Chiang Mai golf courses
Chiang Mai is home to 10 premier golf courses, many of which rank among Thailand's finest. The city benefits from mild winter weather, often requiring a sweater for early morning rounds. Located mostly in the picturesque mountains, these courses offer clear air and stunning scenery, though no course is more than an hour from the city center.
Among the top courses is Alpine Golf Resort, nestled in the San Kampaeng forests, and Chiang Mai Highlands Golf and Spa Resort, known for its modern amenities and challenging layout. Chiang Mai Green Valley Country Club presents a thrilling experience with its water hazards and bunkers. Chiang Mai Inthanon Golf and Natural Resort, situated on the route to Doi Inthanon, is renowned for its environmental focus and diverse landscape. Gassan Khuntan Golf and Resort, set in Khuntan National Park, offers challenging features and breathtaking views. Gassan Lake City Golf Club and Resort, established in 2005, and Gassan Legacy Golf Club, recently renovated, also stand out.
The best time to visit is from December to February when the weather is cooler, though it can get chilly in the mornings. The hot and humid summer and the rainy season, with short but heavy downpours, may be less ideal. Early tee times during the cool season can provide a pleasant golfing experience.
Chiang Mai offers a range of golf resorts with competitive prices and excellent facilities. The Chiang Mai Highlands Golf and Spa Resort is particularly notable, with its exceptional course designed by Schmidt & Curley and luxurious amenities. Other top resorts include Inthanon Golf Resort, Gassan Khutan Golf Resort, and Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort. Booking tee times in advance is advisable to avoid crowded courses.
One of the older courses in Chiang Mai set in a tree-lined valley with great views to the surrounding mountains. The course is quite short by modern-day standards but it’s a very enjoyable course for everyone.
While many golfers visiting Thailand head for Bangkok and the resorts of Pattaya and Phuket, there are some great golf courses to be discovered in the northern regions of the country. Chiang Mai is a great example and here you will find some splendid golf courses, including North Hill Golf Club.
Mae Jo Golf Resort & Spa in Chiang Mai is an unusual layout which winds its way through mature fruits trees with some excellent views from some of the elevated tees. Several banana-shaped holes with blind tee shots but very playable for golfers of all standards.
Designed by the famous Japanese course architect Yoshikazu Kato, Hariphunchai Golf Club is an exquisite example of Kato´s impeccable work. Located half an hour from Chiang Mai, the 9-hole layout, with a par of 36 is spectacular. A championship standard course which will test even the very best golfers.
Gassan Panorama Golf Club is located just 25 minutes north of Chiang Mai in Thailand. Chiang Mai is situated in northern Thailand and is very different from the coastal resort towns. It is easy to reach thanks to the Chiang Mai Inter
Gassan Khuntan Golf & Resort is located in the middle of forest-covered mountains about one hour outside of Chiang Mai and has recently undergone some renovation and upgrading and the courses is now in excellent condition. Framed by the Doi Khuntan Mountains, this is a stunningly beautiful and at times difficult golf course and the natural beauty more than compensates for the extra driving time from Chiang Mai city.
Chiang Mai Inthanon Golf & Natural Resort is a recently new addition to the Chiang Mai golfing scene overlooked by Thailand’s highest mountain from which it gets its name. A very enjoyable layout with some difficult holes to keep you on your toes but should suit most golfers. Don’t expect a beautifully manicured golf course because the owners try to maintain the course without the use of harsh chemicals so you might encounter the occasional weed but the abundance of wildlife and the natural landscape more than make up for this.
Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai is a challenging world class lowlands golf course in picturesque surroundings, in excellent condition, on the outskirts of Chiang Mai about 20 minutes from the city centre. Although close to the city, this Chiang Mai golf club is still set in beautiful surroundings with plenty of mature trees and native plants.
Formerly known as Gassan Lake City Golf Club, this Chiang Mai golf course was closed in 2013 for a total renovation by the famous golf courses design team of Schmidt-Curley. The courses was re-launched in 2014 and was renamed Gassan Legacy Golf Club and its now one of the best golf courses in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort is a superb golf course designed by the renowned team of Schmidt-Curley. The golf club is located in the hills outside Chiang Mai with great views from almost every hole. This course is a great experience and one of best in Thailand and since it opened it has won numerous awards. Another 9 holes are due to open in November 2015.
The Alpine Golf Club is one of the best golf courses in Chiang Mai and is set in a beautiful valley with great views of the surrounding mountains. The course is in great condition and is very challenging from the back tees.