Chiang Mai Highlands Golf and Spa Resort

Just a 45 minute drive from downtown Chiang Mai, this Schmidt-Curley design nestled in the tranquil foothills with impressive mountain views has easily established itself as one of the best courses in Thailand, and has been voted as one of the top 10 resort courses in Asia by Golfing Magazine.

With the new Mountain course recently opening to add to the Valley and Highlands courses, Chiang Mai Highlands Golf and Spa Resort has become an impressive 27 hole facility whose service levels and course conditioning is unmatched in the area.

Your golfing experience begins as you enter the open air feeling of the clubhouse and walk into the impressively stocked golf shop.  There you realize why Thailand has been correctly referred to as "The land of Smiles", as the ladies first greet you with a genuine smile and then a pleasant "Sawadee Ka".  After checking in and purchasing anything you may need for your round, you can change in the championship style locker rooms before meeting your caddie and heading off to the 300+ yard all grass driving range to hone your skills before going to one of the three nines to begin your play.

I would like to offer you advice on which nines to play to make up your 18 hole adventure here, but I must say after playing all 27 holes, I could not even find a weak hole let alone a weak nine.  They are all in pristine shape with Seashore Paspalum grasses on the fairways which give you a perfect lie, and lush, quick, true and smooth TiffEagle Bermuda grassed greens.  These perfect fairways weave and meander between the rough which is long enough to penalize you slightly, but not long enough to loose an errant shot, making this gem playable for all skill levels. The bunkering is superb, as they frame the holes and greens nicely and offer a great line of sight, but hitting in them will punish your offline tee shots. The sand in the green side bunkers is consistent, giving you every opportunity to get up and down with a well executed shot.   Once on the putting services you will realize this is a Schmidt-Curley design as many offer two or three plateaus requiring you to be on the correct level to avoid a three putt.  Listen to your caddie as they know the lines and can help you immensely on these flawless greens.

Speaking of the caddies, all these ladies have had an intensive hands on training by the General Manager and Canadian PGA professional Derek Schade and are a true asset to your round.  They will know your yardage after watching you warm up, will know the best lines to play the holes, as well as a keen ability to read all the nuances and tricky breaks on the greens. Don't let their playful smiles fool you, they know their craft well and are going to be your savior of many shots.

As I mentioned before, there are no bad holes at this resort and every hole gives you a feeling of solitude, allowing you to feel in the present and playing one hole at a time. The par threes offer you a great mixture of long, medium and short distances, usually with water or an ominous bunker willing to grab a misplayed shot.  The par fours have gentle dog legs with bunkering framing the way giving you all the chance to strategically think of where to place the ball, and a couple of the par fives can be challenged in two by the long hitters, but also are very playable for all skill levels. 

This course does not have the modern ridiculously long forced carries or blind dog legs built between housing developments, but instead feels like a modernized parkland layout which is a pleasure to play and will seem to come to a too quick of an end. 

After the round enjoy a a traditional Thai dish in the open air restaurant, or if you are missing a western style dish there are plenty of options on the well crafted menu. This 19th hole fits into the theme of the day, exquisite and relaxing all in one.

With beautiful decorated fully furnished stand alone villas to stay in at the resort, there is no need to rush and play all 27 holes in a day.  However, if you decide to push yourself and try and play all 27 in a day, fear not, as the resort offers a top quality spa where you can relax with one of the many treatments or massages of your choice.  These treatments will soothe away any aches and pains and get you ready for another 27.

Golfing, staying, or relaxing at Chiang Mai Highlands Golf and Spa Resort is a true experience not to be missed when visiting the beautiful north of Thailand.

Course Details
 

27 Hole Resort and Spa
 

Valley Course (A)

Black tees: 3,617 yards
Blue tees: 3,314 yards
White tees: 3,108 yards
Yellow tees: 2,819 yards
Red tees: 2,528 yards

Highlands Course (B)

Black tees: 3,610 yards
Blue tees: 3,307 yards
White tees: 3,179 yards
Yellow tees: 2,920 yards
Red tees: 2,528 yards

Mountain Course

Black tees: 3,522 yards
Blue tees: 3,219 yards
White tees: 2,963 yards
Yellow tees: 2,632 yards
Red tees: 2,309 yards

For More Information

Tel:  +66 (0) 53 261 354-9
Email: sales@chiangmaihighlands.com
Website: www.chiangmaihighlands.com