Khao Yai golf courses
Khao Yai, often overshadowed by Thailand's more famous destinations like Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, offers a unique and breathtaking experience for golf enthusiasts. While these popular spots are well worth a visit, Khao Yai presents an unparalleled blend of natural beauty and top-notch golfing opportunities.
Khao Yai National Park, the second-largest in Thailand and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005, is the region's highlight. Located in the Sankamphaeng Mountain range, it spans several provinces including Nakhon Rachasima and Prachin Buri. The park's lush jungle, scenic waterfalls, and diverse wildlife create a stunning backdrop for golf.
To reach Khao Yai, fly into Bangkok and then travel by road for about three hours. You can hire a car, take a taxi, or use public transport, though hiring a car might be more convenient if you're carrying golf clubs.
The best time to visit for golf is between November and February during the cool, dry season, with temperatures in the low 20s Celsius. March to April is also pleasant, thanks to the area's elevation. The rainy season from May to October might be less ideal but can be navigated with proper planning.
Khao Yai boasts several exceptional golf courses. Khao Yai Golf Club, designed by Jack Nicklaus, features stunning valley views and a challenging par-72, 18-hole layout. Despite its basic facilities, the breathtaking scenery makes it a must-play.
Kirimaya Golf Resort and Spa, another Nicklaus design, is celebrated for its natural beauty and integration with the surrounding landscape. The course's wetland areas and signature hole, the par-4 16th, offer both visual delight and challenge. The 5-star resort provides luxurious accommodations and a top-tier golfing experience.
Mountain Creek Golf Resort and Residence, designed by Seve Ballesteros, offers 27 holes across three challenging loops: Highlands, Creek, and Valley. The course is known for its strategic hazards and undulating greens, making accuracy crucial.
Toscana Valley Country Club, located within Khao Yai National Park, is renowned for its demanding layout and Tuscan-themed design. The course features steep fairway drops and tricky greens, ensuring a memorable and challenging round.
Other notable courses include Bonanza Country Club, known for its length and wide-open layout, and the Sir James Course at Forest Hills Country Club, which is closer to Bangkok and offers a more relaxed golfing experience. Additionally, Korat Country Club, Rancho Charnvee Country Club, Panorama Golf and Country Club, and Royal Hills Golf Resort and Spa each provide unique golfing experiences within the region.
In summary, Khao Yai offers a captivating combination of scenic beauty and top-tier golf courses, often free of the crowds found at more popular destinations. With its diverse selection of courses and excellent facilities, Khao Yai promises an exceptional golf holiday experience.
Recently opened in 2009, Toscana Valley Golf Club is located in the Khao Yai region of Thailand. Designed by American, Bob McFarland, Toscana Valley is a par-72, 18-hole golf course, playing at 7,087 yards. This golf course is considered special, as it’s located in a UNESCO world heritage site, in the Khao Yai national park. Perhaps due to the fact the course is located in a world heritage site, it is only open during the week and is therefore unavailable to play on the weekend.
The Sir James Resort & Country Club in Khao Yai which was formerly known as Forest Hills is actually closer to Bangkok than many other Khao Yai golf clubs so can be played on the way to the National park or on your way back. This is a well-designed and challenging parkland course set in the foothills of the park featuring many streams, lakes and waterfalls which together with the local flowering plants make this a very attractive golf course.
A short journey from Bangkok takes you close to Khao Yai National Park, which is in the Nakhon Nayok Province of Thailand. Here you will find stunning forests, nature reserves and waterfalls plus one of the top golf courses in Thailand, Royal Hills Golf Resort & Spa.
Rancho Charnvee Resort & Country Club is an 18-hole layout in Khao Yai National Park about two hours from Bangkok. It’s a pretty flat track with enough to keep the better golfer interested and higher handicappers will not find it too daunting. The scenery and views are great so even if you don’t play that well you will have an enjoyable day out!
A 2-and-a-half-hour drive Bangkok and around 30 minutes from Khao Yai you will come across the splendid Panorama Golf and Country Club. Opened in 1993 the course is a mature example of a Dean Refram design, and it is the maturity that really sets this course apart. Measuring 6901-yards the par 72 course is open every day and you can play in groups of 5.
Located in one of the most beautiful areas of Thailand Narai Hill Golf Resort & Country Club is crafted to sit perfectly within its surroundings. The Resort clubhouse provides golfers with everything they need before and after a round of golf, with open air bars where you can enjoy a cold refreshment to the international themed restaurants offering some of the finest cuisine in the area.
My Ozone Golf Club is a residential 18-hole course that gives golfers at all levels a fun day out. The location is isolated and halfway between Khao Yai National Park and the main highway running between Bangkok and Korat. A short length with no long carries and only two par-5’s and five par-3’s works well for those looking for resort golf. Hole routing weaves in and out of residential areas making golf carts a must.
Mountain Creek Golf Resort and Residences is a fully integrated golf resort in Khao Yai, Thailand and is memorable as the only golf course in Thailand designed by the one and only Severiano Ballesteros. This championship golf course has three 9-hole layouts named after the type of terrain: Creek, Highland and Valley. The Creek and Valley courses are probably the most interesting combination as despite its name the Highland nine is flatter. Seve has left his mark on the course in many ways but none more obvious than the large S-shaped bunker on the par-3 third of the Highland Course.
When you play Kirimaya Golf Resort & Spa in Khao Yai you will realise that the designer, Jack Nicklaus, was really in great form when he designed this stunning golf course and we highly recommend it. Often rated as one of the best golf clubs in Khao Yai and up there with the best Nicklaus designs in Asia, Kirimaya Golf Resort & Spa is tranquil oasis set within lush tropical jungle of Khao Yai National Park.
Khao Yai Golf Club is a once great course which has fallen into disrepair, and so should probably be avoided for the time being. One of the three Jack Nicklaus designed courses under the Mission Hills banner, Khao Yai Golf Club, found just outside the National Park, is an enjoyable challenge that offers some stunning views of the surrounding hills.
The Bonanza Golf and Country Club is about 3 hours from the centre of Bangkok to the north of Khao Yai National Park and we can only assume that the owner was a fan of the 70’s TV show. One of the great advantages of playing golf in Khao Yai is that it’s much less crowded and also much cooler than Bangkok and indeed during the winter it can get quite chilly in the early morning. The course is a classic parkland course which winds its way through the local countryside.