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One of the most overlooked features about playing golf in Thailand, night golf in Thailand offers a unique and thrilling golfing experience that combines the serene beauty of lush fairways with the enchantment of twilight and starry skies.
Just because the sun is setting over Thailand's verdant landscapes doesn't mean that the chance to play golf has passed. At a select few golf courses in Thailand, golfers can tee off under the warm glow of floodlights, a popular choice for locals and tourists alike keen to enjoying cooler temperatures and a magical ambiance. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or a novice, playing under the stars in this tropical paradise adds an unforgettable twist to the game, creating memories that last a lifetime.
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Night golfing is an excellent option for those who want to make the most of Thailand's cultural treasures and sunbaked beaches during the day, but need to scratch that golfing itch. Where available, night golf is usually the cheapest way to play 18 holes on some of the best golf courses in Thailand, with the added bonus of avoiding the soaring temperatures and baking sun of the day.The night golf season usually runs between November and May each year and this coincides with many visitors from the northern hemisphere. Night golf usually tees off around 7pm, with courses closing after midnight, so there is plenty of time to enjoy a full round of golf in the evening.
Read on for our picks for the best places in Thailand to play night golf:
Summit Windmill Golf Club (Bangkok)
Popular Nick Faldo design in a central location in Bangkok, and probably the best place in Thailand for night golf
Night golf at Summit Windmill Golf Club
Situated a mere 30-minute drive from Bangkok and renowned for its popularity, Summit Windmill Golf Club features a unique design crafted by Nick Faldo. The course showcases an inventive artificial layout, involving significant earthmoving to simulate elevation changes and hillside fairways.
Despite its synthetic characteristics, the club is recognized as one of Bangkok's premier courses. The course's ambiance is delightful and park-like, adorned with palm trees along most fairways and hosting a diverse array of wildlife, including birds and reptiles.
Although the course plays to less than 7,000 yards, even from the back tees, it's no walk in the park as water hazards come into play on numerous holes, beginning with a substantial lake that borders the left side of both the lengthy par-5 1st hole and the thrilling final hole. Faldo's frequently inventive design is further distinguished by undulating fairways, expansive bunker complexes guarding most greens, and water-protected par-3s, notably the 12th hole featuring an island green.
Location: 30 mins from downtown Bangkok
Night Golf Tee Times: 4:30pm - 7:30pm (weekdays) / 5:55pm - 6:30pm (weekends)
Green Fee Price: from THB 2,900 (~$83 USD) for 18 Holes + Caddie + Cart
Rachakram Golf Club (Bangkok)
Value for money links-style course with excellent floodlights, around 1.5 hours from Bangkok
Rachakram Golf Club
Designed by renowned Thai golf architect Sukitt Klangvisai, who also designed Phuket Country Club, Rachakram Golf Club boasts a remarkable array of memorable holes at an affordable price, making the long trip from Bangkok well worth it. The course isn't too busy either, so you can keep up a good pace of play as you enjoy the attractive surroundings.
The course opened for play in 2006 and plays much like a links-style course, with undulations and open spaces in-front of the greens, allowing for low approach shots. The fairways are flat and generous, with firm and fast greens, which are very receptive to spin. There are several water hazards, some of which are blind and even longer hitters will struggle to clear the water on some of the par-5 holes.
The course looks tremendous once the floodlights come on, and playing at night offers great value for money too. While the distance from central Bangkok will ensure a late night if you choose to play at night, there is an onsite resort if you want to stay overnight and maybe squeeze in another round in the morning.
Location: 90 mins from downtown Bangkok
Night Golf Tee Times: daily from 3pm
Green Fee Price: from THB 1,000 (~$29 USD) for 18 Holes (caddie and cart are extra)
Pinehurst Golf & Country Club (Bangkok)
Old-school championship course complete with full floodlighting and Rolls Royce golf carts
Pinehurst Golf Club in Bangkok
Once one of the best golf courses in Bangkok but arguably no longer up to the standard of some of the newer courses in the area, Pinehurst Golf & Country Club hosted the 1992 Johnnie Walker Classic and the 1994 Thailand Open. Conveniently located just 15 minutes north of Don Muang Airport, it features wide fairways and flat greens, making it ideal for mid to high handicappers seeking a relaxing game at an easily accessible Bangkok golf course.
Pinehurst also offers unique VIP golf carts branded with Rolls Royce and night time flood lighting, making it popular among locals and expatriate Asian golfers. The 'night time' caddies, who are also local university students, add to the course's charm, though they may be chosen more for their figure, age, and other services than their on-course abilities.
Location: 40 mins from downtown Bangkok
Night Golf Tee Times: daily until 7:30pm
Green Fee Price: from THB 1,600 (~$46 USD) for 18 Holes (caddie and cart are extra)
Bangkok Golf Club (Bangkok)
Centrally located championship course in top-notch condition
Bangkok Golf Club
Established in the 1990s and located only 35 minutes from the city center, Bangkok Golf Club is an enjoyable championship course kept in top-notch condition. Surrounded by office blocks, a school, a Buddhist temple, and some local housing, the club is an oasis where the outside world fades away as you enjoy thrilling round on the course that played host to the Asian Tour's Volvo Masters in 2003.
Highlight include the par-3 11th, with an island turtle-back green that requires a confident tee shot over water and bunker to hit the green, and the 9th, a double dogleg par-5 once voted one of best 500 golf holes in the world by Golf Magazine.
The course's best feature is its superb quality greens, which are fast and undulating, so you should definitely take the advice of the expert caddies on hand to help read the many slopes and borrows on the putting surfaces.
Location: 35 mins from downtown Bangkok
Night Golf Tee Times: 3:00pm to 7:30pm, every day
Green Fee Price: from THB 1,400 (~$40 USD) for 18 Holes (caddie and cart are extra)
Panya Indra Golf Club (Bangkok)
A very pictureque 27-hole championship-standard course with plenty of water
Panya Indra Golf Club
Comprising three individual 9-hole championship courses—the Lagoon Course, Palm Course, and Garden Course—the conveniently situated Panya Indra Golf Club showcases a stunning landscape adorned with vibrant flowering plants, fairways lined with palm trees, and water features, including lakes and ponds that come into play on nearly every hole. The course's distinct character is further enhanced by meticulously crafted bunkers, natural flowing fairway lines, and undulating terrain.
The par-3 holes pose the greatest challenge, with nearly all requiring shots over water, particularly notable on the Palm Course's 4th hole, featuring an impressive island green. The holes are defined by clover-leaf bunkering, leading to small and intricate greens with minimal flat surfaces, placing a significant emphasis on your putting skills.
While the course is commendable for its well-maintained condition, playing at Panya Indra Golf Club may experience occasional erratic and slow pace, attributed to the course's popularity among local Thai business executives, members, and government officials.
Location: 25 mins from downtown Bangkok
Night Golf Tee Times: Available on request
Green Fee Price: Enquire
Lakewood Links (Bangkok)
Lots of water with elevated tee boxes and rolling greens makes this course a real challenge
Lakewood Links
Located just 30 minutes away from downtown Bangkok via elevated expressway, Lakewood Links is a flat links-style golf course featuring 18 holes spread over 7,017 yards of sandy waste areas, dunes, and water. With elevated tees, rolling fairways, and multi-tiered putting surfaces, this challenging course will test even the most skilled golfers.
Lakewood Links uniquely boasts two signature holes, the twin par-3 8th and 16th holes, which share a tee box and feature island greens in the shape of a crab and starfish, respectively. The greens are located in the middle of a large lake and are connected to the main course by footpaths.
Location: 30 mins from downtown Bangkok
Night Golf Tee Times: from 3:00pm every day
Green Fee Price: from THB 2,300 (~$66 USD) for 18 Holes + Caddie + Cart
Laem Chabang International Country Club (Pattaya)
Ranked as one of the best in Thailand, this Jack Nicklaus design is a must-play
Laem Chabang International Country Club, Pattaya
Nestled within 700 acres of scenic landscapes composed of mountains, lakes, and valleys, the 27 holes at Laem Chabang International Country Club form what is widely acknowledged as Pattaya's premier layout. Each 9-hole loop corresponds to a specific type of terrain, offering its own set of challenges and unique beauty.
Leveraging the stunning natural surroundings, the course integrates coconut trees, lakes, streams, creeks, and exposed rock formations, creating a challenging experience accentuated by strategically placed sand traps. The course boasts impeccable conditions, featuring lush fairways, fast and true putting greens, a pristine clubhouse, and top-notch caddies.
Having been nominated for Best Course in Thailand every single year of the World Golf Awards, the only mystery is why it hasn't won yet. A trip to Laem Chabang International Country Club will live long in the memory.
Location: 30 mins from downtown Pattaya
Night Golf Tee Times: from 3:30pm to 6pm every day
Green Fee Price: from THB 3,200 (~$92 USD) for 18 Holes (caddie and cart are extra)
Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai Country Club (Chiang Mai)
Conveniently located and well-maintained parkland course that offers the chance to play in the crisp evening air
Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai Country Club
One of the best-maintained golf courses in Chiang Mai, the Dennis Griffiths-designed Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai Country Club is located in a lowland area of unique natural landscaping, just 20 minutes from downtown Chiangmai. It's a challenging course characterised by numerous elevation changes, abundant water hazards, and well-placed bunkers.
The fairways, lined with palm trees, are seemingly wide, but golfers must exercise caution since water hazards and bunkers are abundant in the landing areas, narrowing the fairways and leaving no room for wayward shots. The greens are large and receptive, and putting speed is moderate to slightly fast.
The course is fully lit during the evening and with prices for night golf much cheaper than during the day, this can be a great way to sample the course. Playing a round of golf in the crisp evening air at Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai Country Club is a tremendous experience and one every golfer in Thailand will enjoy.
Location: 20 mins from downtown Chiang Mai
Night Golf Tee Times: from 3:30pm to 10pm every day
Green Fee Price: from THB 1,100 (~$31 USD) for 18 Holes (caddie and cart are extra)
Stardome Golf Club, Chiang Mai
Stardome Golf Club, in Chiang Mai can be seen for miles when lit up at night
Stardome Golf Club, in Chiang Mai
Home to the biggest driving range in northern Thailand, the Stardome Golf Club in Chiang Mai can be seen for miles when lit up at night. This 9-hole Chiang Mai golf course is perfectly suited to nighttime golf and features plenty of water hazards, which combine with the sand to produce the biggest challenge on the course.
Accuracy off the tee is vital for a low score here, as the fairways can be quite narrow at times and the water stretches out alongside each of them. With the floodlights on, night golf at Stardome Golf Club is a lot of fun and that’s how it should be treated.
Playing a 9-hole golf course under artificial lighting is never going to be like playing a full 18-hole championship course in daylight but it is very entertaining. Coupled with the huge driving range, which is also open after dark, the Stardome Golf Club is a great place to go for a round of golf after a day of sightseeing or being in the office.
Summary
Night golf in Thailand has become a very popular activity among the locals and it’s easy to see why. There’s a great choice of golf courses to play, and whether you are in Bangkok, Pattaya or in the mountainous north, you can enjoy a great round of golf after dark in Thailand, typically at a great price. Another benefit of playing night golf in Thailand is the smaller number of players who are using the golf course, meaning you can take more time over your shots and really immerse yourself in the course.
Playing night golf in Thailand is a fantastic experience and one you should try when visiting the country on a golf holiday.
Related Reading:
- The Best Golf Courses in Bangkok (Updated 2024)
- The Best Golf Courses in Phuket (Updated 2024)
- The Best Golf Courses in Pattaya (Updated 2024)
- The Best Golf Courses in Hua Hin (Updated 2024)
- The Best Golf Courses in Chiang Mai (Updated 2024)