The Novotel in Chumphon is a new four star hotel with a 9 hole golf course attached. So for less than the price of one round in Hua Hin I could drive down, have a night, a breakfast, and a round of golf there.
The hotel itself was pretty stunning, we had the place to ourselves, including the pool and bar there, its right on the beach at Hat Sairee. The only drawback was the prices of food and beverages were pretty much what you'd expect from this type of place. There were a couple of seafood restaurants on the beach though so no problems there.
The course is tough, very tough, for a novice golfer - its not particularly long at 5,240 yards, par 70 (round twice) - but there is water everywhere so ball investment was a good idea. I'd describe it as a big lake with a few greens and tee boxes scattered around it (the score card is deceptive!), all the greens were elevated and it was in very good condition in general.
Heading down the toughest hole on the course, number 5, which has three lots of water to avoid.
Teeing off onto an island on the 9th, I finally landed one on our last day ... then three putted the bastard.
Bouncing it over the bridge is not an option.
The high green at the par three 6th which needs a boomerang left shot to hit, needless to say I never did.
You'll have trouble finding your ball on the 7th.
Teeing off down the 8th makes a nice change ... no water ... wrong.
Spot the fairway!
We played and stayed for 3 days/nights, best I could manage was 106 over 18 with an average of two balls per hole in the drink!
Childcare at the hotel was a bit of a let down so the little dudes made themselves useful by driving the golf cart ...
The details:
We booked direct by calling the hotel, rate was 1,700 per night including breakfast.
Golf was 300 baht for 9 holes ( 600 for 18 ), caddies optional so we didn't bother, cart an additional 300 baht.
Website: http://www.novotel-chumphon.com/
A few days later I played the Kett Udomsak Military Golf Course in Chumphon with some mates from Bangsaphan, this course is also nine holes with different tee positions on the second. It is a lot longer at 6,684 yards, par 72, but the caddies are good fun which makes up for it!
Cost is 200 baht plus 120 for caddie for 18 holes during the week and 300 + 120 on the weekend.
Well worth a few days out of HH!
