Book Review - Fifty Places to Play Golf Before You Die

Editorial Review

Book Description
There's an incredible similarity between the mechanics of a fly cast and the swing of a golf club. Perhaps that's why Chris Santella, author of Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die, can be found on the links when he's not on the stream. With Fifty Places to Play Golf Before You Die, Santella gives voice to his other sporting passion, interviewing 50 people intimately connected to the sport about some of their favorite courses around the world.

For both passionate golfers and armchair travelers, this gorgeous full-color book presents the world's greatest golf venues, the personal favorites of renowned players, course architects, and other experts in the sport. From Ballyliffin, Ireland's northernmost course, whose rumpled fairways wander along the North Sea in the shadows of Glashedy Rock, to New Zealand's Cape Kidnappers, perched atop dramatic cliffs some 500 feet above the ocean, the book's beautiful photographs capture the architecture, noteworthy holes, location, and ambiance that make these courses standouts for ardent golfers. A brief history of each course, an experiential account-filled with local color-from the person recommending the venue, and trip-planning advice provide adventurous readers with all the information they need to chip and putt their way around the globe.

A close-up look at golf's top courses around the world, recommended by such experts as Nick Faldo and Christie Kerr (pro golfers), Pete Dye and Tom Doak (course architects), Brian McCallen (editor and author), and Donald Trump
With breathtaking color photographs of each site, this is a great gift for avid golfers and armchair travelers alike .

Tags: Courses, Golf, faldo, sports, informations

Mission Hills Phuket Golf Club Resort & Spa

Course Overview

Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort & Spa is a new golf course. This championship golf course by Nicklaus Design allows the golfer to enjoy the true Phuket Experience.
With incredible ocean views, this course is well worth playing when traveling through Thailand.Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort & Spa centrally located just 20 minutes from Phuket International Airport, 30 minutes from Phuket town, and 50 minutes from Patong.

Golf Course Summary: -

• Designed by Jack Nicklaus. -
• Opened June 2004
• Located just 20 minutes from Phuket International Airport.

Golf Course Facilities:-

Resort & Spa - Kiosks with food & beverage services. - Men locker & shower rooms. - Women lockers & shower rooms. - Restaurant. - Proshop & Rental items. - All women caddies. - Chipping, putting green & driving range.

Tags: Phuket, golf, resort, Nicklaus, design

Gassan Khuntan Golf Club and Resort

Course Overview
Gassan Khuntan Golf Club and Resort is only one hour south of Chiang Mai is Gassan’s new Khuntan Resort. Khuntan means “Devil Mountain’ and this 18-hole, 7,100 yard, par-72 creation from 2004 is devilishly difficult. Tucked in the ‘dragon-like’ folds of Lampang’s foothills on a riverbank, the distinctive design of the course, clubhouse and resort is pure “eye candy”. Its target golf/risk-reward style, the lack of a practice range, no golf course guidebook, and clever optical illusions make hitting the right shot, with the right club, to the right spot a true test. When you stand on the tee of the par-3, - 5th hole and face a mid-iron shot to a tiny island green, in the middle of a huge lake, into the teeth of swirling winds, you will know why this course is aptly named. Although club/shot selection are demanding, the relentless challenge only adds to the experience. To gain par takes focus, making the occasional birdie that much more special. For an unforgettable day of golf in a truly spectacular setting, head south. For hotel information click HERE...

Tags: Chiang Mai, golf, resort, lampang, lake

The Royal Hua Hin Golf Club

Course Overview

Although The Royal Hua Hin Golf Club first opened in 1924, Major renovations were carried out in the 1980’s that have brought the club up to present day standards. Around here is a truly unforgettable experience as players are continuously faced with majestic views of the gulf of Thailand. The par-three 18th is one to behold, for a beautiful Thai temple forms a picture-worthy background.

Testament to the club’s age, and the Asia of the period that the club was built in, is the sight of the old Hua Hin, Bangkok-Singapore railway station which lies adjacent to the clubhouse, contributing an air of elegance to the course.

Tags: Hua Hin, golf, club, Thailand, railway

Thailand Golf Course - Phuket Country Club

Course Overview

The eleven-year-old Phuket Country Club is situated 12 minutes away from Phuket town and offers a fairly flat front nine, and a back nine laid out on hilly countryside. Thee undulating terrain of the course has been reclaimed from its previous occupant-a tin mine-which left the area with an enormous lake and terrain perfect for 0 low-handicapper’s golf course.

Course designer Dr. Sukitti Klangvisai has cleverly incorporated this lake into hole 10, a 557-yard dog-leg. The players can play it safe and go with the fringes of the fairways, or aim 90 degrees to the right and try and reach it in one.

Tags: Phuket, Golf, hilly, lake, town

Thailand Golf Course - Bangsai Country Club

Course Overview


Local designer Pirapon Namatra has produced a masterpiece of golfing terrain. The course is set in beautiful open countryside and the peace and tranquility are refreshing. Playing this course one could be forgiven for thinking one was in England or Scotland; such is the character of the course.

Every single hole is different from the one before. Several tee shots are played from elevated positions, which add to the delight of playing this course. The greens, fairways and bunkers are all in superb condition. Service in the clubhouse is very friendly. The course is located in Ayuthaya approximately 40 minutes drive north of Bangkok


Tags: Ayuthaya , Golf, countryside, fairways, scotland

Golf Technology Review - Cobra F Speed Driver

Overview

Fast-swing players make up the majority of the avid golf population. The problem is, most of them don’t play drivers optimized for their swings. Like the entire Speed Series, F/Speed Drivers offer the game’s largest, hottest clubface. And then that clubface and the entire driver are precisely tuned for faster ball speed players. F/Speed Drivers have slightly closed faces to promote straight to slight draw-biased ball flight with low to mid spin and high launch. It all adds up to new levels of distance and accuracy.

Player Profile

Optimizes the fast ball speed player's distance and accuracy with drivers tuned to provide a slight draw-bias ball flight, high launch and low to mid spin.
Current Avg. Drive: 220-275 yds
Current Avg. Swing Speed: 87-108 mph
Ball Speed: 125-155 mph
Grip: Golf Pride, Reminder Design, 50D Durometer
Shaft: Cobra/Aldila NV-F, F/Speed Tuned

Tags: Cobra, Driver, Golf, Distance, New

Thai Golf Courses - Bangkok Golf Club

Course Overview - Bangkok Golf Club

One of only a handful of golf courses located within Bangkok's suburbs, the Bangkok Golf Club is also one of the most delightful, offering golf on cleverly designed but extremely testing fairways and greens. Despite is central location, just 30 minutes from the city centre and 20 minute from Don Muang international Airport, this course has a refreshing rural appeal, thanks in part to the many species of water fowl that inhabit the numerous lakes and ponds. Highlights of this testing course include the par four 14th whose island tee is not for the faint-hearted. The clubhouse here is excellent and features traditional Thai massage, golf pro shop and a choice of international, Italian and Japanese restaurants.

Tags: Bangkok, Golf, Fairway, Massage, Airport

Thai Golf Courses - Amata Spring Country Club

Course Overview

AMATA SPRING COUNTRY CLUB

An exclusive private members club located at the end of the elevated Bangna Trad Highway at Amata Nakorn in Chonburi, is the finest jewel in Thailand's golfing crown.

Located only 45 minutes from Bangkok and 30 minutes to new Suvannabhumi Airport where it will accept the challenges from all levels of golfers on this magnificient 7400 plus yard layout.

Tags: Thai, Golf, Chonburi, Suvannabhumi, Airport

Thai Golf Courses - Alpine Golf Sports Club

Course Overview - Alpine Golf Sports Club

A masterpiece , Alpine Golf Sports Club was created by one of the world's most respected architects. Ron M. Garl'simmediate vision was to build Thailand's only man-made hillychampionship golf course once he set foot on the 770-rai flat open land which today makes up Alpine Golf Sports Club. The designer thus carried out the impossible task of building grass-covered hills on the vast flatlands,topped by hundreds of hand-picked tree and refined with high-grade sand. All this, to introduce golfers to the manyunexpected challenges of golfing at Alpine Golf Sports Club.

Created from the flat rice fields into a hilly and undulating layout. Alpine Golf & Sports Club opened its facilities to members over 3 years ago, was designed by one of the world's most respected architects Mr. Ron M. Garl, his immediate vision was to build Thailand's only man-made hilly championship golf course once he set foot on the 770-rai flat open land which today makes up Alpine Golf & Sports Club. The designer thus carried out the impossible task of building grass-covered hills on the vast flatlands, topped by hundreds of hand-picked trees and refined with high-grade sand. All this, to introduce golfers to the many unexpected challenges of golfing at Alpine Golf & Sports Club .

In view of his extensive experience in creating a hilly layout from the flat terrains in Florida, Mr. Ron M. Garl was chosen to build this unique golf course in the northern part of Bangkok to challenge all golfers. Alpine Golf & Sports Club is in fact the first project in Asia that this well-known architect has built. His concept was to create a hilly golf course amidst fresh air, beautiful lakes and tree-lined scenery to captivate the golfer. This championship layout measures 7,007 yards long with par of 72. Good shots are well rewarded while badly placed shots are subject to costly penalties. For golfers who have the privilege to play on Alpine Golf & Sports Club, the experience should prove to be unforgetable and challenge for all of their golfing skills.

Tags: Golf, Bangkok, Thailand, Travel, Discount

Thai Golf Courses - Dragon Hill Golf Club

Course Overview - Dragon Hills Golf Club

Dragon Hills is an old legend tells of " The cool mystical breeze of the Blue Andaman Sea gently blowing through the majestic Dragon Mountain Rage. Situated in 2400 acers of lush mountain greeny, rolling plants and clear lakes in Pak Thou, Ratchaburi.

The lay out is one of the best golf course in Thailand, designed by Jim Engh, Isao Aoki and Jack Nicklaus, like Dragon Pearl, Dragon Green and Dragon Lakes.

Tags: Jack, Nickalaus, Thailand, Golf, Ratchburi

Thai Golf Courses - Springfield Royal Country Club

Sponsor Link - Expedia.com

Reserve Exclusive Prices on Hotel Rooms!


Course Overview - Springfield Royal Country Club

With five sets of tees to play from, Springfield is a championship course in the true sense of the word. The course is classic Jack Nicklaus with large areas of sand and well-appointed water hazards while offering the average golfer a fair challenge when played from the standard tees. Off the back markers, there are some big carries just to reach the fairways.

Springfield is one of the best maintained courses in Thailand with excellent clubhouse facilities. It is very popular with the majority of the Hua Hin-based touring professionals who practise there regularly to keep their game finely tuned between the Asian PGA Davidoff Tour events.

Designer : Jack Nicklaus
Open : 1993
Course Length
18 holes Par 72
Gold : 7063 yds
Blue : 6695 yds
White : 6281 yds
Red : 5660 yds
Address
193 Moo 6, huay Sai Nua
Cha Am, Petchaburi
Thailand, 76120

Distance
25 minutes from Hua Hin Hotels, 2.5 hours drive from Bangkok
Tags: thai golf, golf, Travel, Jack Nicklaus,

Thai Golf Courses - Banyan Tree Laguna Phuket Golf Club

Course Overview - Banyan Tree Laguna Phuket Golf Club

Cradled within a mountain range and offering splendid views of the Andaman Sea, the 18-hole Banyan Tree Club & Laguna offers a fascinating challenge to visiting golfers-none more so than on its par-3 11th. The course relies on its natural habit for most of its hazards. Its greens and fairways have been carved out of the existing sand hills and the front nine meanders through a flourishing coconut plantation. The surrounding Laguna development also offers a clubhouse and a very high standard of hotel facilities.
Designer : Max Waxler and David Abell
Open : 1993
Course Length
18 holes Par 71
Length : 6,307yds.

Address
34 Moo4, Srisoonthorn Road, Cherngtalay, Talang, Phuket, 83110, Thailand

Distance
In the South 1 hour by plane
Tags: Golf, Travel, Phuket, Thailand, Andaman Sea,

Thai Golf Courses - Mission Hill Country Club

Course overview - Mission Hill Kanchanaburi

The course is very beautiful on a sloping shallow hill, mature of palms trees line aong the fairway.The outstanding and challenging of this course is relies on the water, sand, trees and Jack Nicklaus waste bunkers for its hazards. Only 2 and half hours from Bangkok. Designer : Jack Nicklaus Open : 1991 Course Length 7042 yds.
18 holes Par 72

Facilities

Driving Range
Chipping Greens
Putting Green
Pro Shop
Restaurant
Club Hire
Electric Carts

Tags: Travel, Golf, Kanchanaburi, Jack Nicklaus

Thai Golf Courses - Phoenix Golf & Country Club

Beautifully landscaped with eucalyptus, bamboo and bushes, the Phoenix Golf and Country Club utilizes wooded, rolling terrain on its three nines – Ocean, Lake and Mountain. Although fairways are narrow, the greens are most spacious and the middle nine is one of the most playable in the kingdom due to its large amount of water hazards. Hole 17 – a very tough par – four – dog – legs around the lake and has left some of Asia’s most experienced golfers in serious trouble. Excellent clubhouse utilities and a sports complex make this one of the best courses on the Eastern Seaboard.

Tags: Travel, Golf, Pattaya, Thailand

Thai Golf Courses - Nichigo Golf Course

The course is fully self contained golf and recreation resort nestle between the moutains of the western border and the legendary River Kwai, this course is rated as among the best in the country. Situated close to edge of the River Kwai surrounding by moutain, the lakes and the river with the varieties of trees and flowers. There are many of difficult and challanging holes for you to try Only 3 hours from Bangkok.

Thai Golf Courses - Santiburi Chiang Rai

A masterpiece is widely regarded as one of the best conceived, and conditioned golf courses in Asia.

This is an exquisite example of understated elegance. Santiburi offers an aesthetic feast for the golf connoisseur. The golf course is world class, yet it is playable and enjoyable for golfers on every skill level. Set into the contours of a valley, it offers a superbly landscaped golf course that weaves its way through natural rolling hills and lakes, with first nine holes taking a down and uphill course, featuring a long par 4 at lakeside. The back nine sweeps through a scenic of steep valleys leading to a chain of 3 lakes, making the 17th and 18th hole a special that winds beneath a canopy of majestic shade trees, across crystal clear lakes, reflecting turquoise skies and snow white clouds above, and the lush tropical foothills and mountains of Chiang Rai in the distance.

Tags: Travel, Golf, Chaing Rai, Mountain

Thai Golf Courses - Khao Khew Country Club

This 27 – hole golf course is situated along route 36 heading towards Pattaya and takes about 80 minutes to reach from central Bangkok. Like so many of the Eastern Seaboard’s courses the Khao Khew Country Club catches a strong sea breeze thus players have to plan their shots carefully on account of the numerous large ponds, bunkers and hills that surround the greens and fairways. The course really has something for everyone. In particular, watch out for the par – three seventeen, it’s a killer for both amateurs and professionals and relies on the golfer having a certain amount of luck on his/her side. The first 18 have been designed with a stadium championship course, while the back 18 are definitely more geared towards a resort course. Those daring enough to do the whole lot in one day can look forward to relaxing at the lush clubhouse afterwards, which incorporates a sports club, swimming pools, hotel accommodation and tennis courts in its design.

Thai Golf Courses - Thai Country Club

Recently immortalised in Thai golfing history by Tiger Woods' win at the 1997 Honda Classic Invitation Tournament here, the Dennis Griffiths designed Thai Country Club is now almost certainly destined to become the home of some Asia's most important golfing events. At only 35 km. along Bangna-Trad highway, the course easily accessible from Bangkok and the Eastern Sea Board, and with it tournament history and challenging layout is definitely to be enjoyed. Following a recent redesign, the course is renewed for its attention to detail-the grass was imported from Hawaii and grown locally-and really is on of the finest in Asia.

Tags: Thai, Golf, Discount, Tiger, Wood

Thai Golf Courses - Laem Chabang Country Club

This spectacular Jack Nicklaus designed championship course truly is one of Thailand’s finest. The 27 – hole – Mountain, Lake and Creek nines – Laem Chabang International Country Club is located in Sriracha, approximately two hours away from Bangkok and is well worth the visit. The rolling hills of the surrounding countryside have been used to great effect, and hazards to stop you reaching the large elevated greens are in abundance. Not only does the course have a lot of bunkers, sand traps and water hazards, there is also a lot of natural hazards in the shape of exposed rock formations, lakes ponds and creeks. Excellent clubhouse facilities and accommodation superbly complement all of this.

Thai Golf Courses - Blue Canyon Country Club

One of the most prestigious courses in Asia , the 18-hole Blue Canyon Country Club was developed I 1991 to a design by Yoshikazo Kato. This beautiful course hosted Thailand's leading golf tournament, The Johnnie Walker classic, in 1994 and 1998 and relies on well guarded greens, narrow landing areas, island greens and rolling fairways for its hazards. Most famous of the course's holes are the par three 14th (island) hole, where players have to hit a perfect tee shot onto an island, and the par-4 14th (The Canyon) where players have to use a hard drive to clear the obstacle. A course of such splendid stature is, of course, accompanied by a large and opulent clubhouse offering splendid views of the fairways and greens.

Tags: Travel, Phuket,Asia,Golf, Johnnie Walker

Welcome - Thai Golfers Paradise

Thailand rapidly has become a favourite golfers destination. Thailand year round warm climate along with world class golf courses make it one of the top golf travel destinations. THAI GOLFER pradise is please to introduce you to all that Thailand GOLF COURSES has to offer. Thailand boost one of the lowest green fees, hotel accommodations and air fares anywhere in the world.

So join us in discover all of the wonderful GOLF COURSES here in THAILAND

Enjoy,

The Management

Far East Thai Trading Post