Loch Palm Golf Club: Phuket’s Most Relaxing, Most Playable Golf Experience — A Complete Review
Introduction
Nestled in a lush basin between jungle-clad hills and the shimmering waters of Crystal Lake, Loch Palm Golf Club has earned the nickname:
“Phuket’s Most Relaxing Golf Course.”
Where Red Mountain delivers drama and Blue Canyon delivers championship tension, Loch Palm offers something different — beauty, calm, and an easygoing layout perfect for holiday golfers, mixed-ability groups, families, warm-up rounds, and anyone seeking a scenic, stress-free day on the course.
Opened in 1993 and designed by Dr. Sukan Srifuengfung, Loch Palm embraces a classic “lake-to-hill” routing:
- A front nine wrapped around Phuket’s largest lake
- A back nine rising into the jungle hills with elevation, doglegs, and ravines
It is playable, charming, fun, and scenic — the kind of course where the setting matters as much as the scorecard.
Owned by the same group that operates Red Mountain Golf Club, Loch Palm frequently serves as the perfect warm-up round before golfers tackle Phuket’s most difficult layout next door.
This is resort-style golf at its most approachable.
Course Architecture & Setting
An 18-Hole Oasis in the Hills
Location: Kathu District, Phuket (Central Phuket)
Par: 72
Length: 6,432 yards (Championship Tees)
Style: Resort-style, lake-and-valley routing
Designer: Dr. Sukan Srifuengfung (1993)
Loch Palm is built around the expansive and glittering Crystal Lake, the largest body of water on the island. The front nine plays alongside its shores, with water in play on nearly every hole. Hundreds of palm trees frame the fairways, lending the course a distinctly tropical feel.
The back nine transforms into a hillside adventure, with dramatic elevation shifts, jungle canopies, doglegs, and ravines — offering a beautiful contrast to the calm waters of the front side.
Key Design Features
- Lakes on 10+ holes
- Narrower landing zones than Laguna, but fair
- Numerous “risk vs. reward” tee shots
- Manageable rough
- Gentle greens (less severe than Blue Canyon / Red Mountain)
- Walkable terrain (rare in Phuket)
Overall personality: relaxing, rhythmic, scenic, and ideal for enjoyable resort golf.
The Playing Experience
Atmosphere & Scenery: A Sense of Calm
Loch Palm is one of the most serene places to play in Phuket.
- Morning rounds glow with golden light as the lake reflects the surrounding mountains.
- Afternoon rounds offer long shadows and cool breezes drifting across the valley.
- Bird calls echo from the jungle on the back nine.
- Palm fronds sway overhead, filtering sunlight onto the fairways.
Compared to the rugged cliffs of Red Mountain or the canyon walls of Blue Canyon, Loch Palm feels like a gentle walk through a tropical park — a place where you can genuinely relax.
Front Nine vs Back Nine Breakdown
FRONT NINE — “The Lake Nine”
The front nine loops around Crystal Lake and demands accuracy over power.
Key Traits:
- Water comes into play constantly
- Fairways are lined with palms
- Greens are mostly flat and receptive
- Shorter par 4s encourage smart strategy
- Calm, scenic, ideal warm-up environment
The lake provides stunning reflections, especially on early tee times.
BACK NINE — “The Hill Nine”
The back nine heads into the foothills for a much more dynamic test.
Key Traits:
- Significant elevation changes
- Elevated tees launching shots into valley fairways
- Ravines and jungle-lined corridors
- Risk-reward par 5s
- More challenging and more memorable
This is Loch Palm’s soul — an aesthetic journey that feels like “mini Red Mountain,” but far less punishing.
Signature Holes (Detailed)
Hole 2 — Par 4 (Lake Side)
A classic early challenge requiring a tee shot over the lake’s edge.
Safe play: Right half of the fairway.
Bold play: Cutting the corner reduces your approach by 30–40 yards.
Hole 6 — Par 4 (Water Left)
Another beautiful lagoon-side par 4.
Key: Commit to your line — the water left looks closer than it is.
Approach: A gently raised green with bunkers framing the right.
Hole 14 — Par 3 (Signature Hole)
Loch Palm’s iconic mid-length par 3.
Carry: Full shot over water.
Visuals: Emerald green framed by jungle slopes.
Wind: Subtle breezes swirl from the hills.
Miss: Short right is safest.
This is one of Phuket’s most photographed holes.
Hole 18 — Par 4 (Finishing Hole)
A scenic finale heading toward the clubhouse.
Drive: Favor the right — water guards the entire left side.
Approach: Multi-tiered green with water short left.
A rewarding final hole where good shots are celebrated.
Practice Facilities
Loch Palm offers excellent practice amenities, highlighted by its unique Aqua Driving Range — where you literally hit balls into Crystal Lake.
Facilities Include:
- Aqua Range (iconic + fun)
- Putting green
- Chipping green
- Practice bunker
- Dedicated warm-up nets
The range is perfect for holiday golfers looking to loosen up without taking the game too seriously.
Walking vs Cart Experience
Loch Palm is one of the few Phuket courses where walking is genuinely enjoyable.
Walking:
- Flat front nine
- Moderate back-nine climbs but manageable
- Cool morning lake breezes
- Great for golfers who prefer pacing themselves
Cart:
- Optional but recommended from 10am to 3pm
- Cart fee: ฿700 per person (~US$19)
- Shared cart: ฿1,000 per cart (~US$28)
This flexibility is a major advantage over courses like Blue Canyon, where the cart is mandatory.
Fees & Pricing (THB + USD)
Pricing varies significantly by season and booking method, but here are accurate guide ranges.
Conversion used: ฿36 ≈ US$1
High-Season Rates (Nov–Apr)
| Fee Type | THB | USD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Fee | 2,500–3,500 | ~US$70–$97 | Peak-season pricing |
| Caddy Fee | 350–400 | ~US$10–$11 | Mandatory |
| Recommended Caddy Tip | 500 | ~US$14 | Cash, after round |
| Golf Cart | 700 | ~US$19 | Optional |
| Club Rental | 1,200–2,000 | ~US$33–$55 | TaylorMade sets |
Low-Season Rates (May–Oct)
| Fee Type | THB | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Green Fee | 1,800–2,200 | ~US$50–$61 |
| Twilight Round | ~1,400–1,700 | ~US$39–$47 |
Loch Palm is one of Phuket’s best-value rounds in low season.
Follower Fee (Non-golfers)
- ฿1,600 (~US$44)
Includes mandatory cart + caddy.
Insider Tips (High-Value Guidance)
1. Sister Course: Red Mountain
Both courses are owned by MBK Group.
- Most golfers play Loch Palm → Red Mountain as a paired itinerary.
- Transfers between both courses are seamless — they’re next door.
Pro tip: Warm up at Loch Palm. Attack Red Mountain the next day.
2. Caddy Culture
Caddies at Loch Palm are friendly, diligent, and helpful for reading grain and slopes.
- Fee: ฿350–400
- Tip: Minimum ฿500
- Caddies help with:
- water hazards awareness
- wind reading on hillside holes
- club selection on elevated back-nine shots
3. Dress Code Enforcement
The dress code is strict:
Men:
- Collared polo
- Tailored shorts or trousers
- Soft spikes or quality runners
Women:
- Polo
- Tailored shorts/skirt/trousers
Rentals available:
- Clubs: ฿1,200–2,000
- Shoes: ~฿300
4. Pace of Play
Loch Palm is popular, so early tee times are ideal:
- 7:00–8:30 AM = best conditions
- 3:00 PM twilight = peaceful + fewer golfers
Course Difficulty Breakdown
| Skill Factor | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Difficulty | 5/10 | Water, but manageable fairways |
| Approach Difficulty | 6/10 | Lakes + elevation on back nine |
| Green Complexity | 4/10 | Generally gentle, beginner-friendly |
| Recovery Difficulty | 5/10 | Some deep bunkers, some bailout |
| Overall Challenge | 5/10 | Ideal for resort golfers |
Loch Palm intentionally avoids extreme difficulty — and that’s its charm.
ThaiGolfGuide Value Index
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Conditioning | 8.2 |
| Design Interest | 7.4 |
| Playability | 9.3 |
| Scenic Beauty | 8.8 |
| Resort Convenience | 7.9 |
| Overall Value | 8.3/10 |
Loch Palm scores high for fun, scenery, and accessibility.
Accommodation Options Near Loch Palm
Because Loch Palm sits in central Phuket, it’s close to everything.
Adjacent / On-Course
- Villas, residences, and rental homes around Loch Palm and Red Mountain
- Ideal for long-stay golfers or groups
Patong Beach (15–20 minutes)
Best for nightlife, beach action, and international-brand hotels.
- Hilton Garden Inn
- Four Points by Sheraton
- Holiday Inn Resort
- Amari Phuket
Central Phuket / Floresta Mall Area (10–15 minutes)
Ideal for shoppers and diners.
- Courtyard by Marriott
- Novotel Phuket City
- Local Thai boutique hotels
Kathu District (5–10 minutes)
Quiet area with local-life atmosphere.
- Guesthouses
- Boutique hotels
- Budget-friendly options
Nearby Attractions (Convenience Is Loch Palm’s Strength)
| Attraction | Description |
|---|---|
| Patong Beach | Watersports, nightlife, rooftop bars, shopping |
| Phuket Old Town | Sino-Portuguese architecture, cafés, Sunday market |
| Central Phuket Mall | Luxury shopping, cinemas, food courts |
| Wat Chalong | Phuket’s grandest temple |
| Tiger Kingdom | Tourist attraction near Kathu |
| Flying Hanuman | Jungle zipline adventure |
Loch Palm’s central location makes sightseeing extremely convenient.
Weather & Best Time to Play
High Season (Nov–Apr)
- Perfect weather
- Less humidity
- Firmer fairways
- Higher green fees
Green Season (May–Oct)
- Lush, dramatic scenery
- Occasional showers
- Cheaper green fees
- Excellent drainage
Best tee times:
- 7:00–9:00 AM (calm lake reflections + cool breezes)
- 3:00 PM twilight (photogenic + peaceful)
Sustainability & Course Maintenance
- Water sourced from Crystal Lake
- Controlled chemical use
- Naturalized jungle slopes
- Habitat protection zones
- Maintained by MBK Group with consistent standards
Conditioning is solid year-round and improves annually.
Verdict
Loch Palm Golf Club is Phuket’s most approachable, scenic, and relaxing golf experience. It’s perfect for:
- resort golfers
- beginners
- mixed-ability groups
- families
- golfers warming up before Red Mountain
- anyone who values beauty and fun over intense challenge
The lake-side front nine is calming and picturesque.
The jungle hillside back nine is exciting and memorable.
The course is walkable, friendly, and accessible from anywhere on the island.
If you want a round that leaves you smiling — not sweating — Loch Palm is the ideal choice.
Practical Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Kathu, Phuket |
| Par / Yardage | Par 72 / 6,432 yards |
| Designer | Dr. Sukan Srifuengfung |
| Green Fee Range | ฿1,800–3,500 |
| Caddy Fee | ฿350–400 |
| Cart Fee | ฿700 |
| Signature Hole | Hole 14 (Par 3) |
| Practice Area | Aqua driving range |
| Best For | Relaxed, scenic resort golf |
| Nearby Courses | Red Mountain (adjacent) |
| Walking | Allowed & enjoyable |
Explore More
- Phuket Golf →
- Red Mountain Golf Club Review →
- Laguna Golf Phuket Review →
- Pattaya vs. Phuket Golf Comparison →
Reviewed independently by golfers who live and play in Thailand. — ThaiGolfGuide.com