Story :             Bob Kimmins
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They say that no two golf shots are exactly the same. Even if the ball lands on precisely the same spot from the pin as before, a varied environment comes into play such as course conditions, weather and natural surroundings.

In the south of Thailand golfers can take on the challenge of sea breezes and lightning fast greens, while those headed north face pencil thin fairways, lined by forest, carving their way into the mountains.

Golf in the north offers a cooler climate at higher altitudes, which might make the ball fly further. Most of the 20 plus courses are set in lush green mountainous areas, with those narrow fairways and plenty of foliage, bunkers and water. 

Chiang Mai – Lamphun Golf Club
Perhaps the most picturesque is the Chiang Mai – Lamphun Golf Club, which played host to the SEA Games in 1995, 2002 Thailand National Games and the KOSAIDO Thailand Ladies Open in February 2003.

Designed by Dr. Sukhum Sukapanpotaram in 1990, this par 72 championship course, in magnificent condition, not only provides stunning views of the Himalayan foothills, but also a test for golfers of all handicaps. 

There are four par 3 holes, ten par 4s and four par 5s. Water comes into play around most of the course and while the easiest hole is arguably the short fifth, the hardest is the par 4 ninth. This signature hole, measuring 382 yards, has water running both sides of the fairway and a huge pond guarding a sloping green with out of bounds to the right.

The pick of the par 5s is debatably the fourth – reachable in two for the big hitters, although they must be accurate. Out of bounds runs down the left hand side of the fairway, and trees down the right, before a tree and bunkers guard a sloping green which has a stone wall behind it to catch balls running through.

Caddies and golf carts are provided on course, and between rounds a fully equipped clubhouse and pro shop are available. For overnight stays the 4 star Northern Heritage Spa and Hotel has 78 guest rooms on four floors overlooking the golf course and surrounding scenery.

There is a lagoon style swimming pool with jacuzzi; tennis courts, fitness centre, cycling, trekking, football and snooker are also at hand, and after all that activity, one can retire to the spa for a soak in Dead Sea minerals or a simple steam bath and massage.

Chiang Mai - Lamphun Golf Club    www.chiangmaigolf.com    www.nhrs.co.th
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Chiangmai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort
When the Samakoses family decided to plan their Chiangmai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort, they counted on past experience by employing world renowned golf course architect Lee Schmidt of the Schmidt-Curley Design Company. Schmidt was responsible for redesigning the family’s Muang Kaew Golf Club in Bangkok, and also creations at Chonburi’s Amata Springs and Mission Hills in China.

Nestled in the characteristic terrain of northern Thailand the Highlands course is best described as unforgiving, where water awaits the brave and bunkers the cautious. Five lakes come into direct play on eight of the 18 holes and deep bunkers smother the course. Shots carrying water often offer the shortest route to the green, but sand lies ready to gobble up golfers opting to play safe.

However, the signature hole for Highlands stands high and dry and is merely the 8th hardest hole on the circuit. Lee Schmidt chose the par 5 eighteenth because the view from a well hit drive on the fairway takes in the surrounding mountains, clubhouse, 18th green and the waterfall behind it.

The Highlands course is still in its infancy with play on it starting only two years ago, but the grass on the fairways and greens has settled quickly. So much so that readers of Asia Golf Monthly voted the playing circuit 3rd Best New Course in Asia and one of the top ten in Thailand.    

The future policy at Highlands is to provide a resort that caters for the entire family, and 350 plots of land have been designated for a gated community. Made in contemporary Lanna style, three types of dwellings are being carefully located to provide the best possible views of the golf course, clubhouse and mountains.

Also, a 5 star spa is under construction and should be completed before the end of this year. Soon weary golfers will have the choice to relax after play in the sauna, or take a short walk home to an easy chair and a Campari and orange juice out on the veranda.

Chiangmai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort    www.chiangmaihighlands.com
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The Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort
It could be argued that the course at The Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort gifts a little more room for error than the two mentioned previously. Having said that, however, the course designers, five times British Open winner Peter Thompson and colleague Michael Wolveridge, put in no fewer than 94 strategically placed bunkers and scores of streams and lakes, although the water doesn’t always come into direct play.

This par 72 links course opened in 1996, with its rolling fairways, pot bunkers and closely mowed areas around the greens surrounded by maturing trees and mountain scenery.

It has two feature holes – the par 4 fourth – a 438 yard drag uphill to a pair of deep pot bunkers guarding the green; and the par 5 fifth – downhill all the way, with a stream that flows beside the fairway before opening into a magnificent lake.

The signature hole at Royal Chiang Mai is the par 3 seventeenth. From the back tees the shot measures 173 yards over water to a raised green. Miss it, and you’ll be lucky to see the top of the flag with the second shot.  

The Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort also aims to satisfy the family by providing other amusements such as a swimming pool and fitness centre, and walks by mountain streams or in landscaped gardens. For the less energetic, snooker and karaoke are available.

If players are not quite ready to return home after completing a round, a 56 room hotel overlooking the golf course and valley is waiting to accommodate them.

By highlighting these golf courses as three of the best in the North in no way detracts from other golfing facilities in the area. Northern Thailand offers a first class range of golf at varying costs and degrees of difficulty, and whatever your budget or level of ability, no one leaves disappointed.

The Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort   www.royalchiangmai.com