Thailand Golf Course Rankings 2025
Independent, data-aware list using TCR budgets, seasonality, prestige, and review-volume proxies
Positioning: We rank Thailand’s best courses with a transparent rubric that blends architecture, conditioning, strategy, enjoyment, setting, service—and the real cost of playing (TCR), not just the green fee.
Disclosure: ThaiGolfGuide is independent; we don’t sell tours. Some links may be affiliate and never affect rankings.
How We Rank (Methodology)
Eligibility: Public/visitor access (at least certain days); 18 holes; status verified through Aug 2025.
Scoring Rubric (100 pts total):
- Architecture & Design Merit – 30
- Conditioning & Greens – 20
- Strategy & Variety – 15
- Playability & Enjoyment – 15
- Setting & Scenery – 10
- Service, Caddies & Operations – 5
- Value via TCR (Total Cost of a Round) – 5
Evidence & Inputs we used from your report:
- Seasonality: High Season (Nov–Mar) commands premium pricing; Low Season (Apr–Oct) often –40–50% green-fee relief.
- TCR model: Green fee + compulsory caddie fee + cart fee (often mandatory) + customary caddie tip. Premium High-Season rounds commonly total ฿6,950–9,500 (≈ US$190–265).
- Review-volume proxy: Where standardized ratings are inconsistent, review volume from reputable booking platforms acts as a demand and maturity signal (e.g., Red Mountain 229 reviews; Black Mountain 199; Muang Kaew 85; Thana City 77; Thai Country Club 42).
- Distribution reality: Foreign golfers often secure prime slots and transparent pricing via agents (e.g., Golfsavers, Golfdigg), given inconsistent official pricing pages.
Planner note: Budget with TCR, not the headline green fee. On marquee courses, ignoring caddie/cart/tip underestimates spend by ~25–30% in High Season.
2025: Thailand Top 25 (National Ranking — with Scores)
(TCR bands are High-Season estimates per player; USD at ฿36 ≈ US$1. “Score” = composite out of 100 using the published rubric.)
| # | Course (Region) | Why it ranks | HS TCR band (THB / USD) | Score /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Siam Country Club – Old Course (Pattaya) | LPGA host; immaculate, tournament-true surfaces; big-league aura | 7,500–9,500 / $210–265 | 94 |
| 2 | Red Mountain (Phuket) | Most dramatic routing in Thailand; quarry terrain; unforgettable par-3s | 7,200–9,000 / $200–250 | 93 |
| 3 | Black Mountain (Hua Hin) | Championship conditioning, balanced strategy; destination anchor | 6,800–8,500 / $189–236 | 92 |
| 4 | Blue Canyon – Canyon(Phuket) | Johnnie Walker Classic pedigree; muscular shot values | 7,000–8,800 / $194–244 | 91 |
| 5 | Siam CC – Plantation (Pattaya) | Demanding elevation, slick greens; stern, photogenic test | 7,200–9,000 / $200–250 | 90 |
| 6 | Chee Chan (Pattaya) | Signature vistas beneath Khao Chee Chan Buddha; modern presentation | 6,800–8,800 / $189–244 | 89 |
| 7 | Alpine Golf & Sports Club(Bangkok) | Tiger 2000 win; championship bones; strong finishes | 7,000–8,800 / $194–244 | 89 |
| 8 | Thai Country Club (Bangkok) | National service benchmark; tour-grade polish; prestige | 7,200–9,000 / $200–250 | 88 |
| 9 | Laem Chabang (27H) (Pattaya) | Nicklaus variety; mix nines to suit the four-ball | 6,400–8,200 / $178–228 | 87 |
| 10 | Siam CC – Rolling Hills(Pattaya) | Contemporary risk-reward; pristine surfaces | 6,800–8,800 / $189–244 | 87 |
| 11 | Laguna Golf Phuket (Phuket) | Resort-convenient, consistently well-kept, great ops | 6,300–7,800 / $175–217 | 86 |
| 12 | Springfield Royal (Hua Hin/Cha-am) | Nicklaus strategy; reliable conditioning; value windows | 5,900–7,500 / $164–210 | 85 |
| 13 | Riverdale (Bangkok) | Modern shaping, crowd-pleasing risk-reward; city favorite | 5,900–7,500 / $164–210 | 85 |
| 14 | Thana City (Bangkok) | Greg Norman design; airport-easy; strong practice | 5,800–7,200 / $161–200 | 84 |
| 15 | Muang Kaew (Bangkok) | Popular, playable, well-run; honest test | 5,400–7,000 / $150–194 | 83 |
| 16 | Loch Palm (Phuket) | Lake-framed fun; ideal jet-lag round | 5,600–7,200 / $156–200 | 83 |
| 17 | Siam CC – Waterside (Pattaya) | Modern aesthetic; complements the Siam trifecta | 6,600–8,200 / $183–228 | 83 |
| 18 | Pineapple Valley (Banyan)(Hua Hin) | Scenic routing; refined clubhouse; couple-friendly | 6,000–7,800 / $167–217 | 84 |
| 19 | Mission Hills Phuket (Phuket) | Coastal breezes; angle-driven approaches | 6,200–7,800 / $172–217 | 82 |
| 20 | Burapha (36H) (Pattaya) | Big capacity; Thailand Open host; flexible pairings | 5,400–7,200 / $150–200 | 82 |
| 21 | Rayong Green Valley (Rayong) | Picturesque, mature, fairly priced | 5,000–6,800 / $139–189 | 81 |
| 22 | Khao Kheow (Pattaya corridor) | Pete Dye length + elevation; central location | 5,400–7,000 / $150–194 | 81 |
| 23 | Legacy (Jack Nicklaus)(Bangkok) | Classic Nicklaus angles; value windows | 5,000–6,800 / $139–189 | 81 |
| 24 | Laem Chabang (alt nine mix)(Pattaya) | Depth of 27 holes earns a second slot | 6,200–7,800 / $172–217 | 80 |
| 25 | Blue Canyon – Lakes (Phuket) | Sister-course balance; calmer tee sheets | 5,600–7,200 / $156–200 | 80 |
Master Catalogue (selected — now with Scores)
| Course | Region | Notable signal | Indicative TCR (LS → HS) | Score /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thai Country Club | Bangkok | Service benchmark; PGA pedigree | ~฿5,500–6,500 → 7,500–8,500 | 88 |
| Alpine GC | Bangkok | Tiger 2000; top-rated layout | ~฿5,500–6,500 → 7,500–8,500 | 89 |
| Thana City | Bangkok | Greg Norman; near BKK | ~฿4,500–5,500 → 5,500–6,500 | 84 |
| Muang Kaew | Bangkok | High popularity; playable strategy | ~฿4,000–5,000 → 5,000–6,000 | 83 |
| Legacy (Nicklaus) | Bangkok | Golden-age angles; value | ~฿3,500–4,500 → 4,500–5,500 | 81 |
| Siam CC – Old | Pattaya | LPGA host; immaculate | ~฿5,500–6,500 → 7,000–8,000 | 94 |
| Siam CC – Waterside | Pattaya | Modern Siam sibling | Weekday/Weekend base splits observed | 83 |
| Chee Chan | Pattaya | Scenic, exacting, modern | ~฿5,000–6,000 → 6,500–7,500 | 89 |
| Red Mountain | Phuket | Tin-mine drama; must-play | ~฿4,800–5,500 → 5,500–6,500* | 93 |
| Blue Canyon – Canyon | Phuket | JW Classic legacy | ~฿5,200–6,000 → 6,500–7,500 | 91 |
| Black Mountain | Hua Hin | Championship anchor | Fixed GF noted; TCR adds caddie/cart | 92 |
*Many Phuket rounds bundle cart/caddie in base structures; prime High-Season tee blocks are often managed by agents.
Regional Breakouts (Top 5 each)
Bangkok Metro & Central
- Thai Country Club — Service benchmark; tour-grade polish.
- Alpine — Championship pedigree; strong finishing stretch.
- Riverdale — Modern risk-reward; city-trip favorite.
- Thana City — Greg Norman; airport-easy.
- Muang Kaew — Popular, playable, well-run.
Planner notes: Best airport-day rounds include Thana City & Green Valley corridors near BKK. Farther courses can be value plays but add transfer volatility.
Pattaya & Eastern Seaboard
- Siam CC – Old Course — LPGA host; immaculate.
- Siam CC – Plantation — Demanding, scenic; elite test.
- Chee Chan — Iconic Buddha-mountain backdrop.
- Siam CC – Rolling Hills — Contemporary strategy; pristine.
- Laem Chabang (27H) — Nicklaus variety; group-friendly.
Why Pattaya wins logistics: 20+ quality courses in a tight arc = shorter, cheaper transfers and easy multi-round planning.
Phuket & Andaman
- Red Mountain — Unrivaled drama; must-play.
- Blue Canyon – Canyon — Historic muscle; championship DNA.
- Laguna Golf Phuket — Resort-easy, reliable conditioning.
- Loch Palm — Lakeside confidence builder.
- Mission Hills — Coastal wind + angles.
Pricing reality: Island premium; secure prime slots via reputable agents in High Season.
Hua Hin & Cha-am
- Black Mountain — Championship anchor; superb greens.
- Pineapple Valley (Banyan) — Scenic routing; refined experience.
- Springfield Royal — Nicklaus strategy + value windows.
- Lake View — Multi-nines for flexibility.
- Majestic Creek — Fun, honest test inland.
Specialty Awards (2025)
- Course of the Year: Siam Country Club – Old Course (Pattaya) — Tournament-true conditioning and year-round operations set the national bar.
- Most Dramatic Layout: Red Mountain (Phuket) — Elevated shot-making through quarry terrain.
- Best Championship Pedigree: Blue Canyon – Canyon (Phuket) — Johnnie Walker Classic legacy.
- Best Value (Weekday, in Season): Muang Kaew (Bangkok) — High usage, fair TCR, strong ops.
- Best Resort Course Experience: Laguna Golf Phuket — Seamless tee times from 5★ resorts.
- Best Par-3 Collection: Chee Chan — Photogenic, exacting, memorable.
- Best for Groups (Variety/Logistics): Laem Chabang (27H) & Burapha (36H) — Capacity + mix-and-match.
- Best Clubhouse & F&B: Thai Country Club — Service and finish that match the reputation.
- Toughest Closing Stretch: Siam CC – Plantation — Fitness and focus required.
- Friendliest for Mixed Abilities: Thana City / Muang Kaew — Setup flexibility without dulling interest.
Booking Strategy, Caddies & Agents (What actually works)
- Caddie system: Compulsory at virtually all premium clubs; budget ฿400–600 tip per 18 (more for rain/exceptional service).
- Carts: Frequently mandatory on premium courses; add ฿700–900.
- Channels: Official sites often lack live pricing; reputable agents (e.g., Golfsavers, Golfdigg) aggregate inventory, publish discounts, and hold prime tee blocks—crucial at high-demand courses like Red Mountain and the Siam CC properties.
- Weather risk (Low Season): Build buffers; consider travel insurance covering playable-weather disruptions.
Quick Planner: When & How Much (by region, HS)
| Region | Best months | Typical HS TCR (per round) |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | Nov–Feb (AM starts) | ฿5,900–8,800 ($164–244) |
| Pattaya | Nov–Feb (weekday AM) | ฿6,400–9,500 ($178–265) |
| Phuket | Dec–Mar (book early) | ฿7,000–9,500 ($194–265) |
| Hua Hin | Nov–Feb (calm winds) | ฿6,000–8,500 ($167–236) |
Low Season (Apr–Oct): Expect –40–50% green-fee relief, greener fairways, morning-round strategy, and occasional cart-path-only days.
Master Catalogue (selected, using your data signals)
| Course | Region | Notable signal | Demand proxy (RV) | Indicative TCR (LS → HS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thai Country Club | Bangkok | Service benchmark; PGA pedigree | (42) | ~฿5,500–6,500 → 7,500–8,500 |
| Alpine GC | Bangkok | Tiger 2000; top-rated layout | (36) | ~฿5,500–6,500 → 7,500–8,500 |
| Thana City | Bangkok | Greg Norman; near BKK | (77) | ~฿4,500–5,500 → 5,500–6,500 |
| Muang Kaew | Bangkok | High popularity | (85) | ~฿4,000–5,000 → 5,000–6,000 |
| Legacy (Nicklaus) | Bangkok | Golden-age angles | (8) | ~฿3,500–4,500 → 4,500–5,500 |
| Siam CC – Old | Pattaya | LPGA host | (30) | ~฿5,500–6,500 → 7,000–8,000 |
| Siam CC – Waterside | Pattaya | Modern Siam sibling | — | Base combos show weekday/weekend splits |
| Chee Chan | Pattaya | 2024 nominee; scenic | (78) | ~฿5,000–6,000 → 6,500–7,500 |
| Red Mountain | Phuket | Highest RV; tin-mine drama | (229) | ~฿4,800–5,500 → 5,500–6,500* |
| Blue Canyon – Canyon | Phuket | JW Classic host | (76) | ~฿5,200–6,000 → 6,500–7,500 |
| Black Mountain | Hua Hin | Championship anchor | (199) | Fixed green fee noted; TCR adds caddie/cart |
*Red Mountain’s base structures often bundle cart/caddie; HS demand is intense—agents control prime blocks.
How to Use This List
- First-timers: Pick 2 marquee + 1 forgiving in a single region.
- Four-balls: Keep transfers ≤45 minutes; alternate hard/easy days.
- Couples/luxury: Pair top courses with spa-forward 5★ stays (Laguna Phuket, Hua Hin beach).
- Single-digit caps: Target Old Course / Red Mountain / Canyon / Black Mountain to scratch the competitive itch—then add a strategic mid-difficulty day.
FAQs
Do prices affect rankings?
No. Price influences the TCR value note, not the core quality score.
Are private or semi-private clubs eligible?
Yes, if legitimate visitor access exists (certain days or via recognized channels).
Will courses under renovation be re-assessed?
Yes—once stable conditioning returns or new holes fully open.
Why is review volume used?
Because standardized ratings are inconsistent; volume reliably signals sustained demand and operational maturity.
Final Take
Thailand’s best courses blend architecture, conditioning, and service—but smart travelers win by planning with TCR, respecting seasonality, and leveraging trusted booking channels for prime tee times. Use this 2025 list to shape your shortlists—and your budget—without surprises.