Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Golf in Thailand


Apart from the scenic beaches, one of Thailand's primary attractions for the recreational tourist is golf. Due to a dramatic increase in the popularity of the sport in Thailand, a large number of world-class courses have sprung up, making Thailand one of Asia's premier golfing destinations. Although these courses are relatively new, and are therefore lacking some of the tradition of the world's best, they are nonetheless modern, challenging facilities, with breathtaking backdrops and a full range of services. Most of Thailand's courses also offer fine dining, luxury accommodation, fully equipped pro-shops with knowledgeable pros, carts, caddies, and rentals. Thai courses are known for their impeccable upkeep, and also offer luxurious dressing facilities that are often equipped with saunas and massage facilities. This broad range of services, along with the fact that many of Thailand's courses are in close proximity to some of the world's finest beach resorts, makes Thailand an ideal place to get away for a relaxing round of golf followed by a delicious meal on the beach. Additionally, the tropical climate makes for fantastic golfing weather all year round, and the greens fees are extremely reasonable by any standard. Many of the clubs are particular about exclusivity, however all-inclusive golfing packages are available to most clubs.
Thailand is ideal for golf, no matter what time of year. The country has three distinct seasons - cool (November - February), hot (March - June) and rainy (July - October), with temperatures soaring up to as much as 35 degrees Celsius or more in the hottest month of April.Golf is fine during the rainy season as it seldom rains for more than a couple of hours at a time, usually in the evening or night. In the north of Thailand, the cool season can be decidedly chilly - you might need a sweater, especially in highland areas - while in the rest of the country the cool season is still hot by Western standards, certainly over 20 degrees. The south tends to get rain throughout the year, usually in the afternoon or evening. Probably the best time to take to the links is in the early morning or late afternoon, when the sun is not quite so scorching. Some courses also offer floodlighting, so you can even enjoy a round after sunset

No comments: