstanding and you can enjoy first class cuisine in the restaurant and the Japanese style bath and Jacuzzi.
The above-mentioned golf courses are only some of the best on offer in Bangkok and you could easily spend six months in the city and still not see everything it has to offer. However, by choosing the highlighted golf courses, you will have a great impression of what playing golf in Bangkok is all about
+66 (0) 88 867 2867
+66 (0) 88 867 2867
