The quality and choice of golf courses in Thailand is improving all the time and in 2017 Royal Bang Pa-in Golf Club added to the collection.
Located to the north of the capital city, Bangkok, it takes just over an hour to reach Royal Bang Pa-in Golf Club from a city centre hotel. Situated in Ayutthaya Province, it is also just 30 minutes away from Don Muang International Airport which accepts flights from Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.
The golf course was designed by Schmidt-Curley Design Inc, who have won several awards for their golf courses in Asia and this another beauty to add to their collection.
Royal Bang Pa-in Golf Club plays to 7,052 yards from the back tee and is an 18-hole championship golf course. There are several features to the par-72 course and water is the main hazard throughout. Although it does not always come into play on every hole but for very wayward shots, you will see water on each of the 18 holes.
Take the first four holes as an example, water runs along the right side of each these holes but you will need to miss the fairway or green by some distance to find your ball getting wet. However, that soon changes from the 9th hole onwards, which has a fairway split by water. The same applies to the 15th hole and the par-3 14th hole boasts an island green, which can be very tricky, especially with a bit of wind.
Unlike many of the other golf courses in the Bangkok area, Royal Bang Pa-in Golf Club has changes in elevation and there is a seven metre difference between the lowest and highest points of the golf course. This elevation change makes a sound strategy and club selection very important and adds to the overall test of the course.
The greens are also undulating and quick, so plenty of consideration is requited on approach to the putting surface. Leave yourself on the wrong level or with a downhill putt and you could be left struggling to two-putt on the greens, some of which are regarded as being the largest anywhere in Asia.
However, the fairways are hard and fast, meaning you can get good bounce and roll on tee shots. You may find the ball travelling further than expected when landing on the fairway, so keep this in mind when judging distances.
The clubhouse is a stunning modern design and inside you will find locker rooms, a restaurant and pro-shop. There are 17 shower rooms and the restaurant serves a delicious range of Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Western Dishes which can be enjoyed overlooking the golf course.
Complete with a putting green and chipping green, Royal Bang Pa-in Golf Club has everything you could wish for and it is without doubt one of the top golf courses in the Bangkok region.