Banyan Golf Club

Just south of Hua Hin, Banyan is on an elevated landscape and is probably the most demanding in the area measuring over 7,300 yards off the blue tees. The front nine holes are a little similar looking going to and fro and the back nine opens up to visually superb looking holes, especially the 15th par 3 signature hole with elevated views across the ocean to Sing Toh island. Driving range and practice putting area are excellent and the whole course is generally in magnificent condition and management staff provide a first rate experience from start to finish. After the round, be sure to have a cold beer in the Mulligans pub and watch the sun

Black Mountain Golf Club

The course has been set up for the serious golfer with tournament golf in mind. Since its opening in 2007, it has hosted both European and Asian Tour events, plus the prestigious Royal Trophy. It is set against the backdrop of black rocky hills about 10 km west of Hua Hin. The bunkers and fairways are in fantastic condition given the exposed nature of the landscape. The clubhouse is a 5-star facility with fresh breezes on the open dining terrace with an extensive bar and varied Swedish, Thai and Western menu. The caddies are the best dressed in Thailand in wonderful gold and black outfits. They are trained to the highest level of service on and off the course.

Hua Hin Korea Golf Club (formerly Milford Golf Club & Resort)

Golfers have a love hate relationship with this stunningly beautiful course, overlooking the Gulf of Thailand close to Hua Hin. The course is sandwiched between the forested hills and the sea and can be cruel for even the most accomplished golfers. The many natural hazards swallow golf balls up from the fast running fairways. The front nine is fairly docile but shows its teeth in the dry season when greens become unpredictable and the fairways turn hard. The back nine has numerous elevated tees with tree fringed fairways. There is a links feel to this Robert McFarland course, but it needs work to attract serious golfers in numbers. It is however worth a visit for the scenery alone.

Lake View Resort & Golf Club

The original championship course was designed by Roger Packard and opened in 1993. At a leter date, 9 holes were added in desert style followed by 9 holes in links style, making it the complete 36 hole resort style complex it is today. The championship course has all the right variations in length, complexity, shape and structure with difficult greens. The resort also has a hotel on site with nice rooms, a good swimming pool and racquet courts. The staff at Lake View are very good and the caddies are often long serving with some exceptional readers of breaks and borrows on the greens.

Majestic Creek Country Club

Water everywhere is one of the main challenges on this 27 hole layout, located 25 minutes from Hua Hin. The course is mainly in good condition but it can suffer during the long dry spells of the dry season . Gleaming lakes, meandering streams and flowering shrubs and trees add a splash of colour to this visually appealing course. A cart is not obligatory here but recommended for the less agile because of the undulations and the long walks between the greens and the tees. There are beautiful views from the well-appointed, airey restaurant that serves excellent Thai food at good prices. Caddy standards are a little inconsistant but the course is well worth a visit and good value for money.

Palm Hills Golf Resort and Country Club

Located between the resorts of Hua Hin and Cha-Am, Palm Hills is laid out on a massive plot of land with a large housing development and several condominiums. Not the most exciting course in the area, but good for holiday golf and the condition is generally quite good. The caddies are good and very useful in reading the tricky greens that are the main feature of this course. Many of the holes are dog legs and water doesn't feature on many holes. The staff here are well-trained and friendly and you can be sure of a pleasant experience at Palm Hills at very good value for money.

Sawang Resort & Golf Club

The championship course of Sawang lies between Bangkok and Hua Hin in the rolling hills of Phetchaburi. This mountain course with lots of undulation and spectacular scenery, is a challenging layout with several risk and reward holes with water hazards in play on many of the holes. Be aware that it does suffer from lack of water in the dry season and is prone to bare and dry patches. The clubhouse and small adjoining hotel are modest and there are six lodges around the course that have magnificent views. For golfers wanting solitude and able to play at their own pace, it's well worth a visit.

Sea Pines Golf Club

Established in 2010, Sea Pines Golf Course was a great addition to golf in the Hua Hin area. The clubhouse has excellent facilities including a fine restaurant and large, modern lockers and great views over the ocean. After a few early problems with the maintainence the course has settled down and is now in good condition. A very tough test of golf and the average holiday golfer should not attempt to play from the back tees which plays over 7,000. The prevailing winds make many of the par fours out of reach. The highlight of the course are the final four holes which make their way towards the ocean which beautiful views of the coastline and the outlying islands.

Springfield Royal Country Club

Located in the south west of Hua Hin in pleasant rural surroundings with dramtic rocky hills in the background, Springfield is a very picturesque resort course designed by Jack Nicklaus in 1993. Originally an 18 hole layout, an additional 9 holes were added to allow for upgrading and work on the original 18. The mountain and lake nines enjoy mature natural setting with plenty of well-developed landscaping. The newer valley nine is tough with a number of quite dramatic holes. The pro-shop is very well-stocked and the excellent practice facilities are managed well. Caddies are generally very helpful and experienced. To complete the resort, it has an excellent hotel and spa.

Thai Diamond Land Kaeng Krachan

An hours drive from Hua Hin, the Kaeng Krachen Country Club is set in a National Park with gorgeous natural surrounds of hills, lakes and forests. The original 18 is a fun parkland course designed by Chird Boonyaratavaj. A third nine, designed by Jack Niklaus, was later addded and by contrast is tough and visually a treat to play. The venue has a good driving range and a big clubhouse with clean spacious locker rooms. The pro-shop is disappointing, with very little on offer. Caddies are keen and polite but many can't speak English.