With over ten golf courses, including the first one in Thailand, you could easily spend a week or more in Hua Hin
Hua Hin is known as being Thailand’s first beach resort, with the summer residences of King Vajiravudh and King Prajadhipok being built there in the 1920’s. The royal residence of Phra Ratchawang Klai Kangwon is still in use today and offers a lovely insight into days gone by.
With the construction of the southern railway, Hua Hin became the place to be for Thai nobility, who began building their own summer residences along the coast of the town. In the 1980’s, luxury hotel brands got in on the action and foreign travellers started to enjoy everything Hua Hin had to offer. There is plenty of money in this region of Thailand and it wasn’t long before golf courses were being designed and constructed and the first Hua Hin golf resorts started taking shape.
So, why do many people enjoy traveling from Bangkok, especially on weekends, to play golf at the Hua Hin golf resorts?
Firstly, it’s the distance. Hua Hin is just over 2 hours away from Bangkok by car and this makes it a perfectly reasonable place to stay for a weekend of golf. It is much closer than the southern islands, so for those people staying in Bangkok who are short on time, it makes sense to visit Hua Hin. That’s not to say Hua Hin doesn’t have enough to entertain for longer than a couple of days. With over ten golf courses, including the first one in Thailand, you could easily spend a week or more in Hua Hin. However, with its proximity to the capital city of Bangkok, they make for the perfect two centred golf holiday.
Hua Hin Weather
When planning a trip to Hua Hin golf resorts, you must consider the climate. Hua Hin has a pleasant climate and can be enjoyed for 12 months of the year. In terms of playing golf and enjoying the facilities and at Hua Hin golf resorts, November to February is the best time to visit. This period sees cool and dry weather but if you prefer hot weather, March to May would be the better choice. However, you must be aware that with the humidity, temperatures can rise much higher than shown and this can make playing golf and other sports difficult.
The rainy season is from June to October, with September usually being the wettest month in Hua Hin. For those who would like to book a stay at a Hua Hin golf resort during this time of year, the good news is the rain tends to come in short bursts and will not fall every day. There doesn’t tend to be long periods of drizzle, like you will see in North America and Europe, which means you should have plenty of time to enjoy the golf course.
With that in mind, let’s look at some of the best Hua Hin golf resorts and the world class golf courses you will be playing on during your stay.
Black Mountain Golf Resort
Black Mountain Golf Club should be on the top of your list of Hua Hin golf resorts
Home to one of, if not the top rated golf course in Thailand, Black Mountain Golf Club should be on the top of your list of Hua Hin golf resorts. The golf course at Black Mountain Golf club has been used for Asian PGA Tour events and hosted the Thailand Classic, which was the first European Tour event to be staged in Thailand. The golf course is designed by Phil Ryan and opened for play in 2007. Perhaps the best thing about the Black Mountain course, it that its suitable for both professional and beginner players.
Many holes have high risk options, which experienced golfers can use or safer options, which are often the choice of beginners. The higher risk options bring greater reward but also the potential for dropped shots, so you must choose your approach carefully when playing at Black Mountain Golf Club. Fairways start with plenty of width but become narrower the closer to the hole they become, which means longer hitters need to be accurate off the tee. The greens are large but with white sand bunkers protecting them, so anything which fails to find the green could result in a difficult escape shot.
Away from the golf course, the fully catered resort offers a choice of accommodation. The once private, course-side villas have been opened to the public and feature luxury interiors, just metres away from the golf course. Complete with two or three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, living area, outdoor terrace and private pool, a course-side villa is the ultimate golfing experience. Coupled with a top-quality restaurant, spa, gym and water park, Black Mountain is easily one of the best Hua Hin golf resorts.
Black Mountain Golf Club offers the best combination of golf and facilities. Featuring one of the top golf courses in Thailand and high class accommodation and facilities, you will struggle to find a better golf resort in Hua Hin than Black Mountain Golf Club.
However, having won the award for Best New Course in Asia Pacific by the readers of Asian Golf Monthly in 2009, Banyan Golf Club is giving Black Mountain a run for its money. Since winning the award in 2009, Banyan Golf Club has continued to excel and has won numerous awards for the quality of its golf course, clubhouse, facilities and staff.
Pineapple Valley Golf Club
The views of the mountains and ocean from many of the holes is spectacular
The golf course at Pineapple Valley Golf Club was designed by Thailand golf course architect Pirapon Namatra from Golf East and has been described as being the most natural in the country. The views of the mountains and ocean from many of the holes is spectacular and with six tee boxes to choose from on each of them, the course is suitable for golfers of all abilities. Bunkers and waters hazards are found throughout the 18 holes and native pineapple groves are found close to the edge of the fairways, so be careful if you find your tee shot heading wide of the target.
The greens are well maintained throughout the year and play fast, while remaining receptive. The biggest test at Pineapple Valley Golf Club must be the 12th hole, which plays to 610 yards, all of which are up-hill. With elevated greens, sloping fairways, meandering creeks, waste bunkers and tremendous views throughout, Pineapple Valley Golf Club is a delight to play.
The Pineapple Valley Resort
There is a choice of luxurious one and two bedroom villas which are furnished in a traditional Thai style
The resort is popular with people living in Bangkok, who like to stay for a weekend golf holiday and it’s easy to see why. There is a choice of luxurious one and two bedroom villas which are furnished in a traditional Thai style with a full range of modern amenities. Each one bedroom villa comes with a private jacuzzi and this leads to a larger lagoon style pool for all guests to enjoy. The two bedroom villas have a private swimming pool in addition to a spacious terrace and outdoor shower.
The resort not only offers the 18-hole championship golf course highlighted above but also a restaurant, bar, spa, fitness facilities and organised tours to the local sights. Pineapple Valley Golf Club is within easy reach of both Kaeng Krachan National Park and Sam Roi Yot National Park, making it not only a great place to stay for golf but also for seeing the natural beauty of the region. Pineapple Valley Golf Club is the complete package and comes highly recommended as one of the best Hua Hin golf resorts.
Springfield Country Club
The deluxe resort at Springfield offers tropical design cottages, each with an open view of the mountains and golf course
Hua Hin is home to some of Thailand’s top rate golf courses and the Jack Nicklaus design at Springfield Country Club is no exception. With holes lined by mature trees and hillocks, accuracy off the tee is a must, if you are to score low at this golf course. Water is a key feature at Springfield Country Club and only a few of the 27 holes do not have water as a hazard. However, with five tee locations to choose from, every level of golfer can enjoy a good round at Springfield Royal Country Club and only those who are on top of their game will take on the challenge of playing from the back tees.
Coupled with the water, large waste bunkers are prominent, especially during the back nine holes. They can be found mainly on the right side of the fairway, so even on those holes where water is not a problem, anything which drifts out to the right side, will be punished. You do not need to be a long driver to enjoy this golf course and finesse is equally, if not more important than length. The best is saved to last at Springfield Royal Country Club and the 18th hole features a difficult island green. It can be reached in two but you must hit a good drive over trees and then a long, accurate shot to find the green. The 18th is a par-5 so if you do not feel confident in reaching the green in two you can play safe and still have a chance to finish with a birdie.
Springfield Golf Resort
There are also 94 hotel style rooms meaning there is something to suit every taste and budget.
The deluxe resort at Springfield offers tropical design cottages, each with an open view of the mountains and golf course. There are also 94 hotel style rooms, ranging from deluxe to grand junior, meaning there is something to suit every taste and budget. The restaurant provides a stunning panoramic view of the golf course, mountains and surrounding countryside. The Bird of Paradise restaurant, which is in the clubhouse offers both Thai and international cuisine. Jacks Lounge and the Cool Bar are great for light meals, snacks and drinks and the Bosco restaurant serves a fusion of Asian and Italian cuisine. In terms of dining, there is something for everyone to enjoy at Springfield Royal Country Club.
Other facilities include the one acre swimming pool, activity zone with rock climbing, abseiling, high ropes and archery, a fully equipped spa and mountain bike hire. Therefore, there is something to enjoy for the whole family.
With an additional 9 holes added to the original 18-hole Jack Nicklaus layout, there is plenty to like about Springfield Royal Country Club. You will be hard pressed to find a better golf resort in this region of Thailand and it is certainly one of the outstanding Hua Hin golf resorts.
Although there are great benefits to staying at a Hua Hin resort which has its own golf course, you can enjoy a golf holiday by staying at a different resort and playing numerous high quality golf courses in the area. A good example of this is Putahracsa Hua Hin, which is ideally located to play any of Hua Hin’s golf courses.
Putahracsa Resort
The accommodation at Putahracsa comes in the form of rooms and villas, with a choice of two in each category. There are 36 Silksand rooms which are situated around the main swimming pool. Complete with basic luxury amenities, the lower rooms have a large terrace and the rooms on the upper floor enjoy panoramic views of the pool below. The 8 Silksand Deluxe rooms surround an exclusive swimming pool and boast a walk-in shower and jacuzzi stream, with private balcony.
There’s a choice of four different villas at Putahracsa. The Oceanbed Jacuzzi Villas have a private rain shower cabin and outdoor jacuzzi, while the Oceanbed Pool Villas come complete with a private pool, terrace and discreet butler service. La Canna Pool Villas also have a large private pool with additional amenities such as an i-Pod and mobile phone, each of which can be used during your stay.
Having enjoyed a round of golf at one of the nearby Hua Hin golf courses, you can return to Putahracsa and enjoy some refreshments. The Oceanside Restaurant and Beach Club is a delightful open-air restaurant, serving Thai and Pacific Rim inspired dishes plus authentic BBQ’s. Other facilities include the day-spa, fully equipped gym, cooking classes and organised excursions to local attractions. Putahracsa is not a Hua Hin golf resort, as it does not have its own golf course but it serves as a great place to stay and play the surrounding golf courses.
G Hua Hin Resort and Mall
The same can be said for G Hua Hin Resort and Mall, which is located just 150 meters from Hua Hin Market Village and Hua Hin Beach. Again, the great thing about this resort is the proximity to some of Hua Hin’s top golf courses. You can stay at G Hua Hin Resort and Mall and play the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course, Sea Pines Golf Course and many more.
With four great rooms to choose from, including Deluxe Pool View, Jacuzzi Pool Deluxe, Jacuzzi Spa Suite and Jacuzzi Pool Suite, you can sample the very best in luxurious accommodation. Amenities include private jacuzzi, direct access to the main swimming pool, and a separate rain shower room.
Dining options include the Pier 94 restaurant which offers traditional Thai and European dishes, in addition to a daily buffet style breakfast. G Hua Hin Resort and Mall comes complete with salt water swimming pools, a fitness centre, rooftop bar, lounge and children’s playground. The resort staff are more than happy to arrange transport to and from Hua Hin’s fantastic golf courses, so you can stay at G Hua Hin Resort and Mall for as long as you like and play every golf course in Hua Hin if you wish. The choice is yours.
There are many world class Hua Hin golf resorts to choose from and enjoy. Black Mountain Golf Club, Banyan Golf Club and Springfield Royal Country Club are three of the finest available. Providing the perfect mix of championship golf courses, luxurious accommodation and outstanding facilities, they have everything you could want from a golf holiday and more.
However, if you would prefer to base yourself at a Hua Hin resort which does not have a golf course, you can do that too. Putahracsa and G Hua Hin Resort and Mall are not only first-rate resorts, they offer easy access to the leading golf courses in Hua Hin, meaning you can experience the best of both worlds when on a golf holiday in Hua Hin.