I am soon to retire, 59 years old, single and healthy. I've narrowed my retirement relocation to Thailand over Philippines mainly because my research tells me Thailand is a better golf destination. I've played golf in Pattaya but do not want to live there. Too expensive for both living and golfing. Also ruled out Bangkok as I would prefer a smaller city with reasonable traffic until I can adjust to driving on the "left side of the road". I would like to get some opinions about where I should consider living. I would like to play golf 3 or 4 times a week with a weekly golf budget of approx 4500 baht. So any help would be greatly appreciated.

Come on up to Chiang Mai you well love the area and the golf.

Phuket is very good for golfers and clear air year-round.

Check out Chiang Mai. Very good golf with a lot of friendly people to play with. Some of the best courses around. Royal Chiang Mai, Highlands, Alpine, Green Valley and some other new courses are good also. Never get tired of these courses. In Chiang Rai You can play Santiburi and Waterford. Some very inexpensive courses close that are fun to play also. Enjoy the golf. I will be there this summer also. Can't wait to play in Chiang Mai again. I am 61 and want to retire there also.

Phuket is very good for golfers and clear air year-round.

Clear air apart from when the bullets are flying around

Chiang Mai is certainly an option but if you like the beach go to Cha Am/Hua Hin. A dozen or so golf courses within a 30-45 min drive. Your budget might be a little tight for 3 or 4 rounds. You probably should look into buying a membership at one of the courses.

Kanchanaburi has some very nice courses, is relatively cheap, has good infrastructure and is only a few hours from Bangkok. Worth a look!

Lived Thailand 5+ years; all but 5 months in Chiang Mai. We've never regretted it...we absolutely detested Pattaya. Way too hot and humid too. CM has a lot going for it, especially if you factor in golf. Courses are generally less expensive here--a lot cheaper than Phuket or the high-end Hua Hun courses. We have some very scenic courses in the province or in nearby Chiang Rai or Lampang provinces (e.g., EGAT Mae Moh is an underrated stunner). Kanchanaburi is simply too hot and we weren't thrilled with the quality of golf courses there other than 1 or 2 of them. There can be some lengthy commutes to get to some of these courses which are located well outside Amphoe Muang. Getting around CM is a breeze compared to nearly anywhere else. Prices for most every commodity are less costly except for durable imported goods, which are probably the same anywhere in Thailand. So far, CM has not been impacted much by the ridiculous political situation either. Head to Chiang Mai; you won't be sorry.

At a budget of 4500 Baht for 3 or 4 rounds your best bet is Pattaya.

17 courses in a 50kms radius.

4500 Baht will get you 1 round in Phuket, without caddy fee.

Pak Chong has some good and cheap golf courses around it.

You don't have to live in Pattaya, the cheaper courses are in Ban Chang area and there's beaches there too.

Lived Thailand 5+ years; all but 5 months in Chiang Mai. We've never regretted it...we absolutely detested Pattaya. Way too hot and humid too. CM has a lot going for it, especially if you factor in golf. Courses are generally less expensive here--a lot cheaper than Phuket or the high-end Hua Hun courses. We have some very scenic courses in the province or in nearby Chiang Rai or Lampang provinces (e.g., EGAT Mae Moh is an underrated stunner). Kanchanaburi is simply too hot and we weren't thrilled with the quality of golf courses there other than 1 or 2 of them. There can be some lengthy commutes to get to some of these courses which are located well outside Amphoe Muang. Getting around CM is a breeze compared to nearly anywhere else. Prices for most every commodity are less costly except for durable imported goods, which are probably the same anywhere in Thailand. So far, CM has not been impacted much by the ridiculous political situation either. Head to Chiang Mai; you won't be sorry.

Thanks Fore Man. I appreciate your info and will make Chiang Mai the first place i will go.

At a budget of 4500 Baht for 3 or 4 rounds your best bet is Pattaya.

17 courses in a 50kms radius.

4500 Baht will get you 1 round in Phuket, without caddy fee.

Pak Chong has some good and cheap golf courses around it.

You don't have to live in Pattaya, the cheaper courses are in Ban Chang area and there's beaches there too.

Absolutely agree with you..and if you want to live in Banchang I've a proposal for a property on Eastern Star...with the option to become golf-member and get advantages on fees..........if you are interested keep in touch by call me at 081-6529379..rgds Eed.

You should take a look at Pakchong. Some nice courses around the area. 2 are designed by Jack Nicklaus. I have an annual membership at Bonanza which costs 15,000 Baht per year. Really is a very nice course and a good test of golf. It was used as the golf tournament venue for the last Asian games. Your budget would allow membership of Bonanza and also a few games at other local courses.

Regards,

Stewart

You should take a look at Pakchong. Some nice courses around the area. 2 are designed by Jack Nicklaus. I have an annual membership at Bonanza which costs 15,000 Baht per year. Really is a very nice course and a good test of golf. It was used as the golf tournament venue for the last Asian games. Your budget would allow membership of Bonanza and also a few games at other local courses.

Regards,

Stewart

Hi Stewart

Can you tell me what you get for your membership at bonanza,s. I was a 5 day member at Hampton Court Palace before i moved out here,i paid a joining fee plus yearly subcriptions,which entitled me to free golf Monday to Friday.

Keith

Chiang Mai 100%

Phuket 100 % and safe too.

check out the areas between pattaya and bangkok, sriracha, bangsaen, chonburi city, bang na, then you have access to all the courses within chonburi and theres heaps of them. pm me if you want some accom info.

Maybe late to reply to the OP's originally enquiry, but here's lots of Chiang Mai golf info:

http://www.golfguidetothailand.com/courses/chiangmai/

http://theroyalleague.com/

http://www.chiangmaigolfers.blogspot.com/

http://www.chiangmaigolfunited.com/

http://chiangmaigolfcourses.com/

search Google maps 'Chiang Mai golf courses' for locations