A Familiar Destination That Doesn’t Get Old
Phuket, the jewel of the Andaman Sea
About an hour’s drive away (depending on traffic) from Phuket International Airport to Phang Nga on the mainland, is a golf course that is set in a valley between three mountains, Khao Nang Hong, Khao Tao and Katathong Mountain. Although opened only in 2015, given the many mature palm trees that lined the fairways, Katathong Golf Resort & Spa looked like a course that has been around for a while. But through the facade of the overall mature look is a course that is in good condition, with the interior of the Sino-portuguese architectural style clubhouse complementing the course very nicely.
Katathong Golf Resort & Spa
From the blue tees, which are its back tees, this par-72 course plays to 7,210 yards, which is quite meaty given the general narrowness of the layout. The white tees are a more manageable 6,568 yards. Built around the natural undulating hills and contours of an abandoned tin mine, this 48-hectare course offers scenic views of the surrounding mountains on almost every hole. The front nine is by far the tighter of the two nines with the back nine having much wider fairways. The mature palm trees lining the fairways on almost every hole makes for a tricky next shot if you decide to unintentionally borrow the next fairway. A punch shot back under the overhanging palms may be your best bet to save par.
This course is a shot-maker’s delight as one really needs to shape shots to get the best out of the course, especially with a good mix of holes that delight in shaping it off the tee. Risk-reward options are also aplenty off the tee such as on the par 4 opening hole and the par 4 7th. There is an option on both these holes to take a tiger line over the dog-legs to leave you with a flick wedge to the green, but if you don’t pull it off trouble awaits you in the form of OB or water. Of course, you can shape it around the dog-legs or hit a straight shot leaving you a long approach.
Many of the holes with elevation
changes here are set beautifully against the surrounding lush mountainsides. Of these, the most scenic is probably their signature 10th and 16th. The par 3 10th sits magnificently in front of the clubhouse restaurant with a cascading waterfall to the side of the blue tee box. Towering above a large lake, one has a beautiful view of most of the course from the tees. Golfers will have a tricky tee shot as they will have to deal with a forced carry of 177 yards downhill onto an island green whilst contending with the wind. Miscalculation of the wind and distance will surely see one’s ball going for a dive in the large lake around the green. Though not their signature hole, we would say their par 3 17th hole is quite interesting also, as one has to tee uphill over water onto a green perched about 30 feet above ground.
Framed against the mountains and the clubhouse in the horizon for a picturesque view, the 16th is a downhill par 4 perched on probably one of the highest points of the course. At 299 yards from the white tee, it begs the long hitter to go for the green guarded by bunkers. The greens here are not very large and do not have crazy undulations. They are generally fairly flat with very subtle undulations but still tricky enough to test your mettle.
The unfortunate thing about playing at Katathong is the almost 3 hour drive back to Patong, if you are staying there. What we suggest is that Katathong is probably best played as your first stop on arrival on the early morning flight, as it’s only an hour to an hour and a half drive from the airport. This should see you tee off about close to noon and if you can take the drive, you would be back in Patong about 8pm. Alternatively, you could do a 1-night stay and play at Katathong, where they have very comfortable and nicely appointed rooms within their resort, with choices for dining and a spa. If you prefer the bustle of a town for a night, you may choose to stay in Phang-nga (25 min drive).
Another option is to stay at the Laguna integrated holiday resort complex on Bang Tao beach, which is about an hour and 45 mins drive from Katathong. There are many accommodation options with resorts such as the Banyan Tree, Angsana, Dusit Thani, and Outrigger. In fact, this would be a good golfing base to stay for those looking for resort-style accommodation as from here, it is mostly a half hour to 45 mins drive to other golf courses in Phuket, like Red Mountain. For those happy to play one more course without any undue fuss, it’s just a hop to play the Laguna Phuket Golf Club, which is on site within the Laguna resort complex.
Laguna Phuket Golf Club
Laguna Phuket Golf Club’s 18 hole championship golf course was formerly known as the Banyan Tree Golf Club, which first opened for play in 1992. Revamped in 2015 by Paul Jansen, formerly a lead designer for Sir Nick Faldo’s Faldo Designs, the layout retained much of its former character and appeal, but with dramatic aesthetic and strategic improvements. The result is a course that is now more strategic and memorable than its former design.
At 6,719 yards from the back tees, the course isn’t long by modern standards, but it is strategic enough to challenge better players whilst providing enjoyment for resort golfers. There are only 37 bunkers on the course but each one is positioned well to influence play. Before the revamp, the course was typical of a resort course with a fairly flat layout. But now, there are undulating contours on the fairways, which are challenging but still affording leniency to errant tee shots.
Many of the greens were also raised, resulting in tricky false fronts to challenge each approach shot. Not exceptionally large, the greens have been further sculptured and contoured to require accurate iron play for a good chance at birdie. Another notable aspect of the revamp are the tightly mowed collar areas around the green increasing a player’s short game options. You might consider using a putter or an iron to run the ball onto the green.
Several holes have been redesigned to be standouts, accentuating water features and contours, such as the 294m par 4 10th (formerly the 1st hole). A slight dog-leg right, with a semi-raised green tucked behind a mound, longer hitters might consider blasting their tee shots over the mound for a chance for an eagle putt. But an accurate shot is required as the green complex is difficult with humps and bumps coupled with water behind and to the right of the green.
The course delivers everything you’d expect of a championship course requiring thinking off the tees, smart evaluation of your risk-reward options and accurate approach shots onto contoured greens that are challenging but fair. With four different tee boxes to cater to golfers of varying playing abilities, golfers can ensure an appropriate test of their golfing
prowess while on their holiday. As a testimony to its quality and playability, the revamped course has since hosted professional golf tournaments such as the All Thailand Golf Tour and the Asian Development Tour’s Singha Laguna Phuket Open.
Red Mountain Golf Club
Red Mountain Golf Club is arguably the most challenging and dramatic golf course in Phuket. Constructed over a former tin mine in the heart of Phuket’s central highlands, mountain sides were scraped away to reveal the native red clay to form a beautiful contrast with the green grass, white sand and blue sky.
The course gently takes you from low ground to high ground as it winds its way up the mountain gently through the first few opening holes. This is where golfers will begin to appreciate the beautiful surroundings that make Red Mountain a must-play course.
The course has been cleverly designed to take advantage of dramatic elevation changes inherent in the natural terrain to give several risk-reward options that would stay on the minds of many golfers who play here. Some examples are the driveable downhill par 4 8th, the par 4 16th where it feels like it has been laid out on a mountaintop plateau, and its signature par 3 17th with a dramatic 100 feet drop down onto the green!
Although now 12 years in age, Red Mountain has hardly showed much signs of ageing. The clubhouse and facilities still look as new as when it first opened its doors. Still in good shape and condition, golfers won’t be disappointed playing at Red Mountain. Golfers who take much pride and enjoyment in their putting, will enjoy the slick pristine greens here. In contrast to Red Mountain, there is a less frequented in Phuket that in our opinion sits on probably one of the best properties on the island. We are referring to the Mission Hills Phuket
Golf Resort & Spa, the only course on the island that has a seaside fronting, providing picturesque views of the Andaman Sea.
Mission Hills Phuket Golf Resort & Spa
Designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened for play in 2004, the course has several fantastic holes that play towards the Andaman Sea starting from the par 5 2nd. With a wide fairway and a strong tail wind, one can get onto this double green that is shared with the 5th hole, in two. Mind you though, the green is an island green which means accuracy is key to avoid a splashing end. Try not to get distracted with the beautiful sea view in the horizon as you play this loop from the 2nd to the 5th. As you navigate the par 3 4th, heading to the tee box of the 5th, you’ll feel like going for a swim in the beckoning waters. On the back nine, the tantalizing sea views are revisited as you play the par 4 12th and make your way home through another picturesque par 5, the 13th hole, and onto the tee box of the 14th. The ocean views do come with a catch though, with water in play and the prevailing sea breezes, it makes clubbing very tricky.
As a Nicklaus design, we were not disappointed and found the layout a wonderful treat. It was challenging but not overly difficult with plenty of forgiveness, especially if you “need” to borrow a fairway! The strong tail winds make for some fun driveable par 4s such as the 1st and 8th, plus par 5s like the 2nd and 9th that are reachable in two. Most of the greens here are fairly small especially on the par 3s. For those who like playing from the tips, at 6,806 yards, it is still very manageable as the fairways
provide ample roll.
A note of caution though, when we played the course the fairways could do with a bit more mowing as can the greens, as they were particularly slow. Notwithstanding that, it was a very enjoyable experience with the layout and the ocean views. But for golfers particular about conditioning, they should check with their tour operator on the condition before booking to play. Staying at the resort is also an option as they do have comfortable rooms with stay and play packages.