Loch Palm Golf Club

Sister course to Red Mountain, but is much easier and cheaper

Loch Palm Golf Club is one of the easiest golf courses in Phuket and is situated in a valley overlooked by jungle-clad hills. The first few holes circle a huge lake, but the course becomes easier once you cut inland. There are not too many exciting holes, but they are interesting enough for most golfers in Phuket.

If you can avoid the lake on the first few holes, you’re set up for a decent round, but most holes demand a straight drive to avoid the many palm trees that border most fairways. The 4th hole, a medium-length par 3 with water from tee to green, is the pick of the front nine.

The back nine begins with a risky dogleg par 4. If you get out of position with your drive, trees will block your path to the green.

Then you have an opportunity to open your shoulders on Par 5, 11th as you drive downhill to a generous landing area, and then for your second shot, you have to negotiate the stream which crosses the fairway before attempting to land on the tricky table-top green protected by a steep bank. There are two great par 3’s on the back of the nine, and the best is the 14th, where you play from an elevated tee box to a green far below you, almost surrounded by water.

The course is usually in excellent condition, but the green speed is inconsistent so that you may need help from your caddie. They have a unique driving range and you play in the lake using floating golf balls.

Other Golf Courses Around Phuket