Thailand Opening

In Thailand, golf is unlike in the Nordic countries, thanks to the high level of service. Caddies play a significant role in the service and the Thai golf culture. Talking about Thai golf culture without mentioning the caddies would be an unfinished story. Yes, there are still some caddies worldwide and then there are Thai caddies. But what makes Thailand special is that most of the caddies are women. They are skillful with good knowledge about the courses. They make golfers laugh and relax. They make a world of difference to your golfing experience. A caddie can make all the difference on the golf course. In Thailand, caddies make the golf experience ‘Uniquely Thai’.  It is the first step of a day of spoiling.  And this is how Thailand does golf. It starts at a clubhouse before your tee time and you will see an army of women caddies waiting for your golf group at the bag drop, already in head-to-toe caddie uniform ready to pounce on your bag. Say a brief hello to your caddie and find out her English skill. Some are very good at English and most do not know more than is necessary. But the golf terms, they know pretty well. However, the speaking language is not a big barrier. Golfers and their caddies find a way to communicate. A big part of enjoying a Thai caddie service is to think about what a caddie’s job is. It is a far cry from those on a PGA tour. They are there to help you score the best and that is the charm of it. Once you have come over the slight language barrier and understand that they are there to make your round more peaceful – they become indispensable.  They smile and do all the necessary work. They give good advice and even keep the score for you. They rank traps and fill in divots.  They help keep pace-of-play moving by hunting for lost balls and help keep the courses in excellent shape. When there is a wait on the tee, sometimes they’ll give you a quick shoulder rub while another caddie fans your neck. They remind you to laugh, with them and at yourself. Your swing is relaxed thanks to the atmosphere. And this is where the likelihood to hit the little ball to fly hundreds of yards in the right direction.  As one leading Thai-based golf club professional succinctly put it: “Caddies are our secret weapon in Thailand.” Thai caddie fee and tipping In Thailand, it’s compulsory to take a caddie and the fee is roughly around 350-500 Baht paid to the cashier when you pay your green fee. After the round, it is common to give extra tips and our recommendation is always to tip fairly. The typical tip for a round is 300-400 Thai Baht. however, you may give more if your caddy exceeded your expectations, or indeed if you’re feeling generous. Your caddie will certainly appreciate it and will look forward to seeing you again in the near future.

Night golf, park-like golf and jungle golf – Thailand has it all. Thailand has won the hearts of many golfers as a dream golf destination. Great services, well-maintained golf courses, friendly people, tropical climate and diverse beautiful landscape combined with amazing cuisine have shaped the country as a golf paradise. Juha-Matti Vuorinen, a Finnish golf instructor, has lived and worked in Thailand for eight years and knows golf in the country in and out. He knows what the Nordic golfers want at the same time he knows which courses to play if you really want to enjoy the absolute best golf experience in Thailand and where to find the hidden gems of golf paradise among approximately 250 courses around the country. Here are Juha-Matti’s personal tips and handpicked courses from north to south Thailand. Phuket Best Course: Blue Canyon Country Club – Award winning golf course (Yoshikazu Kato, 1991, 1998)  At Blue Canyon, there are two high-class 18-hole courses, Canyon course and Lake Course. Canyon Course has been the venue for some memorable international tournaments, including the Honda Invitational in 1996 and the Johnie Walker Classics Tournaments in 1994, 1998 & 2007. The most memorable was in 1998 which witnessed Tiger Woods staging one of the most astounding comebacks of the game to see Ernie Els defeated in a playoff for the final hole. The award winning has since been the ultimate experience for many players. For non-golfing family members, Phuket offers plenty of other activities such as water sports, paradise beaches and if you are interested in rum you can visit Chalong Bay Rum Distillery and learn how to make white rum. The 40 meter high landmark Big Buddha is another popular excursion at the top of Nakkerd Hills. www.bluecanyonphuket.com Koh Samui Best course: Santiburi Golf – Ocean view (Edward Thiele & Pirapon Namatra, 2003) Santiburi is the only 18-hole golf course on Koh samui. It has taken advantage of the level differences and the natural contour through the jungle and hillsides above the beautiful beaches. The golf course has a scenic panoramic view of the Gulf of Thailand and Koh Phangan. Most holes have ocean and beach views. Waterfalls and screens run through the land adding a natural beauty with the hills providing a picturesque backdrop. It’s a very tough course. Each hole has its unique character and challenges, from steep uphill and downhill slopes to winding fairways that are cut into the forest and meander arund cliffs and streams. The course is one of the ultimate golfing experience in Thailand. For anyone who does not want to play golf, Koh Samui is full of beautiful beaches and wonderful scenery such as Namuang Waterfall or Angthong National Marine Park.  www.santiburigolfsamui.com Phang Nga / Khao Lak Best Course: Katathong Golf Resort & Spa – Spectacular course (Wiwatchai Prangpitak, 2015) At the relatively new Katathong Golf Resort, you will be struck by beautiful scenery – perhaps the most spectacular course in Thailand, according to Juha-Matti. It offers mountain views from every part of the course. Most holes follow the natural contours of the land and feature undulating hills through natural waterfalls and streams. Fairways are not long, but very narrow. There are lots of unconventional but interesting holes. It takes just over an hour from Phuket Airport to get here and Katathong is located just north of Phang Nga in incredibly beautiful scenery. There are also a variety of accommodation types overlooking the golf course at the resort. www.katathong.com Bangkok:  Best Course: Summit Windmill Golf Club – Park-like course (Nick Faldo, 1993) Conveniently located near Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabumi Airport), this golf course attracts lots of golfers thanks to its location, just about 30 minutes from Bangkok. It is a park-like golf course. Nick Faldo’s innovative design has succeeded well with the course and water comes into play on many of the holes. There are a lot of risk-and-reward holes over water. Here you can also play after dark due to the course being equipped with electric lights since 2004 and it is a dramatic feeling to walk around in a tropical golf environment in semi-darkness. The luxurious clubhouse is modern and built like a medieval European castle. www.summitwindmillgolfclub.com Hua Hin: Best course: Black Mountain (Phil Ryan, 2007) Black Mountain, with its three nine-hole courses, is well known among Swedish golfers as it is the Swede Stig Notlöv who created the facility. The golf course has hosted both European Tour and Asian Tour competitions which have been much appreciated by the players since it opened. The course winds its way up the mountain slopes and is always in excellent condition. www.blackmountainhuahin.com Best course: Banyan Golf Club (Pirapon Namatra, 2008) Banyan Golf Club has been voted by Asian Golf Monthly as one of the country’s three best courses for three years in a row, because it has a wonderful clubhouse overlooking the course. www.banyanthailand.com Besides enjoying the golf games, a visit to Hua HIn Hills Vineyard is recommended. The vineyard is home to the award-winning Monsoon Valley label and a range of labels marketed as ‘new latitude wines’ and serves amazing food and wine. For families with kids, there are 2 amazing water parks or a day in a national park in hua Hin would make a perfect holiday for all family members. Pattaya Best course: Siam Country Club Siam Country Club has 4 courses to choose from in the Pattaya area, Old Course, Plantation, Waterside and the latest addition Rolling Hills. It hosts the LPGA Thailand tournament for many years and major international golf championships. At Honda LPGA Thailand 2021 held at Siam Country Club, Old Course, the local Thai professional golfer Ariya Jutanugarn won this championship, the first Thai winner. Siam Country Rolling Hills is the newest with stunning views, abundance of centerline hazards, creating strategic and visual excitement. The Talk of the Town will be No. 15 hole, the “Wall of Death”, a par 5, uphill, and double zig-zag fairway with the green guarded by a 19-foot...

Story by Aleenta Two and a half hours south of Bangkok is the lovely Hua Hin district, a popular family destination with myriad activities and attractions everyone in the family can enjoy. Hua Hin is a beach resort town and is focused on food, fun, and relaxing family-oriented attractions. Take a foodie tour to sample all the native delicacies. Splash around at the Black Mountain Water Park. Stroll through the Cicada Market for a shopping experience unlike any other. The possibilities are endless. FUN THINGS FOR KIDS 1. Hua Hin Beach This gorgeous beach is exceptionally clean too, making it a great choice for a day with the kids. Swim the day away in the warm blue waters. The water is shallow with sand bars throughout. If you prefer, walk along the vast stretch of beach and stop at one of the cozy stands for a cold drink and snack. Splash in the tide and examine the shells and tiny particles in the water. View: Best Beaches in Hua Hin 2. Amphawa Floating Market Approximately an hour from Hua Hin is the Amphawa Floating Market. Take a small wooden boat along the river in the Samut Songkhram Province. Shop for souvenirs, local dishes, clothes, and toys from the floating vendors. Walk along the canal for more shopping and visit the petting zoo. Children delight in the boat ride and the many candies, desserts, and sweets along the way. A visit to the mini zoo gets them a close up look at deer, ostriches, boars, goats, and peacocks. It is a wonderful photo opportunity amid the gorgeous flora and fauna. When dusk arrives, it brings with it a cascade of fireflies that brighten the canal with their flickering lights. Children are awed at the fantasy twinkling effect. You can find a day tour from your Hua Hin resort whenever you’re ready. 3. Black Mountain Water Park What kid can resist a water park? Black Mountain Water Park has 55 feet slides, a wave pool, a river, a children’s pool, and the biggest wave in Thailand. Ride a wave board, slide down all nine of the slides, and do a few laps in the pools. No matter how your family likes to get wet you can do it here. The wake park is a fun experience for bigger kids. There is a golf course too for the families that play together. 4. Hatsadin Elephant Foundation At this foundation, guests can walk alongside an elephant and feed it. Families can touch and talk with an Asian elephant and experience its majesty first-hand. You can even shower the elephant when your visit is over. There are also educational activities if your little one is afraid of being too near the animals. If you’re the adventurous sort you can buy a 20-minute bareback ride and a basket of fruit to feed it afterwards. 5. For Arts Sake 4D Museum This museum that lets you be part of the art is as fun for adults as it is children. It’s OK for kids to not only touch the exhibits here but step inside and be part of them. The large two-level facility is divided into several interest zones suitable for various age groups. Each art exhibit is suitable for photos. You will go home with pictures of your family in a chilly winter snow globe and reaching for the mouth of a giant gumball machine. Use the photo of your children as boxed Christmas dolls as a holiday card. Your friends back home will be astonished at a photo of you barely escaping the jaws of a Great White shark. The fun here is endless. 6. Khao Luang Cave Tour Inside this huge natural cave, you will find a huge Buddha sculpture and many smaller statuettes throughout. The light shines through the rock exterior giving the place an even more ethereal ambience. The golden Buddhas, cast by order of King Chulalongkorn, shine in the dappled sunlight and make extraordinary picture opportunities. Visitors come to this quiet and serene cave to pay respect to the Buddha with candles and incense. It is a perfect chance to admire the beauty of a culture while learning something new. 7. Swiss Sheep Farm Children are always enraptured by animals. This scenic attraction features a windmill, green meadows, milk churns, sheep and other farm animals. Children can pet the sheep and ride a pony. Interact with goats, chickens, horses, rabbits, alpaca, and even fish. Kids learn how a farm works and how animals contribute to society. There are quick lessons in milk and butter churning as well. You can easily spend an entire day here. 8. Monkey Mountain Another fun animal adventure is a trip to Monkey Mountain. This mountain is known for its many monkeys and the giant shining statue of Buddha visible from Hua Hin Beach. At the top of the mountain is Wat Khao Lad temple. It is known as the monkey temple for the hundreds of monkeys that live there. Visitors can get to the top by road via tuk-tuk, a taxi cab, or ride a bike. A more picturesque way to the top is to take the stairs. The trip up offers many stunning views of Hua Hin. There is also a Chinese temple with ancient Chinese paintings. This trip is a unique way to enjoy nature and learn about the culture and environment together. Hua Hin is an amazing place for children to explore. The many attractions offer both entertainment and education. Whether it’s frolicking on the beach or becoming a piece of art or even walking with the elephants, there is something that every child can enjoy in this serene and beautiful province of Thailand. Read more ALEENTA HUA HIN