Chiang Mai golf course guide
Chiang Mai has many fascinating courses
Chiang Mai presents some of the best golf choices in all of Thailand. Only Pattaya, and arguably Hua Hin, have better selections in such a compact area, although golf in Chiang Mai is cheaper and enjoys more beautiful settings. There are more than 10 courses, none of which is more than a 45-minute drive from the city centre. Many are situated outside of Chiang Mai in lovely settings with mountainous backdrops, plus there are a few close the Old Town.
In general, courses are well maintained and some have been created by well known designers to offer interesting and challenging holes with plenty of water. The biggest attraction is perhaps the price, and despite varying quite considerably, you can either have a round for less than 500 baht (Hang Dong Golf Club) or enjoy a really stunning course for 2,400 baht (Gassan Khuntan Golf resort).
All of them rent clubs, caddies, carts, even shoes, and have very good clubhouses. Your hotel concierge, or local travel agent, will be able to organise a golfing day, or you can call and arrange a tee-off time and find your own way there.
You might like to consider checking into one of the golf resorts for a multi-day experience that adds up to good value. Many have other activities and a spa for non-golfing partners. Of course, after a game of golf you can enjoy a massage and excellent Thai meal anywhere in the city.
Chiang Mai golf courses
open to the public
Lanna Golf Club: Located just 15 minutes from the city centre on the Mae Rim road, this is one of the best established and most popular courses in Chiang Mai. It is a superb, mature course with challenging fairways and fast greens and is favoured by the who's who of Chiang Mai. Booking recommended on weekends. Weekdays: 1,500 baht per 27 holes, 1,000 baht per 18 holes and 500 baht for 9 holes; weekends: 1,800 baht per 27 holes, 1,200 baht per 18 holes, and 600 baht for 9 holes. Carts and clubs available. Mae Rim Road (opposite Bank of Thailand building), tel: (053) 221 911 / 221 556, email: kcalfee@loxinfo.co.th.
Alpine Golf Resort (formerly Chiang Mai-Lamphun Golf Club and Heritage Resort): This course has an excellent setting in a hidden valley and is part of a comfortable resort that makes an ideal golfing weekend getaway. Located about 30 minutes drive from Chiang Mai, the course is mature and in excellent condition, albeit a bit pricey compared to the others, but the whole resort package is good value overall for a couple of nights. Price: 1,600 baht per 18 holes; caddy fee per 18 holes: 200 baht and 120 baht for 9 holes; equipment set: 600 baht, cart: 600 baht, shoes: 200 baht. Mae On District, Sankhaempeng (east Chiang Mai), tel/fax: (053) 880 888, email: happiness@alpinegolfresort.com.
They can also find your balls!
Mae Jo Golf Club: Positioned north of Chiang Mai behind the Mae Jo University building, Mae Jo Golf Club is under 30 minutes drive from the city centre. The course is much appreciated among golfers wishing to play a top-class fun course. The scenery here is beautiful and one of mountains and an abundance of orchids and fruit trees alongside the course’s grass fairways. The course is open every day (9 holes only available after 15:00). Weekdays: 1,800 baht per 18 holes, 900 baht per 9 holes; weekends: 2,400 baht per 18 holes, 1,200 baht per 9 holes. Caddy fee: 18 holes, 250 baht and 150 baht per 9 holes; golf set: 1,000-1,500 baht, shoes: 150 baht, cart: 600 baht per 18 holes and 400 baht per 9 holes. 112 Moo 7, tel: (053) 354 431-2, email: info@maejogolfclub.com.
Chiang Mai Highlands Golf & Spa: Situated east of Chiang Mai, nearby San Kamphaeng, this course, which opened in 2005, can be reached within a 30-minute scenic drive of Chiang Mai. The course is challenging and exciting for both beginners and advanced golfers and comes with five different tee boxes. Golfers here will appreciate the wonderful views throughout the entire course and there are more than 100 greenside bunkers and fairways. Chiang Mai Highlands Golf & Spa is open daily and non-members are welcome. Non-member: 2,800 baht per 18 holes, member: 1,250 baht, Thai resident: 1,400 baht (900 baht after 14:30), caddy fee per 18 holes: 250 baht; golf set: 1,200+ baht, cart: 600 baht, shoes: 150 baht. Tel: (053) 261 354-9, mobile: 081 961 0028 email: sales@chiangmaihighlands.com
Gassan Marina Golf Club: Thailand’s longest course is situated in Lamphun, around one hour from downtown Chiang Mai. The course opened in 2006 and is positioned around the biggest lake in Chiang Mai province. Any golfer will be impressed by the course’s wonderful design, with a daunting amount of water features, bunkers and ditches. There is a swimming pool, sauna, massage, spa, Arabic clubhouse and restaurant. Weekdays: 2,000 baht per 18 holes; weekends/holidays 2,400 baht per 18 holes; caddy fee: 200 baht, cart: 500 baht, clubs: 600 baht. 99 Moo 17, tel: (053) 266 700-1, email: info@gassangolf.com.
Chiang Mai Green Valley Country Club: or Summit Green Valley Chiangmai Country Club, is located within a 15-minute drive of the city centre and is a world class course. The professionally maintained course is wonderfully located, surrounded as it is by lush mountains, and the combination of fresh air, pretty lake and abundant trees makes golfing here an unforgettable experience. High Season (1st November-31st March)1,800 baht per 18 holes; Low Season (1st April 1-31st October): weekday 1,200 baht, weekend 1,500 baht (after 15:00, charge for 9 hole game); golf set: 700 baht, golf cart: 500 baht, shoes: 100 baht. Caddy fee per 18 holes: 200 baht. 186 Moo 1 Chotana Rd, Tel: (053) 298 220-3, email: info@chiangmaigreenvalleygolf.com.
Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort: Opened since 1996, this world-class golf course is set in a gorgeous valley boasting magnificent scenery with trails, trees, streams, and waterfalls. At the end of the course there is a fabulous view towards the clubhouse, which has 54 rooms, a swimming pool, fitness centre and snooker room. Weekdays: 1,400 baht per 18 holes, 1,000 baht per 9 holes; weekend/public holidays: 1,800 baht per 18 holes, 1,200 baht per 9 holes; golf cart: 600-800 baht (18 holes) and 350-500 baht (9 holes); caddy fee: 250 baht (18 holes) and 150 baht (9 holes), clubs: 700 baht, shoes: 100 baht. 169 Moo 5 Chiang Mai-Prao Rd, Tel: (053) 849 301-6, email: golf1@royalchiangmai.com.
Hang Dong Golf Course: Positioned about 15kms outside the city, this relatively new course offers value for money and golfers will enjoy the backdrop of mountains, view over the lake and many pretty water features. The spacious clubhouse serves good food and well priced beer, too. Price: 320 baht per 18 holes (after 18:00, only 9 holes for 200 baht). Prices include caddy fee. Tel: (053) 426 201.
Gassan Khun Tan Golf and Resort: Open since 2004, the Gassan Khun Tan Golf and Resort is located in Lamphun, about an hour's drive from Chiang Mai. Perfectly set amid tropical surroundings, this challenging course is one of Thailand’s finest. The resort also features a hotel, swimming pool, massage facility and bar. Price: 2,400 baht per 18 holes, caddy fee: 200 baht, cart: 500 baht. 109/1 Moo2, tel: (053) 507 006-8, fax: (053) 507 014, email: info@gassangolf.com.
Chiang Mai golf tours
Siam Lanna Holiday: This Chiang Mai golf tour company provides dedicated golfers who want to sample some of northern Thailand’s best courses a top class holiday with no expense spared. Hotels, transfers and tee off times are all arranged while non-golfers can enjoy a range of cultural and therapeutic attractions. (223/152 moo 15 San pooloi, Doi Saket, Chiang mai 50220, Tel: + 66 (0)8 9951 7611 or (0)8 9759 0551)
Updated: January 2012
