GOLF COURSES KOH SAMUI
Koh Samui golf courses Santiburi Samui Country Club and Royal Samui are still the only golf courses in Ko Samui available to play.
Play Santiburi golf course and enjoy playing an exhilarating golf course, probably one of the most challenging courses you will have the opportunity to play in your entire life.
Explained as a unique golf experience is an understatement. You could play the golf course several times and still not grasp the safest way of achieving a respectable score.
Having a caddy is essential but also compulsory at Santiburi even though you might never have experienced playing with one previously. Their ability to read the greens, suggest correct distances to greens, select the right clubs and find lost balls are an asset to any golfer attempting to keep their score low.
We suggest customizing your golf tour to include spending several days on Samui island and combining it with more golf courses in another part of South Thailand.
Samui is an idyllic tropical island located in the South East of Thailand. The island is still relatively undiscovered compared to the more established golf destinations in the country.
Relax on incredible white sandy beaches, swim in the turquoise-coloured sea, experience a chilled-out island lifestyle, and eat at some of our great restaurants.
Let our team at Samuigolf.com Holidays create a perfect Koh Samui golf trip for your group and suggest other activities you would like to experience while you are here.
SANTIBURI GOLF COURSE
Santiburi golf course to date is the only full-length 18 golf course in Ko Samui, constructed on the mountain slopes of Maenam in the north of the island and is recognized as the best golf course on Koh Samui.
Several Asian tour events have been held here dating back to 2005, including The Queens Cup sponsored by Bangkok Airways, Koh Samui’s private boutique airline. These golf tournaments aided the Santiburi Group in becoming better recognized on the world’s golfing scene, possessing one of the best courses in Thailand. After completing the 1st tournament in 2005, due to its unforgiving layout, was quickly nicknamed ‘The beast of Samui’!!
Every hole is carved through coconut plantations, streams and waterfalls trickling alongside the fairways, every tee box and green strategically positioned to help maximize the amazing views of nearby islands in the Gulf of Thailand.
Santiburi is an unforgiving Koh Samui golf course with four tee boxes to assist all levels of golfers, during the round you will experience many good shots landing center of the fairway, unrewarded due to the numerous sloping fairways and uneven lies. Every wayward hit stroke normally ends up heavily punished landing in a rocky creek or unplayable lie in the dense thick jungle.
FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW EXPERIENCE EACH HOLE AT SANTIBURI GOLF COURSE BY DRONE!
DIRECTIONS TO SANTIBURI GOLF COURSE
Driving to Santiburi Samui Country Club takes a little skill and road experience to navigate through the tiny villages and small winding roads leading to the golf course.
We advise using our company pick up service not to be late for your tee time, but if you are renting your own vehicle make sure it has a fully operational navigation system.
The advantage of golfing on Ko Samui is wherever you end up staying on the island you’re find that you’re never to faraway from either golf course. By staying on Maenam beach expect to be only 10 minutes away from Santiburi Golf Club, 30 minutes from Chaweng and the furthest point to travel from is Conrad on the south west coast 45 minutes.
Once you turn off the main ring road route 4169 north of the island into Soi 7 in Maenam, follow the signs for 2 km heading towards the mountain, be careful not to miss the final left hand turn that takes you towards the golf course, it’s easy to miss the turning!!
On arrival to the Santiburi clubhouse your golf bag will be taken by one of the friendly bag drop staff who will allocate the bag to one of the eager lady caddies. You can either walk into the open-air restaurant and soke in the awesome sea views or before entering the restaurant on the left you can continue to pay for your golf round inside the proshop.
ROYAL SAMUI GOLF COURSE
Royal Samui Country Club 9 hole golf course is constructed high on top of a mountain peak along the southeast coast of Samui. It offers incredible views of the surrounding coastline and on a clear day, both the Thai mainland as well as Koh Tao can be seen.
Royal Samui isn’t as well maintained as Santiburi but because of its relaxed atmosphere and amazing scenery, has become a favorite with many returning tourists and locals. With tight fairways penalizing you at every opportunity when slightly off target and sea views on every hole, it’s certainly worth making the effort to play nine holes. Even repeat the 9 holes a second time playing from a different tee box, there are three box positions at Royal Samui golf club, the furthest back blue tees, white tees, and the lady’s red tees.
To date there haven’t been any major golf tournaments organized here, but since its opening has certainly been a popular venue for large wedding groups and island golf events, mainly because of the beautiful terrain.
There are no caddies here but golf carts are necessary and if you’re a high handicapper and prone to losing the oddball or two, make sure you bring plenty of golf balls!!
DIRECTIONS TO ROYAL SAMUI GOLF COURSE
Chaweng is the most popular beach area to stay in Koh Samui if you’re looking to play golf at Royal Samui Golf Club and the closest to travel to. From the center of Chaweng beach expect to be only 15 minutes away, 35 minutes from Maenam, and the furthest point to travel from resorts located on the west coast 45 minutes drive away.
Once you leave the main ring road in Chaweng Noi route 4169, turn into Soi Samnug which is the turning that takes you towards Panyadee school, from there continue to follow the signs to Royal Samui golf course.
The incline to the golf course is far steeper than you first imagine, most tourists would probably think the way is too dangerous to drive, but after a couple of steep hills and finally a few hundred meters of uneven dirt road you finally arrive.
On arrival you will first see the partially covered car park and slightly further back a small restaurant with a pro shop where you will continue to pay for the green fee.
You will also be greeted by one of the staff who will take your golf bag and place it on the cart for you.
Remember to bring cash as the golf course does not have a credit card facility and there are no cash machines at the golf course.
BEST TIME TO PLAY GOLF IN KOH SAMUI
The coolest time to play golf in Koh Samui is during the December and March, which is also the driest months of the year, approximately 29-33 degrees centigrade. In April the heat increases and by May and June the heat can become quite humid, however the key is to not play during the middle part of the day. If you tee off first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon, these are the best times to miss the heat.
From July to late October the conditions can be hot but there is more cloud cover during this time of the year.
In late October until middle of December you enter low season and unless you are unfortunate to experience a low depression weather system, you will still be able to play golf. If you do experience any heavy rain the drainage on both golf courses is incredibly good due to the sand based greens and play can continue quickly.
RAJJAPRABHA DAM GOLF COURSE
Rajjaprabha Dam Golf Course is often confused by its location and is often mistaken for being located in Koh Samui. This is untrue the golf course is actually located on the Thai main land and to play golf there you are required to take a car ferry. Rajjaprabha Golf Course is close to the Ratchaprapa Dam part of the Khao Sok National Park.
DIRECTIONS TO RAJJAPRABHA GOLF COURSE
From Nathon in Koh Samui it’s recommended to take the car ferry for 1 hour 40 minutes to Donsak pier on the mainland and expect to travel by car to Rajjaprabha in just less than 2 hours. Once leaving the car ferry follow the signs for route 4142, joining route 44 towards Krabi for approximately 20 km.
By bypassing Surat Thani town central the journey should be uninterrupted and after 37 km look to leave the motorway onto route AH2 for a further 18 km, before turning onto route 401 and finally joining route 3062.
Carefully follow directions and eventually you will enter the front gated entrance of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, who own Rajjaprabha golf course.
