Golf in Phuket Holiday

If you are looking for a sea facing picture postcard golf course to play while in Phuket, the Jack Nicklaus designed course at Mission Hills Golf Resort in Phuket is the one to play. The golf course sits among mangrove forests on the scenic north-east coast of Phuket. The golf course incredible ocean views from almost every hole and even includes several ocean holes playing out over the Andaman Sea like you sometimes see on the televised PGA tournaments.

Large white sand beach bunkers contrast with the translucent blue hues of the ocean waters and the vibrant greens of the Bermuda grass on the fairways and Paspalum Sea Isle 2000 grass on the putting surfaces. The ocean views come at a price, as water comes in to play on seven holes and the prevailing sea breezes make the play at certain times of the day very tricky.

Jack Nicklaus designed some distinguishing features at Mission Hills Phuket. The top holes include the par-5 2nd hole requires two well-placed shots to set up a reasonable third shot into the island green. Next is the 4th which is the first of the ocean holes, and a medium-length par-3 with spectacular views across the sea. The putting surface is an island of grass in a sea of white sand.

The par-4, the 5th hole plays to an island green from an island tee. A solid sandy waste near the beach with a substantial elevation change that runs through the middle of the fairway also adds to the excitement of the hole.

The signature 12th hole and index 1 is the longest par-4 on the golf course, measuring 481 yards from the black tees. Two long straight hits are required, or an accurate one-chip and one-putt for a shorter hitter to make par. The tee shot needs to carry well over 250 yards from the black tees and land on the left-hand side of the fairway. The angle will give the shortest shot to a well-guarded green.

The green is protected by a lake on the right-hand side and a deep hollow to the left, penalizing those bailing out to stay away from the water. If you are fortunate to land your second shot safely on the green or close by, you should walk away happy with a par, or even a respectable bogey. Whatever the outcome, take your time on this most challenging hole and appreciate the breathtaking ocean view by the green and picturesque mountain peaks in the distance.

Mission Hills playing conditions can vary.  Fairways and greens are always being improved so check with us for exact maintenance. Individual golf carts are compulsory even though the course is relatively flat and an easy walk. 

Service both on the golf course and at the accompanying spa and resort is first class. You can even order food and drinks to be delivered to you on the course as you play. Afterward, the spa and clubhouse restaurant works well for those golfers having the time and wishing to make their round at Mission Hills into a full day's total Phuket golfing experience!

The Blue Canyon Lakes Course is the 2nd golf course at Blue Canyon Country Club. Located close to the airport on the northern end of Phuket Island, the course is suitable for those arriving or departing the same day. Five sets of tees make this Phuket golf course ideal to a wide range of golfers from professionals to amateurs alike.

The Lakes Course hole routing makes good use of meandering creeks and water-filled canyons created by abandoned open cast tin mining with natural land flow left relatively unchanged from the original jungle contours. The front nine runs through a landscape of lakes and natural canyons, while the back nine weaves its way around stands of rubber trees.

When playing the Blue Canyon Lakes Course driving it in the fairway is essential to have any chance of scoring well. Many of the approach shots are over small creeks or canyons that run across the fairways, and getting to the greens in regulation is only possible from a good lie.

The 18th hole is widely considered one of Thailand’s best finishing golf holes. The long par-4 is only reachable in two by long hitters. Most Phuket golf visitors are better advised to play their second shots well short of the green and away from the jungle growing out of the open canyon fronting the green.

The Blue Canyon Lakes Course underwent a total renovation and further upgrading in 2006. The course quality is at least on par with the more famous Blue Canyon, Canyon Course. With less blind shots and a more honest test of golf the Lakes Course may even be the better of the two Blue Canyon golf courses. Moreover, golf carts are included and this makes playing the Lakes Course an excellent choice for the Phuket holiday golfer.

Facilities are a bit aging, but still are adequate for what is on offer. Caddies are mostly older, but well trained and also enjoy having a good laugh.

Laguna Golf Phuket features a resort golf course with pleasant breezes from the Andaman Sea. The Phuket golf course reflects the natural beauty and tropical surroundings as it's set on a valley floor overlooked by low wooded hills and marshlands.

It's not difficult to see why this Phuket golf course was named Red Mountain. It is harder, however, to imagine how such a dramatically undulating landscape, where soft red rock and dense jungle were the principal ingredients, could be transformed into a challenging, yet playable layout.

Red Mountain Golf Course opened in 2007 and is now considered Phuket's most spectacular golf course. The course was designed to take advantage of a huge variety of landforms and dramatic elevation changes, making it Phuket's hilliest course.

The entire Red Mountain site is an abandoned tin mine. The hole routing explores the four corners of the former tin mine property representing a memorable tour of Phuket's historical landscapes. Cliffs and gullies etched in sandy tailings over the years by storm waters feature on several holes. Towering cliffs cut out of the hills and flooded canyons frame several other holes. Golfers face the full range of natures hazards; wind, water, slopes and elevation changes. This is the highest golf course on Phuket Island and dramatic views are realized from many of the points on the golf course.

The concept of variety has been carried into all areas of Red Mountain. There are large and small greens; some with subtle breaks, some with wilder contours. Bermuda grass is used on the greens which make for fast but smooth putting surfaces. Fairways and tees are grassed with Seashore Paspalum; a popular turf being used at other Thailand championship courses like Amata Spring and Thai Country, both in Bangkok. Wild, local grasses have been preserved in some rough areas to complete the natural look.

Regarding playability, the closing six holes- and final stretches don't get much tougher. The elevation changes, red rocky cliffs and dense tropical vegetation combine to make these six holes some of the most spectacular in Thailand. A truly breathtaking panorama awaits at the back of the 16th green. The short par-3 17th is a dramatically plunging downhiller: hitting a postage stamp in the jungle-filled depths below has never been more fun! The subsequent downhill par-5 requires strategic placement from tee-to-green, and can easily add double-figures to an otherwise respectable scorecard. Prior to this magnificent closing six, the rest of the course contains its fair share of undulations, rocky outcrops, wonderful risk-reward holes and liberal array of water hazards. To avoid your immensely scenic Red Mountain round turning into a rocky horror show, the advice is simple - carefully consult your caddie on club selection, take dead aim and trust your swing.

Red Mountain Golf Club is located almost in the exact center of Phuket Island which makes this course one of most accessible to those staying on the poplar Patong and Karon beaches. Only 15 minutes is needed to get to/from the course which makes it a real possibility for those with non-golfing families to spend the better part of the day with their family after a quick early morning round.

For golfers wanting to spend more time at the course, there are excellent practice facilities, a grass driving range, as well as a fully stocked modern club house for 19th hole formalities. Golf carts are compulsory at Red Mountain and it’s a good thing as anyone who opted to walk this layout would surely regret it.

It's not often that such a great course is created. Hats off to Red Mountain for what the club literature describes as 'the most exciting golf course in Phuket' ... perhaps 'in Asia' might also apply.