Ok, I'll start a thread on this as I've taken advantage of it (for the first time) today by thrashing, slicing and dicing my way around Royal Hua Hin Golf Course for 800 baht (plus caddy at 250).

Regardless of my (or anyone's) ability at the esteemed sport, this course is a thing to behold and something that anyone visiting Hua Hin should see whether they are golfers or not.

The joy of hitting balls out of trees that have been there for over 100 years on a course designed by a Scotsman in 1924 was nice but the fact that you can feel like you're in the middle of a Burmese jungle but literally be a stones throw away from central mayhem was awesome.

The majority of holes had pretty good views of the town or the 'Hin Lek Fai' hinterland, there was one, the 14th I think, that you're teeing off directly at a temple. It was my only par of the day ... obviously Buddha had blessed this hole!

Seriously though for golfers that haven't played it yet Royal HH is a great course (if you can hit it straight), and for those that don't golf, I believe you can just rock up and walk around it and get a spectacular aspect over Hua Hin that you wouldn't think existed.



PS: Springfield next week?

PPS: Please post your Hua Hin Golf Fest experiences here so they keep it going and muppets like me can carry on playing on good courses for 800 baht!

I have to agree totally when you say that the Royal is "a thing to behold" what a great lay out and what a great shame that most people will only play this course during the festival when they have a realistic price of 800 Baht. The Royal was the first golf course in Thailand so it is their equivelent of St Andrews and it should be given the attention and respect it deserves. Unfortunately due to the internal fued between the Railway who are the owners, and Singha beer who lease the course,the condition of the place has deteriated over the last few years to the extent that very few people want to play there, and at the normal rate of 2000 Baht green fee who can blame them. On top of that the employees with the exception of the caddies really dont give a shit. The good news is that the lease for the Royal will be up for grabs in 2010 so hopefully whoever takes it on can come to some agreement with the railway and bring the place back to it's formal glory, train the staff in basic manners and adjust the green fee rates to low mid and high season. I know personally quite a few Thai pro's who started off as caddies at the Royal and they are heartbroken at seeing what has happened to the place.

An update from our golf operators:

All major Hua Hin courses are offering 800 baht green fees (plus caddy) for August and into September except:

Black Mountain - 1,500 baht
Springfield - August only then its 999 in September
Banyan - need to take the compulsory cart at an additional 650

Still a good deal i think! The only thing i cannot understand about banyan is the one person per cart?? Gather it is a money making ploy but takes out the enjoyment of travelling with yr buddy which is the main reason to get a cart in the first place.
Is a lot more enjoyable with 2 good friends in the cart and 2 fun caddies on the back!!

The reason that you have to take a cart at the Banyan is the carts do not belong to the golf club, they are leased so it's how they pay off the lease by passing it on to the customer.

I'm taking next week off so can enjoy the Golf Festival - It's a fantatsic deal. I'll keep you posted how I get on & which courses I played.

Was scheduled to play today to take advantage of the good pricing but got rained out... oh well, maybe later in the week...

I finally got out on Springfield (Mountain and Lake courses). It was really nice playing on a course with grass and greens that are smooth (I've only played on military courses a few times over the past three years). The course was beautiful and in great shape and even though I missed my goal of breaking 100 by a few strokes it was still a great day out. Sad that my goal is now to break 100 when just a few years ago a good day was breaking 90.

I try to forget the 90% bad shots and remember the 10% great ones (like hitting that island green on 18 from 170 yards out) and the two pars!

By the way Lomu, you may have the right idea about combining beer Chang and golf... I had a horrible front nine drinking only water, then gave up at the turn and started drinking Chang one after another and scored 11 strokes lower on the back nine!

Should be there myself tomorrow, hhfarang. It's been some 8 years since I played the course so am looking forward to it. I'll definitely have a few cans of Chang on the way round.
Had a practice this morning at Pae Mai as I havn't been out for a month. Was hitting the back net with some of my drives - not on the full. We'll see tomorrow if I can transfer that to a course.

HHfarang,

Lomu definitely has it right about Chang and golf, i always have a Chang before i play (take it about 10 minutes before tee off) and some during, my game has been the best its been for more than 10 years! Golf is much more fun with a few beers.

The approach to the 18th at Springfield is a great golf shot - well done on avoiding the water!

Played Majestic yesterday and have to say its in terrible shape, big shame as its a great layout! Its still worth it i guess at the cheap price.

Happy golfing everyone!

Any idea what Lake View is like, condition, beauty and degree of difficulty?

JW, I've seen you play after a few Changs, only trouble is when the hangover kicks in!

Beer worked today when I sliced, diced and chunked my way around Palm Hills. I actually scored better on the back nine (which turned out to be the front nine because we tee'd off from the tenth due to a traffic jam at the first).

Many have criticised PH course but I loved it, nice wide fairways (good for slicers), greens were in top notch condition and the staff were professional despite the crowds.

This golf festival should really be extended (at least for Hua Hin residents!).

After you'd sliced, diced and chunked your war around, did you leave it in top notch condition

Does anyone know if the festival pricing also includes a discount for Thai players at Royal Hua Hin? I think their price is usually about half what they charge for us farangs, and I thought if they were discounting Thai prices too this month, it may be a good time to take the wife out for a round...

I can't imagine that they would only be giving foreigners discounts.