World class beaches, tropical mountain scenery, vibrant nightlife—and some of the very best golf courses in Thailand. Here are our picks for the very best Phuket golf courses.
Mission Hills Golf Resort, Phuket
You will struggle to find an island anywhere else in the world which offers more in terms of a holiday destination than Phuket. While its pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife and excellent food are well known, its warm year-round climate means that Phuket is actually one of the premier golfing destinations in Asia, with no less than 10 golf courses to choose from, including some of the very best in Thailand.
With so many golf courses to choose from, how do you decide which courses to play on your golf holiday in Phuket? Thankfully, we've played them all multiple times, and here's our rundown of the very best golf courses in Phuket in 2024.
#1. Red Mountain Golf Club
The most spectacular golf course in Phuket, and worth every penny
Red Mountain Golf Club, Phuket
Conveniently located in the centre of the island, within 20 minutes of Karon and Patong beaches, and widely regarded as the best course on the island, Red Mountain Golf Club was designed by Jonathan Morrow and opened for play in 2007.
Set in the dramatically undulating landscape of an old tin mine, amidst thick jungle, picturesque lakes and the red mountainside from which it took its name, Red Mountain Golf Club is quite simply one of the most spectacular courses in the world, let alone Thailand.
The range of challenges you will face runs the whole gamut: if you can negotiate the wind, water, sand and slopes, you will find greens that range from small and flat to large and contoured. The only consistency is found in the uniform quickness of the putting surface and the pristine condition of the narrow fairways.
With more than its fair share of elevation changes and rocky outcrops, there are plenty of opportunities to take risks in search of rewards, but with a liberal array of water hazards this approach can be harshly punished. You’re best advised to trust the suggestions of the excellent caddies regarding club selection, and to hit straight.
The final six holes are the best, not only some of the most spectacular in Thailand but also some of the toughest. Attempting to hit the postage stamp green of the par-3 17th when you are teeing off from some 70 metres above is great fun, and the standout 18th requires some strategic shot making to make par, despite playing much shorter than its 500-yard length would suggest.
Due to its central location, it’s possible to play Red Mountain early in the morning and then enjoy the rest of the day with family and friends, which is another reason why it is ranked as one of the top golf courses in Phuket. When visiting Phuket on a golf holiday and considering which courses you should play, Red Mountain Golf Club must be at the top of your list.
Location: 45 minutes from airport and 20 minutes from Patong Beach
Birdies: Wonderful scenery as you drive around course
Bogeys: The cost - one of most expensive courses in Thailand
Favourite Hole: The 17th, which plays from a very elevated tee to a green 70 metres below
#2. Blue Canyon Country Club - Canyon Course
Phuket's only true championship course—and site of some storied exploits by Tiger Woods—is back to its best following extensive refurbishment
Blue Canyon Country Club, Canyon Course
Three times the host of the Johnnie Walker Classic, won here in 1998 by a certain Mr. Tiger Woods, the Canyon Course at Blue Canyon Country Club offers you the opportunity to measure yourself against the greats on what was once consistently recognised as one of the best courses in Thailand.
Over the past few years, the golf club has been the subject of an ownership dispute and there have been numerous management changes, although with an extensive renovation now complete, the course is back on track to reclaim its place at Thailand's top golfing table.
As with many golf courses in this region of Thailand, the Canyon Course is located on a former tin mine and there is plenty of evidence of its mining past as you play your way around the course. The canyons and cliffs expose red and white tin rock and the water in the streams is rust coloured and this adds a unique flavour to the course.
Palm-oil trees frame the front nine holes on the Canyon Course but it’s at the start of the back nine where the real excitement of this golf course begins. In fact, the stretch of five holes between 11 and 15 are considered by many to be amongst the best in Asia, which is some praise indeed.
Having birdied it only once after multiple tries, we can attest that you should be content with bogey on the 600 yard par-5 11th where only the longest of drives can clear the stream across the fairway, and only the most accurate of approaches can avoid the water and marshes protecting the green.
Following the cresting 12th with a spectacular approach over water from way above the green, we reach the famous 13th, where a plaque informs you on the tee of that Tiger once drove the green (it doesn't mention that he three putted!). This is where extra balls come in handy as you’ll definitely want to have a go at matching his feat. Even a more conservative shot needs to clear a vast chasm to put yourself in position for a decent second.
The 14th is an excellent par-3 that plays to an island green with no bail-out area, and you must tee off in full view on onlookers from the golfers' terrace, but it's the final short hole, the 17th, that is the most intimidating. Once described by Gary Player as “the best par-3 I’ve ever seen”, you must carry over 200 yards of water to a pin that is often located behind a massive greenside bunker.
Having enjoyed the thrill of the Canyon Course, make sure you make full use of the clubhouse facilities, which include three restaurants and a spa, in addition to the pro-shop, locker rooms and showers.
Location: 20 minutes from airport and 40 minutes from Patong Beach
Birdies: Fantastic layout in excellent post-renovation condition
Bogeys: Pretty pricey following the renovation
Favourite Hole: The par-3 14th, which plays from an elevated tee to spectacular island green
#3. Blue Canyon Country Club - Lakes Course
Less famous but no less exciting than its sister course—a hugely satisfying experience. Take plenty of balls as there are water hazards on nearly every hole
Blue Canyon Country Club - Lakes Course
Although not as famous as its sister course, the Lakes Course at Blue Canyon Country Club is an excellent layout in its own right, with plenty of challenges with water coming into play on all but three holes. The course sweeps through dramatic scenery peppered with lakes and canyons, offering a demanding test with enough leeway that an off-day isn't too heavily punished if you can avoid the creeks and bunkers that intrude upon many of the fairways.
The opening four holes are all difficult with a scary approach to a semi-island green on the 1st, followed by a long carry over water to reach the 2nd green. This is followed by a very daunting tee shot with water both sides and a reasonably long carry to reach the safety of the 3rd fairway.
The 4th is rated the most difficult hole on the course and is a tricky dogleg with a ravine protecting the green. The remainder of the holes on the front nine are much easier providing you can keep the ball on the fairway and out of the many water hazards and ponds.
A bit of respite as you make your way home and long hitters will have fun trying to drive the green on the short downhill par-4, 11th. The trouble starts on the 14th which looks quite innocuous from the tee but the 3-tier green with its false front and wicked slopes can cause all sorts of issues if you end up on the wrong level. Three-putts and worse are very common here!
Positioning off the tee is critical on the next two holes as you can get easily blocked by the trees, while there's some light relief in the form of the easy par-3 17th. The standout hole is probably the last one, up there with the best in Thailand. From the tee, a large tree some 180 yards away in the centre of your view signals the start of a huge canyon that splits the fairway in two.
Most golfers will have to play up because you will probably end up 180-200 yards out with an uphill shot across a water-filled ravine to a sloping green. It’s not over when you reach the green because if your ball finishes above the hole you are faced with fast downhill putt.
Location: 20 minutes from airport and 40 minutes from Patong Beach
Birdies: Wonderful scenery as you drive around course
Bogeys: It's not quite as good as its sister course
Favourite Hole: The par-4 18th is one of best finishing holes in Thailand
#4. Loch Palm Golf Club
A long-time Phuket favourite where a dry ball should ensure a good score
Loch Palm Golf Club
Spectacularly set in the centre of Phuket, in a basin surrounded by mountainous jungle, Loch Palm Golf Club is a firm favourite of the Phuket golf scene. While it's a fairly straightforward course, there are enough challenges to test golfers of all abilities thanks largely to the loch itself. Keeping your ball out of water should be your main objective, and if you can achieve this first time around then you are ahead of the curve.
On the front nine the loch and its associated tributaries are frequently in play, often cutting into the fairway ensuring that even the straightest of drives can end up being punished. Off line you can also find yourself amongst the numerous palm trees which helped give the course its name, but they are never so densely packed together that recovery is impossible. The 4th hole, a long par three over water to a semi-island green, is the pick of the front 9.
The most memorable holes come towards the end. The 14th is a short par-3 with an elevated tee shot to an island green; it is tricky to pick the right club, and it takes some time to find out if you made the right choice as your ball seems to hang in the air for eternity before (hopefully) finding the safety of the green. The 16th is another par-3 where anything right will be swallowed up by water and a sloping two-tier green means that not all balls that land on the green stay there. Your round ends with par-5 featuring a severe dog-leg lined with thick trees. It’s possible to cut the corner by going over the trees if you’re feeling adventurous, but either way a good drive is imperative.
Loch Palm Golf Club is one of the few golf courses in Phuket where a golf cart is entirely optional, so if you would like to walk the course you can without too much difficulty. The clubhouse serves good Thai food and having been renovated in 2008, is up to the standard of the clubhouses at the more modern golf courses in Phuket and the surrounding area.
Location: Central Phuket, between Patong Beach, Karon and Phuket Town
Birdies: The course is usually in excellent condition
Bogeys: Can get very crowded and slow at weekends
Favourite Hole: The par-3 14th, which plays from an elevated tee to an island green
#5. Laguna Golf Phuket
Excellent and very playable resort course in heart of Laguna Resort complex
Laguna Golf Phuket
Massively improved following a large renovation in 2015, Laguna Golf Phuket is now one of the best golf courses in Phuket and ideal for the average golfer looking for some fun. The course plays fairly short, meaning lower handicappers may find it pretty easy to reach the green in regulation assuming they can avoid the heavy bunkering and keep their ball on the undulating greens, which often feed the ball into swales or hollows.
The golf course typically provides excellent playing surfaces and optimal conditions for golf enthusiasts. While the wide fairways are generous, you have to position your drives strategically if you want to score well.
The front nine is routed around natural bodies of water, while after the turn the course winds its way through mature stands of trees, utilizing large overhanging trees to influence play and frame the majority of the holes. The rough areas consist of a mix of wood chips and native grasses, while strategically placed bunkers add occasional challenges, appearing prominently to come into play as needed.
The concluding two holes pose the greatest challenges. The formidable 612-yard 17th requires players to navigate over water at least twice, earning its reputation as a monster hole. The final touch is the beautiful par-4 18th hole, where a well-executed shot provides the opportunity for a finishing birdie.
The facilities and service at Laguna Golf Phuket are second to none. Driving range, practice greens and bunkers, a well stocked pro-shop staffed by friendly and experienced staff and well appointed locker rooms with luxurious towels all combine to ensure a five star experience. The 4-hour spa and massage treatment available on-site mean that for once 'golf widows' won't have cause to complain about the amount of time you spend playing golf, and once you've finished you can both enjoy a drink and a fine meal in the top notch restaurant.
Location: 25 minutes from the airport / 20 minutes from Patong Beach
Birdies: Excellent maintenance and management
Bogeys: Can get very crowded and clubhouse prices are high
Favourite Hole: The 8th, a very attractive and challenging par 3
#6. Phuket Country Club
A popular resort course that's a long-time favourite, with at least one hole you won't forget in a hurry
Phuket Country Club
The first course built in Phuket back in 1989 and conveniently located in the centre of the island amidst rolling hills, limestone cliffs and landscaped forests, the original 18-hole course at Phuket Country Club has aged well and remains a firm favourite, especially since the introduction of buggies. It’s short by modern standards, at just 6,484 yards from the back tees, which means even high handicappers can give a good account of themselves, but there’s still plenty to keep better players interested.
Despite the absence of water, the front nine presents the biggest challenge, with a testing series of undulating holes. The opening pair give a good indication of what's to come: the first is a short par-4 involving a nervy drive over a ravine to reach position A, while the second is a downhill par-3 where finding the elevated green is a challenge often complicated by the swirling wind, making club selection key.
The back nine is flatter and more open, and it’s at the 10th that water first comes into play at what is perhaps the most famous hole in all of Phuket. This 557-yard monster plays right around a massive lake, almost turning 180 degrees. The conventional route involves three shots that must flirt with water, although if you have time, take an extra ball and go straight across the loch by hitting at right angles from the front tees, from where it is just possible with a mighty swipe to reach the front edge of the green in one (and on a par-5 that is quite some achievement).
The changing rooms have recently been renovated and are now the best in Phuket. The clubhouse features one of the largest and best-stocked pro-shops in Phuket, and there’s an extensive practice area if you want to try out some of the clubs on offer. Reasonable prices at the restaurant mean that a well-earned meal after what will no doubt be a memorable round of golf won't break the bank.
Location: Between Patong Beach and Phuket Town
Birdies: Well-managed course always in good condition
Bogeys: A bit short for better players
Favourite Hole: The banana-shaped par-5 10th, which offers up the chance to go for the green off the tee
#7. Mission Hills Golf Resort Phuket
A spectacular Nicklaus-designed course and the only place in Phuket to play holes that run alongside the ocean
Mission Hills Golf Resort
If you enjoy the views at Red Mountain Golf Club, you will absolutely love those at Mission Hills Golf Resort in Phuket. It's surprising that on the island of Phuket there’s only one course that plays right next to the sea, but at Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort you get a number of picture-perfect holes of the sort often seen on TV during USPGA events.
The course delights in the vivid contrasts of deep blue sea, white beach bunkers and lush greens, views that you can take comfort in while you attempt to master the wind and keep your ball out of the water that features heavily on seven of the holes.
As one would expect from a Nicklaus design, the course features large beach sand bunkers. These, together with the bright colours of the greens and the turquoise blue ocean, make the course a sight for sore eyes, with lovely contrasting colours throughout the 18 holes. However, you cannot allow yourself to be taken in by the views, as the wind can easily pick up, adding to the test of this golf course.
The pick of the holes include the par-5 2nd, which requires a cracking approach to an island green, and the par-4 5th, which plays to the same island green as the 2nd and features a large waste bunker running alongside the fairway, adding to the challenge.
The signature hole is the 12th, the longest par-4 on the golf course. Your tee shot must carry at least 250 yards to have any chance of making the green in two, which is protected along the right side by a lake and down the left side by a hollow, which will gobble up your ball. Many golfers are happy to walk away from this hole with a par and take in the magnificent views of the ocean and mountains in the distance.
While maintenance of the course, and especially the greens, has been an issue at times, there have been great improvements lately and the greens are now running faster than they have done in the past. The service you’ll receive is first class, and the facilities are decent, if a little run-down in areas. The restaurant serves excellent Thai cuisine that is worth the money, but be aware that the drinks are pretty pricey, but for a holiday visit you may be happy to pay the expense just this once.
Location: 15 minutes from airport / 45 minutes from Patong Beach
Birdies: Spectacular views over the ocean
Bogeys: Occasional maintenance issues - it's worth asking about the conditions before playing here
Favourite Hole: The lovely par-3 4th, whose green sits right on the ocean
#8. Katathong Golf Resort and Spa
A scenic setting and some particularly memorable holes make for an enjoyable challenge
Katathong Golf Resort and Spa
Located around an hour north of Phuket, in Phang Nga, Katathong Golf Resort & Spa is a championship-standard course set in a beautiful jungle-clad valley that was once the site of a tin mine. There are plenty of water hazards to contend with, not least the beautiful natural stream which cascades down the waterfall in front of the clubhouse and meanders its way through the back nine, and a fair few elevation changes, with the Zoysia fairways following the natural contours of the land as they weave between mature trees to lightning fast greens.
The mountain views are excellent and feature throughout the course, with natural waterfalls and streams common across many of the holes. The course is fairly short but narrow landing zones make accuracy off the tee more important than distance. This makes Katathong Golf Resort and Spa a good contrast to the other golf course in Phuket and is the reason why it is considered a good test of a golfers ability.
The par 3s are perhaps the pick of the holes on this golf course, with the signature 10th playing from elevated tee boxes to a small island green below. A tough ask for high handicappers, and at over 200 yards from the back tees, a potential card-wrecker for anyone. The unusual 17th is a medium-length par-3 that plays over a deep gorge to a green that’s so massively elevated that the top of the flag is the only thing visible from the tee box. It’s safe to say that the drop zone is well used!
Despite the distance from Phuket, if you are looking for a good test of golfing ability, it is worth making the drive to this golf course but make sure you have something to eat in the clubhouse afterwards, as there is not much else around in terms of restaurants.
Location: 80 minutes from the airport and 120 minutes from Patong Beach
Birdies: Beautiful rural location surrounded by jungle-covered hills
Bogeys: A long drive but you can stay overnight at the onsite resort
Favourite Hole: The par-3 10th, which plays from elevated tee beside clubhouse to a virtual island green.
#9. Aquella Golf Resort & Country Club
Brand new course built on site of former Thai Mueang Golf Course 40 Minutes from Phuket.
Aquella Golf Resort and Country Club
Aquella Golf Resort & Country Club, established in 2021, features a championship-standard layout designed by Pacific Golf Coast Design. The course gracefully winds through softly undulating terrain adorned with tidal waterways, lakes, and an abundance of bunkers with charming vintage railway sleeper faces. Although stretching over 7,000 yards from the black tees, the course has been thoughtfully crafted as a resort course, ensuring enjoyable play for golfers of all skill levels.
There's plenty of water in play, with waterways often cutting across the fairway, livening up what is essentially fairly flat terrain, although the conditioning of the course is first rate. The signature hole is the 11th, a gorgeous par-3 that plays towards the ocean (and often into the wind) and features four bunkers guarding a generous green with a steep run-off to the back. Club selection is at a premium here.
The course boasts top-notch facilities, including a superb restaurant overlooking the Andaman Sea, a well-stocked pro shop, and an elegant locker room. Additionally, a 20-bay driving range equipped with state-of-the-art automatic ball dispensers allows golfers to warm up before their round.
Overall, a round at Aquella Golf Resort & Country Club offers numerous appealing features and is well worth the short drive from Phuket.
Location: 45 minutes from airport and 80 minutes from Patong Beach
Birdies: Beautiful location alongside the Andaman Sea
Bogeys: A long drive to reach the course
Favourite Hole: The signature par-3 11th, which plays towards the beach
