Phuket
Blue Canyon Country Club
A world icon with Canyon Course and Lakes Course. Tiger Woods won the Johnnie Walker Classic here.
8 Courses Overlooking the Andaman Sea
Phuket, the pearl of the Andaman, is not only Thailand's largest island — it is one of the most spectacular golf destinations in the world. Surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, this island paradise has transformed its mining heritage into an exceptional golfing legacy, carving world-renowned courses into the heart of its lush green hills.
The former tin deposits that shaped the island's economy for centuries left behind truly unique landscapes — canyons, red cliffs, natural lakes — which master architects transformed into extraordinary playing grounds. Legends such as Jack Nicklaus and Yoshikazu Kato have put their signature on these courses, while PGA Tour champions, led by Tiger Woods, helped forge their international reputation.
With 8 championship courses concentrated on the island and its immediate surroundings (Phang Nga), Phuket offers a rare density of golf venues in the tropics. Close to the great beaches of Bang Tao, Kamala and Nai Harn, and surrounded by luxury resorts (Banyan Tree, Angsana, Laguna Collection), playing golf in Phuket is a complete experience combining sport, nature and leisure.
Expert selection of the best clubs on the island and in Phang Nga
Phuket
A world icon with Canyon Course and Lakes Course. Tiger Woods won the Johnnie Walker Classic here.
Kathu
Carved from a former tin mine. Red cliffs, dramatic elevation changes — the ultimate test in Phuket.
Bang Tao
Redesigned in 2015, World Golf Awards winner. At the heart of the Laguna resort complex (Banyan Tree, Angsana).
Northeast Coast
The only true seaside course. Nicklaus Design between mangroves and the Andaman Sea.
Kathu
A tranquil oasis in the Kathu valley. 9 lakeside holes + 9 hillside holes. Red Mountain's "sister course."
Phang Nga
A gem facing the Andaman Sea with 2.5 km of private beach. Pacific Coast design, Platinum Paspalum grass.
Phang Nga
The "Valley of Dreams" nestled between 3 mountains. A 15th-century tin mine site with a Sino-Portuguese clubhouse.
Kathu
Phuket's first golf course (1989). 27 holes winding through valleys and forests. Score-friendly and steeped in history.
Thalang, Phuket
If there is one name that resonates with prestige in the minds of golfers worldwide, it is Blue Canyon Country Club. Voted best course in Asia on multiple occasions, this 36-hole complex is a living legend. Designed by Japanese architect Yoshikazu Kato in the early 1990s, it was carved from the site of a former abandoned tin mine. Located just 10 minutes from the international airport, it is a must-play stop for any serious golf trip to Phuket.
The Canyon Course is the jewel in the crown. This layout achieved worldwide fame in 1998, when Tiger Woods won the Johnnie Walker Classic here, hitting a legendary shot over the water at hole 13. If you want to play golf in Thailand on a course that has tested the greatest champions, this is the one for you.
Kato preserved the scars of the mining landscape, using sheer cliffs and water-filled canyons to create dramatic natural hazards. For golf enthusiasts on a prestige golf trip, the Canyon Course demands absolute precision. The fairways wind between dense wooded areas and intimidating water hazards, making each hole a lesson in strategy — the very essence of an organised golf trip where adrenaline meets history.
The second layout, the Lakes Course, offers a complementary yet equally demanding experience. As its name suggests, water is the dominant feature, coming into play on 17 of the 18 holes. More open than its sibling, it allows you to admire the island's spectacular landscapes while requiring careful reading of the coastal winds.
For golf enthusiasts on a golf holiday, the Lakes Course is a visual delight. The white sand bunkers contrast beautifully with the deep blue of the lakes formed by former mining activity. It is the ideal course for a golf stay where you seek to combine the pleasure of the eye with technical rigour. Hole 18, a long par 4 climbing back towards the majestic clubhouse, provides a grand finale to your day of golf in Phuket.
The Blue Canyon clubhouse, with its imposing architecture and panoramic views, reflects the exclusivity of the venue. Whether you are on a solo golf trip or planning a group golf holiday, the welcome here is of rare elegance. After your round, the spa and dining facilities allow you to extend the experience in absolute comfort.
As a golf-specialist travel agency, we consider Blue Canyon to be the cornerstone of a successful southern itinerary. Including both courses in your all-inclusive golf trip to Phuket means immersing yourself in luxury and tradition. Less vertically dramatic than Red Mountain Golf Club but steeped in unrivalled historical prestige, Blue Canyon Country Club remains the absolute benchmark. It is the promise of a golf stay in Thailand where every swing connects you to the legend of the game, amid the azure waters and ochre earth of the Andaman pearl.
Must-Know: Johnnie Walker Classic 1994, 1998, 2007. Tiger Woods victory.
Kathu, Phuket
Opened in 2007, Red Mountain Golf Club is far more than a simple golf course — it is a technical and aesthetic masterpiece. Carved from the heart of a former abandoned tin mine, this course takes its name from the red earth cliffs that contrast dramatically with the emerald green of the fairways and the dense tropical jungle. Located in Kathu, just 15 minutes from Patong and 20 minutes from Phuket Town, it has established itself as the ultimate benchmark for golf in Phuket and consistently ranks in Thailand's Top 3.
The course is the work of architect Jonathan Morrow and designer Al Tikkanen. Their challenge was colossal: composing with a rugged terrain and vertiginous elevation changes. The result is an 18-hole layout (Par 71) of wild beauty, where each hole seems to have been wrenched from the mountain itself. For anyone wishing to play golf in Thailand, Red Mountain represents the ultimate test of precision, demanding total mastery of ball flight.
This Phuket golf course is not the longest in the kingdom (6,781 yards from the pro tees), but it is one of the most strategic. Elevation changes are constant, deep ravines and water hazards are ever-present. Every shot demands absolute concentration, making this a flagship stop on any organised golf trip defined by excellence and adrenaline.
What stays with you after this golf trip is the total immersion in a setting that looks straight out of an adventure film.
The signature hole: Hole 17 is world-famous. This Par 3 presents a vertiginous drop of more than 40 metres from an elevated tee to a green nestled at the bottom of a forested canyon. An unforgettable moment in your golf stay in Thailand.
The technical challenge: The greens are large and fast, often protected by red sand bunkers or natural rocks. Reading the slopes, influenced by the mountainous terrain, is a constant challenge for golf travellers.
The clubhouse: Modern and elegant, it overlooks the course and offers a breathtaking view of the red cliffs — the ideal spot to debrief after a round on a group golf trip while enjoying the luxury of Thai hospitality.
As a golf-specialist travel agency, we consider Red Mountain the island's ultimate experience. It is the must-play course for an all-inclusive golf trip to Phuket. While the green fees are among the highest in the region, the exclusivity of the setting and the quality of the course maintenance justify every swing.
Whether you are organising a solo golf trip or a luxury retreat, Red Mountain delivers a spectacular dimension you will not find anywhere else — not even at Black Mountain Golf Club or Banyan Golf Club. It is an immersion in the power of nature, a challenge thrown down by the mountain that leaves every golfer feeling they have played one of the most intense rounds of their life in the heart of the Andaman pearl.
Rankings: Top 3 Thailand, Top 25 Asia (Golf Digest)
Bang Tao, Phuket
Nestled at the heart of the prestigious Bang Tao resort complex, Laguna Golf Phuket is a dream destination for any golf enthusiast visiting Phuket. Completely redesigned in 2015 by architect Paul Jansen, this 18-hole course (Par 71) was transformed from a simple resort layout into a genuine world-award-winning strategic challenge. Located just 25 minutes from the international airport, it offers rare accessibility, allowing you to play golf in Thailand from the moment you arrive on the island.
Laguna's strength lies in its reinvention. Jansen introduced a tactical dimension by completely reshaping the fairways and greens. If you are looking for a Phuket golf course that rewards thinking and precision over raw power, this is the course for you. The design emphasises ball placement, with sculpted sand zones and water hazards weaving through the lagoons that characterise the site.
For golf enthusiasts on a golf trip, the course offers an impressive variety of situations. The fairways are lined with coconut palms and mangroves, creating a soothing tropical atmosphere. The greens, meanwhile, are large and often heavily undulating, demanding a delicate touch to avoid nasty surprises. It is this quality of design that earned it the title of "Best Golf Course in Thailand" at the World Golf Awards.
What sets this Phuket golf course apart is its perfect integration into its surroundings. The course is part of an ecosystem where local wildlife and vegetation are carefully preserved.
The unique setting: Between the azure lagoons and the green hillsides in the background, every hole is a postcard. This is the very essence of an all-inclusive golf holiday where the visual pleasure counts as much as the scorecard.
The technical challenge: Holes 16 and 17 are formidable, with water coming directly into play from the front and the side, testing your nerves at the end of your golf trip.
The Premium experience: The clubhouse has also been renovated to offer world-class facilities, including a state-of-the-art golf academy and a very well-stocked pro shop — ideal for a solo or group golf trip.
As a golf-specialist travel agency, we recommend Laguna Golf Phuket for its versatility. It is the ideal course to begin your trip before tackling more demanding courses such as Red Mountain Golf Club. Its location within the Laguna resort complex (Banyan Tree, Angsana, Dusit Thani) makes it a strategic base for a high-end all-inclusive golf stay.
Choosing this club for your all-inclusive golf trip means treating yourself to a moment of elegance and serenity. Less intimidating than Blue Canyon, it offers a smooth and refreshing experience where Thailand's legendary hospitality is evident in every detail of the service. A must-play stop to savour the easy pace of life on the Andaman coast, club in hand.
Awarded: World Golf Awards — Best Golf Course in Thailand
Northeast Coast, Phuket
If there is one course that captures the tropical essence of the island, it is Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort. Conceived by the legendary Nicklaus Design firm, this 18-hole layout is an absolute rarity: it is the only true seaside course in the region. Located on the northeast coast of the island, just 10 minutes from the international airport, it offers a spectacular opening statement for any golf enthusiast coming to play golf in Thailand.
Nicklaus's genius lay in working with the natural elements of this wild coastline. Here, the vivid green fairways contrast with the immaculate white of the sand bunkers and the deep blue of the ocean. For your golf trip, Mission Hills presents a challenge where the sea breeze becomes a key player in the game. Unlike more enclosed layouts such as Red Mountain Golf Club, the space here is wide open, demanding strong mastery of ball flight.
This Phuket golf course plays like a sensory stroll through the mangroves. The design is typical of the "Golden Bear": massive transitional bunkers and large but well-protected greens. For an amateur on an organised golf trip, the pleasure lies as much in the strategy of play as in the constant beauty of the landscape, making you forget the stress of the scorecard.
The strength of Mission Hills lies in its high-end resort setting that seems to float on the water. Every swing is accompanied by the breeze, making your golf stay in Thailand particularly refreshing, even under the afternoon sun.
The technical challenge: Several holes require carrying over inlets or vast sand areas, putting your nerves to the test.
The signature hole: Hole 12 is a moment of pure magic. This Par 3 demands surgical precision to reach a green surrounded by sand and ocean, offering a 180-degree view over the islands of Phang Nga Bay.
Convenience: Its immediate proximity to the airport makes it the number-one choice for a "landing round" or a final challenge before catching your flight home.
As a golf-specialist travel agency, we frequently include Mission Hills in our itineraries for its visual exclusivity. Whether you are on a solo or group golf trip, the resort offers luxurious facilities, including a charming hotel and a spa, perfect for turning your passion into a true all-inclusive golf stay.
Less wooded than Laguna Golf Phuket but more open to the ocean than Blue Canyon, Mission Hills embodies the dream of golf "with your feet in the water". Including this stop in your all-inclusive golf trip to Phuket guarantees unforgettable visual memories. It is the promise of total immersion in Thailand's maritime splendour, where the prestige of the Nicklaus signature meets the infinite serenity of the Andaman Sea.
Unique: Only course directly on the seafront in Phuket
Kathu, Phuket
In the heart of the Kathu valley, Loch Palm Golf Club spreads out like an oasis of calm and greenery. Ideally located just 15 minutes from Patong and Phuket City, this 18-hole course (Par 72) is affectionately nicknamed Red Mountain's "sister course", though its character is radically different. Designed by architect Sukaree On-Sham, it offers one of the most relaxing experiences for anyone wishing to play golf in Thailand without the constant pressure of an extreme championship layout.
The magic of Loch Palm lies in its balance. The layout is divided into two distinct sections that captivate the senses. The first nine holes wind around a vast crystal-clear lake (the famous "Loch"), requiring restraint and careful management of the water hazards. The back nine take you up into the hills, where the fairways rise and dip into dense jungle, offering magnificent views across the valley.
For travellers on a golf trip, this course is a pure delight. As its name suggests, thousands of palm trees line the fairways, providing welcome shade and a botanical garden atmosphere. This Phuket golf course is renowned for being less punishing than Blue Canyon, making it a perfect stop for a day of shared enjoyment on a group or family golf trip.
While Loch Palm is more forgiving than some of its neighbours, it remains an interesting technical challenge, particularly due to its often small and well-protected greens.
The technical challenge: Drive accuracy is rewarded, especially on the lower section where water is ever-present. The quality of the turf and consistent maintenance make this a reliable highlight of your golf stay in Thailand.
The highlight: The stretch along the lake offers superb photo opportunities, typical of a successful golf-and-sea stay, where the aquatic element defines the identity of the venue.
The atmosphere: The clubhouse is spacious and airy, offering quality local cuisine. Its terrace overlooking the course is the perfect spot to round off your day of golf in Phuket in a relaxed atmosphere.
As a golf-specialist travel agency, we regularly recommend Loch Palm for its versatility. It is the ideal "warm-up" course for an all-inclusive golf trip. Its central location allows you to return quickly to your hotel in Patong or Kamala after the round, leaving time to enjoy a golf-and-spa stay or the island's beaches.
Less vertiginous than Red Mountain Golf Club but more convivial than Mission Hills, Loch Palm embodies the easy lifestyle of the Andaman coast. Whether you are on a solo golf trip or in search of a varied itinerary, this course adds an essential touch of serenity to your programme. It is the promise of an immersion in authentic Thailand, where the passion for sport unites with the beauty of a perfectly preserved tropical landscape.
Ideal for: Mixed groups, advanced beginners, resident expats
Phang Nga (proche Phuket)
Located in Thai Muang, in Phang Nga province, approximately 30 to 40 minutes north of Phuket airport, Aquella Golf & Country Club is a destination in its own right. Opened in 2021, this 18-hole course is the fruit of meticulous work by Pacific Coast Design (Phil Ryan and Paul Jansen). Nestled along 2.5 kilometres of pristine beach, it offers a golf experience in Phuket's immediate surroundings of a standard rarely matched, where the sound of the waves accompanies every putt.
Aquella's strength lies in its fluidity and refined aesthetic. The architects made clever use of the sandy terrain to create a resort-links style course that winds between crystal-clear water features and magnificently preserved coastal vegetation. If you want to play golf in Thailand on a course that incorporates the latest innovations — such as Platinum Paspalum grass guaranteeing a perfect playing surface year-round — this club is an absolute priority.
Although the layout is relatively flat, it remains a captivating strategic challenge. For golf enthusiasts on an organised golf trip, the influence of the sea breeze changes the game at every hour of the day. The fairways are wide and welcoming, but the sculpted bunkers and water hazards demand intelligent reading, making Aquella a must-play stop on your golf stay in Thailand.
Aquella stands out for its high-end facilities and attention to detail, offering the atmosphere of an ultra-modern private club.
The signature hole: Hole 11 is undeniably one of the most beautiful in the kingdom. This majestic Par 3 offers a sweeping view over the Andaman Sea, where the blue of the ocean seems to merge with the green of the putting surface. It is the highlight of your golf trip.
The facilities: The clubhouse is an architectural feat blending wood and modernity. Its restaurant, The Approach, offers exceptional fusion cuisine, ideal for a group golf trip seeking absolute comfort.
The bonus: The complex features a professional mini-golf and a covered driving range equipped with the latest ball-tracking technology, perfect for a golf training camp abroad.
As a golf-specialist travel agency, we recommend Aquella for those looking to step away from the bustle of Patong and find complete serenity. It is the ideal complement to a selection that includes Red Mountain Golf Club or Blue Canyon. Whether you are organising a solo golf trip or a luxury escape, Aquella adds that essential touch of freshness and exclusivity.
Including this club in your all-inclusive golf trip to the south of the country means immersing yourself in the future of Thai golf. Less historic than the golf clubs of Bangkok but more sophisticated than many of its neighbours, Aquella Golf & Country Club embodies the new frontier of excellence in Thailand. It is a promise of visual and sporting perfection — an enchanted interlude where luxury meets the infinite horizon of the sea.
Exclusive: 2.5 km of private beach running alongside the course
Phang Nga (proche Phuket)
Nicknamed the "Valley of Dreams", Katathong Golf Resort & Spa offers a truly unique golf experience in Thailand. Nestled in a lush valley in Phang Nga province, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes north of Phuket airport and just 40 minutes from Khao Lak, this course is surrounded by three majestic mountains: Khao Nang Hong, Khao Tao and the curved summit of Katathong. It is the ideal place for those who approach their golf trips as a genuine off-the-beaten-track adventure.
Opened in 2015, Katathong was born from the passion of its owner, Mr. Somkiat Ratanarungsiwat, whose ancestors were connected to the tin trade.[1] The course was designed on the site of a 15th-century tin mine, whose heritage it proudly preserves.[1][2] As you walk the fairways, you will encounter former rusted machines — relics of the industrial era — that give the site the aura of an open-air museum. The clubhouse itself, in Sino-Portuguese architectural style, recalls the golden age of trade in southern Thailand.
For golf enthusiasts wishing to play golf in Thailand, this 18-hole layout (Par 72) stretching over 6,837 yards offers a precision challenge.[1][3] The fairways are narrow and wind through rolling hills, natural waterfalls and streams whose soothing sound accompanies you throughout your golf stay in Thailand.[1] It is a course that demands strategy over power, making it a prime choice for an organised golf trip that prioritises technical skill.[4]
What stays with you after this golf trip is the symbiosis between sport and spirituality. At the entrance to the complex, an immense red sandstone Buddha sculpture welcomes visitors, reinforcing the sense of serenity of the place.
The signature hole: Hole 10 is legendary.[4] This short Par 3 requires carrying a lake from an elevated tee to reach an island green located directly beneath the windows of the clubhouse. A moment of pure adrenaline on your golf trip.
The technical challenge: Elevation changes are constant and water hazards are ever-present.[4] The quality of the maintenance and the beauty of the landscapes make it a refreshing alternative to the golf courses of Phuket or Black Mountain Golf Club.
Wellbeing: After a demanding round, the complex offers a complete golf-and-spa stay with luxury villas — ideal for total recovery in the heart of the jungle.
As a golf-specialist travel agency, we recommend Katathong for its absolute tranquillity.[5][6] Less cosmopolitan than Thai Country Club, it attracts golfers seeking wild nature and local culture. Whether you are on a solo golf trip or planning a group golf holiday, this resort offers a deep immersion into rural Thailand.
Choosing this club for your all-inclusive golf trip means treating yourself to an enchanted interlude where time seems to have stood still. Katathong Golf Resort & Spa proves that the passion for the game can blend harmoniously with respect for history and the natural environment. It is a promise of complete disconnection — a challenge thrown down by the mountain and the jungle that leaves every visitor feeling they have discovered a hidden treasure at the heart of the kingdom.
Architecture: Unique Sino-Portuguese clubhouse in Thailand
Kathu, Phuket
Founded in 1989, Phuket Country Club is far more than a simple sports venue — it is the very first championship course to have opened on the island. Strategically located in the Kathu valley, just 15 minutes from Patong and Phuket City, this historic club has preserved its original charm while adapting to modern standards. It is the preferred stop for those wishing to play golf in Thailand in a convivial atmosphere steeped in history.
The complex is divided into two distinct sections: the famous 18-hole "Old Course" and a more technical 9-hole layout, the "Country Club Course". For any amateur on an organised golf trip, the Old Course is pure joy. Unlike some of its more recent and sometimes intimidating neighbours, Phuket Country Club is renowned for being a score-friendly course — ideal for rebuilding your game confidence while enjoying an enchanting setting.
This Phuket golf course winds through three types of landscape: rolling hills, dense forest zones and more open flat areas. This diversity makes every hole unique and avoids any monotony during your golf stay in Thailand. It is a course that prioritises the joy of the game and natural beauty, making it a major recommendation from our golf-specialist travel agency for mixed-level groups.
If there is one hole that every golfer must face at least once when visiting here, it is hole 10 (Par 5). This hole has become one of the most iconic images in Thai golf:
The ultimate challenge: The fairway forms a tight 90-degree dog-leg around a vast lake. Big hitters can attempt the impossible: driving directly over the water to reach the green in a single shot. An achievement that, if pulled off, will be etched in your golfing memory forever.
The strategy: For the more cautious, playing around the water demands precision but guarantees a calmer approach. This is the very essence of a golf trip: adrenaline blended with tactical thinking.
The atmosphere: The clubhouse, with its breathtaking view over the course, exudes the warm aura of an "old club" — perfect for an animated debrief after your round.
Due to its central location and relaxed atmosphere, we regularly include Phuket Country Club in our all-inclusive golf trip proposals. It is the perfect complement to more demanding courses such as Red Mountain Golf Club. Whether you are on a solo golf trip or exploring the island with friends, this club offers an authentic experience where you immediately feel at ease.
Choosing this pioneer for your golf stay in Phuket means treating yourself to a moment of history at the heart of the Andaman pearl. Phuket Country Club proves that age is a strength: the maturity of its vegetation and the expertise of its staff guarantee a smooth and memorable day. It is a promise of conviviality and pure pleasure — a true celebration of the game amidst the green hills of Thailand.
Pioneer: Phuket's first golf course, opened in 1989
Our local experts will build you a personalised itinerary from Phuket's 8 best courses. Preferential rates, English-speaking caddies, tailor-made accommodation.
Thailand offers championship courses throughout the country