Jungle Valley Golf in Phang Nga with Some of Phuket’s Strangest Holes
Katathong Golf Resort sits about 60 minutes north of Phuket airport in Phang Nga province, in a jungle valley built on a former tin mine. It’s not technically on Phuket island, but it’s close enough to be part of the Phuket golf circuit. What draws golfers here is the combination of a beautiful setting, lower green fees than the big Phuket courses, and a handful of holes that are genuinely unlike anything else in the region. The par-3 17th, where the green sits more than 30 metres above the tee and is fronted by a cliff, is the kind of hole you either love or dread.
| Katathong Golf Resort Quick Info | |
|---|---|
| Par / Yards | 72 / 7,025 yards from the back tees |
| Difficulty | Medium-Hard. Easier front nine, tough back nine |
| Green Fee | ~2,500-3,500 Baht (good value for the quality) |
| Cart | Available |
| Caddie | Mandatory. Fee ~300-400 Baht + tip 300-400 Baht |
| Standout Feature | Par-3 17th: green 30 m above tee, fronted by cliff |
| Clubhouse | Modern, with on-site accommodation and spa |
| Location | Phang Nga province. ~60 min north of Phuket airport |
| Best For | Value, quiet round, unusual holes, stay-and-play |
| Length | 7,025 yards (one of the longer courses in the area) |
What Makes Katathong Special
The setting is the first thing you notice. The course sits in a valley surrounded by jungle-covered hills, and the former tin mine landscape creates terrain that feels raw and natural. A stream cascades down the hillside past the clubhouse and winds its way across the course, feeding lakes and water hazards that come into play on multiple holes. The waterfall in front of the clubhouse sets the tone before you even pick up a club.
At over 7,000 yards from the back tees, Katathong is one of the longer courses in the Phuket area. Big hitters will enjoy the space. The front nine is the easier half, with wider fairways and more forgiving landing areas. The back nine is where the course gets interesting and difficult, with dramatic elevation changes, water everywhere, and a few holes that are genuinely unusual.
The other draw is pace. Because Katathong is further from the main tourist areas, it’s rarely crowded. You’ll often have clear fairways ahead of you, which makes for a quicker, more relaxed round than the busier Phuket courses. If you’ve been waiting 15 minutes on every tee at Red Mountain during high season, Katathong feels like a different world.
The Holes You’ll Remember
Hole 6 (Par 4, Dogleg): Typical of the front nine challenges. A dogleg that demands accuracy off the tee. Too far right and you’re in the trees. A hook sends you into the water hazard on the left. Finding the fairway opens up a straightforward approach, but the tee shot is the test.
Hole 10 (Par 3): A challenging start to the back nine. From the tee, you look down at the green far below, almost surrounded by water with only a small bailout area to the right. Club selection is tricky because of the elevation drop, and the water punishes anything that comes up short or drifts left.
Hole 16 (Par 4): The tee gives you one of the best views of the entire course, looking out across the valley and the jungle-covered hills. The drive crosses a deep ravine, which looks more intimidating than it plays. A great photo spot, and a good hole if you can ignore the drop beneath you.
Hole 17 (Par 3, “Hit and Hope”): The strangest par 3 in Phuket. The green sits more than 30 metres above the tee box, fronted by a cliff face. You can’t see the putting surface from the tee. You pick your club, aim at the top of the cliff, and hope for the best. There’s a drop zone for those who don’t make it, which is most people on their first attempt. It’s bizarre, memorable, and surprisingly fun once you stop worrying about the yardage.
What to Expect on the Day
Getting there: The drive from Phuket takes about 60 minutes from the airport, or 90 minutes from Patong. The route goes through scenic Phang Nga countryside. Some golf agents include transfers in their packages, or you can arrange a private driver.
Check-in: The clubhouse is modern and well-equipped, a pleasant surprise given the remote location. There’s a restaurant, pro shop, and spa on-site.
On the course: Expect a quieter round than on the Phuket courses. Pace of play is usually good because there are fewer groups ahead of you. The course takes about 4 to 4.5 hours. The front nine plays faster than the back nine due to the easier terrain.
Stay-and-play: Katathong has on-site accommodation, which makes it a good option for a golf-focused overnight trip. Play 18 in the afternoon, stay overnight, play another 18 the next morning, then head back to Phuket. The spa is a nice bonus after a round.
Who Should Play Here
Katathong is the right choice if you want a quality round at a lower price, a quieter course, or something different from the standard Phuket offerings. The front nine is forgiving enough for mid to high handicappers, and the back nine provides a genuine test for better players.
The unusual holes (the cliff-face par 3 at the 17th in particular) give Katathong talking points that the more conventional courses lack. If you’ve already played Red Mountain and Blue Canyon and want a third round with a completely different flavour, this delivers.
The main downside is the drive. At 60 minutes from the airport and 90 from Patong, it’s not a quick morning round with an afternoon at the beach. You need to commit to the day, or use the on-site accommodation for an overnight trip. If distance is a dealbreaker, Loch Palm or Phuket Country Club offer easier logistics.
Insider Tips
Katathong is the best value round in the Phuket area. The combination of a well-designed course, beautiful setting, and lower green fees makes it a strong choice for golfers who want quality without the premium price tag.
On the 17th, don’t overthink it. Your caddie will give you a club and a line. Trust them and swing. Looking up at a cliff face from a tee box is disorienting, and trying to calculate the exact yardage yourself usually makes things worse. Most first-timers end up at the drop zone. That’s fine. It’s the experience that counts.
The back nine is significantly harder than the front. If you’re keeping a match or a scorecard, manage your expectations. The 10th (downhill par 3 surrounded by water) and the 16th (ravine carry) are genuine card-wreckers.
Consider the stay-and-play option if you have time. Playing an afternoon round, staying overnight, then playing a morning round the next day gives you two rounds at Katathong plus a spa visit for less than the cost of two rounds at Red Mountain. The on-site accommodation is comfortable, and the valley setting is peaceful in the evening.
Combine Katathong with a visit to Phang Nga Bay or James Bond Island if you’re driving up for the day. The course is in the same province, so you can play golf and see one of Phuket’s top attractions in the same trip.
Katathong Through the Years
Katathong is a relatively new addition to the Phuket-area golf scene. Like many courses in the region, it was built on a former tin mine, and the designers used the existing terrain rather than starting from scratch. The natural stream, the mining-era lakes, and the jungle hillsides all became part of the course layout.
The modern clubhouse with on-site accommodation and a spa positioned Katathong as more than just a golf course. It’s a small resort in its own right, which gives it an identity separate from the day-trip courses on Phuket island. The stay-and-play model has attracted golfers who want a quieter, more immersive golf experience away from the tourist areas.
At over 7,000 yards, the course has enough length to host competitive events, and the unusual holes (the cliff-face 17th in particular) have given it a distinct reputation. It doesn’t have the name recognition of Red Mountain or Blue Canyon, but golfers who make the drive consistently rate it highly for the setting, value, and the quality of the experience.
Katathong Golf Resort Info
Location: Phang Nga province
Address: 51 Moo 4 Thung Kha Ngok, District Mueang Phangnga, Phang-nga 82000
Open: 6 am – 6 pm
Phone: 061 173 8338
Green Fee: ~2,500-3,500 Baht. Caddie ~300-400 Baht + tip
On-site: Accommodation, spa, restaurant
Distance from Phuket International Airport: 79 km (~60 min drive)
Distance to Patong: 111 km (~90 min drive)
Distance to Phuket Town: 106 km
