Bigfella374

Chiang Mai Highlands is certainly one of the best courses in the North of Thailand. It may be considered tougher than Green Valley, but it has the advantage of two expat leagues based out there (The Royal League and Asia Match Play) meaning that you'd not be short of playing partners.

The ten year membership there is 200,000 + 9,000 per annum. This is for seven days a week and no green fees are paid (caddy fee only). I believe there are options to tack on other family members.

Your best bet, in my opinion, is to come up and play the courses and work out which groups play where (assuming you want to join others) before you decide on where to join. Some guys up here love Mae Jo and/or Lanna, but personally I'd not be bothered if I ever played either of them again. Others equally dislike, Highlands...

A very good (lower budget) alternative is the new Inthanon Golf Resort. Membership down there is as little as 20,000 for three years (you pay 200 Baht green fees). It is a new and immature course, so it's hard to know what condition it will be in 3/4 years time...but it's certainly good value.

There is a full 100 Km between Highlands and Inthanon, though, so the location of home may also be an important consideration! Feel free to PM me if you want. I made the same move and the same membership decisions almost exactly one year ago.

Excellent - thank you very much - 200,000 Baht is about $7,000AUD so not too bad - I presume that the club facilities are pretty good - every time I have played in Thailand up until now, the facilities have been mind blowing (and I have been a member of a mid range club in Australia as well as having played most of the sand belt courses in Melbourne). Not sure where in or around Chiang Mail, we will live, but obviously transport will be an issue. I think that I might be comfortable driving in Chiang Mai and surrounds (not a chance in Bangkok). See you on the links

Driving in CM is akin to driving in Ballarat in my experience Bangers is no harder than peak hour sydney these days I was of the never ever driving in Bangers school too ... Now no sweat mate familiarity breeds contempt I guess LOL.

good luck!!

Forgive my Aussie slang mate lol, Towelled up = Accident.

in 2008 I came across caddy 305 @ Burapha booked her a couple of times and again in 2009 so of course when 2010 rolled around I booked 305 time comes to lob at the course, expecting 305 to be ready to roll low and behold no 305 ..... explanation from starter and desk no 305 no 305 I was like yeah ok thats fine but why no 305??

Only when the caddy I had told me she was towelled up on the motorcycle did the picture come clear just quietly I miss her quirks too!!

If you where using a TAT approved operator I wouldnt have thought you would need one yourself.