Bangkok Golf Guide: Best Courses, Hotels, Seasons & Smart Planning
Why Bangkok? Because nowhere else in Thailand blends a deep bench of championship courses, two international airports (BKK + DMK), polished five-star hospitality, and a professional caddie culture quite like the capital. Within 30–90 minutes of downtown you’ll find parkland classics, modern risk-reward designs, night-golf options, and immaculate practice facilities—plus Michelin dining and world-class spas for your off-course hours.
Disclosure: ThaiGolfGuide is editorial and independent. We don’t sell tours or plan trips. Some links may be affiliate; this never affects our picks. Policy: https://www.thaigolfguide.com/disclosure/
Quick Planner
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Best Months | Nov–Feb (cool & dry, peak demand); Mar–May (hot—book 06:30–08:00 starts); Jun–Oct (AM rounds often clear; greener fairways) |
| Playable Year-Round | Yes—strategy matters: early tee times, weekday slots, and weather buffers in rainy season |
| Typical TCR (High Season) | ฿5,900–8,800 per round (≈ US$164–244) including caddie fee, cart, and customary tip |
| Green Fees (band) | ~฿2,500–7,500 depending on course, weekday/weekend, and season |
| Caddie & Cart | Caddie compulsory at most clubs; carts often mandatory or strongly encouraged |
| Transfers | 30–90 minutes depending on tollways and traffic; leave early and stay near expressway on-ramps |
| Insider Tip | For Fri–Sun AM tee times Nov–Feb, book 6–10 weeks ahead; prefer weekdays for pace and price |
Understanding Bangkok’s Golf Scene
Bangkok is the logistics king of Thai golf. Two airports, expressways in every direction, and a ring of courses established during the 1990s–2000s golf boom make it incredibly easy to stack 3–5 quality rounds into a short window. Championship prestige is real: Thai Country Club sets a national standard for service; Alpine has genuine big-tournament muscle; Navatanee carries historic cachet; and Riverdale shows off modern shaping and risk-reward drama.
Practice facilities are strong (short-game areas, large ranges), starters keep pace, and the caddie system is both professional and hospitable—expect accurate green reads and calm rhythm. On off-days, you’re spoiled: Michelin tasting menus, rooftop bars, Thai massage, and excellent shopping. If you want maximum course variety in a single city base, Bangkok is where you start.
[Image idea] Starter’s hut at first light: caddies in uniform, bags lined on the tee, city sky just brightening.
Top 10 Bangkok-Area Courses (and who they suit)
Use this shortlist to match playing style, location, and schedule. For photos, policies, and hole-by-hole notes, browse: https://www.thaigolfguide.com/golf-courses/?region=bangkok
- Thai Country Club — Prestige & polish
Tour-grade presentation with immaculate greens, refined clubhouse, and best-in-class service.
Suits: low–mid caps, client rounds, anyone who values consistent conditioning.
Tip: Weekday AMs in cool season sell out—book early. - Alpine Golf & Sports Club — Championship muscle
A rolling, beautifully framed test with a strong finishing stretch that rewards confident ball-strikers.
Suits: single-digit handicaps, architecture fans who like a serious challenge. - Navatanee — Classic parkland heritage
A closer-in traditional layout with tournament history and tree-lined fairways.
Suits: traditionalists, return visitors looking for history and rhythm. - Riverdale — Modern risk-reward
Contoured fairways, sculpted bunkering, and photogenic water carries—strategy lovers have fun here.
Suits: mixed-ability foursomes; confident mid-caps who enjoy options on every tee. - Muang Kaew — Playable & popular
Reliable conditioning and honest tests that don’t beat up the higher-handicap player.
Suits: first-timers, warm-up days, balanced groups. - Thana City Country Club (Greg Norman) — Airport-easy
Close to BKK airport with a large range and corporate-friendly setup; convenient first/last-day pick.
Suits: tight schedules; travelers building a round around flight times. - Summit Windmill (Night Golf) — Flex & novelty
Lit fairways, efficient operations, and a location on the airport corridor.
Suits: business travelers, heat-averse players, itinerary squeezes. - Legacy Golf Club (Jack Nicklaus) — Angles & value windows
Classic Nicklaus sightlines and positional demands; off-peak pricing can be attractive.
Suits: strategy lovers, value-minded groups. - Royal Gems / Royal Gems City — Distinct experiences
Two different products between properties; check access, current conditioning, and routing notes.
Suits: variety hunters, return visitors. - Lam Luk Ka (36 holes) — Capacity & nature setting
Two courses in one address; less central but good for groups and longer stays.
Suits: four-balls, mixed abilities, value-leaning plans.
Quick-Compare Course Table
| Course | Style | Difficulty | Typical HS TCR (THB) | Distance from Sukhumvit | Why pick it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thai Country Club | Championship | Demanding | 7,200–9,000 | 45–75 min | Service benchmark; tour polish |
| Alpine | Championship | Demanding | 7,000–8,800 | 60–90 min | Big-league, rolling terrain |
| Navatanee | Classic parkland | Balanced | 6,400–7,800 | 35–60 min | Traditional feel; closer-in |
| Riverdale | Modern | Balanced | 5,900–7,500 | 45–70 min | Risk-reward fun; photogenic |
| Muang Kaew | Parkland | Friendly | 5,400–7,000 | 30–50 min | Playable, popular, fair |
| Thana City (Norman) | Modern | Balanced | 5,800–7,200 | 25–40 min (to BKK) | Airport-easy; strong practice |
| Summit Windmill (Night) | Parkland | Balanced | 5,800–7,400 | 30–45 min | Night-golf flexibility |
| Legacy (Nicklaus) | Strategic | Balanced | 5,000–6,800 | 45–70 min | Classic angles; value windows |
| Royal Gems / City | Varied | Varies | 5,800–7,600 | 45–75 min | Distinct experiences |
| Lam Luk Ka (36H) | Nature parkland | Friendly | 5,200–6,800 | 60–90 min | Capacity; group-friendly |
“HS TCR” = estimated Total Cost of a Round in High Season (green fee + caddie fee + cart + customary tip).
Best Neighborhoods & Hotels for Golfers
Pick a base that gives you fast tollway access and an easy lifestyle between rounds. Here’s how Bangkok neighborhoods stack up:
- Sukhumvit (Asok–Phrom Phong–Thonglor) — Dining and nightlife, expressway access east toward most golf clusters.
Who it suits: groups, mixed itineraries (golf + restaurants + bars). - Ploenchit/Wireless — Embassy district polish; quick exits to tollways; luxury hotel concentration.
Who it suits: couples and executives who want top-tier rooms and quiet nights. - Riverside — Resort-like calm near the old city; gorgeous views; slightly longer transfers to some courses.
Who it suits: spa seekers, slower-paced schedules, food lovers. - Silom/Sathorn — Business core; straightforward weekday departures east; great after-work dining.
Who it suits: corporate trips; quick commuter rounds.
Hotel shortlist (editorial picks)
- Ultra-lux: Waldorf Astoria Bangkok; The Okura Prestige; Capella Bangkok (Riverside).
- Golf-convenient luxury: Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park (Sukhumvit); Grande Centre Point Terminal 21 (direct expressway access).
- Business-close & quiet: Park Hyatt Bangkok; Conrad Bangkok (Ploenchit).
- Value-leaning 5★: Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok (leafy park access); Avani+ Riverside (resort vibe with views).
Explore destinations: https://www.thaigolfguide.com/destinations/
When to Play (seasons & tee-time strategy)
- Cool (Nov–Feb) — Firm conditions, low humidity, and the heaviest demand. Book 6–10 weeks ahead for Fri–Sun mornings. Prefer weekdays for price and pace.
- Hot (Mar–May) — Heat rises quickly by late morning; aim for 06:30–08:00 starts. Tee sheets are calmer; some rate relief appears.
- Rainy (Jun–Oct) — Mornings are often clear; short afternoon showers common; fairways greener. Expect occasional cart-path-only days; schedule buffers.
- Public holidays & weekends — Price and pace spike; either book very early or pivot to less central courses.
Deep seasonal guide: https://www.thaigolfguide.com/guides/best-time-to-golf-thailand/
Budgeting with TCR (THB & USD)
Don’t budget off the green fee alone. Thailand’s professional caddie system and frequent cart requirements mean your Total Cost of a Round (TCR) is the number that matters.
Planning rate used here: ฿36 ≈ US$1 (refresh quarterly).
TCR (High Season) — per person
| Line Item | THB | USD (≈) |
|---|---|---|
| Green fee (Bangkok premium) | 4,500–7,500 | $125–$210 |
| Cart | 700–1,200 | $20–$35 |
| Caddie fee | 300–500 | $8–$14 |
| Caddie tip (customary) | 400–600 | $11–$16 |
| Estimated TCR | 5,900–8,800 | $164–$244 |
Editor tips
- Budget +10–15% wiggle room for weekend surcharges or rain delays.
- Carry small bills (฿100/฿20) to tip smoothly and discreetly.
Getting Around (transfers & timing)
- Leave early: Plan hotel pickup 90–120 minutes before tee time (tolls + traffic variance).
- Stay near ramps: Hotels with easy access to expressways save 15–30 minutes each way.
- Vehicle type: Private vans with dedicated bag space and water coolers are ideal for groups. Confirm the return pickup buffer for shower/lunch post-round.
- Airport rounds: Build first/last-day tee times near BKK—Thana City and Green Valley corridor are popular.
- Night golf: Summit Windmill is the go-to for flexible schedules and cooler temperatures.
[Image idea] Van tailgate open with four stand bags neatly stowed; tollgate and dawn light in background.
Sample Itineraries (inspiration only)
A) City & Championship (3D/2N)
- Day 1: Arrive BKK → twilight warm-up at Muang Kaew or Riverdale → rooftop dinner in Sukhumvit
- Day 2: Thai Country Club or Alpine (AM) → spa recovery → refined Thai tasting menu
- Day 3: Near-city AM round (e.g., Thana City) → airport transfer
B) Executive Long Weekender (4D/3N)
- Rounds: Two championship + one modern/resort round (e.g., Alpine, Thai CC, Riverdale).
- Hotel: Ploenchit or Sukhumvit 5★.
- Transfers: Private van with pre-booked windows and on-board hydration.
- Off-course: Massage + early dinner slots to sustain 06:30 tee times.
Indicative daily spend (hotel + TCR + transfers): ฿8,700–20,000 (≈ $242–$556), depending on course and hotel tier.
Find itinerary ideas: https://www.thaigolfguide.com/itineraries/
Booking Tips, Caddies & Etiquette
- Booking windows: For peak months, lock Fri–Sun mornings 6–10 weeks ahead. Weekdays post-7am are sweet-spot slots.
- Agents vs direct: Reputable agents often hold prime tee blocks at marquee clubs and can bundle transfers. Direct booking works well for value courses midweek.
- Caddies: One per player is common. Trust their reads on grain and speed. Thank them with “Khop khun krub/kha” and tip ฿400–600 (more in rain or for exceptional service).
- Carts: Frequently mandatory at premium clubs; confirm sharing rules and fees before you arrive.
- Dress code: Collared shirts; tailored shorts/pants; golf shoes. Avoid denim and sleeveless tops.
- Pace: Let faster groups play through; avoid loud music and on-tee phone calls.
- Photos: Ask before photographing caddies or other groups; don’t slow play.
Full etiquette guide: https://www.thaigolfguide.com/tips/golf-etiquette-in-thailand/
Neighborhood Dining & Off-Course Ideas
- Sukhumvit: From street-side skewers to Michelin plates, then cocktails in Thonglor/Ekkamai.
- Ploenchit/Wireless: Polished hotel dining; great for quieter nights and early tee times.
- Riverside: Dinner cruises, sunset cocktails, Old Town heritage walks.
- Recovery: Thai massage, spa heat/cold circuits, plenty of water and electrolytes—Bangkok heat sneaks up.
FAQs
Is Bangkok golf playable year-round?
Yes. Use AM tee times March–October for heat/rain strategy.
How far are courses from downtown?
Typically 30–90 minutes depending on direction, day, and tollways.
Are caddies mandatory?
At most clubs, yes. Budget the caddie fee plus a customary ฿400–600 tip.
Do courses rent clubs?
Many do. Reserve in advance; specify handedness, flex, and preferred brand if available.
What about weekday vs weekend rates?
Weekdays are usually cheaper and quieter. Peak-season weekends require early booking and patience with pace.
Is night golf available?
Yes—Summit Windmill is the best-known Bangkok option.
Can I pair Bangkok with another region?
Common combos: Bangkok + Pattaya (course density, 2 hours) or Bangkok + Hua Hin (resort vibe, ~3 hours).
Where to Click Next (editorial, not sales)
- Browse Bangkok courses: https://www.thaigolfguide.com/golf-courses/?region=bangkok
- Explore all destinations: https://www.thaigolfguide.com/destinations/
- Best time to go (seasons & value): https://www.thaigolfguide.com/guides/best-time-to-golf-thailand/
- Itineraries (inspiration only): https://www.thaigolfguide.com/itineraries/
- Deals (editor-curated): https://www.thaigolfguide.com/deals/