Where to Play Golf in Phuket?
Phuket has nine golf courses on or near the island, ranging from a Jack Nicklaus ocean design to a championship course where Tiger Woods won. I don’t play golf myself, but I’ve visited most of these courses over my 30 years in Phuket, and I’ve worked with golf travel professionals to put together this guide with the practical details and honest assessments that most golf booking sites won’t give you.
Most courses are in the northern half of the island, so if you plan to play several rounds, staying no further south than Patong Beach saves driving time. Green fees range from around 2,500 Baht at Phuket Country Club to over 6,000 Baht at Red Mountain, and prices vary significantly between high season (November to April) and low season (May to October).
Quick Comparison: All Phuket Golf Courses
| Course | Holes | Par | Yards | Difficulty | Green Fee (Baht) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Mountain | 18 | 72 | 6,781 | Hard | ~5,500-6,500 | Best scenery, must-play |
| Blue Canyon (Canyon) | 18 | 72 | 7,179 | Very Hard | ~4,500-5,500 | Championship test |
| Blue Canyon (Lakes) | 18 | 72 | 7,129 | Medium-Hard | ~3,500-4,500 | Water hazards, strategy |
| Mission Hills | 18 | 72 | 6,727 | Medium | ~3,500-4,500 | Ocean views, Nicklaus design |
| Laguna Golf | 18 | 71 | 6,683 | Medium | ~3,000-4,000 | Resort golf, all levels |
| Loch Palm | 18 | 72 | 6,584 | Easy-Medium | ~2,900-3,500 | Central location, enjoyable |
| Phuket Country Club | 18 | 72 | 6,489 | Easy | ~2,500-3,000 | High handicappers, locals |
| Katathong | 18 | 72 | 7,025 | Medium-Hard | ~2,500-3,500 | Value, jungle setting |
| Aquella | 18 | 72 | 7,100 | Medium | ~2,500-3,500 | Coastal, modern design |
Green fees are approximate and vary by season. High season (November to April) is typically 20-40% more expensive. Caddie fee (300-500 Baht) and cart fee (600-800 Baht) are usually extra. Book through a golf agent for better rates than walk-in.
Which Course Should You Play?
First time in Phuket, want the best single round? Red Mountain. The scenery alone makes it memorable, and the course rewards smart play at every level.
Low handicapper wanting a championship test? Blue Canyon Canyon Course. This is where Tiger Woods played, and it will test every part of your game.
Playing with a mixed group? Laguna Golf. The resort setting keeps non-golfers happy, and the course is forgiving enough for beginners while still interesting for experienced players.
On a budget? Phuket Country Club or Katathong. Both offer honest rounds at roughly half the price of Red Mountain.
Want ocean views? Mission Hills is the only course in Phuket with holes running alongside the sea.
Playing two rounds at one club? Blue Canyon has two courses (Canyon and Lakes), so you can play both without changing venue.
Red Mountain Golf Club
| Par / Yards: 72 / 6,781 | Difficulty: Hard |
| Green Fee: ~5,500-6,500 Baht | Designer: Jonathan Morrow (2007) |
| Location: Kathu (central, 15 min from Patong) | Standout Hole: Par-3 17th (tee 45 m above green) |
This is the course most golfers talk about after leaving Phuket. Built through a former tin mine, the layout uses extreme elevation changes, exposed red rock cliffs, and dense jungle to create holes that feel completely different from anything else in Thailand. The front nine eases you in, but the final six holes are where Red Mountain earns its reputation. The par-3 17th drops roughly 150 feet from tee to green, and club selection there is a genuine puzzle. Greens vary in size and shape, some with shallow breaks, others with sharp slopes that punish anything above the hole. The course rewards accuracy over distance. Even if you struggle with the scoring, you’ll remember every hole. It’s the most expensive round in Phuket, but most golfers say it’s worth every baht.
Blue Canyon Country Club – Canyon Course
| Par / Yards: 72 / 7,179 | Difficulty: Very Hard |
| Green Fee: ~4,500-5,500 Baht | Hosted: Johnnie Walker Classic (3x, Tiger Woods 1998) |
| Location: Thalang (near airport, 40 min from Patong) | Standout Hole: Par-3 13th (221 yards over canyon) |
Phuket’s only true championship course and the longest layout on the island at over 7,100 yards from the tips. The opening nine winds through former rubber plantation with narrow, tree-lined fairways that demand accuracy off the tee. Miss the fairway here and the thick rough makes recovery difficult. The back nine introduces canyons, water carries, and elevation changes that raise the difficulty significantly. The par-3 13th is the signature: 221 yards with no bail-out, the green tucked behind a deep canyon on the right. Fred Couples called it one of the best par-3s anywhere. Greens run fast and true, often around 9.5 on the stimpmeter. After an extensive renovation following ownership disputes, the course is back in top condition. This is a course for confident ball-strikers. High handicappers will lose balls. A lot of balls.
Blue Canyon Country Club – Lakes Course
| Par / Yards: 72 / 7,129 | Difficulty: Medium-Hard |
| Green Fee: ~3,500-4,500 Baht | Designer: Yoshikazu Kato (1999) |
| Location: Thalang (same club as Canyon Course) | Standout Hole: Par-4 18th (one of the best finishes in Thailand) |
The “gentler sister” of the Canyon Course, though gentler is relative. Water comes into play on 17 of the 18 holes, so you’d better be confident with your long irons over water or bring extra balls. The fairways are wider than the Canyon Course, giving you more room off the tee, but approach shots need to be precise because the greens are well-protected by water on multiple sides. The 18th is widely considered one of the best finishing holes in Thailand. In dry weather, the greens can run extremely fast. Five sets of tees make it accessible for all levels, but even from the forward tees, the water hazards keep you honest. A good pairing with the Canyon Course if you’re spending two days at Blue Canyon.
Mission Hills Phuket Golf Course
| Par / Yards: 72 / 6,727 | Difficulty: Medium |
| Green Fee: ~3,500-4,500 Baht | Designer: Jack Nicklaus |
| Location: Northeast coast (near airport) | Standout Feature: Only Phuket course with ocean holes |
The only course in Phuket where you’ll play holes alongside the Andaman Sea. Jack Nicklaus routed several holes through mangrove forests and out to the coast, giving you ocean views that look like something from a PGA Tour broadcast. The course is moderately difficult, playable for mid-handicappers, but the real variable is wind. When the northeast monsoon blows (November to February), exposed coastal holes play completely differently. A 150-yard shot can become a 180-yard shot into a two-club wind. On calm days, it’s among the most photogenic rounds in Southeast Asia. The clubhouse and resort facilities are top-end. Worth playing at least once just for the setting.
Laguna Golf Phuket
| Par / Yards: 71 / 6,683 | Difficulty: Medium |
| Green Fee: ~3,000-4,000 Baht | Redesigned: 2014 (hosts pro tournaments) |
| Location: Bang Tao (Laguna Resort complex) | Standout Feature: Resort setting, shuttle from Laguna hotels |
Laguna used to be flat and unexciting. The 2014 redesign changed that completely. The new layout has shaped greens with plenty of bumps and hollows that make putting a real challenge, and the strategically placed bunkers and water hazards mean you need to think about positioning off the tee rather than just hitting driver. The front nine runs through lush tropical foliage, the back nine features coconut groves and sand. It’s not long, which makes it forgiving for higher handicappers, but the approach play and green complexes keep single-figure players interested. Laguna hosts professional tournaments, so conditioning is consistently excellent. The resort shuttle, nearby five-star hotels, and Bang Tao Beach make this the best option if your travel partner doesn’t play.
Loch Palm Golf Club
| Par / Yards: 72 / 6,584 | Difficulty: Easy-Medium |
| Green Fee: ~2,900-3,500 Baht | Feature: Largest lake on any Phuket course |
| Location: Kathu (central, next to Red Mountain) | Best For: Relaxed, enjoyable round |
A firm favourite with regular Phuket golfers. Loch Palm sits in a natural valley surrounded by jungle hills, with more than 1,400 palm trees lining the fairways. The first few holes circle Crystal Lake, the largest on any Phuket course, and water comes into play often enough to keep you thinking but not so much that it punishes every wayward shot. The course gets easier once you move inland from the lake. It’s not the most exciting layout hole by hole, but the setting is beautiful, the conditioning is consistent, and it’s the kind of course where you can shoot a good score and leave feeling great about your game. Right next door to Red Mountain, so many golfers play Red Mountain one day and Loch Palm the next for a nice contrast in difficulty.
Phuket Country Club
| Par / Yards: 72 / 6,489 | Difficulty: Easy |
| Green Fee: ~2,500-3,000 Baht | Established: One of the oldest courses in Phuket |
| Location: Kathu (close to Patong) | Best For: High handicappers, budget round |
The most affordable 18-hole round in Phuket and the most forgiving course on the island. It’s shorter than the newer layouts, and the design doesn’t throw many surprises at you. That’s exactly why it works for high handicappers, social golfers, and anyone who wants a pressure-free round without spending half their holiday budget on green fees. Buggies have been added (it used to be walking only), and the course is well maintained for its price range. Very popular with local expats and Thai golfers. Located in Kathu, it’s the closest course to Patong, so you can play 18 and still make it back to the beach by lunchtime.
Katathong Golf Resort
| Par / Yards: 72 / 7,025 | Difficulty: Medium-Hard |
| Green Fee: ~2,500-3,500 Baht | Feature: Former tin mine, waterfall clubhouse |
| Location: Phang Nga (~60 min north of Phuket airport) | Best For: Value, quieter round |
Katathong is the hidden value pick. Located about 60 minutes north of Phuket airport in Phang Nga province, it trades convenience for a quieter experience and lower green fees. The jungle valley setting is beautiful, and the natural stream that cascades down the hillside past the clubhouse sets the tone before you even tee off. At over 7,000 yards from the back tees, it’s one of the longer courses in the region, so big hitters will enjoy the space. The layout is interesting without being tricky, and you’ll rarely wait on other groups. Worth the drive if you want to get away from the busier Phuket courses and play somewhere that feels more remote.
Aquella Golf and Country Club
| Par / Yards: 72 / 7,100 | Difficulty: Medium |
| Green Fee: ~2,500-3,500 Baht | Designer: Pacific Coast Design (2020 rebuild) |
| Location: Thai Muang, Phang Nga (~40 min from airport) | Standout Feature: Coastal setting beside Andaman Sea |
Formerly Thai Muang Golf Club, Aquella was rebuilt in 2020 by Pacific Coast Design and feels like a different course from its predecessor. The layout is open, modern, and spacious, with wide fairways that contrast sharply with Phuket’s tighter mountain and valley courses. Coastal breezes from the Andaman Sea add a links-like element on some holes, and the overall rhythm of the course makes it fun to play rather than a grind. The club is being developed as an integrated resort with private residences, a hotel, and a marina. At 7,100 yards from the back tees, it has plenty of length, but the wide fairways mean it’s playable for most levels. Good value given the quality of the redesign.
This article was written in collaboration with Golfsavers.com
Limitless Golf Studio Phuket
| Location: Phuket Town |
Limitless Golf Studio is a fully air-conditioned indoor golf training facility near Central Phuket, in Wichit. The studio uses TrackMan and Foresight Sports simulators, giving players real data on every shot. Coaching is led by a TrackMan Master certified instructor, and lessons are tailored to each player’s level, from complete beginners to competitive golfers. Kids from 6 years old are welcome too. The indoor setup means no sunburn and no rainy days. It’s right next to Decathlon with easy parking.
Location: Phuket Town – next to Decathlon
Address: 89 (Zone C, 1st Floor, Room C1/5-8), Moo 5, Wichit Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket, Thailand, 83000
Hours: 10 am – 10 pm
Phone: +66 88 751 7173
Insider Tips
Book tee times through a local golf agent rather than directly with the course. Agents like Golfsavers, Phuket Golf Leisure, or PhuketGolf.net typically offer 10-25% lower green fees than walk-in rates, and they include transfers from your hotel in the package price. For a group of four, the savings can easily cover an extra round.
Play early. Tee off at 7 or 8 am if you can. The morning light is better, the temperature is more comfortable, and you’ll finish before the afternoon heat. Most courses have twilight rates from 1 or 2 pm if you prefer a cheaper, shorter round.
Caddies are mandatory at all courses in Phuket. Tip 300-500 Baht per round. A good caddie reads greens better than any GPS app, and they’ll give you local advice on club selection that’s genuinely useful.
Rainy season (May to October) isn’t necessarily bad for golf. Rain tends to come in short afternoon bursts, and morning rounds are often fine. Green fees drop 20-40%, courses are quieter, and the greens are softer. Many serious golfers in Phuket prefer this period.
Phuket Golf Through the Years
Golf in Phuket started with Phuket Country Club, one of the first courses on the island back in the 1980s. Blue Canyon put Phuket on the global golf map when it hosted the Johnnie Walker Classic in 1994. By the late 1990s, golf tourism was a serious draw, and courses like Mission Hills (Jack Nicklaus design) and Laguna Golf added resort-quality options.
Red Mountain opened in 2007 on a former tin mine and immediately changed the conversation. The dramatic terrain and elevation changes gave Phuket a course that could compete visually and technically with anything in Southeast Asia. It remains the most talked-about course on the island.
In recent years, Loch Palm improved its conditioning, Blue Canyon completed a full renovation after ownership issues were resolved, and Aquella (formerly Thai Muang) underwent a modern Pacific Coast Design rebuild in 2020. Katathong added another option north of the island for golfers looking for value and quiet.
Today, Phuket has nine courses within an hour’s drive, making it one of the most concentrated golf destinations in Asia. The quality has never been higher, and green fee competition between agents keeps pricing reasonable for visitors.
