One of the most overlooked features about playing golf in Thailand, is night golf
Night golf in Thailand offers a unique and thrilling golfing experience that combines the serene beauty of lush fairways with the enchantment of twilight and starry skies. As the sun sets over Thailand's verdant landscapes, golf enthusiasts can tee off under the warm glow of floodlights, enjoying cooler temperatures and a magical ambiance. Many of Thailand's top golf courses feature night golf options, making it a popular choice for locals and tourists alike. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or a novice, playing under the stars in this tropical paradise adds an unforgettable twist to the game, creating memories that last a lifetime.
The night golf season usually runs between November and May each year and this coincides with many visitors from the northern hemisphere. Night golf usually tees off around 7pm, with courses closing after midnight, so there is plenty of time to enjoy a full round of golf in the evening. Located just 30-minutes away from Bangkok, Summit Windmill Golf Club is one such course, which offers night golf.
Summit Windmill Golf Club
Probably the best night golf in Bangkok and very close to the city
Night golf at Summit Windmill Golf Club
Summit Windmill Golf Club was established in 1993 and the course was designed by Nick Faldo. Although the course is not very long, water comes into play on many holes and this becomes apparent from the first hole. The island green of the 12th hole is the pick of the par-3’s on the this course, all of which are protected by water. There is not a great deal of rough to worry about, so players can attack the undulating greens with confidence. Lights were installed around the course in 2004 and this makes night golf an option, which is perfect for those staying in Bangkok. Having completed a day of sightseeing or work, it takes half an hour to reach the course, which will give you plenty of time to enjoy a good round of golf. With some rounds taking up to 4 or 5 hours, be prepared for a late and enjoyable night on the golf course.
Rachakram Golf Club
Rachakram Golf Club and Resort is a great place for night golf in Bangkok
Rachakram Golf Club and Resort
Situated a further 15 minutes’ drive from Bangkok, is Rachakram Golf Club and Resort and this is a great place for night golf in Thailand. Designed by Dr Sukitt Klangvisai, the course was opened for play in 2006 and plays much like a links style course, with undulations and open spaces in-front of the greens, allowing for low approach shots. The fairways are flat and generous, with firm and fast greens, which are very receptive to spin. There are several water hazards, some of which are blind and even longer hitters will struggle to clear the water on some of the par-5 holes. The course is floodlit at night and looks tremendous when viewed from the clubhouse restaurant after dark. Rachakram Golf Club and Resort is a good option for a night time round when based in Bangkok but with resort facilities it’s possible play well into the night and stay at the resort for the evening.
Pinehurst Golf Club
Complete with full floodlighting and Rolls Royce golf carts, its little wonder Pinehurst is so popular
Pinehurst Golf Club in Bangkok
Pinehurst Golf Club is the same distance away from Bangkok as Rachakram Golf Club and was inspired by the famous American course of the same name. This Bangkok golf course has played host to some of the biggest tournaments in Thailand, such as the Johnnie Walker Classic and Thailand Open. With wide fairways and flat greens, Pinehurst is suitable for golfers of all abilities and offers three sets, of 9 holes. The Greenfield Course is probably the easiest of the three and is smooth and flat, with the Lake Course playing very much like a typical American municipal course. Perhaps the most challenging is the West Forest Course, which comes complete with water hazards and mounds on the side of the fairways. Complete with full floodlighting and Rolls Royce branded golf carts, its little wonder Pinehurst is so popular with locals and visitors alike.
Bangkok Golf Club
An old favourite and within easy reach of the city
Bangkok Golf Club
Panya Indra Golf Club
A very pictureque course with plenty of water
Panya Indra Golf Club
Panya Indra Golf Club consists of three separate 9-hole championship courses, each with a different design and different setting. The courses are appropriately call the Lagoon Course, Palm Course, and Garden Course. The Palm (B) and Garden (C) Courses are floodlit for night golf. The golf course is very attractive with many colorful flowering plants and shrubs which provide a colourful backdrop to many holes.
The par-3 holes are all very challenging with water in front of most of the tee boxes. Particularly memorable is the par-3, 4th hole with its island green
Lakewood Links
Lots of water with elevated tee boxes and rolling greens makes this course a challenge
Lakewood Links
Lakewood Links is a sister course to the more famous Lakewood Country Club nearby and, as its name suggest, has been designed as a links-style course with wide open spaces, with few trees but several waste areas and man-made dunes. The elevated tee boxes combined with the undulating putting surfaces makes the course quite challenging, especially at night and with water comes in play on 16 of the holes.
Lakewood Links boasts two unusual signature holes in the shape of a crab and starfish which the locals suggest are waiting to eat your golf balls.
Laem Chabang International Country Club - Pattaya
Laem Chabang International Country Club is widely considered to be one of Thailand’s finest
Laem Chabang International Country Club, Pattaya
Moving away from Bangkok and Laem Chabang International Country Club is widely considered to be the best golf course in Pattaya and one of Thailand’s finest. Established in 1995 and designed by Jack Nicklaus, this 27-hole course offers a good mix of terrain throughout, including river valleys, lakes and mountains. As such, the three sets of 9-holes are called Mountain, Lake and Valley, each giving visitors a different challenge. The man-made bunkers and water hazards, are complimented nicely by the natural features of the course, such as lakes, creeks and rock formations. Not only that but Laem Chabang International Country Club offers flood lights around the course, meaning it’s possible to play during the evening and with the cooler temperatures, this makes for a great round of night golf in Thailand. The clubhouse facilities here are excellent and there is accommodation available. So, if you are staying in Bangkok, you can make the trip, which is just over an hour from the capital city, to Laem Chabang International Country Club and stay for the evening or weekend.
Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai Country Club
Play a round of golf in the crisp evening air at Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai Country Club
Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai Country Club
Just a 20-minute drive from the centre of Chiang Mai, in the mountainous north of Thailand, you will find Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai Country Club. Being in a mountainous area, the freshness of the air soon becomes apparent during a round of golf at Summit Green Valley but the course itself is very testing. There are many well placed bunkers throughout and water comes into play on almost every hole on the course. The fairways are lined by palm trees and can seem wide but with the sand and water traps waiting either side, any wayward shots are punished. The large greens invite attacking approach shots and they receive the ball well, being moderately fast. The course is fully lit during the evening and with prices for night golf much cheaper than during the day, this can be a great way to sample the course. Playing a round of golf in the crisp evening air at Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai Country Club is a tremendous experience and one every golfer in Thailand will enjoy.
Stardome Golf Club, Chiang Mai
Stardome Golf Club, in Chiang Mai can be seen for miles when lit up at night
Stardome Golf Club, in Chiang Mai
Home to the biggest driving range in northern Thailand, the Stardome Golf Club, in Chiang Mai can be seen for miles when lit up at night. This 9-hole Chiang Mai golf course is perfectly suited to nighttime golf and features plenty of water hazards, which combine with the sand to produce the biggest challenge on the course. Accuracy off the tee is vital for a low score here, as the fairways can be quite narrow at times and the water stretches out alongside each of them. With the floodlights on, night golf at Stardome Golf Club is a lot of fun and that’s how it should be treated. Playing a 9-hole golf course under artificial lighting is never going to be like playing a full 18-hole championship course in daylight but it is very entertaining. Coupled with the huge driving range, which is also open after dark, the Stardome Golf Club is a great place to go for a round of golf after a day of sightseeing or being in the office.
Night golf in Thailand has become a very popular activity among the locals and it’s easy to see why. There’s a great choice of golf courses to play, whether you are in Bangkok, Pattaya or in the mountainous north, you can enjoy a great round of golf after dark in Thailand. It’s possible to play a round of night golf at each of the courses mentioned above, at much lower rates than during daylight hours. Another benefit of playing night golf in Thailand is the smaller number of players who are using the golf course, meaning you can take more time over your shots and really immerse yourself in the course.
Playing night golf in Thailand is a fantastic experience and one you should try when visiting the country on a golf holiday.