Questions By A Serious Golfer About Pattaya Golf Courses (Especially Siamcountryclub)

[Seriousgolfer1]

Hi all,

I want to move to Thailand and I´m an ongoing golf tour pro. I´m looking for a course with an excellent practice facility (a long driving range where you hit off grass is a must) and a challenging course where I could play 9 or 18 holes early every morning. I´ve done a little bit of research and the only course that matches my criteria would be Siamcountryclub. I also looked at Laem Chabang, but it seems the Driving Range only consists of mats. I have a couple questions though so maybe someone is a member at SCC and can help me out:

1. I understand that you have to take a caddy and a cart everytime you play. If you are a member, do you have to pay for a caddy and a cart everytime you want to tee it up?

2. What about the driving range? Can you hit as many balls as you want there or do you even have to pay for range balls?

3. How strict are Tee time reservations? I´d play about 6 rounds a week early in the morning (8 oclock´ish)? How busy is the course?

Thanks in advance.

[Rsquared]

Not sure about SCC, but the answers to your questions are very much standard throughout Thailand......

1. Unfortunately it is compulsory to have a caddy on all courses. Being a member only negates paying green fees or in some cases a reduced rate, and yes there are no free carts.

2. Once again not sure about SCC but all the couses I've played you have to pay for your range balls.

3. Once again you can book in advance, varies from course to course

Sorry can't be too much more help, maybe someone who is familiar with SCC will have better advice.

BTW welcome to Thai Visa and hope you enjoy your move here to Thailand.

Cheers.

[dogpoo]

Hi all,

I want to move to Thailand and I´m an ongoing golf tour pro. I´m looking for a course with an excellent practice facility (a long driving range where you hit off grass is a must) and a challenging course where I could play 9 or 18 holes early every morning. I´ve done a little bit of research and the only course that matches my criteria would be Siamcountryclub. I also looked at Laem Chabang, but it seems the Driving Range only consists of mats. I have a couple questions though so maybe someone is a member at SCC and can help me out:

1. I understand that you have to take a caddy and a cart everytime you play. If you are a member, do you have to pay for a caddy and a cart everytime you want to tee it up?

2. What about the driving range? Can you hit as many balls as you want there or do you even have to pay for range balls?

3. How strict are Tee time reservations? I´d play about 6 rounds a week early in the morning (8 oclock´ish)? How busy is the course?

Thanks in advance.

Nothing is free in this country, although if you have a pro tour card your golf will be free or at a reduced rate! Most ranges are off Mats some do have grass available and some will charge for this privilege, range balls differ in price, tee times are not strict, if you book a Certain time and arrive early and there is no one in front you can tee of earlier! No you do not have to have a cart unless the course specifies carts are needed.

[Dorkers]

Did you look at Burapha , they had the Thai Open = One Asia Tour a couple of years ago.

To me though the green set up at SCC is better than Burapha. Burapha does have 36 holes, so a bit more variety if you are playing each day.

Are you locked into Pattaya, because Hua Hin has Black Mountain with lots of scandanavian pros over there using that for playing and practice. Black Mountain also had a Asian tour event played at it for a few years and also in Hua Hin has the upcoming Asian Tour School.

Oh, and Pga pro card normally results in just Sports Day rates unless you are known/affilliated to the golf course.

[metisdead]

Nonsense trolling posts and replies have been removed.

[dogpoo]

Did you look at Burapha , they had the Thai Open = One Asia Tour a couple of years ago.

To me though the green set up at SCC is better than Burapha. Burapha does have 36 holes, so a bit more variety if you are playing each day.

Are you locked into Pattaya, because Hua Hin has Black Mountain with lots of scandanavian pros over there using that for playing and practice. Black Mountain also had a Asian tour event played at it for a few years and also in Hua Hin has the upcoming Asian Tour School.

Oh, and Pga pro card normally results in just Sports Day rates unless you are known/affilliated to the golf course.

Thats a shame at least they get it a bit cheaper!

Edited January 2, 2013 by dogpoo

[dogpoo]

Hi all,

I want to move to Thailand and I´m an ongoing golf tour pro. I´m looking for a course with an excellent practice facility (a long driving range where you hit off grass is a must) and a challenging course where I could play 9 or 18 holes early every morning. I´ve done a little bit of research and the only course that matches my criteria would be Siamcountryclub. I also looked at Laem Chabang, but it seems the Driving Range only consists of mats. I have a couple questions though so maybe someone is a member at SCC and can help me out:

1. I understand that you have to take a caddy and a cart everytime you play. If you are a member, do you have to pay for a caddy and a cart everytime you want to tee it up?

2. What about the driving range? Can you hit as many balls as you want there or do you even have to pay for range balls?

3. How strict are Tee time reservations? I´d play about 6 rounds a week early in the morning (8 oclock´ish)? How busy is the course?

Thanks in advance.

I hope you are wealthy because playing 6 times a week is going to cost you an arm and a leg!!

[pooperscooper]

Unfortunately the two courses you picked have compulsory carts and caddies which will cost you even if you become a member and let's not forget the caddy tip on top of it. Burapha is also in the same bag.

If like me, you believe that a golf course is meant to be walked then these courses might not be ideal, the cart is the main reason I don't play them.

Khao Keow isn't a bad course and might have something interesting to offer at a more reasonable price.

I agree that Black Mountain is a fabulous course, one of the best in Thailand and it's an easy walk if you're reasonably fit. They have a nice practice facility with proper targets and it is possible to hit off grass but arrangements have to be made otherwise it's off the mats. You also need to buy a property to get a membership so it will be pricey.

Sea Pines in Hua Hin has a good deal with a 30K deposit and then you pay 500 Baht each time plus caddie fee and it's a nice course. I didn't try their practice facility.

Chiang Mai Highlands is another top course which has a reasonable yearly membership deal and great facilities.

It's not that easy to find exactly what you are looking for but if money is no object, I imagine you can be accommodated somewhere...

[Qman]

Siam Country Club allows members to walk although you need to hire a caddy and tip. Guests/visitors must ride in carts. I believe Burapha also allows members to walk but not sure.