Set within natural surroundings with panoramic views of Khao Yai’s lush greenery and mountains, spectacular mountain golf is always on tap at this world class golf resort.

The golf course, as described by the Nicklaus design team, may be one of the 3 best in Asia. Nine holes out, and nine holes in, you’ll struggle to see another group as the holes weave their way around what well may be the best course design in Thailand. Critical shot making and strategic course management are required to shoot a good score.

Kirimaya is a “must play” for anyone visiting Thailand and has the time to either travel from Bangkok for a long, but excellent, day’s golf, or can spend a few days in the superb mountain and golf destination of Khao Yai. Well off the normal tourist beaten track, please contact us for specialized custom holiday golf packages.

This course is situated between 2 valleys in the mountains of the Khao Yai National Park and is fairy tough, winding beneath the steep hills that border the park. It is easy to forget about the score, considering the breath taking views over the surrounding hills, but the large bunker arrays - typical for Nicklaus - will bring one back to reality quite soon.

Course makes a wonderful package when combined with Kirimaya. However, conditions vary from excellent to fair depending on time of year and on-goinfg mantenance programs. Also, recent high seasons have seen the course booked by large asian tour groups, making tee tinmes hard to get at certain times of the year. Check for latest course information as well availability.

Royal Chiang Mai is an exciting and challenging course for amateur and professional alike, whilst still keeping in harmony with the natural scenery and rolling countryside.

The course was designed by Thomson Wolveridge & Parrett under supervision of five-time British open Champion, Peter Thomson and uses elements from a British links style course, including bumpy gently rolling fairways, pot bunkers and closely mowed areas around the greens.
There are strategic positioning of fairway and greenside bunkers which call for accurate play, rather than long hitting. However, on some holes, the distances to the greens are deceptive and there is a tendency to under club.

Royal Chiang Mai is set in a beautiful valley and the scenery is magnificent. The 2000 rai site, a former fruit orchard, provides breathtaking panoramic vistas of mountains in the distance. The high altitude provides a cooler, less humid climate, sweet refreshing air, and gentle breezes. It’s filled with the songs of birds, an abundance of wildlife, and thousands of flowering trees erupting in different fragrances and colors every month of the year.

At the finish of the round there is a beautiful view towards the clubhouse which features a 54-room golf resort.

If you are looking for a sea facing picture postcard golf course to play while in Phuket, the Jack Nicklaus designed course at Mission Hills Golf Resort and Spa in Phuket is the one to play. The golf course sits among mangrove forests on the scenic north-east coast of Phuket. The course has incredible ocean views from almost every hole and even includes several ocean holes playing out over the Andaman Sea like you sometimes see on the televised PGA tournaments.

Large white sand beach bunkers contrast with the translucent blue hues of the ocean waters and the vibrant greens of the Paspalum Sea Isle 1 grass on the fairways and Paspalum Sea Isle 2000 grass on the putting surfaces. The ocean views come at a price, as water comes in to play on seven holes and the prevailing sea breezes make play at certain times of the day very tricky.

Jack Nicklaus designed some distinguishing features at Mission Hills Phuket. The top holes include the par five 2nd hole requires two well-placed shots to give the golfer a reasonable third shot into the island green. Also, the 4th which is the first of the ocean holes, and a medium-length par three with spectacular views across the sea. The putting surface is an island of grass in a sea of white sand.

The par 4, 5th hole plays to an island green from an island tee. A huge sandy waste near the beach with a strong elevation change that runs through the middle of the fairway also adds to the excitement of the hole.

The signature 12th hole and handicap 1 is the longest par 4 on the golf course, measuring 481 yards from the black tees! To reach the green in regulation and make par, two big straight hits are required, or an accurate one-chip and one-putt for a shorter hitter. The tee shot needs to carry well above 250 yards from the black tees, and land on the left hand side of the fairway,. This will give the shortest and best angle in to a well guarded green.

The difficult green is protected by a lake down the right hand side and a deep hollow to the left, penalizing those bailing out to stay away from the water. If you are fortunate to land your second shot safely on the green, or close by, you should walk away happy with a par, or even a respectable bogey. Whatever the outcome, take your time on this most difficult hole and appreciate the breathtaking ocean view by the green and panoramic mountain peaks in the distance.

Mission Hills is kept in pristine playing conditions. Fairways are lush carpet grass and greens roll fast and true. Individual golf buggies are included for all players and you can choose to drive, or if you prefer to walk, your caddie can easily handle this role. Tee times are strictly adhered to and good on course marshalling is a big plus for those golfers visiting Phuket who want to be assured of smooth four hour rounds, even in the most crowded high season. For these, and all the other points mentioned, the Jack Nicklaus signature course at Mission Hills is one of the two best courses in Phuket and must be played by all Phuket golf visitors.

Service both on the golf course and at the accompanying spa and resort is first class. You can even order snacks to be delivered to you on the course as you play. Afterwards the spa facilities and well stocked club house restaurants are always available for those golfers having the time and wishing to make their round at Mission Hills into a full day’s total golfing experience!