Why Pattaya is the golf capital of Thailand's east coast
Hardly any region in Southeast Asia packs so many courses into such a small area as the Eastern Seaboard between Sriracha, Pattaya and Rayong. There are historical reasons for this: the courses were built from the 1970s onwards for weekend visitors from Bangkok and the international community, and they have been expanded continuously ever since. Today you will find championship courses with tournament history alongside relaxed resort layouts where beginners and seniors play without time pressure. The big difference to Germany: no club membership required, pay the green fee, play, done.
The key courses at a glance
| Course | Location | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Siam Country Club (Old Course, Plantation, Waterside, Rolling Hills) | Pong, east of Pattaya, approx. 20 to 30 minutes | four courses, tournament history, the Old Course is regarded as one of the best courses in Thailand |
| Laem Chabang International Country Club | towards Sriracha, approx. 30 minutes | 27 holes, designed by Jack Nicklaus, hilly terrain |
| Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club | Huai Yai, south of Jomtien, approx. 20 minutes | 27 holes, popular with expats from Jomtien and Na Jomtien |
| Burapha Golf & Resort | Bang Phra, approx. 40 minutes | 36 holes, quiet and well kept |
| Pattana Golf Club & Resort | Sriracha, approx. 35 minutes | 27 holes with a resort and overnight stays |
| Pattaya Country Club, Khao Kheow, Bangpra, Plutaluang (Navy) | around Pattaya, 20 to 45 minutes | more affordable classics, Plutaluang as a navy course is particularly good value |
Add to that courses such as Mountain Shadow, Greenwood, Treasure Hill, Emerald, St. Andrews 2000 and Eastern Star towards Rayong. If you like, you can play a different course every day of the week here.
Green fees, caddies and the best season
Green fees vary widely: a navy or provincial course can cost less than 1,500 THB on a weekday, while premium courses such as the Siam Country Club tend to sit at 4,000 to 6,000 THB with caddie and cart. A caddie is compulsory on almost all courses in Thailand and part of the culture; the caddie fee and a tip of a few hundred baht come on top. The most pleasant season is the dry period from November to February, although tee times are also in highest demand then. In the rainy season from May to October the showers usually fall in the afternoon, early starters get round dry, and many courses lower their prices noticeably. Regular players use the sports cards and weekday offers of the courses, which are often only available on site.
Living for golfers: which location fits
Golfers in Pattaya have two options. The first is a condo by the beach with the golf course as a day trip: from Jomtien and Na Jomtien, Phoenix Gold and the Siam Country Club are 20 to 30 minutes away, while from Wongamat and Naklua, Laem Chabang, Burapha and Pattana are closest. The second is a house or condo right on the fairway in the east of the city, quiet and green, but with a car as a must and without the sea. For most of our clients from Germany, Austria and Switzerland the first option wins: beach proximity and infrastructure in everyday life, golf as a half-hour drive. Which new-build projects in Jomtien and Na Jomtien come into question is shown in the project overview, the prices per area in the price index. And anyone planning retirement by the fairway will find the residency question answered in our article on the retirement visa.
Frequently asked questions
How many golf courses are there around Pattaya?
About 25 courses within roughly an hour's drive, from Sriracha in the north to Rayong in the south. The best known include the Siam Country Club with its four courses, Laem Chabang, Phoenix Gold, Burapha and Pattana.
How much does golf cost in Pattaya?
Depending on the course and the day of the week, roughly 1,500 to 6,000 THB in green fees, plus the caddie fee and a tip. Navy and provincial courses are the cheapest, while the premium clubs sit at the upper end with cart and caddie. In the rainy season many courses are considerably cheaper.
Do I need a club membership?
No. Almost all courses in the region are public green-fee courses: you book a tee time, pay and play. Memberships exist, but they only pay off for frequent players with one home course.
Can you play golf in Pattaya all year round?
Yes. The dry season from November to February is the most pleasant; in the rainy season from May to October it usually rains only briefly and heavily in the afternoon, so morning rounds are almost always possible.
Which residential location suits golfers?
For most, a condo in Jomtien or Na Jomtien: beach, infrastructure and Phoenix Gold as well as the Siam Country Club within 20 to 30 minutes. Those who want to live right on the fairway will find houses and condos in the east of the city, but without the sea and only with a car.
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