 Thailand had become the " Golf Capital of Asia ". And its popularity has increased with new courses continue to be built with the help of some of the world's top golf course designers. Championship courses, competing with the best around the world, have been designed by the legends of the game. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Seve Ballestreos, Isao Aoki, Greg Norman and Nick Faido, all have contributed their special talents to building some of the best courses in the world. One of the most fascinating aspects of golfing in Thailand is the broad diversity of locations and environments, in which the courses are situated. From the urban excitement of Bangkok and the seaside charms of Pattaya and the eastern seaboard, to the island paradise of Phuket in the south, or the verdant hills of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the north, Thailand offers a veritable tapestry of golfing delights.
Caddies
One thing that has not changed is the Thai caddie. Generally female, often young and pretty, she will lug your bag around the course with a smile on her face. She will mark and clean your ball, give you the distances, and some of the experienced ones will even read your putts. Strangers to Thailand should beware, however, not to confuse their caddies with the types of girl who work in the bars of Patpong. Your young caddie may be genuinely upset if you upset Thai taboos such as touching her hair or head, pointing a finger or throwing things about.
How to get a game
Most large hotels will organize a game for you. Courses are often difficult to find, especially as few taxi drivers speak English. It is a good idea to get someone to write out your destination in Thai before leaving the hotel.
Bangkok's traffic being what it is, your best chance is to set off from your hotel early in the morning. At weekends you should get as far away from Bangkok as you possibly can - the courses around town tend to be very crowded.
Another idea is to get in touch with one of the expatriate golf societies, who always welcome visitors, The two largest are The Golfers' Cocktail Lounge named after a long-defunct bar in Patpong, which plays every Sunday morning (contact Fred Waid -Tel Bangkok 392 6735) and the Bangkok Wanderers (two Saturdays and one Sunday per month) at the Ship Inn in Sukhumvit Soi 23. Details of both these societies' activities are posted in several bars, including the Bourbon Street Bar and the Silver Dollar in Washington Square, and the Quiet Side, also in Sukhumvit Soi 23. This is where golfers meet. See you there!
Thailand' s caddies our best-kept secret
Caddies are mandatory in Thailand and they have gone through three months of training that made then fluent in golf. They drive your cart, know what clubs to select, measuve distane, read the contours of greens and also help to keep score.
|
