Thailand Expats

bullwinkls · #1 04-10-2005, 00:29

I am now living in Samui and love to play golf 4 or 5 times a week. The course here is very nice but very expensive. It's hard to find locals that will pay the price for a round of golf @ 4500 baht. I understand there are several courses around Phuket and the green fees are easier on the wallet. Can anyone tell me more about the courses, quality, prices, playing companions, etc.?

dawsey · #2 04-10-2005, 02:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullwinkls

I am now living in Samui and love to play golf 4 or 5 times a week. The course here is very nice but very expensive. It's hard to find locals that will pay the price for a round of golf @ 4500 baht. I understand there are several courses around Phuket and the green fees are easier on the wallet. Can anyone tell me more about the courses, quality, prices, playing companions, etc.?

This page can give you a lot of info bullwinkls
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...+courses&meta=

I have heard that Loch Palm is the best but haven't been there.
If you visit Mai Thai Bar in Soi Eric, Patong,(map above in phuket nightlife)the owner of the bar and forum owner here plays golf pretty regularily at Phuket Golf and Country Club.
Quite often,members of this forum go out together for a game.

I have only played the 9hole course at Phuket,its too hot for me for 18holes.
I believe its around 2400baht for the 18hole course but Nicke can confirm this.

nelsonone · #3 04-10-2005, 03:42

I can highly recommend the Blue Canyon Course Bullwinkl-it is rated as one of the best courses in Asia and is one of the best I have played in the world (and that covers all continents except Antarctica).

It is a long course with plenty of water and big bunkers. A true test of Golfing ability-take plenty of balls with you. I think cost is about BHT2500 if you have all of your own gear and you need to pay for a caddie of cart as well. I recommend the cart as it is a long way around particularly in the heat

I noticed that Nicke has floated the possibility of an MTB Golf tournament (and a go-carting day out if you are a petrolhead as well) for all MTB BM's who are around at New Year. If you are in town then you may want to follow this on the MTB thread

Captain · #4 04-10-2005, 03:42

Best in Phuket is Blue Canyon (36 holes). Canyon Course is #1. Other one is Blue Canyon Lakes course.
Near Laguna is Laguna GC, formerly Banyan Tree GC. 2 Courses close to Patong, over the mountain in Kathu. Phuket Country GC (18 and 9 holes) and Loch Palm 18 holes.
New course is Mission Hills, but didn't play there yet.
North of Phuket you have Thai Muang 18 holes.
Golf is rather expensive in Phuket, between 2600 and 4500 Baht for green fees.
Do a search, I posted allready about golf in Phuket before.

LivinLOS · #5 04-10-2005, 08:18

If your an avid player you can get a expat card.. Knocks about 50% off the fees on the local courses and saves itself after about 3 games..

All my golfing mates have them..

bullwinkls · #6 04-10-2005, 09:29

LivinLos, who would I see for an expat card?
Thanks everyone for the info, I'll drive over next week and check everything out.

LivinLOS · #7 04-10-2005, 09:36

Erm.. will need to see my mate.. Its called a 'pins' card or similar..

LivinLOS · #8 04-10-2005, 09:44

My buddy left his card in the drawer..

Check out http://expatgolf.com/

bullwinkls · #9 04-10-2005, 10:06

The website was exactly what I was looking for, thanks again. If things are as good as they look, I'll be selling out here and moving there. Samui has grown too fast in the past four years and the shine has worn off for me here so maybe Phuket is the answer.

LivinLOS · #10 04-10-2005, 10:10

Phuket is worse than Samui if the overdevelopment of there is a concern for you..

I like both places.. Very nearly lived on Samui but had already got a base here..

I personally think that as I age I will get tired of the nightlife areas and end up on a remote part of Thailand (once networks catch up in the sticks etc).. Just waiting to get bored of the nightlife and women

!!

urtheman · #11 04-10-2005, 13:11

Tuesday's on the lakes course blue canyon it's 1000. baht for the expat golf society tourny.

Also you can join Phuket Country club for a one year membership for 25,000. Then you pay about 600 a round after that.

It's 1700. a round if you play with a member at Banyan Tree.

My friend tried to use his expat card at blue canyon but it was still cheaper for a member to sign you in.

Cheers!

Captain · #12 04-10-2005, 14:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Erm.. will need to see my mate.. Its called a 'pins' card or similar..

It is called PEGS (Phuket Expat Golf Society). Merv from Brit-Thai is president now.

Sirgezza · #13 04-10-2005, 14:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsey

I have only played the 9hole course at Phuket,its too hot for me for 18holes.

.

I heard that the real reason is you ran out of golf balls after 9 holes

Nicke · #14 04-10-2005, 16:28

I got my PEGS Expat card last month but I havent used it yet. Anyone know the rates at PCC with the expat card?

Captain · #15 04-10-2005, 16:46

Never play PCC. I find them impolite. Loch Palm I pay 1300 with Pegs-card

bullwinkls · #16 04-10-2005, 22:25

over development isn't the problem, it's the bad element that has recently decended on Samui. Farang developers being killed by the thai mafia, homes being broken into and everything inside stolen, the police will not enforce the traffic laws because they are afraid of being killed, while people are dying by the hundreds every month. Traffic is approaching that of Bankok, gridlock everywhere, water is at a premium and the corruption is running rampant. The corruption has cost me approx. 8 million baht, I'm ready for a change.

dawsey · #17 05-10-2005, 01:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by gez

I heard that the real reason is you ran out of golf balls after 9 holes

Pretty close gez. I am a complete novice,havent played for many many years.
Phuket golf &CC is a very testing course even the 9 hole for a beginner.
I didnt even have a left glove when driving, and the club was turning in my hand with sweat

Thats my excuse anyway

(Apart from being crap)