Hua Hin Golf

Golf
Golf is the most popular sport in Hua Hin, its not surprising with seven world class golf courses all within 45 minutes drive of town center. Tourists and expats alike choose Hua Hin for its golf courses, there are at least three local golf clubs in town and more being formed every year.

More Hua Hin golf information on Golf Holidays Hua Hin

New golf courses in Hua Hin
Two new golf courses are currently being built around Hua Hin including the long awaited Banyan Golf Course (below) located 11km south west of town. The Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin will primarily serve the residents of its property development, the Banyan Estate. The teak clubhouse will accommodate a pro shop, changing rooms and a 5 star restaurant. From the upstairs veranda, golfers enjoying the 19th hole will view fellow golfers on the 9th and 18th green and 1st and 10th tees.

The course has been thoughtfully designed by one of Thailand's best course design companies that will offer one of the best challenges in Hua Hin with far reaching spectacular views. Banyan Golf Club membership will be limited to only the purchasers of property on the Banyan Estate development however the course will be available for all to play on. Banyan Golf Club is due for completion in early 2008.

Black Mountain is a new 18-hole golf course located on the other side of the hills on the west side of Palm Hills Golf Resort just 10km from central Hua Hin. Black Mountain Golf Course is due to open at the end of 2006 but it is unlikely this will happen.

The construction began at the beginning of the year and at present the fairway grassing is almost complete. The greens have been grassed for a few months already and have a beautiful surface of bermuda grass. The fairways have been grassed with seashore paspalum. This is the first time this type of grass has been used in the Hua Hin area, and it gives a wonderful playing surface as well as a beautiful colour.

A computer controlled irrigation system, which is connected to a weather station, has been installed, to allow the fairways to be watered and with just the right amount of water. This will produce fairways that are healthy and firm, rather that having dry and wet areas. No expense has been spared in the efforts to maintain the golf course to the very highest standards - even as far as having an underlay in the bunkers to hold the sand in place during heavy rainstorms.

The project leader is Gavan Wilson. He is in charge of building and maintaining the golf course. Gavan has worked in Thailand for 15 years and is one of the most highly respected golf course superintendants in Thailand.

The goal of black mountain golf is to ultimately be the best golf course in Asia. The intention is to hold many professional tournaments and try to attract some of the best golfers in the world. The golf course will be capable of providing a test for the top professionals but also be playable for the average golfers. The course architect, Phill Ryan, has made very clever use of the natural beauty of the site and the natural terrain. Features of the course are the rock faces set in to the mountains and the natural creeks that run trough the course. All the large rocks, found on site, have been used in the construction and as features on the golf course. Every consideration has been taken to make the course as visually stunning as possible. The location of the clubhouse was chosen to give a panoramic view over the whole course as well as positioning the 1st and 10th tees and 9th and 18th greens directly in front of the clubhouse.

When the golf course opens everybody will be welcome to use the facilities which will include driving range and practise area, restaurants, pro shops and of course golf course.

Courses
The main popular courses are listed below, they can get busy at weekends and prices are likely to be higher also:

		Majestic Creek Country Club 18 holes, 6961 yards, par 72 Designed by Sukitti Klangvisai, opened 1993 Distance from Hua Hin: 30 minutes Approx cost for a round: 2,400
		Palm Hills Resort and Country Club 18 holes, 6890 yards, par 72 Designed by Max Wexler, opened 1991 Distance from Hua Hin: 15 minutes Approx cost for a round: 2,400
		Royal Hua Hin Golf Course 18 holes, 6678 yards, par 72 Designed by O A Robins, opened 1924 Distance from Hua Hin: central Approx cost for a round: 1,600
		Hua Hin Seoul Country Club 18 holes, 6614 yards, par 72 Designed by Robert Mcfarland, opened 1992 Distance from Hua Hin: 25 minutes Approx cost for a round: 1,600
		Springfield Royal Country Club 18 holes, 7063 yards, par 72 Designed by Jack Nicklaus, opened 1993 Distance from Hua Hin: 25 minutes Approx cost for a round: 3,700
		Imperial Lake View 18 holes, 6915 yards, par 72. 9 holes, 3417 yards, par 36 Designed by Roger Packard, opened 1993 Distance from Hua Hin: 20 minutes Approx cost for a round: 2,400
		Sawang Resort Golf Club 18 holes, 6959 yards, par 72 Designed by Isao Ikatsumata, opened 1993 Distance from Hua Hin: 1 hour Approx cost for a round: 1,800

There are a number of smaller courses and 9 hole golf courses such as Pranburi and Ao Manao, these are generally military courses where the fairways and greens are in poorer condition, ideal for hackers though and usually very cheap to play!

Driving Ranges and Pitch & Putt
Two driving ranges can be found in Hua Hin, the first is at Royal Hua Hin Golf course where a tray of balls sets you back 20 baht and the second is at Pae Mai along the canal road, slightly more expensive but the facilities are better here. There is another range and pitch and putt out at Palm Hills and a small nine hole par 3 course on Petchkasem road out near the airport.