Huahin golf tour
For many years, Hua Hin has been regarded as one of the best golfing locations in Thailand. You will be spoilt for choice here as there are 8 top quality courses all within a 30 minute drive of the town centre and one more established one that is currently being modernised. There are others located slightly further afield, but are still reachable easily enough for a day's play. Black Mountain, Banyan and SeaPines are the latest courses to open in the Hua Hin area.
So, if you need a break from the hectic pace of life on the beach, then there are enough courses to keep you occupied and happy during your stay. All are in good condition and will present challenges for both the novice and experienced golfer.
The courses tend to get busy at weekends and national holidays when the Bangkok crowd visit the area and during the high season (December - March), play can sometimes be slow. Even if it occasionally takes 5 hours to play a round, there's no need to get frustrated. The scenery and regular watering holes will take your mind off those small delays. At other times of year, you can often not see another soul on the course except your playing partners and caddies.
You will have to hire a caddie for your round but 
they are not expensive and generally are good fun to have with you during your game. It is also customary to tip your caddie at the end of the round. The amount is up to you, but 300 Baht will always be received with a smile and thanks whilst under 200 Baht will not be. Do bear in mind that the vast majority of caddies are women, half your size, who trolley your clubs all the way round (if you're walking the course) in the blistering heat. No mean feat for anyone.
The courses are listed below with brief details of yardage, green fees contact details etc. (Information correct as at January 2011).
Hua Hin golf courses
Royal Hua Hin
Designed by a Scottish railway engineer and opened in 1924, Royal Hua Hin golf course is only 5 mins from the centre of town and was the first course to be constructed in Thailand.
Whilst there are no real water hazards on the course, all fairways are tree-lined (they are hundreds of years old and have their horticultural names affixed to them) and many of the greens are protected by being slightly elevated. Scoring well is always hard here. The scenery is outstanding and the views of the Gulf of Thailand and Hua Hin itself are particularly impressive on the back nine. Playing this course is a must and a real step back in time and history.
Designer: O.A. Robbins (a Scottish railway engineer).
Open: 1924
Course: 18 holes, par 72, length 6,678 yds
Facilities: Driving range, chipping green, putting green, pro shop, club hire, trolley and electric cart hire, clubhouse and restaurant.
Green fees: Weekday+caddie THB 2,500. Weekend+caddie THB 2,500.
Address: Hua Hin, Prachuabkirikhan, 77110 Tel 
+66 (0)32 512475.
Distance: 5 mins from Hua Hin.
Black Mountain Golf Course
This spectacular couses has now been open for three years and is in excellent condition to provide a test for golfers of all abilities. It is set in a valley and has maintained many of the original features of the local land - creeks, trees and a small "mountain" range that gives the course its name. New trees have been planted and the greens are large and well protected by bunkers. The clubhouse is magnificent and offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Black Mountain hosted the season ending Asian Tour tournament in December 2010 and the 5th Royal Trophy between Asia and Europe in January 2011.
Designer: Phil Ryan
Open: 2007
Facilities: Driving range, putting green, chipping green, pro shop, electric cart hire, golf school, clubhouse and restaurant.
Course: 18 holes, par 72, length 7,343 yds.
Green fees: Weekday+caddie THB 2,800. Weekend+caddie THB 2,800. Golf cart THB 600.
Address: Hua Hin, Prachuabkirikhan 76120.
Distance: 20 mins from Hua Hin town centre.
Banyan Golf Course.
This new course has been playable since the end of 2008. Located just south of town, it is nestled among hills that give the course a spectacular backdrop. It's a long course off the back tees and you'll be rewarded with some panoramic views of the Gulf of Thailand. Fairways are in excellent condition and the greens will pose a challenge to golfers of all abilities.
Designer: n/a
Open: 2008
Facilities: Driving range, putting green, chipping green, pro shop, electric cart hire, clubhouse and restaurants.
Course: 18 holes, par 72, length 7,030 yds.
Green fees:Weekday+caddie and compulsory cart THB 3,600. Weekend+caddie and compulsory cart THB 3,600.
Address: Hua Hin, Prachuabkirikhan. Tel +66 (0)32 616200.
Distance: 20 mins from Hua Hin town centre.
Palm Hills
The first of the "new" courses to open in 1991, it was the venue for the inaugural Thailand World ProAm tournament in 1993. It is relatively flat with a fair amount of water and set amongst the hills that run to the west of Hua Hin.
Designer: Max Wexler
Open: 1991
Course: 18 holes, par 72, length 6,678 yds
Facilities: Driving range, chipping green, putting green, pro shop, electric cart hire, clubhouse and restaurant.
Green fees: Weekday+caddie THB 2,750. Weekend+caddie THB 2,750.
Address: 1444, Petchkasem Road, Cha Am, Petchaburi, 76120. Tel +66 (0) 32 520800-2
Distance: 15 mins from Hua Hin.
Bangkok Golf and Milford Resort/Seoul Country Club
This is not the longest course around, but it is one that will require great accuracy. It is easy for even the most experienced golfer to run into problems here. The scenery and views are spectacular and be careful on the greens - they are as fast as lightening. Unfortunately, the course suffered badly through neglect for several years, but we are pleased to report that time, effort and money are now being invested by the new owners to bring it back into decent condition again.
Designer: Robert McFarland
Open: 1996
Course: 18 holes, par 72, length 6,614 yds
Facilities: Driving range, chipping green, putting green, pro shop, electric cart hire, clubhouse and restaurant.
Green fees: Weekday+caddie THB 950. Weekend+caddie THB 950.
Address: 174 Moo 1, Pnomparn, Pranburi, Prachuabkirikhan 77110. Tel +66 (0) 32 572441.
Distance: 25 mins from Hua Hin.
Springfield Royal Country Club
This is probably the most famous course around Hua Hin and has been the venue for many major championships, including The Thai Open. It is always in wondeful condition and will present a challenge to all golfers. The layout has been cleverly thought out, as you would expect from the Jack Nicklaus team and the views of The Gulf of Thailand and the surrounding terrain are breathtaking. The clubhouse is one of the best in the area and a great place to relax after your round and reminisce about the experience.
Designer: Jack Nicklaus
Open: 1993
Course: 18 holes, par 72, length 7,063 yds
Facilities: Driving range, chipping green, putting green, pro shop, electric cart hire, clubhouse and restaurant.
Green fees: Weekday+caddie THB 2,750. Weekend+caddie THB 2,750.
Address: 193 Moo 6, Huay Sai Nua Cha Am, Petchaburi 76120. Tel +66 (0)32 709222.
Distance: 25 mins from Hua Hin.
The Majestic Creek Country Club
This course is cleverly crafted to provide a superb golfing challenge. Set in the hills that seperate Thailand from Burma (Myanmar), the scenery is stunning and there is plenty of water, streams and other natural hazards to negotiate.
Designer: Dr Sukitti Klangvisai
Open: 1993
Course: 18 holes, par 72, length 6,961 yds
Facilities: Drivng range, chipping green, putting green, pro shop, electric cart hire, clubhouse and restaurant.
Green fees: Weekday+caddie THB 2,750. Weekend+caddie THB 2,750.
Address: 164 Moo 4, Tambon Tabtai, Hua Hin, Prachuabkirikhan 77110. Tel +66 (0)32 520162-6.
Distance: 30 mins from Hua Hin.
Imperial Lake View Hotel and Golf Club
This championship course is normally in great condition, although recent reports indicate that standards are slipping (Jan 2011). Its design will find you having to negotiate a lot of water hazards on your way to trying to hit hidden greens. Once you've reached the greens, be prepared for some arduous putting experiences. There is a 70 room luxury hotel on the complex for those who may want to stay more than one day. The First 36 hole golf course in Hua Hin - Cha-am with the concept of "1 Course with 4 Styles" along with first class services.
Course A - Mountain (3,432 Yds. Par 36)
The undulating surfaces of this course increase the thrill of fairway shots as well as the appeal of putting on the greens. The idyllic landscape is enhanced by the splendid variety of international foliage and the breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains in the distance.
Course B - Lake (3,483 Yds. Par 36)
This course gives the feeling of relaxation to any golfer who plays here. The refreshing atmosphere is supported by the cool breeze and surrounding bodies of water. This course is ideal for golfers looking to relax with a pleasant game, free from all the worries of the office, but with much hidden excitement from the challenges posed by the water that divides the course.
Course C - Desert (3,417 Yds. Par 36)
Also known as the Arizona Style course, this course is designed as an adventure for the golfer seeking to brave the arid landscape of the desert. Cacti, rocks, and bunkers abound making it a challenging course where the golfer must plan his every move carefully and patiently.
Course D - Links (3,859 Yds. Par 36)
A novel concept in Golf course design which combines the wide open spaces and windy expanses of a Links course with the idyllic tranquility of landscaping to achieve the Links Style course. The Links Style course will challenge golfers who enjoy long drives and thoughtful planning in their games.
Designer: Roger Packard and Ronald Fream (Course D)
Open: 1993
Course: 36 holes, par 72, length 6,915 yds.
Facilities: Driving range, chipping green, putting green, pro shop, electric cart hire, clubhouse and restaurant.
Green fees: Weekday+caddie THB 2,850. Weekend+caddie THB 2,850.
Address: 79 Moo 4, Tambon Sampraya, Cha Am, Petchaburi 76120. Tel +66 (0)32 456233-9.
Distance: 25 mins from Hua Hin
Sea Pines Golf Course.
This is the newest addition to Hua Hin's ever growing number of golf courses. It opened in September 2010 has become an immediate favourite of regular golfers and visitors. Situated only 4 kms from the centre of town, the course is a true test of golf and the final three holes offer Hua Hin's only version of a links course as the holes are situated right by the sea. When it's windy, playing conditions can be tough and the greens havn't settled down fully, but given time they will. At the time of writing (Jan 2011), there is no clubhouse although one is under construstion and expected to open soon. Play can sometimes be slow if 5 and 6 ball groups are allowed permanently.
Designer: The Royal Thai Army
Open: September 2010
Facilities: minimal (Jan 2011)
Course: 18 holes, par 72
Green fees: 1,000 (weekday); 1,500 (weekend), including caddie. NOTE: these are low season rates and they are expected to rise once the clubhouse is completed.
Distance: 15 mins from Hua Hin town centre
There are a couple of other courses that are definitely worthy of mention. Although not technically included within the Hua Hin area, they are nevertheless close enough to reach and play within a day.
One of the main operators is Mermaid Cruises who are based in Pak Nam Pran. Their flagship is "The Peacock", a 70ft traditionally built teak pleasure boat that can accommodate up to 40 passengers and has a bar with DVD, stereo and karaoke systems. In addition to their large pleasure boat, the company also runs a totally silent eco-friendly river boat -"The Kingfisher" (pictured above)- on which you can journey up the river and admire the local flora and fauna. This trip can be split into two, combined with lunch, and half day tours are also available on request.
