Great Golf Deals in Thailand

From the equipment to the membership at a golf club and the golfing holidays you may take, golf can be a very expensive hobby.

Now the weathers warming up and we’re all thinking about holidays but may want to be a little kinder to our wallets with the economic situation still slow, why not look at Thailand for an exotic getaway that not only has beautiful places to see and visit but according to a recent survey conducted by Asian golf vacation specialists Golfasian, has some of the most competitive golf rates for visitors across Asia and the Middle East.

The average round of golf was 29% lower in Thailand than a similar number of clubs surveyed across six different countries. The survey compared the midweek high season visitor rates.

Mark Siegel founder of Golfasian and President of Golf in A Kingdom said, “We knew from the feedback we were getting from our regular customers, that golf here was very reasonable. However we were very surprised that our survey showed that there really was such a large difference between Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai or Bali.

“For example, a round of golf at Black Mountain Golf Club in Thailand’s Hua Hin, who recently hosted both the Asian Tour Masters and the prestigious Royal Trophy, was only US$130.00. This compares with another Asian Tour venue, Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, where they charge US$238.00 a round, but without a caddie.”

Siegel explained, “For our survey to be fair, we compared rates with similar top championship courses in Thailand and abroad. Many of the courses selected have held international golf championships, and all offer a first class golfing experience.

“Apart from the cost of actually playing 18 holes on some great courses, another plus factor for golfers holidaying in Thailand, is that the cost of lodging, transportation and food and beverages is also lower.”

If you are considering flying off to play golf in Thailand or another destination don’t forget to pack golf insurance in your bag. Golfplan Insurance policies provide 120 days Worldwide Cover and also include cover for: 

•    Equipment,
•    Public Liability,
•    Personal Accident,
•    Club Fees,
•    Accidental Property Damage,
•    Personal Effects.

New Golf Academy at Moscow’s Olympic Stadium

Thomson Perret and Lobb, the golf course design practice founded by five-times Open Champion Peter Thomson and partners Ross Perrett and Tim Lobb, has announced work will begin on the new golf academy at Moscow’s Luzhniki Olympic Complex in spring.

The golf academy will feature an original 9-hole par-3 golf course design, with six of the holes sharing two splash-shaped greens, a driving range and a practice putting area, plus a clubhouse with indoor golf simulators.

The landmark development will introduce golf to Europe’s largest sports centre, which has already been the venue of prestigious events - the 1980 Olympics and 2008 Champions League Final between Manchester United and Chelsea, and boasts facilities for more than 40 different sports with five million visits per year.

It comes at a perfect time, with the return of golf to the Olympics in 2016.

TPL principal Tim Lobb said: “TPL has an excellent understanding of designing golf experiences that appeal to players in new markets, and I’m confident we will create an academy that compliments existing sporting facilities on site and showcases golf to this emerging market.”

Dimitry Aleshin, Deputy Director of Development and Commercial Affairs of the Luzhniki Olympic Complex, said: “TPL’s design will create a welcome addition to the sporting facilities at the Luzhniki Complex. As Moscow’s first city centre golf academy I’m certain it will be well received and encourage more people to take up the sport.”