Khao Kheow Country Club

Khao Kheow Country Club is a very picturesque 27 hole golf course wedged between two valleys just off the main highway about one hour from Pattaya.  The golf course is in excellent condition with fast greens which are notoriously difficult to read. Unlike many of the other courses in the area there are significant elevation changes on Khao Kheow Country Club which makes the course play quite long.

Also in common with many Pete Dye designs the emphasis is on course management to combat not only the prevailing breeze but also to negotiate the many water hazards, sand traps, hills and mounds that line the excellent fairways.  The greens are full of bumps and hollows which makes any putt a challenge but they are usually true so if you do pick the right line you will reap the rewards.

The penultimate hole and signature hole is a par 3 with the obligatory island green set against the mountains which makes for a memorable finish.  The par-5 2nd will set your heart racing as you tee off from an elevated tee to a twisting fairway. Providing you can avoid the huge bunker and the runoff areas your second shot has to negotiate a mounded bunker that surrounds the landing zone to give yourself an opportunity to reach the undulating green.

An impressive clubhouse is spoilt by inadequate locker facilities but as you view the course from the restaurant whilst sipping a cold beer this will be forgotten.

Off Bangkok - Pattaya Motorway, 45 minutes from Pattaya, 1 hour from Bangkok.