MAE MOH GOLF COURSE
Mae Moh is a prime example of how you can give life back to a piece of land by changing its function. What used to be a lignite mine in this part of Lampang province was turned into a championship course in 1985. The fact that the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand designed it points at the resourcefulness of the authorities when it came to land renewal.
The uniqueness of playing here is partly due to the views of the mine on some of the holes. The natural disposition and mountain backdrop masks the land’s previous use, and the spectacular views make it worth your while to drive the 125km from Chiang Mai here.
Part of the layout sits on top of a mountain with the vantages afforded from that perspective. The others lie at the bottom of the valley with different, if equally interesting, propositions. Given the variety of the course’s nature, you can expect great changes in elevation, and steep inclines on some of the holes. Needless to say, you won’t find many flat lies on the course.
Holes running along the edge of the old mine have the greatest visual appeal. The par3 10th in particular is worth noting, requiring a tee shot to be launched off a cliff to a small green below surrounded by water. Other memorable holes include the par-5 second with its two alternative greens, and the par-4 sixth, the handicap-one hole, which plays down a valley with water along the left.
Mae Moh is not a fancy place, and facilities tend to be a little on the rustic side. It’s location an hour and a half from downtown Chiang Mai puts it off the beaten track and you’re unlikely to come up against a packed time sheet on your visit. If anything, the surreal experience of playing on a course overlooking a mine is one that you’ll remember for a long time, and will undoubtedly enjoy regaling to your golf friends.
getting there: Mae Moh Golf Course is located about two and a half hours by car from Chiang Mai.