Phuket is home to thousands of expats and retirees who choose to live here for a luxurious and affordable lifestyle. Residents can enjoy the beautiful beaches, dozens of amazing small islands, the strong infrastructure in schools and hospitals, delicious fresh food, world-class restaurants and nightlife, wonderful climate, the blend of traditional Thai culture mixed with modern western comforts, an international airport offering direct flights around the world, the strong boating community and the diverse ex-pat community. How about golf? Can we add golf to this list of things to enjoy in Phuket? Here is some information on Phuket golf to help answer these questions.
Phuket has seven 18-hole golf courses with rumors of another in the pipeline. The courses are spread out on the island with 3 up north (Blue Canyon x 2 and Mission Hills), 1 on the west coast near Bang Tao Beach (Laguna), and 3 further south in Kathu (Phuket Country Club, Loch Palm, and Red Mountain). These are the seven courses and each offers something a little different in terms of location, landscape, scenery, course design, difficulty rating, service standards, membership opportunities, course condition, and price.
Mission Hills
Mission Hills is the only course on the east coast and also the only course within touching distance of the sea providing spectacular scenery towards Phang Nga Bay. I always receive a friendly welcome from the staff and the more I play the course the better it seems to get. It has some interesting features and a good blend of difficult and easy holes. My favorite hole is the par 5 9th played towards the clubhouse with a well-guarded green and trouble down the left side. A risky second shot if you go for the green but plenty of room to play safe to the right. 12 and 13 are challenging holes, a long par 4 and long par 5 played towards the sea and into the prevailing wind, but then 14 and 15 offer some respite as a short par 4 and short par 5 playing in the opposite direction, although anything too far right will land in the river. The many coconut and palm oil trees are a wonderful feature of Mission Hills and a nice change from the rubber trees you find on other courses in Phuket. They are currently offering a green fee including cart and caddie fee for 2,600 Baht to anyone holding a Thai driving license. I’ve noticed the caddies are working hard trying to get the course in the best shape possible, lining the fairways early in the morning and late in the afternoon picking weeds by hand. Property is generally cheaper on the east coast and developments such as East Coast Ocean Villas are popular within the boating community or anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the west coast. Cape Yamu is an east coast community offering a wide range of villas and condominium developments with some spectacular views.
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Golf in Phuket
Phuket Country Club
Phuket Country Club is the oldest course in Phuket and very popular amongst the local Thai golfers living in and around Phuket Town. The course has an urban feel and some of the property is built perilously close to the fairways. Large property developments have had a negative impact on the 3rd and 4th holes. The 10th hole provides an interesting decision for anyone who can carry their drive 250 yards. It’s a U-shape par 5, 500 yards in length but only a lake and 250 yards separates the tee from the green so it is possible to aim for green from the tee. The fairways are very narrow in places so this isn’t a good course for anyone who enjoys hitting driver into wide-open fairways. The walk-in green fee is 4,000 Baht with 50% discount when joining a member. They have a driving range and 9 hole par 3 course over the road which are good facilities.
Click here to visit their website
So in summary, you can definitely add golf to the long list of lifestyle attractions in Phuket. With the fine choice of courses and various social groups and societies there is something to offer golfers of all abilities, whether playing 2 or 3 times a week or once a month.
This Phuket golf blog was written by PGA Pro Blake Ellison who has lived in Phuket for 10 years and is a partner in Prime Real Estate. You can contact Blake for advice on golf and real estate at [email protected]