Chiang Mai, “The Rose of the North”, and Chiang Rai, the gateway to the infamous “Golden Triangle”, can both be reached by air from Bangkok in just over an hour’s flight. Both cities have rich cultural histories and offer rewarding sights, comfortable and world-class hotels, delicious food, bargain shopping and some great and very challenging golf courses.
Chiang Mai is home to up to a dozen golf courses. A number of them are up there with the best in Thailand, if not Asia. Probably the pick of the crop are CHIANG MAI HIGHLANDS GOLF RESORT and ALPINE GC. The former is a Schmidt-Curley design with 27 holes. The course has numerous undulations and great views from every hole. ALPINE GC is a challenging layout, also with 27 holes. It’s often the host to Asian Tour events that speaks to its quality.
Other quality lay-outs in Chiang Mai include: SUMMIT GREEN VALLEY CC: MAE JO GC; The GASSAN COURSES (KHUNTAN, LEGACY & PANORAMA); ROYAL CHIANG MAI; NORTH HILL and INTHANON GOLF RESORT.
A number of the courses in Chang Mai offer excellent accommodations on-site. Such as ALPINE GC, MAE JO & CHIANG MAI HIGHLANDS, for the ultimate golf getaway. Also outstanding properties are located in the centre of Chiang Mai, ranging from quality 5 star, excellent 4 star and good value 3 star hotels. All allow walking to multiple restaurants, bars, the Mae Ping Riverside and the world famous Night Bazaar.
Chiang Rai is home to one of the best kept secrets in Golf in Asia. SANTIBURI CHIANG RAI CC is a Trent Jones design and well worth the extra day or so to visit from Chiang Mai. Usually in pristine condition it is a must play course. Chiang Rai offers a couple of other decent options with WATERFORD VALLEY GC and HAPPY CITY GOLF RESORT.
