Springfield Royal Country Club: Jack Nicklaus Strategy in Hua Hin’s Golf Heartland

Introduction

Tucked into the rolling countryside between Cha-Am and Hua Hin, Springfield Royal Country Club has long been one of Thailand’s most respected golf destinations. With 27 holes of championship golf — the original 18 by Jack Nicklaus, plus a newer nine by Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley — Springfield offers variety, strategy, and replay value that few courses in the region can match.

This is classic Nicklaus territory: wide fairways at first glance, but cunningly placed bunkers, lakes, and doglegs that reward smart angles and punish careless aggression. The greens are fast, contoured, and well protected. And yet the course remains highly playable, thanks to multiple tee options and a layout that lets golfers choose their challenge.

Set within the broader Springfield Village Golf & Spa complex, the club pairs serious golf with resort comfort: a large pool, spa, villas, and easy access to both Hua Hin and Cha-Am beaches. If you’re building a Hua Hin golf itinerary, Springfield is a must-include.

Location & Setting

Location: Sam Phraya, Cha-Am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Distance from Hua Hin: ~30 minutes by car
Nearby towns: Hua Hin (south), Cha-Am (north)

Springfield sits inland, away from the beach crowds but within easy reach of both coastal towns. The setting is quiet and pastoral — rolling terrain, distant hills, lakes, and plenty of mature trees — creating a peaceful contrast to Hua Hin’s beachfront resorts.

The club is part of a wider resort complex with on-site lodging at Springfield Village Golf & Spa, and a sister beachfront property, Springfield at the Sea, about 15 minutes away.

Course Architecture: 27 Holes, Two Design Eras

Springfield Royal Country Club consists of three distinct nines:

Course A — Mountain View (Nicklaus)
Course B — Lake View (Nicklaus)
Course C — Valley View (Schmidt & Curley)

Design Lineage

Original 18 holes (A & B):
Designed by Jack Nicklaus, featuring wide landing areas, visible hazards, and classic Nicklaus risk-reward options around water and bunkers.
Additional 9 holes (C):
Designed later by Lee Schmidt & Brian Curley, known for their work across Asia. The Valley nine has a more modern feel — tighter fairways, more water in play, and a slightly more adventurous style.

Complete Layout

Total holes: 27
Par: 72 for any 18-hole combination
Back tees (“Jack” tees): 7,000+ yards
Tee options: 5 sets, making Springfield accessible to all handicaps

For many visitors, the recommended combination is:

Mountain (A) + Valley (C)
to experience both Nicklaus’ original strategy and the newer, more challenging modern nine.

The Nines in Detail

Course A — Mountain View

The Mountain View nine offers elevated tees and greens with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. This is classic Nicklaus design:

Generous fairways off the tee — at least visually
Strategic fairway bunkers at typical landing distances
Elevated, well-defended greens
Doglegs that reward shaping the ball and picking smart lines

The “mountain” name refers more to vistas and gentle elevation than extreme climbs, so it remains walkable and friendly.

Course B — Lake View

The Lake View nine wraps around tranquil lakes and plays more water-intensive, especially on the closing holes.

Water hazards in play on multiple drives and approaches
Cross-carries on some par 3s and par 4s
The greens remain fast and contoured, as with A

The signature 18th hole (Lake’s 9th) is a standout par 5 with an island-style green that tempts big hitters to go for glory while punishing anything less than a fully committed shot. It’s one of the region’s most memorable finishing holes.

Course C — Valley View

The Valley View nine feels slightly different — more modern, with a stronger emphasis on:

Narrower fairways
More pronounced mounding
More frequent and aggressive water hazards
Natural foliage and native vegetation defining corridors

Many golfers consider Valley the most challenging of the three nines, especially from the back tees. From the forward tees, though, it remains fair — a test of placement over sheer distance.

Playing Experience

Springfield is a thinking golfer’s course. It looks friendly from the tee, but the real test begins at the second shot.

Fairways & Rough

Fairways: Wide but strategically pinched by bunkers and water in typical landing zones.
Rough: Can be thick and punishing in places, especially around greens.
Trees: Mature trees add visual framing and penalize wildly offline shots.

Greens

Fast, undulating, and well-defended by bunkers and water.
Many greens feature multiple tiers or subtle slopes, which can make lag putting tricky.
Coming in from the right side of the fairway is often the difference between an uphill 15-footer and a terrifying downhill slider.

Tee Options

With five sets of tees, Springfield can transform from:

a relaxed resort round
into a tournament-level challenge from the “Jack” tees over 7,000 yards.

Unless you’re a low-handicap or a long hitter used to 7,000-yard layouts, you’ll be happier (and score better) from the forward sets.

Signature Holes & Highlights

While each combination (A+B, A+C, B+C) offers its own rhythm, a few holes stand out:

Lake View 9 / Overall 18th — Par 5, Island Green Finish
A classic risk-reward par 5. Longer hitters can take on the green in two, but anything less than a perfect shot risks a watery end. Laying up still requires a precise wedge to a small, well-protected target.
Mountain View par 3s
Elevated tees, mountain backdrops, and bunkers protecting the front of the greens create cinematic one-shot holes that demand solid distance control.
Valley View closing stretch
Tighter driving corridors with water and bunkers in play force clear decisions: attack aggressively or play conservatively to your favorite yardages.

This variety makes Springfield especially attractive for multiple-day stays — different nines, different feels, same high standard.

Difficulty & Golfer Profile

Difficulty Breakdown

Category	Rating	Notes
Driving Difficulty	6/10	Wide but strategic; water & bunkers
Approach Difficulty	7/10	Fast, well-guarded greens
Green Complexity	7.5/10	Undulating, quick, demand good touch
Recovery Difficulty	6.5/10	Deep bunkers, water nearby
Overall Challenge	7/10	Fair but punishing if you’re loose

Best Suited For

Low- to mid-handicaps who enjoy course management
Traveling golfers wanting a “proper” championship course
Groups planning 36-hole days (27 holes makes routing flexible)
Hua Hin golf tourists building a 3–5 day itinerary

From the forward tees, Springfield remains accessible for higher handicaps, especially if they’re comfortable laying up and playing conservatively into greens.

Caddies, Carts & On-Course Logistics

Springfield follows standard Thai golf protocols with a few nuances worth knowing.

Caddies

Compulsory for every player
Caddy fee: ~฿350 per person (typically built into your green fee or package)
Recommended tip: From ฿400 and up, in cash, handed directly to your caddy after the round

Caddies at Springfield are known for being:

Friendly and professional
Very helpful on green reads (crucial on fast, contoured surfaces)
Good at navigating the subtleties of each nine’s design

Golf Carts

Optional, not compulsory
Cart fee: ~฿750
Max 2 golfers per cart

The course is walkable, especially in the cooler months, and many players enjoy strolling to better appreciate the wildlife and landscape. In hotter months or for back-to-back rounds, a cart is a smart choice.

Course Guide & Yardages

Stroke saver booklets are generally not widely available.
Best to rely on:
- Your caddy, and/or
- A GPS golf app for precise yardages.

Hydration

Water is available on-course but priced at a premium compared to convenience stores.
Bring your own water or sports drinks from town, especially in the hot season.

Wildlife & Audubon Sanctuary

Springfield is part of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program and is home to over 100 species of native birds. You’ll often hear birdsong throughout your round.

It’s a genuine nature experience — but do watch for red ants near trees and in rough areas.

Booking & Tee Time Advice

Springfield is popular with both Thai golfers and international visitors.

Peak season: November–March
Best to book:
- Several days to weeks in advance, especially for morning tee times, or
- Through a local golf tour operator who can bundle transfers and other courses.

Clubhouse, Practice Facilities & Academy

Clubhouse

The clubhouse is a grand, elegant building with marble, granite, and high ceilings, sitting on an elevated position overlooking parts of the course.

Inside you’ll find:

A fine-dining restaurant with Thai and international dishes
A bar and lounge area
A well-stocked pro shop
Spacious locker rooms (some even feature bar service)

The atmosphere balances old-school club tradition and resort comfort.

Practice Facilities

Springfield offers comprehensive practice options:

Driving range
Large putting green
Short game area (pitching and chipping green) with green speeds similar to the course
Practice bunkers

Ideal for warming up or doing a focused practice session before tackling the more demanding A+C combination.

Instruction: Springfield Golf Learning Center

For golfers looking to improve, the on-site Springfield Golf Learning Center offers:

Professional coaching staff
Individual lessons
Group clinics
Junior programs (seasonal)

It’s a good option if you’re turning a Hua Hin golf holiday into a mini-training camp.

Resort & Amenities: Springfield Village Golf & Spa

Springfield Royal is tied into the broader Springfield Village Golf & Spa complex, which offers:

Large resort-style swimming pool
Life Spa with Thai massage and therapies
Multiple restaurants and dining venues
Villas, suites, and standard rooms
Tennis courts
Children’s activity zones
Meeting and banquet facilities

This makes Springfield particularly well-suited to:

Couples who want spa + golf
Families traveling with non-golfers
Corporate or group golf trips

For a beachside stay, the sister property Springfield at the Sea Resort & Spa (about 15 minutes away) offers a full seaside experience, with complimentary or easy transfers back to the course.

Surrounding Area & Attractions (Hua Hin / Cha-Am)

One of Springfield’s strengths is its location between Cha-Am and Hua Hin, making it a natural hub for exploring both.

Beaches & Nature

Cha-Am Beach (South)
Quieter than Hua Hin, with local seafood restaurants and laid-back beach vibes.
Hua Hin Beach
Busier, more developed, with hotels, markets, and water activities.
Sirindhorn International Environmental Park
A beautiful green space for walking, biking, and learning about local ecosystems.

Culture & History

Mrigadayavan Palace
A gorgeous teakwood palace built by King Rama VI — airy, elegant, and steeped in royal history. A fantastic half-day cultural trip.

Shopping & Entertainment

FN Factory Outlet
Convenient stop for bargain hunters, with brand-name products at discounted prices.
Siam Venezia
A Venetian-themed shopping village — family-friendly, colorful, and photogenic, though more of a novelty than a serious shopping spot.

Other Golf Courses Nearby

For a serious golf itinerary, Springfield pairs well with several other big names in the region:

Black Mountain Golf Club — Championship pedigree and award-winning design.
Pineapple Valley Golf Club (formerly Banyan) — Scenic, resort-style, one of Hua Hin’s best.
Palm Hills Golf Club — Older, mature layout, very playable and enjoyable.
Majestic Creek Golf Club — Great value, strong routing, especially after recent upgrades.

Springfield fits neatly into a 3–5 day Hua Hin golf trip, giving you a classic Nicklaus experience surrounded by some of Thailand’s best resort golf.

Value & ThaiGolfGuide Index

While green fees vary by season, promotion, and package, Springfield is usually priced competitively relative to its quality and reputation. Many visitors find it offers strong value given the:

27-hole variety
Jack Nicklaus pedigree
High conditioning standards
Resort and spa amenities
Location near Hua Hin’s other top courses

ThaiGolfGuide Editorial Value Index

Category	Score
Course Design & Strategy	9.0
Conditioning	8.5
Playability (All Tees)	8.8
Facilities & Clubhouse	8.7
Surrounding Destination Appeal	9.2
Overall Value	8.8/10

Springfield stands as one of Hua Hin’s “anchor” golf experiences — a course you plan your trip around, not just an optional extra.

Verdict

Springfield Royal Country Club is everything you’d hope for from a Jack Nicklaus-designed destination course: thoughtful strategy, multiple teeing options, water and bunkers that make you think, and fast, challenging greens that reward skillful play.

Layer on:

its additional modern nine
strong practice facilities
resort-style amenities
and a location right in the heart of Hua Hin’s golf corridor

…and you get a course that belongs on every serious golfer’s Hua Hin itinerary.

For travelers who want:

A proper championship experience
The flexibility of 27 holes
Easy access to Hua Hin & Cha-Am
Resort comfort with spa, pool, and family amenities

Springfield is a top-tier choice.

Practical Information

Detail	Info
Location	Sam Phraya, Cha-Am, Phetchaburi
Distance from Hua Hin	~30 minutes
Holes	27 (Mountain, Lake, Valley)
Designers	Jack Nicklaus (A & B), Schmidt-Curley (C)
Par / Yardage	Par 72 / 7,000+ yards from back tees
Caddies	Compulsory (~฿350 + tip ฿400+)
Carts	Optional (~฿750, 2 golfers/cart)
Practice Facilities	Range, putting green, short game area
Resort	Springfield Village Golf & Spa + Springfield at the Sea
Nearby Courses	Black Mountain, Pineapple Valley, Palm Hills, Majestic Creek

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Reviewed independently by golfers who live and play in Thailand. — ThaiGolfGuide.com