toonarmy
Q-School Graduate
Well, as indicated in other posts, a quick report on my golfing travails in Thailand recently. I know that people have moaned about places like Thailand 'getting expensive' but given the main source of income for these places, it's only fair in my view.
In the end, I only got to play on two courses (one of them twice) but the standard of the courses was exceptional. It ended up costing me about £55 per round to get picked up from the hotel, green fee paid, a caddy hired and then driven back to the hotel after. Doesn't seem expensive to me. I would also argue that had these courses been in England the cost for green fee alone would probably have been in the £125-175 mark.
I played Loch Palm and Blue Canyon (Lakes course, twice). Both visually stunning and both a fair test. With four different tees to choose from, you can make it as hard or fun as you like.
The standout hole at Loch Palm was the 14th (photos to follow in time). A 150yd par 3 with a 60' drop in height to the green! A lake guards the front, bunkers all around, a huge green and the wind can play total havoc with your club selection. My perfectly hit wedge flew great, got caught on the wind and seemed to just hover in mid-air before falling 5yds short of the green - nuts.
My caddy experience at Loch Palm wasn't great unfortunately and did taint the experience a touch. However, that could be because the caddies at Blue Canyon were brilliant.
Blue Canyon Lakes is the cheaper of the two course available - but how I wished I'd stumped up for the more expensive Canyon course - not least of all when you see who's played there
and how beautiful it looks from the clubhouse balcony...
Here's my wedge to the 132yd par 3 12th to 2'...and inevitable missed putt:
and my more successful birdie on the par 5 13th:
which was followed by a lovely little dance of joy from my caddie!
The second time I played at the Lakes, I came back in 39 on the par of 37 with all 3 bogey putts finishing in the jaws. For a 15hcper, you can imagine how pleased I was with that!
I can honestly say these were the best golfing days I've had. If anyone is thinking of going that way, take your clubs, you won't regret it.
Anyhoo, I thought I'd just share my delight with you all - especially as it appears to have done nothing but rain since I got back!
In the end, I only got to play on two courses (one of them twice) but the standard of the courses was exceptional. It ended up costing me about £55 per round to get picked up from the hotel, green fee paid, a caddy hired and then driven back to the hotel after. Doesn't seem expensive to me. I would also argue that had these courses been in England the cost for green fee alone would probably have been in the £125-175 mark.
I played Loch Palm and Blue Canyon (Lakes course, twice). Both visually stunning and both a fair test. With four different tees to choose from, you can make it as hard or fun as you like.
The standout hole at Loch Palm was the 14th (photos to follow in time). A 150yd par 3 with a 60' drop in height to the green! A lake guards the front, bunkers all around, a huge green and the wind can play total havoc with your club selection. My perfectly hit wedge flew great, got caught on the wind and seemed to just hover in mid-air before falling 5yds short of the green - nuts.
My caddy experience at Loch Palm wasn't great unfortunately and did taint the experience a touch. However, that could be because the caddies at Blue Canyon were brilliant.
Blue Canyon Lakes is the cheaper of the two course available - but how I wished I'd stumped up for the more expensive Canyon course - not least of all when you see who's played there
and how beautiful it looks from the clubhouse balcony...
Here's my wedge to the 132yd par 3 12th to 2'...and inevitable missed putt:
and my more successful birdie on the par 5 13th:
which was followed by a lovely little dance of joy from my caddie!
The second time I played at the Lakes, I came back in 39 on the par of 37 with all 3 bogey putts finishing in the jaws. For a 15hcper, you can imagine how pleased I was with that!
I can honestly say these were the best golfing days I've had. If anyone is thinking of going that way, take your clubs, you won't regret it.
Anyhoo, I thought I'd just share my delight with you all - especially as it appears to have done nothing but rain since I got back!
