Will be visiting hua hin soon , and staying for a while if Ilike it . Can anyone give first hand advice on golf courses, best ones , best value for money etc.
I have played a good few of the course around pattaya and need a change of scenry . Even though I play three or four times a week my handicap still stays stuck at 16 . Any one available to play from mid sept onwards please let me know.
good golf
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Gin tonic - no lime
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Hi tee
I have played many courses in the area and one of the most interesting, although it is a bit of a drive, is the Military Engineering Golf Course at Ratchaburi. I think it would be about 1 and 1/4 hour drive, maybe a bit less. Many interesting holes, and it is very reasonably priced I recall about 500 baht. It can be busy with Thai military players who have the priority, and there were a lot of rude Koreans trying to jump the queue..!!
http://www.sawadee.com/golf/mapcentral.htm
Two other great tracks are Kaeng Krachan Country Club and Sawang Resort Golf Club. They are up that way, so you could plan a 2 or 3 day mini golf tour and check out some of the local nightlife if there is any??? I'm mired at the 16 cap as well, after 45 years of "practice". I hope to be getting out more often while there from Jan to end May, if you are still around, would welcome a game or 2.
The other thing you should check out is the Hua Hin Golf Society, just drop into Bernies' Bar over near the Sofitel market area, and ask about signing up as a guest, you get a bit of a discount at the courses they play, and for the farther courses there is comfy bus arranged complete with cool bevvies on the return!! I find this is a really good group, and hope to be able to become a member since I will be in HH for 5 months.
I have played many courses in the area and one of the most interesting, although it is a bit of a drive, is the Military Engineering Golf Course at Ratchaburi. I think it would be about 1 and 1/4 hour drive, maybe a bit less. Many interesting holes, and it is very reasonably priced I recall about 500 baht. It can be busy with Thai military players who have the priority, and there were a lot of rude Koreans trying to jump the queue..!!
http://www.sawadee.com/golf/mapcentral.htm
Two other great tracks are Kaeng Krachan Country Club and Sawang Resort Golf Club. They are up that way, so you could plan a 2 or 3 day mini golf tour and check out some of the local nightlife if there is any??? I'm mired at the 16 cap as well, after 45 years of "practice". I hope to be getting out more often while there from Jan to end May, if you are still around, would welcome a game or 2.
The other thing you should check out is the Hua Hin Golf Society, just drop into Bernies' Bar over near the Sofitel market area, and ask about signing up as a guest, you get a bit of a discount at the courses they play, and for the farther courses there is comfy bus arranged complete with cool bevvies on the return!! I find this is a really good group, and hope to be able to become a member since I will be in HH for 5 months.
I'd agree with G&T's comments about the courses he's mentioned.
I'm not too sure about the discount with the society, though. A guest has to pay full whack I think - at least it was that way when I was a member a few years ago. The reason's simple - the courses get a bit upset if lots of visitors are benefitting from discounted green fees. Members can benefit, but they must satisfy the society that they live for at least 6 months of the year in HH. The society's a good place to start and get all the latest info and it'll get you fixed up with partners and even into friendly competitions with the society, if you want. Those days are good fun.
Other courses to check out are Royal HH, Milford (not sure about the condition now - it used to be very challenging), Springfield, Majestic Creek, Palm Hills and Lake View. All are within 30 mins of town, or a lot closer.
Green fees and caddy fees have been going up over the years and it's not quite the great value for money that it was 6 odd years ago. I would reckon a day out will set you back close to 3,000 Baht, including a couple of beers at the 19th. The society can put you straight on that.
I used to struggle round with a 6 handicap when I was 17 years old. Nowadays, I hack to 18. I might be up for a game when you're over. PM me if you want.
I'm not too sure about the discount with the society, though. A guest has to pay full whack I think - at least it was that way when I was a member a few years ago. The reason's simple - the courses get a bit upset if lots of visitors are benefitting from discounted green fees. Members can benefit, but they must satisfy the society that they live for at least 6 months of the year in HH. The society's a good place to start and get all the latest info and it'll get you fixed up with partners and even into friendly competitions with the society, if you want. Those days are good fun.
Other courses to check out are Royal HH, Milford (not sure about the condition now - it used to be very challenging), Springfield, Majestic Creek, Palm Hills and Lake View. All are within 30 mins of town, or a lot closer.
Green fees and caddy fees have been going up over the years and it's not quite the great value for money that it was 6 odd years ago. I would reckon a day out will set you back close to 3,000 Baht, including a couple of beers at the 19th. The society can put you straight on that.
I used to struggle round with a 6 handicap when I was 17 years old. Nowadays, I hack to 18. I might be up for a game when you're over. PM me if you want.
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linktolinh
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HC is based on how many shots it takes you to go round the course. The idea is to make everyone equal.
So, if par for the course - the number of shots it should take to go round, depending on the length of the holes - is 72 and you regularly go round in 90, you'll have a handicap of 18. If you shoot 90, you then take 18 shots off and you have a net score of 72 - level par.
A better player may have a handicap of 10. If they shoot 83 and then take 10 off, they've scored 73. The higher handicap player - ie not as skillful - wins.
Handicaps are set by the committee on each course or by a society. They change with every card you put in. Handicaps can go up and down depending on how you're playing.
Note, it is considered very unsportmanlike to either not enter a scorecard if you've had a really good round - this would lead to a reduction in handicap - or to purposefully score very high on the final few holes to increase your score and keep your handicap. Some people just want to win certain competitions and will try to keep their handcaps high until that event. They are known as bandits.
There you go. That's it in uncomplicated form.
So, if par for the course - the number of shots it should take to go round, depending on the length of the holes - is 72 and you regularly go round in 90, you'll have a handicap of 18. If you shoot 90, you then take 18 shots off and you have a net score of 72 - level par.
A better player may have a handicap of 10. If they shoot 83 and then take 10 off, they've scored 73. The higher handicap player - ie not as skillful - wins.
Handicaps are set by the committee on each course or by a society. They change with every card you put in. Handicaps can go up and down depending on how you're playing.
Note, it is considered very unsportmanlike to either not enter a scorecard if you've had a really good round - this would lead to a reduction in handicap - or to purposefully score very high on the final few holes to increase your score and keep your handicap. Some people just want to win certain competitions and will try to keep their handcaps high until that event. They are known as bandits.
There you go. That's it in uncomplicated form.
I agree with all the comments above (I come to HH every year for my golfing holiday), especially the remarks about the Koreans and Milford.
Given the date of the original post, I guess you (teemeup) may have already had your trip. One thing you will find different from Pattaya is the HH courses are a bit more expensive to play. Particularly if you have an International Pattaya Golf Club (IPCG) membership card (which gives members discounted green fees).
It’s a shame that the HH course can’t tie up some preferential rates with the IPCG members. I’m sure if they did, the courses would attract a bit more interest from those across the bay.
Given the date of the original post, I guess you (teemeup) may have already had your trip. One thing you will find different from Pattaya is the HH courses are a bit more expensive to play. Particularly if you have an International Pattaya Golf Club (IPCG) membership card (which gives members discounted green fees).
It’s a shame that the HH course can’t tie up some preferential rates with the IPCG members. I’m sure if they did, the courses would attract a bit more interest from those across the bay.
The management of the courses in the area in general leaves a lot to be desired. Majestic is terrible they do not want falang their at all. They make no effort at all to increase their business and then be able to make much needed impropvements to the course. Springfield is ok but very greedy and not worth what they ask for greenfees, right now the condition is appalling. Lake View are the nicest bunch of people, but they will not listen to our advice as far as changing the pins more regularly and controlling tee times to make sure that no bottlenecks are created. Having said that i think lake View is the most easy to deal with and does try its best. Palm Hills are moneygrabbers who only want big money Chinses and Koreans - they can keep them there for all i care!
This is not a scathing attack at all, in reality we are totally spoilt here for golf, its just frustrating. Its the same sort of thing as lots of the rants that occur here in Thailand, we know we live in a much better place than our real home, we just see so much more potencial and want it to be realised.
This is not a scathing attack at all, in reality we are totally spoilt here for golf, its just frustrating. Its the same sort of thing as lots of the rants that occur here in Thailand, we know we live in a much better place than our real home, we just see so much more potencial and want it to be realised.
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CharlieHustle
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There’s six/seven courses within an hour’s drive from HH. Springfield is a very good test of golf with excellent facilities, it caters well for the visiting golfer albeit a little expensive.
Lake View for me is the best course; I think they have the best (and fastest) greens in the area. Majestic is probably the most picturesque, but the conditions do vary quite a lot, but worth the variation in condition just for the last hole.
Lake View for me is the best course; I think they have the best (and fastest) greens in the area. Majestic is probably the most picturesque, but the conditions do vary quite a lot, but worth the variation in condition just for the last hole.
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CharlieHustle
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bj.blackowitz
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Springfields 3rd Nine are finished, but had some problems in December with runn-off. new grass was planted there partly, and repairs underway.
the new nine are VERY nice, well laid out, but not easy to play. (Long and roling fairways with ondualted greens)
Anyone whishing to play SF with me for reduced Fait (Guest GF) just drop me a PM, I am in HH feb 20-28
the new nine are VERY nice, well laid out, but not easy to play. (Long and roling fairways with ondualted greens)
Anyone whishing to play SF with me for reduced Fait (Guest GF) just drop me a PM, I am in HH feb 20-28