If you are building a golf itinerary around Chiang Mai, one name comes up in nearly every serious conversation: Chiang Mai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort. Set in the rolling foothills east of the city, it is the course most northern-Thailand regulars point to when they want mountain scenery, a genuine championship test, and a routing you can mix and match. In this GongGolf Editorial profile we lay out what actually makes it tick — the design, the three-loop layout, the setting, and the practical logistics of getting there — so you can decide where it fits in your trip.
The Basics: 27 Holes, Three Distinct Nines
Chiang Mai Highlands is a 27-hole facility, built as three separate nine-hole loops rather than one continuous eighteen. The three nines are named the Valley, the Highlands, and the Mountain. Because any two of them can be paired for a full round, you get three different eighteen-hole combinations from a single property — a real advantage if you plan to play here more than once during a stay.
The original eighteen holes opened in 2005. The Mountain nine is the later addition, opening in November 2015, and it is generally regarded as the most dramatic of the three, sitting on higher ground with elevated tee boxes and the widest views across the surrounding countryside. Playing all 27 in a day is very doable for keen groups, and the three-loop structure keeps things from feeling repetitive.
| Detail | Chiang Mai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort |
|---|---|
| Layout | 27 holes (three 9-hole loops: Valley, Highlands, Mountain) |
| Par (18-hole combination) | Par 72 |
| Championship yardage (18) | Approximately 7,003 yards from the back tees |
| Tees | Multiple sets, so the course flexes for a range of handicaps |
| Designer | Lee Schmidt / Schmidt-Curley Design (USA) |
| Original 18 opened | 2005 (Mountain nine added November 2015) |
| Location | Foothills east of Chiang Mai, San Kamphaeng / Mae On area, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand |
| Drive from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Roughly 45 minutes |
The Design: Schmidt-Curley on Rolling Ground
The course carries the signature of Lee Schmidt of Schmidt-Curley Design, one of the most prolific firms in Asian golf. The design philosophy here is to work with the natural, rolling terrain rather than flatten it — the result is a “shot maker’s” layout that rewards thoughtful positioning off the tee more than raw distance.
Two features define the challenge. The first is the bunkering: the property carries well over 100 fairway and greenside bunkers, many with deep, high-lipped faces that genuinely punish a wayward shot. The second is the greens — large, undulating putting surfaces that ask for a careful approach and a good touch once you are on them. Fairways are Paspalum grass, a variety well suited to Thailand’s climate, giving a consistent surface through the seasons.
How the Three Nines Play
- Valley — the more forgiving of the loops, with broader fairways that sweep through gently rolling ground. A good place to settle into a round.
- Highlands — more strategic, with doglegs and expansive bunkering that force you to think about angles and shape shots into the greens.
- Mountain — the most scenic and dramatic, playing on higher ground with elevated tees, pronounced elevation changes, and the biggest views of the surrounding hills.
The Setting: Northern Thailand’s Cooler, Greener Golf
What sets Chiang Mai Highlands apart from courses further south is the environment. The resort sits in the foothills at elevation, in a landscape of rolling terrain, rice paddies, and mountain skyline. Northern Thailand runs cooler and fresher than Bangkok or Pattaya, and that shows on the course: crisper air, green surroundings, and a tranquil, unhurried feel that many golfers rank among the best atmospheres in the country. The mountain backdrop is a constant, and from the Mountain nine in particular the vistas open right up across the countryside.
This cooler climate is one of the main reasons the Chiang Mai region reads differently from the rest of Thailand’s golf map — something we cover in depth in our guide to golf in Chiang Mai, alongside the region’s other standout, the Highlands and its lowland neighbours.
Getting There and Fitting It Into a Trip
The resort lies in the foothills east of Chiang Mai, in the San Kamphaeng / Mae On area of Chiang Mai Province, and is roughly a 45-minute drive from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX). That makes it an easy day out from a city-centre hotel and a natural anchor for any northern golf itinerary. Green fees and packages vary by season and by whether you book a stay-and-play at the on-site resort accommodation — always confirm current rates directly, as prices shift through the year (verify).
For most visitors, Chiang Mai Highlands pairs well with a broader Thailand golf trip. If you are weighing regions, our comparisons of golf in Bangkok and golf in Pattaya help you balance the north against the busier central and eastern hubs. And whenever you are ready to map out flights, tee times, and where the days link up, start with the Golf in Thailand hub and our trip planner.
The Verdict
Chiang Mai Highlands earns its reputation through a genuine combination of substance and setting: a Schmidt-Curley championship design across 27 well-varied holes, three loops that keep repeat rounds interesting, and a cool, green mountain environment you simply will not find in southern Thailand. For anyone serious about golf in the north, it belongs at or near the top of the shortlist. Line it up with the rest of your Chiang Mai golf plans and build outward from there.