Independent golf travel insights from golfers living in Thailand.

10-Day Southern Thailand Golf Adventure: Phuket, Krabi & Samui

Multi-destination itinerary showcasing the South’s scenic diversity — perfect for golfers seeking luxury and variety.

Why this trip works: Nowhere in Thailand packs as much visual drama into one region as the South. In ten days, you’ll play quarry-cut fairways in Phuket, boat past Krabi’s limestone cliffs, and chase ocean-view approaches on Koh Samui — all while enjoying five-star hospitality, professional caddie culture, and island downtime.

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/

Phuket quarry golf, Krabi limestone sea cliffs, and Koh Samui hillside fairway.

Quick Itinerary Snapshot

  • Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
  • Rounds: 4–5 rounds (2×Phuket, 1×Krabi or Phang Nga option, 1–2×Samui)
  • Bases: 4N Phuket → 2N Krabi → 3N Koh Samui
  • Best months: Nov–Feb (peak comfort), Mar–May (early starts), Jun–Oct (AM rounds; greener fairways)
  • Daily spend (indicative): ฿9,000–20,000 per person (≈ $250–$555) depending on course/hotel tier
  • For whom: Couples or foursomes seeking scenery, luxury, and variety with recovery time

Planning rate: For USD examples we use ฿36 ≈ US$1 (refresh quarterly).

Budget Notes: TCR (Total Cost of a Round)

Thailand’s golf spend is best planned via TCR: green fee + caddie fee + cart + customary caddie tip. On marquee island courses in high season, budgeting only the green fee underestimates totals by ~25–30%.

High-Season TCR bands (per person):

  • Phuket premium: ฿7,000–9,500 ($195–$265)
  • Krabi/Phang Nga value: ฿4,500–7,500 ($125–$210)
  • Koh Samui premium: ฿6,500–8,800 ($180–$245)

Typical TCR components (HS):

  • Green fee: ฿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)

Carry small bills for tipping, and add a 10–15% contingency for weekend surcharges or weather delays.

Day-by-Day Plan

Day 1 — Arrive Phuket (HKT): Settle & Sunset

Hotels (luxury lens): Amanpuri, Trisara, Banyan Tree Phuket, Dusit Thani Laguna.
Plan: Light stretch and range session; spa; early dinner to bank sleep for an AM tee time.

Private villa plunge pool overlooking the Andaman Sea with golf travel bag and luggage near the door — luxury Thailand golf getaway.

Day 2 — Phuket Round #1: Red Mountain (or Laguna Warm-Up)

Tee window: 07:00–08:00.
Why Red Mountain: Thailand’s most dramatic island layout — quarry cuts, elevation, photogenic par-3s.
Gentler alternative: Laguna Golf Phuket (resort-convenient, smooth operations).
PM: Massage + beach time or lagoon cruise; dinner in Bang Tao/Surin.
Tip: For Nov–Feb, prime mornings require early booking.

Day 3 — Phuket Round #2: Blue Canyon (Canyon) or Loch Palm

Choice A: Blue Canyon – Canyon — championship pedigree and muscular shot values.
Choice B: Loch Palm — lakeside routing, pacey but friendly.
PM: Old Phuket Town for cafés and Sino-Portuguese streets; casual Thai dinner.
Alt (shoulder season): Twilight 9 at Laguna + rooftop drinks.

Day 4 — Phuket Leisure Day: Islands & Recovery

Options: Phang Nga Bay boat day, Coral Island snorkel, or Thai cooking class.
Recovery: Spa heat/cold circuit; keep dinner light for next-day transfer.
Pack: Sun hoody, electrolytes, spare glove, quick-dry towel.

Day 5 — Transfer to Krabi (2 Nights)

Route: Private van (≈3–3.5 hrs via Sarasin Bridge + coastal roads) or short flight to Krabi (KBV) if schedules align.
Hotels: Rayavadee (Ao Nang), Banyan Tree Krabi, Phulay Bay Ritz-Carlton Reserve (ultra-lux).
Evening: Railay sunset; barefoot beachfront dinner.

Day 6 — Krabi/Phang Nga Round (Value Window)

Options:

  • Katathong Golf Resort & Spa (Phang Nga) — mountain-ringed scenery, quieter tee sheets.
  • Thai Muang (New Course) — links-style feel by the sea.
    PM: Cave temple visit; long-tail boat to hidden coves.
    No-golf alternative: Full-day island cruise + spa.

Day 7 — Fly to Koh Samui (USM): Hillside Arrival (3 Nights)

Flight: KBV → USM (often via BKK; check schedules before locking dates).
Hotels: Four Seasons Samui, Six Senses Samui, Santiburi Koh Samui Resort (near the course).
Evening: Fisherman’s Village dining; early night.

Day 8 — Samui Round #1: Santiburi Samui Country Club

Why play: Championship hillside routing with ocean views; memorable par-3s and elevation changes.
Tee window: 07:00–08:00; afternoons can be steamy.
PM: Spa or beach; coconut-grove walks.
Tip: Hydrate; respect pace on climbs.

Day 9 — Samui Round #2 or Unstructured Leisure

Golf option: Repeat Santiburi with alternate tees for variety.
Leisure option: Ang Thong Marine Park day trip; private boat picnic; sunset cocktails.
Dinner: Chef’s tasting menu at resort or beach BBQ.

Day 10 — Departure

Plan: Easy breakfast, final swim, bag check.
Flights: USM → BKK or onward internationally where schedules exist.
Final note: Confirm golf bag handling, porters, and settle caddie/porter tips.

Course Menu (by base)

BasePrimary PicksAlternatesNotes
PhuketRed Mountain; Blue Canyon – CanyonLaguna Phuket; Loch Palm; Mission HillsBook prime Nov–Feb mornings early
Krabi/Phang NgaKatathong (scenic value)Thai Muang (links feel)Farther drives; calmer tee sheets
Koh SamuiSantiburi Samui CC(Repeat round alt tees)Hillside routing; ocean views

Hotels & Neighborhood Flavor

Phuket

  • Ultra-lux: Amanpuri, Trisara (privacy, villa service).
  • Luxury with golf access: Banyan Tree Phuket, Dusit Thani Laguna (Laguna complex convenience).
  • Areas: Bang Tao/Surin (upscale calm), Patong (lively nightlife).

Krabi

  • Nature luxury: Phulay Bay Ritz-Carlton Reserve (ultra-quiet), Rayavadee (iconic Railay setting), Banyan Tree Krabi (modern cliffside serenity).
  • Vibe: Limestone cliffs, slower pace, island day trips.

Koh Samui

  • Top stays: Four Seasons Samui (northwest hillside), Six Senses (northeast headland), Santiburi Samui Resort (golf-adjacent luxury).
  • Vibe: Fisherman’s Village dining, northern beaches for tranquility.

[Image idea] Trio: beachfront breakfast tray (Phuket), long-tail boat at Railay (Krabi), hillside infinity pool (Samui).
Alt: “Phuket beachfront breakfast, Krabi long-tail boat, Samui hillside pool.”

Three-panel montage of Southern Thailand — Phuket beachfront breakfast, Krabi long-tail boat, and Samui infinity pool, each labeled within its panel.

Costs & TCR Cheat Sheet (THB / USD)

  • Per-round (HS) TCR bands:
    • Phuket premium: ฿7,000–9,500 ($195–$265)
    • Krabi/Phang Nga value: ฿4,500–7,500 ($125–$210)
    • Samui premium: ฿6,500–8,800 ($180–$245)
  • Transfers (private van, one-way rough):
    • Phuket ↔ Krabi: ฿3,500–6,500 ($97–$180) depending on vehicle and route.
  • Domestic flights (per person, typical):
    • ฿2,500–5,500 ($70–$155) each leg; check sports-equipment rules.
  • Hotels (nightly estimates):
    • Ultra-lux villa: ฿12,000–35,000 ($335–$970+)
    • Luxury 5★: ฿6,000–12,000 ($165–$335)
  • Food & spa (daily): ฿1,200–3,000 ($33–$85) depending on dining style.

Logistics & Getting Around (with Grab vs Uber)

Private vans: For golf days, pre-book private vans with club storage and chilled water. Ask the provider to include generous pickup buffers (post-round showers and lunch), and confirm cart/caddie policies the day prior.

Island taxis & app rides: Thailand doesn’t use Uber; the local equivalent is Grab (widely available in Phuket, Krabi town/Ao Nang, and Koh Samui). Grab works similarly to Uber with transparent pricing, GPS pickup, and in-app payments. You can request larger vehicles (SUV/XL) for golfers and gear, and schedule rides in advance — useful for early airport runs or dinner reservations. For course transfers, pre-booked vans are still the most reliable (driver waits during your round), but Grab SUVs are a solid backup or short-hop option between hotels, marinas, and restaurants.

Timing expectations:

  • Phuket: leave 90–120 minutes before tee time (resort areas → course clusters).
  • Krabi/Phang Nga: plan longer drives; scenic but slower roads.
  • Samui: 60–90 minutes is typically plenty for any point-to-point transfer.

Baggage/airlines: Use a travel cover and consider a club protector. Check each airline’s sports equipment policy and weight limits before booking.

Pace Options (customize your week)

  • Golf-forward (5 rounds): Add Mission Hills Phuket and a second Santiburi round (alternate tees).
  • Balanced (4 rounds): Keep both Phuket rounds + Santiburi + one value round (Katathong/Thai Muang).
  • Couples luxury: 3–4 rounds total, longer spa blocks, private boat days, and sunset dinners.

Dining & Off-Course Highlights

Phuket: Old Town cafés and Peranakan flavors; Bang Tao fine-Thai; calm beach clubs over party zones for easier early starts.
Krabi: Railay sunset decks, seafood grills, quiet beachfront bars.
Samui: Fisherman’s Village (walking-street dining), farm-to-table tasting menus, curated beach BBQs.
Recovery staples: Daily 60–90-minute massages, electrolyte packets, SPF 50+, sun hoodies, cap + towel in the cart.

Booking Timeline (stress-free version)

  • 10–12 weeks out (Nov–Feb trips): Lock Phuket prime tee times (Red Mountain/Blue Canyon) and hotels.
  • 6–8 weeks: Domestic flights (HKT→USM/KBV), Samui tee times, Krabi boat days.
  • 2–3 weeks: Private vans, spa slots, restaurant reservations.
  • 1 week: Reconfirm tee sheets, any cart-path-only notices, caddie numbers if re-booking a favorite.

What to Pack (golf & islands)

  • Golf: Breathable polos, light pants/shorts, rain shell (Jun–Oct), 2–3 gloves, soft spikes, electrolytes, micro towel.
  • Islands: Reef-safe sunscreen, sun hoody/rash guard, water shoes/sandals, dry bag for boat days.
  • Tech: Universal charger, power bank, AirTags for clubs.
  • Docs & cover: Passport/visas as required; travel insurance (weather disruption coverage recommended in rainy season).

FAQs

Can you play year-round? Yes. Prefer AM tee times Mar–Oct; afternoons can be hot or stormy.
How many rounds fit comfortably in 10 days? Four to five, with at least two true leisure days.
Are caddies mandatory? At most courses, yes. Budget fee + ฿400–600 tip (more for rain/exceptional service).
Night golf in the South? Limited. Better to start early and enjoy evenings.
Are there direct flights between these islands? Schedules vary; some routes funnel via Bangkok — verify before locking dates.
Is Grab like Uber? Functionally similar. You can order SUVs and schedule pickups in advance; still, pre-booked vans are best for 18-hole days.

Next Steps (editorial, not sales)

Bottom line: This 10-day Southern loop blends iconic golf and island luxury without rushing. Book prime Phuket mornings early, use Grab SUVs for short hops and pre-booked vans for golf days, hydrate relentlessly, and keep afternoons flexible. You’ll finish rested, well-fed, and with a camera roll full of cliff-edge and ocean-view shots you’ll replay all year.